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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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 26
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which the latter has attended since fourteen years of age. She is an earnest Christian woman and very popular with the community.
Malcom Currie is the well-known proprietor of Currie Vineyard, situated eight miles southwest of Pine Bluff, on the public road between White Sulphur Springs and Lee's Springs, being a half mile distant from each point. This is conceded to be one of the finest vineyards and fruit farms in Central Arkansas, and is managed in a manner which is sure to secure profitable returns. The orchard consists of 250 apple-bearing trees, 150 peach trees, 125 wild goose plum trees, 140 dwarf pear trees, and 150 Le Conte pear trees. In the vineyard are about 5,000 bunch grape vines, three-fourths of which are bearing, 250 scupper- nong vines, on arbors from 50 to 900 square feet. Besides making from 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of wine, several thousand pounds of grapes are sold annually. Mr. Currie was born in North Carolina in 1825, and is a son of Daniel and Anna (Ray) Currie, natives of North Carolina, both of whom were born in 1801. They died within five miles of their birth-place, the father in 1871 and the mother in 1868. They were of Scotch descent, their ancestors having come to the United States some time before the Revolutionary War, with a large number of families who settled in the Caro- linas; as might be supposed, they belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Malcom was the oldest of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. He was reared on the farm in North Carolina, and having received a classical education in the best schools in the county, at the age of twenty years commenced teaching school. In October, 1857, he moved to Arkansas, settling on the place where he now lives, but boarded at White Sulphur Springs the first year until he could build. In 1862 he ceased his professional duties for a time, and served eighteen months in the Confederate army on post duty. After the close of the war he resided near Pine Bluff for two years, raising cot- ton, but returned to the place where he now re- sides, and planted the nucleus of his present extensive vineyard. While in North Carolina Mr.
G
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
167
Currie was married to Miss Eliza Davis, whose birth occurred in that State in 1825. She died in Arkansas in 1861, having borne two children, Charles G. and Ida (now the wife of Henry G. Hanna, of Kentucky). Charles died suddenly in 1877, at the age of twenty eight years, of heart disease. After his wife's death, Mr. Currie's house was presided over by an older sister-in-law until her death in October, 1880, and since that time by one of his own sisters. In 1860 he was elected common school commissioner for Jefferson County, holding the office eight years. In 1882 he was elected county assessor, serving one term, and he has been school director many years. He was principal of the High School of Pine Bluff for two years, closing his connection with that in- stitution in June, 1877, which terminated his career as a professional teacher. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff. Perhaps no citizen of Jefferson County occupies a warmer place in the affections of the people as an advocate and promoter of educational advancement than Mr. Currie. His interests in this direction are by no means personal, and his influence in this as in other respects has been of decided benefit.
Rev. Joseph A. Dickson, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff, is one of the popular and highly respected ministers of this county. He was born in Dickson County, Tenn., September 9, 1835, his father, Joseph A. Dick- son, being a son of Moulton Dickson, of North Alabama, who first saw the light in 1807. The Dicksons originally came from Scotland in an early day, and settled in the Carolinas; some of the ancestors served as soldiers under Cromwell. Joseph A., the father, was a practicing physician of prominence in Dickson County, Tenn., which was named for some member of the family. He died when his son was but an infant. His wife, Nancy Belle, of the same county as himself, was born in 1814. After the death of her husband she re- mained a widow for five years, and then married Rev. W. A. Williams, of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, who still lives in Texas, she having died in 1848. By her first marriage there were two children: Georgia Anna (who died at the age
of two years), and Joseph A. (our subject). By the second marriage there were six children, all living: Anna E., Mary L., Sarah J., Medicus U., Martha E., and Nancy B. Joseph A., the youngest child of the first marriage, was reared in Dickson County until fourteen years of age, when he went to Tip- ton County and attended school two years; he then attended Erskine College. of South Carolina, from which he graduated in 1854 with the degree of A. B. Subsequently studying law at the Cumber- land University, Tennessee, he took one course of lectures, and afterward returned to Tipton County, where he married Miss Mary C. MeCain. of Ten- nessee. Following this he taught school for two years, after which he entered the Theological De- partment of Erskine College, and in the spring of 1857 was licensed to preach in the Associate Re- formed Presbyterian Church. He spent three years in Central Mississippi, and was then called to Monticello, Ark., where he took charge of the church the same day that Lincoln was elected president. After having served this church dur- ing the war, he remained until 1871, when he was called to Millersburg, Ky. In the fall of 1865, he changed his relationship from the Associ- ate Reformed Presbyterian Church to the First Presbyterian Church. September 1, 1881, Dr. Dickson located in Pine Bluff, assuming charge of the First Presbyterian Church, where he has since continued, obtaining a firm hold in the hearts of his parishioners as well as those of wider acquain- tance. At the time of his coming the membership was seventy, which has increased to about 400 at the present date. During 1888-89 100 members were added. To Dr. Dickson and wife have been born four children: Emmett M. (a successful lawyer at Paris, Ky., who graduated from Sid- ney College, in Virginia), Charles B. (a student at the Central University, of Kentucky), and Mary Will (at home). Claude Ross died in 1867 at the age of six years. Mrs. Dickson is an ardent worker in the church, and one of the best of women. Dr. Dickson is a member of the American Legion of Honor. In 1885 the Central University of Kentucky conferred upon him the title of D. D.
J. B. Dodds, one of the leading planters of
L
=
168
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jefferson County, and a prominent citizen of Pine Bluff, was born at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, October 25, 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Eleanor (Ewing) Dodds, the former born near Philadelphia, Penn., and the mother a native of Kentucky. The elder Dodds was reared on a farm and educated in the city of Philadelphia. After his marriage he removed with his wife to Ohio, in which State they passed the remainder of their days, the father dying in Dayton and the mother in Shelbyville. Seven children were born to their marriage, of whom three are yet living: Matthew M., Joseph B., and Jennie (wife of Dr. John C. Slo- cum). J. B. Dodds, the principal in this sketch, was reared and educated in his native State, attending the public schools. He remained with his father, looking after the management of the farm, until the year 1855, when he moved to Paris, Ill., and embarked in mercantile life with his brother and brother-in law, remaining in that city for seven years.
At the close of the war he, in company years he came to Arkansas with his parents, W. with his brother and a Mr. Wolf, went to Memphis, Tenn., and established a wholesale grocery busi- ness, which they carried on successfully until the latter part of 1867. Mr. Wolf then withdrew from the firm, and the brother moved to Pine Bluff, 1 where he again started in business, J. B. joining him later. They carried on the business until 1 1877, when the latter retired from the firm and turned his attention to planting, which calling he has followed ever since. Mr. Dodds now owns 260 acres of very fertile land, with about 150 acres under cultivation, and has rented for the past five years over 1,200 acres, which he has placed in cot- ton every year. Added to this, he owns a business block in Pine Bluff, from which the rentals form a considerable income alone, and, together with his plantation interests, make him one of the solid men, financially, of Jefferson County. Mr. Dodds was married in 1859 to Miss Fannie Molton, an adopted daughter of S. W. Molton, by whom he has had five children: Charles N., George, Gamer, Samuel, and Mamie. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds are members of the Presbyterian Church, and liberal in their aid to all religious and educational mat- ters. In secret societies Mr. Dodds has been a
Mason for over thirty years-Royal Arch, and also belongs to the Knights Templar. He is one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of Pine Bluff, and a man of great popularity and influence. His wealth has accumulated by his own individual efforts, business tact and judicious management, although he has several times lost a fortune in mercantile life. While in business at Memphis his shipments were among the largest coming to that city, one shipment alone from Cincinnati to Memphis amounting to $75,000. He is a promi- nent figure in the affairs of Jefferson County, especially those tending to its advancement and progress, but as a rule prefers the quiet of his com- fortable home and family to the excitement of social pleasures.
H. N. Dunn. Among the representative farm- ers of this county, none are more worthy of men- tion than Mr. Dunn, who was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1850. At the age of nine D. and Anna (Henry) Dunn, settling on the place on which their son now lives, where the mother still survives, the father having been killed in 1880, at the age of sixty-five years, by a runaway team attached to a mowing machine. He served in the commissary department during the war. H. N. Dunn, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of eight children, four of whom are now living, and three in Memphis, Tenn. He has lived the greater part of his life in this State, though during the war he was a resident of Tennessee, at the close of which struggle he returned to Arkansas. Mr. Dunn has not yet joined the ranks of the bene- dicts, but devotes his time to the cultivation of his 200-acre farm, which is planted to cotton, and is one of the best places on the river. This is pro- tected by a levee erected by himself. He is a progressive farmer and much interested in enter- prises tending to the advancement of his adopted home.
Frank M. Fergus (deceased) was a prominent planter of Jefferson County, and a man whose memory is cherished by the citizens of this section as one of its influential, respected residents. He was born in Cumberland County, Ky., in the year
169
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
1822, and remained at home with his parents till he became of age. His first venture on leaving home was to teach school, and in 1847 he came to this county, locating six miles below the present homestead, removing in 1859 to the place where his widow now resides; this was then unimproved, but by his good management and care, was put in a fine state of cultivation. At that time there were 700 acres, a part of which has since gone into the river. Mr. Fergus became one of the leading planters of the county, quiet and unassuming in his manner of living, and although not a church mem- ber, was a believer in the Christian religion. His people were Methodists. He died May 23, 1884. Mr. Fergus' marriage was to Mrs. Mildred A. Mor- rell, widow of M. P. Morrell. Mr. Morrell was born at Natchez, Miss., in 1820, and died in 1857. He came to Arkansas in 1852, and located in Jef- ferson County, on the south side of the Arkansas Kiver, six miles below Pine Bluff, where as a planter he became well-to-do, leaving at the time of his death about 1,200 acres of land. Mrs. Fergus was born in Clark County, Ky., the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Boone (Brooks) Bledsoe, of Virginia. Her great-grandmother was a near rela- tive of Daniel Boone. Mrs. Fergus' parents first settled in Chicot County, where the father died in 1844, and in the same year the family went to Pulaski, near Little Rock. The mother died in 1874, in Kentucky. Four of this family of ten children are living: Calvin, Elizabeth B. Warner, Louisa A. Collins and Mrs. Fergus. Two children of Mrs. Fergus by her first marriage survive: Dr. M. P. Morrell, of St. Louis, and Alexander M., at home. Three children by the second mar- riage are living: William F., and Mildred B. (wife of W. J. Levy, both of this county). and Minerva E. (at home). Mrs. Fergus has been a member of the Christian Church since sixteen years of age. She is an estimable lady, of good business ability and management, and in overseeing and conduct- ing the farm, displays a wisdom and good judg- ment for which she deserves great credit.
Capt. S. Geisreiter, planter, Pine Bluff, Ark. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowledges as successful, more worthy
of honorable mention, or whose history affords a better illustration of what may be accomplished by a determined will and perseverance, than Mr. Geisreiter. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 30, 1840, being the son of Jacob and Mary E. (Van Smuck) Geisreiter, natives of the same country. Capt. Geisreiter was left mother- less when quite small, and his father was married the second time, after which, or in 1854, they emi- grated to America, taking passage at Bremen and arriving in New York after a forty days' ocean voyage. They remained there until 1858, and the father carried on his trade, that of architect, builder and cabinet maker, having, while in the old country, also conducted a large furniture man- nfactory. In 1858 he moved to Washington, Iowa, where he died one year later. Capt. S. Geisreiter was educated in Germany, and learned the cabinet maker's trade, but soon found other pursuits more congenial to his taste and ability. After going to Washington, Iowa, he entered college, attending two terms; but meantime the war broke ont; his patriot brother had enlisted from Minnesota and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Capt. S. Geisreiter promptly took his brother's place and served until the close of the war. He ranked as first lieutenant, but by reason of the many duties he was called upon to perform, was given the title of captain. After cessation of hostilities he lo- cated at Pine Bluff (the army having brought him there on detached service), and was engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which he car- ried on for nine years. He then began planting, has since carried it on, and is now the owner of much choice land, while he also manages the plant- ations of his father-in-law, Mr. Joseph Merrill. The Captain is one of the most enterprising and successful men of the county, is honorable and up- right in all his dealings, and as a useful, influential citizen, holds a conspicnous position in the com- munity. He selected for his companion in life Miss Mary O. Merrill, now deceased. whom he married in November, 1877. After remaining a widower for eleven years he married Miss Linda Chinn, danghter of the late Dr. Rolla Chinn, of Shawhan, Bourbon County, Ky. Capt. Geisreiter
-
1
170
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
is more than ready to do all he can for the ad- vancement and permanent prosperity of his long- time home, the State of his selection and the coun- try of his adoption. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and of the order of Knights of Pythias.
James F. and Emanuel L. George, are two brothers whose names are prominent in the enter- prises of Jefferson County. They were born in Coosa County, Ala., on April 30, 1850, and March 15, 1852, respectively, and are the sons of Silas and Nancy (Ferguson) George, the father a native of Georgia and the mother from Alabama. The parents were married in the latter State and moved to Jefferson County when both boys were children. The elder George was born on August 27, 1822, and the mother on November 8, 1827. The latter died in 1864, and some time after her death the father married Miss Elizabeth Dugan, who has since died. Both Mr. and Mrs. George were earn- est Christian people and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth, in which church he was an official. In politics he was a Democrat, but never mixed much in political affairs, although in other enterprises, both public and private, he was a prominent figure. Seven children blessed his first marriage, of whom Eman- uel was the third and James the fourth child born. Both sons received their education in Jefferson County and remained at home until their father's death in 1875, when they rented land and com- menced in life for themselves. In 1881 they bought 160 acres of land on their present location, and by good management and strict attention to business have increased it to 320 acres, the land being some of the most productive in Central Arkansas. James has also engaged in saw milling to some ex- tent and has made the venture quite successful. In 1886 he was married to Miss Dora Diamond, of Jefferson County, by whom he had one child, Edward Felix. After the death of his first wife he was united to Miss Omar Dalton, who became the mother of one child, Frances L. The other brother, Emanuel, was married in 1881 to Miss Katy Diamond, by whom he had five children, all of them now deceased. Both brothers and their
wives are members of the Catholic Church, and liberal contributors to religious and educational matters. They rank among the leading citizens of the county, and are highly respected in their com- munity.
Benjamin L. Gocio. one of the large land owners of this county, is a native Arkansan, having been born in Villemont Township in 1854. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnson) Gocio, originally from Arkansas and Georgia, respectively. In the family were nine children, three of whom are living: John (near Hot Springs), Lucy Humph- reys (in Washington County, Ark.), and the sub- ject of this sketch, the latter of whom has always resided in this township. At the age of fifteen years he commenced farming for himself, and in 1876 was married to Miss Jane Mitchell, of Ar- kansas County, whose birth occurred at the Post. Her father, Frank Mitchell, of this State, died when his daughter was five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Gocio have had six children: Anna, Ida, Ollie, Joseph, Lncy (deceased), and Agnes. Mr. Gocio has about 250 acres of land under cultiva- tion, and is the owner of upward of 1,800 acres. He is a member of the Catholic Church. His grandparents came to the United States from France in an early day, locating at New Orleans, and later at Arkansas Post, where Joseph was born, and where he lived, a farmer, until his death, which occurred when Benjanin L. was fourteen months old, in 1856. He was born in 1803. The mother was married (the second time) to Mr. R. S. Dollerhide, who died in 1876; she was born in 1818, and is still living at Booneville, Miss. Mr. Gocio, by a lifetime spent in this locality, has fully demonstrated his worth and energy as an intelli- gent successful farmer. His extensive acquaint- ance is only equaled by the universal respect accorded him.
Dr. J. L. Goree, justly considered one of the most eminent of the medical profession in Jefferson County, was born in Smith County, Tenn., on the 8th of October, 1853, and is a son of Dr. James L. and Mary E. (Dixon) Goree, of Marion, Ala., and Smith County, Tenn., respect- ively. The father was a prominent physician dur-
171
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
ing his life, and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. About the year 1850 he moved to what is now Lincoln County, Ark., and remained there practicing his profession until 1860. During the Civil War he resided in Texas, but after the surrender he returned to Arkansas and re- sumed his practice, continuing with great success until his death in December, 1866. The mother is still living, and resides with her son, the principal of this sketch. Dr. J. L. Goree was principally reared in Arkansas, and received his education at St. Louis University, and King's College of Bristol, Tenn. At the age of twenty two he began the study of medicine, and in February, 1876, gradu- ated from the Louisville Medical College, after- ward taking an ad eundem degree added by the Kentucky School of Medicine. He then stood a competitive examination against the picked men of four medical colleges for a hospital position, and was the successful competitor for one of the four positions. The Doctor remained in the hospital for one year, afterward coming to Lincoln County, Ark., where he hoped to settle up his father's en- tangled estate, but owing to the slowness of the conrts, failed to accomplish anything. In the spring of 1881 he located at New Gascony, Jeffer- son County, Ark., where his reputation as a suc- cessful physician attained such proportions that one of the leading physicians of Pine Bluff offered him a partnership. This he accepted, and re- mained at Pine Bluff for one year, but at the re- peated and urgent solicitations of his old patrons, he was induced to return to New Gascony, and did so, remaining there until the spring of 1889. He then again came to Pine Bluff (where he has continued to reside), and rapidly rose to the front ranks of his profession in spite of the competition from older men in that line. The Doctor has at- tained a prominence among the medical fraternity that is well deserved, as he has made his profes- sion the study of his life. His services are sought for continuously, and his fine practice fully at- test to his skill. He is a member of the Jefferson Medical Society, and also of the State Medical Society. In 1877 he was married to Miss Victoria T. Evans, by whom he has had two children: Vic-
toria and James L. In secret societies the Doctor is a member of the Knights of Honor.
William P. Grace, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark. Among the prominent names that go to make up the strength of the Arkansas bar, that of Will- iam P. Grace is looked upon with considerable pride by the people of this locality, not only for his brilliant efforts in his profession, but for his unquestioned integrity and honesty of purpose. His birth occurred in Caldwell County, Ky., November 22, 1822, and he is the son of Preston and Jane (Kilgore) Grace, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Caldwell County, Ky., and there passed their entire lives. The father was a brick- layer by trade. In their family were six children, only two now living: William P. and Benjamin F. William P. Grace attained his growth and received his education in his native State, having attended Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. He worked with his father at the brick laying business until twenty two years of age, when he became desir- ous of prosecuting his studies, and after working for some time for the required means, attended school for a year at Princeton. He then began the study of law with Livingston Lindsey, was ad- mitted to the bar in the spring of 1847, and finally left the State of his nativity with a view of locating in Florida. Not being satisfied there he returned towards the North and settled at Pine Bluff, where a short time afterward he formed a co-partnership with Robert E. Waters. At the end of eight- een months Mr. Waters retired and Mr. Grace continued alone. In 1852 he was elected prosecut- ing attorney and served one term, during which time he formed a partnership with Judge John C. Murray, of the circuit court, continuing with him for about three years, when Mr. Murray was again elected judge, and he was once more left alone in his practice until 1860. Being a Henry Clay Whig, he consented to become a candidate for elector for the Whig party, having been elected to the same position in 1856. He was a Doug- las candidate in IS60, and stumped all south of the Arkansas River, delivering some of the best speeches of his life. He was elected by Democrats
172
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to the secession convention, and was made chairman of the committee on ordinances. He was a very prominent man and used his entire influence for his own party. In 1861 he was appointed as com missary of the military staff of Arkansas, and was at the battle of Oak Hill, after which failing health compelled him to retire from army duties. He then went to Philadelphia and was under a physi- cian's care for seven months. Upon returning to Pine Bluff he resumed his practice and this he has since continued. In 1880 he was a candidate for the office of Governor, but was not nominated. As a lawyer he has few superiors and is a fluent and eloquent speaker. At one time he owned 15,000 acres of land and now has in his possession about 2,000 acres. Mr. Grace was married first in May, 1853, to Miss Harriet Boyd, who was drowned near Paducah, Ky., in December, 1863. Mr. Grace took for his second wife Mrs. Emily B. Hudson, whom he married in April, 1868, and to them was born one child, now deceased. Mr. Grace is a Royal Arch Mason, and in 1878 he con- nected himself with the Temperance Alliance, having been president of the Arkansas Temper- ance Alliance several terms. He has been an active worker in this cause and his influence has been felt among the Anti-Prohibitionists. He is known throughout Arkansas as one of the best criminal lawyers that the State produces, and his success is almost phenomenal in this class. He has defended and prosecuted over fifty cases of homi- cides, and but one man was hung that he ever de- ยท fended.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.