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 30

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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30
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 30


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


R. V. McCracken, one of the leading citizens of Pine Bluff, now retired from active business life, was born in Limestone County, Ala., on De- cember 5, 1830, and is a son of William and Mar- garet (Fox) McCracken, of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. The father was a promi- nent surveyor, and one of the finest mathematicians in the South, and for some years was also engaged in mercantile life in Alabama, in which State his death occurred, the mother dying at Columbus, Miss. The paternal grandfather, James McCrack- en, was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America and settled in Union District, South Caro- lina, afterward removing to Alabama, where he resided until his death. R. V. McCracken was educated in the public schools of his native State, and remained in that place until his eighteenth year, when he came to Little Rock, Ark., and en- tered a business house at that city. During his term of employment he read law, and was also in- structed by Elbert H. English, afterward chief justice, and in 1852 located in Pine Bluff. In


190


HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


1858 he was licensed to practice law in all the courts, and continued at his profession with suc- cess until the year 1874. when he abandoned the law and entered into the insurance business. He has represented fifteen of the best companies in the United States, and transacted nearly all of the insurance business in that section, until his failing health forced him to give it up. Since then he has lived in practical retirement and ease, hoping to close a somewhat stormy life with a calm and beautiful old age. Mr. McCracken has always been a liberal man in his views as well as in a financial sense, when it came toward advancing the public welfare. He served several terms as treasurer of the city of Pine Bluff, and gave entire satisfaction to the people in that capacity. In 1856 he was married to Miss Virginia Harding, of Kentucky. and although he has never had any children of his own, he and wife have reared sev- eral orphan children with all the tender solicitude of true parents. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. McCracken are members of the Episcopal Church. The former belongs to the Masonic fraternity, be- ing a Knight Templar, and associated with the Order of the Mystic Sbrine. He takes an active interest in religious and educational affairs, and has attended three sessions of the general conven- tion of the Episcopal Church. When Mr. Mc- Cracken first came to Pine Bluff in 1852, it com- prised only about 500 inhabitants, and upon locating in the woods (now the heart of the city) people laughed at him, but the wisdom of his choice has been substantiated, and he can now ap- ply the old maxim that "he who laughs last laughs best."


Robert D. McGanghy, one of Jefferson County's leading citizens and a man whose representation of enterprise is of the best, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., May 19, 1839, and is a son of Eli A. and Rebecca (Stewart) MeGaughy, of Indiana and Alabama, respectively. Both parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and sincere, Christian people. In politics the father was a Democrat and wielded considerable in- fluence amongst the men of his party. He was a prosperous farmer during his life, and on the oc-


casion of his death in 1869, at the age of 63 years, left a very good fortune. His wife died before him, in 1849, and he afterward married Mrs. Mary Russell. By his first marriage he became the father of a large family, of whom seven chil- dren lived to maturity, but two only remain at the present time: Robert D. and Emma, wife of Uriah Herron, a prominent banker of Paris, Texas. Ro- bert D. was educated in Alabama and remained in his birthplace until February, 1857, when he left home and came to the State of Arkansas, locating in Jefferson County. He immediately commenced farming, an occupation of which he had a practi- cal knowledge, and from 1874 to 1878 was en- gaged in commercial life at Colton Center, build- ing up a profitable trade during that time. He now owns 280 acres of very fertile land and has placed about 175 acres under cultivation. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. Sixth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the surrender at Greensboro, N. C., May 2, 1865. He took part in a great many of the important battles and a number of minor en- gagements, besides innumerable skirmishes. Prin- cipal among them were the battles of Shiloh, Mur- freesboro. Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, through the Georgia campaign, New Hope Church, Kene- saw Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta and Jonesboro. At the latter place he was captured and confined for nineteen days before he was exchanged. He then fought at Franklin, Nashville and Bentonville, N. C., seeing some very hard service and performing his duties in a manner that often won the praise of his superior officers. After the war was over he went to Alabama to look after his father's business, but after one year's stay in that State he came back to Jefferson County, which he has made his home ever since. In 1888 he was elected justice of the peace of Plum Bayou Town- ship, an office that he filled with entire satisfaction to everyone. On October 24, 1865, he was married to Miss Josephine Stephenson, of Alabama, but. lost his wife in Jefferson County, on May 15, 1875. She left two daughters, one of whom resides at home with her father. The other child, Ella, died in her thirteenth year. January 12, 1876, Mr. MeGaugby was married to Miss Ida J. Cherry,


191


JEFFERSON COUNTY.


of Toledo, Cleburne County, Ark., by whom he had three children; Edward D., Floy E. and Harry G. This wife died August 31, 1885, and on May 19, 1887, he was married to Miss Mamie E. Stephenson, a sister of his first wife. This marriage gave them one child, Robert Earl. Mrs. MeGaughy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devont Christian woman, earnest in her endeavors to do good on every occasion. Her husband is a Royal Arch Mason, and in politics a Democrat.


Emmett M. McGanghy, M. D. The study of medicine is an intricate one, and the man who at- tains a proficiency in that calling has cause to feel proud-indeed his pride is pardonable. Dr. Mc- Ganghy has reached an eminence in his profession which, to attempt a portrayal of his work, is found to be ont of the biographer's reach. However, the outlines of his life may be passed over that some idea of his success may be had. He was born in Pine Bluff on March 21, 1861, and is a son of Dr. J. Paul and Mary O. McGaughy, of Alabama and Arkansas, respectively. The father was a noted physician and a graduate of the Uni- versity of Louisville, Ky. He first commenced to practice medicine in Flat Rock before the war, and in 1871 moved to Pine Bluff, where he also embarked in mercantile life. Later on he retired from business and turned his attention exclusively to farming, in which calling he was extremely prosperous. His death occurred in 1879. when fifty-two years of age. The mother died in 1872, and was comparatively a young woman at the time of her death. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, an earnest Christian woman and much admired for her charitable deeds. Iu politics the father was a Democrat. Seven children were born to their marriage, of whom six are still living: Belle (wife of George Lindsay, con- nected with the firm of G. Meyer & Co., at Pine Bluff), H. C. (with the mercantile house of R. S. Thompson, at the same point), Ernest (in commer- cial life at Fort Payne, Ala.), Fannie, Marshall (salesman for Westbrook & Co., at Pine Bluff), Lula (who died in her fourth year), Eddy (who died in infancy), and Emmett M. The latter was educated


in Pine Bluff, and graduated from the high schools at that place in 1881. In the same year he com- menced the study of medicine under Drs. Owen and Alexander, of Pine Bluff (both now deceased), and after eighteen months' instruction from them he attended lectures at the University of Louisville. He commenced to practice his profession at Rob Roy and remained there two years, afterward re- moving to Goldman, where he remained a short time, and then to Corner Stone, in which place and in the surrounding country, he has built up a fine practice. In June. 1889, he was married to Miss Mary Oliphant, a daughter of L. H. Oliphant, of Jefferson County. Mrs. McGanghy is a member of the Episcopal Church. . The Doctor is a promi- nent Mason, and in politics a stanch Democrat.


Samuel M. McGehee, one of the old resident planters of this county, has seen considerable of pioneer life, having come to Arkansas in 1857. He was born in Meriwether County, Ga., Sep- tember 1, 1828, where he was reared, having few school advantages, and where he cast his first vote. At the age of twenty one he commenced clerking in a general store for $8 per month and board, at Griffin, Ga. On this small sum he sup- ported himself for two years, later engaging in farming in his native county, and four years later removed to Arkansas, locating in the vicinity of where he now resides, and becoming one of the leading farmers of his section. He has upward of 250 acres of open land devoted to the best pur- poses of agricultural life. In 1861 Mr. McGehee enlisted in the Confederate army, in what was called the Fogin Guards, and was made first lieuten- ant. They went to Virginia, camping on the Po- tomac, where he remained till his health gave out, when he was transferred to the Western depart- ment. He then helped organize the Trans Missis- sippi department, and served as quartermaster. He was at Arkansas Post. January 10, 1863, but succeeded in making his escape, also taking part in a number of skirmishes during service, and at the battle of Williamsburg, Va., he was shot, though by the ball hitting his watch and glancing off he was not injured. In 1864 he was elected to the State legislature but did not serve. In 1870 he was com-


192


HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


missioned postmaster at Double Wells (which is at his home), named from two wells on his place. He has since held the office, with the exception of one year when he resigned. He has been very successful, and now owns 4,000 acres of good land. Mr. McGehee's first wife was Miss Mary Black- well (sister of Thomas P. Blackwell), who was born in 1829, and died in 1866, a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. They had a family of six children, two of whom are now living: Dr. Mar- shall M. (living and practicing in Georgia), and Sarah E. (wife of A. B. Craig of this county). September 11, 1866, Mr. McGehee was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Eliza J. Griffin. She was born in Fayette County, Tenn., in the year 1832, and was the daughter of Lucy and Perry- man Griffin, of Kentucky, the former of whom died in 1873; the mother is still living at the age of eighty-eight, but for ten years has been de. prived of her eye-sight, the affliction resulting from measles. Mrs. Perryman is one of three living out of a family of eight children. She has been a resident of this county since 1859, having come here with her parents. One son, Franklin O., is the result of this union; he was born Decem- ber 2, 1868, graduated from the Central Collegi- ate Institute, at Altus, Ark., and is now teaching his fourth term of school. Mr. McGehee and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is steward, and he has been a lay member of every conference at Little Rock for the last twenty years. He is a Demo- crat, taking some interest in county and State elections, and has held the office of justice of the peace for some years, and it is recorded that soon after taking that office he married a couple on horseback. His father, a farmer and local Metho- dist minister, was a native of Georgia, and mar- ried Sarah Martin, of the same State. He was a leading worker in the church, was in one of the Indian wars of Alabama, and held a commission as major in the Georgia State militia. He was born in 1805, and died in 1876. His wife was born in 1804, and died in 1868; she was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a lovely woman, charitable, kind and generous to a fault. .


.


Marcellus C. McIntosh, M. D., is another bright light in the medical profession of Arkansas, located at Sherrill, Jefferson County. He was born at Palmetto, Ga., on November 5, 1859, and is a son of Marcellus E. and Barbara J. (McBride) McIntosh. The father was also a physician of note, and a graduate of the Medical College of Augusta, Ga., in 1845, and practiced his profes- sion in that State and Alabama. He was one of the most intellectual and scholarly men in his native State, and attained a high eminence among the medical fraternity. During the late war he served . as surgeon in the Confederate army, and per- formed such work that had the United States such institutions as the Iron Cross of Europe he would have been entitled to the honor of being so decor- ated. His father was Jesse McIntosh, of Scotland, who emigrated to America and settled in Morgan County, Ala., where he also practiced medicine, and gave part of his attention to a plantation. This McIntosh was one of the largest and wealth- iest planters in Georgia at that time, and well known throughout the Southern country. The McBride family are old and well known residents of Georgia, and are noted for their merchant princes as well as the McIntosh family are known for their famous physicians and surgeons, the firm of McBride & Co. being one of the largest in At- lanta. The parents of Marcellus C. were both members of the Baptist Church, and took great in- terest in religious and educational affairs. The father had been a prominent Mason, and had taken nearly all the higher degrees, besides belonging to several temperance societies. In politics he was a Democrat and a valuable man for his party, as his influence in that section was considerable. Seven children were born to their marriage, of whom five grew to maturity and four are yet living: Mary L. (wife of John M. Adams, a prominent planter of Chambers County, Ala.), Dora E. (deceased, who was the wife of McCuin Robinson, of Lee County, Ala.), Marcellus (who is at present in San Francisco with a brother), Marcellus C. and William P. The latter was the third child born to the parents. Like his forefathers he inclined toward the medical profession, and was a graduate


1


1


6


193


JEFFERSON COUNTY.


of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Bal- timore, the Johns Hopkins University in the same city, and of the male academy at West Point. He is now connected with the United States Marine Hospital service, and is stationed at San Francisco, Cal. Marcellus C. was educated at the home schools, and first commenced to study medicine under his father and elder brother. He began when eight years old, and continued with them until 1882, when he attended lectures at the Col- ege of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. After graduating from that college he was a thor- ough physician and entered into active work at Palmyra, Ark., where he remained a short time, and then moved to Greely, near the boundary line of Lincoln and Jefferson Counties, practicing at this place until 1885. During the years 1885-86 he attended the Memphis Hospital Medical College, and after graduating from that institute, moved to Corner Stone and again began to practice, but the following year he changed to his present loca- tion. While at Baltimore he was assistant sur- geon to a well known physician, and at Memphis was assistant at the City Hospital, but virtually had entire charge of the place. In February, 1886, he entered the United States Marine Ser- vice and remained a short time, and upon obtain ing an indefinite leave of absence he came back to Jefferson County, where he has resided ever since. In 1885 Dr. McIntosh was married to Miss Mary Hudgens, a daughter of William R. Hudgens, of Lincoln County, but lost his wife in January, 1889. The Doctor is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church, and in secret societies a Royal Arch Mason and Odd Fellow. In politics he is a Demo- crat. As a physician and surgeon Dr. McIntosh has few equals and no superiors in Central Ar- kansas, and his record among the medical frater- nity is such that his name will long live in the annals of Arkansas professional men.


Evander N. McPhail has not attained to the position which he occupies as a merchant and property owner of wealth and influence through any untoward circumstances, but rather by reason of his energy, enterprise and acute business good management. He is a native of Fayetteville, N.


C., where he was born June 17, 1843, being a son of Alex and Jean (Campbell) McPhail, both orig- inally from Jura, Scotland, who came to North Carolina in 1839, and to Arkansas in 1866, their death occurring in the latter State. Evander re- ceived his education at the Academy in Fayette- ville, N. C., and in 1861 entered the Civil War under Gen. D. H. Hill, as a member of the First North Carolina Infantry. He was transferred to Starr's battery in 1863, where he remained till the close of the war, having participated in the battles of Big Bethel, Bentonville, Goldsborough, Ply- mouth, Petersburg and Kingston. In 1866 he came to Arkansas with his parents, opened a stock of general merchandise, and is still successfully occupied in the business at Linwood. He has 425 acres of valuable land, on which he raises princi- pally cotton and corn. He is a stanch Democrat, and has been a Mason seventeen years, and is en- terprising both in public and private affairs. In 1866 Mr. McPhail married Miss Annie Puryear, of Virginia. In 1884 he was again married, Miss Maria Jackson, of Jefferson County, Ark., becom- ing his wife. They have two children, Jean, aged two and one-half years, and Marion, aged one and one-half years.


George L. Madding is a merchant and farmer of Madding, Jefferson County, Ark. Few names are better known to the business and agricultural world than Mr. Madding's. He was born in Col. umbia, Tenn., on February 6, 1848, and is a son of Raleigh and Sarah (Mayes) Madding, of Hali- fax County, Va. The parents were married in that State and moved to Tennessee at an early period, locating in Maury County, when the city of Columbia was composed of only a few houses. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church and earnest Christian people. In politics the father was an old line Whig, and one of the best known politicians in that part of Tennessee during his life. The elder Madding was of Irish origin, and came from his native country with his father to the United States, where they located in Vir- ginia. The mother was of Scotch descent. They were the parents of ten children, of whom George L. is the'youngest, and five others yet living. The


194


HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


father died in 1856, when seventy three years of age. and the mother's death occurred in her fifty- eighth year. The names of their children are: William S. (a prominent farmer in Jefferson Coun- ty), Melissa (wife of Capt. W. S. Malcomb, a farmer and extensive stock raiser of Arkansas County), Mrs. W. S. Wilcox (widow of Capt. Wilcox, now resid- ing in Arkansas County), Emily (also in Arkansas County), D. F. (farming in Jefferson County), and George L. (the principal in this sketch). George L. came with his parents to Red Fork, Ark., and was there educated. He was just intending to prepare for a collegiate course when the war interrupted his plans, and he was forced to do without. Two of his brothers were killed while in the Confederate army: John at Bowling Green, Ky., and Albert at Oak Hill, Mo. When twenty years of age George commenced in life for himself. He was employed by others for about two years, when his spirit of independence began to assert itself, and he entered into an agreement with another party to farm on shares. After this venture he farmed on rented land up to the year 1870, when he came to New Gascony, Ark., and entered into commer- cial life with a capital of $175. He remained at New Gascony until the year 1888, and was very successful in his various enterprises. At the pres- ent time he owns 2,100 acres of very fertile land in Jefferson County, and 1,100 acres in Arkansas County. Out of this he has placed 1,500 acres under cultivation. Besides his large farming in- terests Mr. Madding has established a branch store at Corner Stone, which has been running four years: one at Swan Lake, which has been estab- lished for two years, and one upon his farm at Madding, which place has been named after him as a mark of honor. He deals in supplies of every nature, and has established a trade amounting to over $60,000 annually, and his name throughout Jefferson County is one of the most substantial financially in that section. In 1875 he was mar- ried to Miss Atlanta Massey, a daughter of Maj. M. M. Massey, formerly of Humphreys County, Tenn., but now of Arkansas County, Ark. Five children were born to this union: Clara A., Fred- erick E., George T., John W. and Charles J., the


first child dying in her fourth year. Mr. Mad- ding is a prominent member of the K. of H. and K. of P. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and that party has a valuable ally in him, owing to his influence in that county, and it was through this fact that Madding postoffice was established in 1887.


John T. Marsh, commission merchant, Pine Bluff, Ark. Amongst the representative classes that go to make up our commercial fabric, that of commission merchant forms an important part. In this line of business is found a thoroughly repre- sentative firm in that of Messrs. Marsh & Atkin- son, the well-known commission merchants. Mr. Marsh owes his origin to Troup County, Ga., where his birth occurred on March 23, 1843, hav- ing been born to the union of John J. and Cath- erine (Goodwin) Marsh. John J. Marsh was a native of North Carolina, grew to manhood in that State and later went to Georgia, where he met and married Miss Goodwin, a descendant of a noted Georgia family. He was a farmer and followed this pursuit in Georgia until 1848, when he moved to Louisiana, locating near Vernon, Jackson Parish. In 1850 he moved to Claiborne Parish, reared his family there and received his final summons about 1880. He served through two of the Indian wars, and for his bravery and gallant conduct was pro- moted to the rank of major. John T. Marsh grew to manhood in Louisiana, and like most of the youths of that vicinity as he grew up he devoted his time and attention to farming, receiving in the meantime a good common school education. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in the Confeder- ate Army, Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, as pri- vate (Jnue. 1861), and served until cessation of hostilities, when he was paroled in June, 1865, at Alexandria, La. He participated in the battle of Shiloh-Farming, Port Gibson, where he received a gunshot wound in the side, but only disabled for a short time, when he participated in the following en- gagements: Black River, Choctaw Bayou, and was in the whole siege of Vicksburg. He was captured, paroled and was afterward in the engineer depart- ment. After the war he returned home, tilled the soil for a year, and in 1866 went to New Orleans,


1


1


I Menice PINE BLUFF. JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS.


197


JEFFERSON COUNTY.


where he attended school, taking a thorough com- mercial course. In 1867 he came to Arkansas and located at Monticello, where he was married in October, 1868, to Miss Bettie White, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Charles C. White. Mr. Marsh was book-keeper at Monticello one year, after which he followed agricultural pursuits for two years, and then moved to Bakada, where he was engaged in merchandising, and was also inter- ested in the lumber business. He then resumed his former occupation of tilling the soil, and in 1874 moved to Pine Bluff, where he was occupied as book keeper until 1877. Subsequently he was on the road as traveling salesman for about three years, and then in 1881 began the general mercan- tile business with limited capital. He soon worked up a fine trade and now has the largest commission house in Pine Bluff, doing an annual trade of about $400,000. To his marriage were born two interesting children: Elmo and Ada, and he and family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Marsh has served as alderman of his ward for two terms and to the satisfaction of all. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge, being P. M. of Pine Bluff Lodge No. 69; H. P. of Lafayette Royal Arch Chapter No. 7; E. C. of Damascus Commandery No. 8, K. T .; C. R. of Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and D. D. G. M. of the Third district.


Joseph Merrill, capitalist, Pine Bluff, Ark. No name is justly entitled to a more enviable place in the history of Jefferson County than the one that heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man who has been usefully and honorably identified with the interests of this county, and with its ad- vancement in every worthy particular. He was born in Rockingham County, N. H., and is the son of William and Mary (Sweat) Merrill. There were three sons and one daughter in the family, Joseph being the youngest. He was reared in New England, and at the age of eleven years was apprenticed until twenty-one to learn the trade of shoemaking and tanning. At the close of his apprenticeship he worked at his trade for five years in Boston. He then went West, stopping at Sid- ney, Ohio, where he had a shoe-shop for nearly three years. The business not being remunerative, .




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.