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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40
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consequence, and was paroled on June 9, 1865. coming thence to his desolated home at Benton. He attended school for a few months, afterward taught and read law, worked on a farm for two or three years, and was then employed as a clerk in a store at Little Rock and other places for some time. Becoming engaged in the grocery business at Mulberry, he thus continued until ISS1, when he returned to Benton and resumed the study of the law, being admitted to the bar in September, 1882. He has since practiced his profession in this and adjoining counties, and enjoys about the best and most lucrative practice of any lawyer in Saline County. Mr. Cloud took a very active part in the temperance movement in 1884, and greatly to his efforts are the temperance people indebted for the overthrow of the liquor traffic in this county. He was a candidate, in 1886, for the office of prose- cuting attorney of the Seventh judicial circuit, but was defeated by an excellent gentleman, Hon. J. P. Henderson, who was then the incumbent. In 1888 he again became a candidate, but owing to the unsettled condition of the then existing poli- tics withdrew from the canvass in order to take part in saving his party from defeat in his county for the Congressional and State ticket, he being an uncompromising Democrat. Mr. Cloud is a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and was worshipful master of that lodge in 1SSS. He was taken into the Masonic order in Magnolia Lodge No. 60, located at Little Rock, Ark., in February, 1872. His marriage was in 1870 to Miss Martha H. Chastain, who was born in Marietta, Ga. She was the daughter of B. L. Chastain, now resid- ing in Comanche County, Kas., engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Cloud has a family of four children: Edward Leon, Charles Madison, Myrle and Ber- nice. Mr. and Mrs. Cloud are members of the Baptist Church. The former is now serving his town as school director, and is president of the school board. He says that he expects to live out his days in Arkansas, and most likely in Saline County, where he is held in high esteem.
John L. Collat owns a large farm and is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising. He was born in the year 1838, being the oldest of
ten children in the family of Robert K. and Eliza (Collins) Collat, the former of whom was a native of Alabama, where he was married. Afterward moving to Georgia he opened up a large plantation which he sold in 1853 and removed to Saline County, Ark., settling on Saline River in what is now Traskwood Township, and took up a claim on which he resided until his death in 1856. His be- loved wife passed from life within one week of his death leaving a family of ten children, one of whom was a babe only three days old, which was reared by an older sister, and one other child died during the same month. The family consisted of John L. (the subject of this sketch), William H. (who is married and resides in Saline Township), Taylor (also married and resides in Traskwood. being a merchant by occupation), Minerva (now Mrs. Fewell living near Benton), Eliza (Mrs. Tidwell, in Pulaski, the infant referred to) and five other children who are now deceased. John L. Collat at the time of his parents' death was only seventeen years old and having his brothers and sisters to care for, he secured homes for them and broke up housekeeping. He commenced farming for him- self at the age of twenty three, and in 1861 was married to Lousia Montgomery, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Clauton) Montgomery; Mrs. Collat was born on the farm on which they at this time reside. Mr. Montgomery was a native of Tennessee and emigrated to Arkansas in 1830, set- tling in what is now Saline County, and taking a claim on which he resided at the time of his death in 1856, his wife surviving him until 1885. Mr. Collat after his marriage located in Saline Town- ship, entered a tract of land of eighty acres, to which he afterward added another eighty, and on which he made his home for the next ten years. He enlisted in 1862, at Benton, under Capt. Adams in the Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, for the period of twelve months. After the battle of Corinth the company reorganized when Mr. Collat again enlisted for three years or during the war. He served two years in the Trans-Mississippi Regi- ment (infantry) and eighteen months in the cavalry service, being discharged in Texas in 1865, and re- turning to Saline County. In 1871 he sold his
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homestead and bought a farm of 270 acres, of which forty were under cultivation. He has erected a fine frame residence and made other im- provements, besides clearing most of the remainder of his farm. He is a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., in which he has held the office of S. D., and also belongs to Saline Lodge No. 1317, Knights of Honor. Mr. Collat and his wife have a family of eight children: William (married), Mary (now Mrs. Cote), Thomas (married), Sophronia, Frank. Martha, Henry and David, all of whom reside in Saline County. Mr. Collat is a man of great energy and industry, and though having been obliged to make his own way in the world, has done so with great credit to himself.
W. H. Collatt, a farmer, of Saline Township, Saline County, was born in Polk County, Ga., in 1846, being the fifth son in a family of eleven children born to Robert and Eliza (Collins) Col- latt. Robert Collatt was a native of Georgia, and came to Saline County, Ark., in 1855, settling on a farm in Shaw Township, on which he lived until his death in 1857. His wife only survived him two weeks, both dying of pneumonia. Mr. Collatt was a small boy at the time of his parents' death. After his father's demise the estate was sold at an administrator's sale, and the son then went to live with Mr. John Petton, where he remained for five years, receiving an education in the district schools. In 1864 he enlisted for one year in Capt. Tilford's Eleventh Arkansas Cavalry, and while in service was engaged in many skirmishes, finally being paroled at Fulton on the Red River in June, 1865. Mr. Collatt later engaged in farming in Pulaski County on the Arkansas River in 1867. He was mar- ried, in 1873, in Saline County, to Margaret White, daughter of William W. and Elizabeth (Montgom- ery) White, who came here from Alabama at an early day. Mrs. White died in February, 1885. Mr. Collatt made his first purchase of land in 1872 when he bought eighty acres of timber which he cleared and in 1888 sold. He now owns a good farm of thirty acres on the Saline River, and also 156 acres near Benton, besides a place of 186 acres (100 acres of which are under cultivation) and ten acres in Benton where he resides. He is
a stanch Democrat, though not especially active politically, and has been a member of the school board for some six or eight years. He is the father of six children: Oliver Walter, James Virgil, Hallis Homer, Hattie Hester, Lena Louis and Vinnie Ver- na. Mr. Collatt has witnessed and taken an individ- ual part in the growth and advancement of Benton from the first. He remembers when only one busi- ness house was in the place, and when the farmers in the neighborhood were obliged to go ten or fifteen miles on horseback to mill.
Thomas Y. Craig, a farmer and merchant of Brazil, Holland Township, carries a full line of general merchandise, and enjoys a lucrative patron- age. He was born in Seneca County, S. C., in 1844, and was the third son in a family of four children born to William and Francis (Deshield) Craig. The father was a South Carolina farmer, who in 1859 emigrated to Arkansas with his family, and settled in Hempstead County, where he pur- chased a piece of land and improved it. He was a prominent Democrat of the community in his day. His death occurred in 1870, his widow fol- lowing him in about two years. They were the parents of the following children: Nancy (now Mrs. Compton, who resides in Hempstead County, Ark.), Jane (now Mrs. Simpson, also of Hemp- stead County), Thomas Y. (the subject of this article), and Franklin (who is married and resides in Hempstead County, being engaged in farming). Thomas Y. Craig was reared to farm life, being educated in the subscription schools of South Caro- lina. He accompanied his parents to Hempstead County in 1859, resuming farm labor, and in 1861 enlisted in Capt. Neal's company, in the Nineteenth Arkansas Infantry, at Nashville for one year, at the end of which time he re- enlisted in the same regiment to serve during the war. He was in the battle of Wilson's Creek and a number of noted engagements, when he was taken prisoner and sent to Chicago, where he was kept for four months, at the end of that time being exchanged and for- warded to City Point, Va., and then to Richmond. Following this he participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Atlanta and others. In 1865 he was paroled and returned
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to Hempstead County, where he again engaged in farming until the following year, when he went to Little Rock and learned the trade of carpentering, following it until 1876. Mr. Craig was married in Little Rock, in 1870, to Sarah Ray, a native of Alabama. By that union two children were born, who are both living: Alena and Nora. This wife died in 1878, and in 1879 he married, in Pulaski County, Miss Emily Bosher, of that county. They were the parents of the following children: Zephyr, Cora, Steen. Ola, Effie and Frank. In 1876 Mr. Craig bought a partly improved farm in Saline County of 380 acres, 100 of which were under cultivation. He now has over 200 acres improved, having added attractive surroundings to the farm. He raises large crops of grain and cotton, as well as fine cattle and mules. He is a member of Paran Lodge No. 319, A. F. & A. M., in which he has held the office of worshipful master. Mr. Craig takes an active part in all educational work and in- terests of an enterprising nature.
Capt. Angustus A. Crawford, county and pro- bate judge of Saline County, and also a prominent planter of that locality, was born in Rhea County, East Tenn., March 31, 1838, and is a son of Rob- ert B. and Olivia (Howard) Crawford, whose birth occurred in the same State in 1SOS and 1817, re- spectively. The parents were married there in the year 1820, making it their home until 1833, when they moved to Russell County, Ala., where the father died in 1843, the mother afterward marry- ing a Mr. Lockhard, who died some years later. She has since remained a widow and resides in Georgia at the present time with a daughter. Her father, Abraham Howard, of Virginia, was one of the earliest settlers of Rhea County, Tenn., and a prosperous farmer of that place, where he resided until his decease. The senior Crawford was also a farmer, and an influential citizen of Rhea County during his residence in that place. He had three brothers and two sisters living in Saline County, Ark .. one of whom (Hon William A. Craw- ford) at one time represented that county in the legislature, and for six years was its sheriff. Augustus A. was the third of four sons and one daughter born to his parents, all of whom, except
himself, have died. One brother (Rev. Robert B. Crawford, of Alabama) was among the most noted Methodist divines in that State, and a man who spoke from the pulpit with marvelous power. Au- gustus was the only son who came to Saline County; previous to settling here he had worked on a farm, having also for two years taken up the carpenter's trade, which calling he followed at Benton and Little Rock during the first years of his arrival. His advantages for schooling were limited, as he had to work for the neighboring farmers during youth in order to pay his way, but his natural shrewdness and ability manifested themselves sooner, perhaps, than if he had ab- sorbed more book knowledge, and exercised less talent. In March, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha J. Rowan, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth Rowan, of Alabama, who were among the earliest settlers of Saline County, where both parents died. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford (four sons and six daughters), all of whom are living. Mr. Crawford continued to reside in Benton and vicinity until 1874, when he settled on his present place, now owning about 120 acres of productive land and has placed sixty acres under cultivation. His prosperity is all due entirely to his individual effort and good management, he having started in life for himself at fourteen years of age with but little, if anything. He also owns another tract of thirty-seven acres, comprising some of the best land in this section, all situated about six miles northeast of Benton. During the war he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry, oper- ating principally in Missouri and Tennessee, and after the battle of Belmont was promoted to the rank of captain. On April 8. 1862, he was capt- ured at Tiptonville and imprisoned at Camp Chase for a short time, and then taken to John- son's Island, where he was confined until the fol- lowing September, when he was taken to Vicks- burg and exchanged. He at once rejoined his regiment and was promptly made captain of the same company, holding that rank until the close of the war. During his service Capt. Crawford took part in the battles of Baker's Creek, Port Hudson, Jackson, Miss., Clinton, La., Atlanta, Ga., and
G
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
from there was sent back into the western territory to join Gen. Wirt Adams. In 1864 he was trans- ferred to the Trans- Mississippi Department in Gen. Fagan's division, and operated in Arkansas and Louisiana, and in May of the following year sur- rendered to Capt. L. B. Nash, at Benton, who was then provost-marshal. Capt. Crawford was at once arrested for treason, but the case was nolle- prosequied. From 1858 to 1860 he was deputy sheriff under his uncle, and from 1859 to 1860 was also tax collector. He served as justice of the peace from 1878 to 1882 in Bryant Township, and in 1884 was elected county and probate judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Bar- ton Howard. Since then he has been re- elected twice, and has filled the office with a dignity and wisdom that has never been surpassed in Saline County. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and from 1886 to 1888 was a delegate to the State con- vention. In secret societies he is a member of Bryant Lodge No. 441, A. F. & A. M., and is the present secretary of his lodge. He and wife both attend the Missionary Baptist Church, and are leaders in aiding all religious and other worthy enterprises.
W. H. Crudgington, one of the leading farm- ers of Perkins Township, Saline County, was born in Jefferson County in 1850, and is a son of George W. and Ann (Moore) Crudgington, the former born near Knoxville, Tenn .. and the latter near Tuscaloosa, Ala. The parents were married in the latter State, and resided there until the year 1848, when they moved to Jefferson County, Ark., and in 1856 came to Pulaski County, where the father died in 1858, his wife following him to the grave on October 13, 1868. He was a successful farmer during his life, and an upright, conscien- tious man in all his dealings. W. H. Crudging- ton, the youngest of six children born to the parents, received a good English education in the public schools of his native State. When eighteen years old he commenced in life for himself, being em- ployed in one of the prominent business houses of Jefferson County for some years, and afterward in Saline County. In 1883 he was married to Mary A., daughter of Washington McCool, of Ala-
bama, who moved to Grant County at an early period with his family. Mr. McCool was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil War, and after that event returned to Grant County, where he died a few years later, as did also his wife. Two children were born to Mr. Crudgington's mar- riage, both sons. Since the war he has lived in Perkins Township, where he owns eighty acres of fertile bottom land, and has placed about fifty acres under cultivation. This he has made by his own individual effort and good management, and he is now looked upon as one of the leading citizens and most substantial farmers of that section. In 1885 he was notary public, but resigned that office to be assessor of Saline County, filling the vacancy caused by the removal of J. L. Crabtree. He was also postmaster of Hensley in 1886, and has filled every public office he held to the entire satisfaction of the people. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Greeley, in 1872. He is a member of Pennington Lodge No. 273, A. F. & A. M., at Hensley, and was secretary of that lodge for three years. In religious faith Mrs. Crudgington has been a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church many years.
Dr. W. S. Davis, one of the leading physicians of this township, was born in Tennessee in 1856, the son of Benson A. and Catharine (Grisom) Davis, natives of Tennessee. B. A. Davis was a carriage and wagon maker and lived in Tennessee until his death. He was married December 12, 1848, and became the father of seven children, four now living: Mary E. (wife of W. L. Robinson), D. J., John H. (deceased), W. S. (our subject), G. F. (deceased), Matilda R. (wife of Frank Johnson), and Jackson D. (deceased). Bronson A. Davis was killed by bushwhackers, February 28, 1865. He joined the United States army and served until 1865, when he was discharged, after which, while recruiting a company, of which he was elected captain, and when on his way to re- enlist and be mustered in at Waterloo, he . was killed. He had been in several battles and had served his country faithfully. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and a minister by profes- sion, teaching the doctrine of the Missionary Bap-
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tist Church for a number of years. His wife was also a church member. At the age of eighteen years W. S. Davis began life for himself as a farmer. His literary education had been gained in Tennessee and Arkansas, and in the year 1876 he commenced the study of medicine. In 1878 he began practicing in the Indian Territory, but during the year 1879 moved to Logan County, Ark., where he devoted himself to his profession for about two years. Going thence to Shiloh, Van Buren County, he later became settled at Cross Roads, and finally in Yell County. In 1882 he came to this county and located on the Middle Fork of the Saline River, moving to his present place in 1877, and buying the property on which he lives, consisting of eighty acres. Dr. Davis was married July 28, 1875, to Miss Mary Camer, of Independence County, Ark. The result of this marriage was two children: Sophia C. and John W. The Doctor is a member of Whittington Lodge No. 365, A. F. & A. M., and votes the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is thoroughly wrapped up in the practice of his adopted calling, keeping well apace with the advance of medical science, while as a physician and surgeon he is esteemed by all acquaintances.
Davidson & Russell, dealers in general mer- chandise and proprietors of gin and mill, first established business in La Belle, in January, 1889. Their interests consist of a large stock of general merchandise, ginning, milling and blacksmithing, in addition to which they own and control the manufacturing right of Saline County, for Cole- man's patent combination plow. The firm is composed of William A. Davidson and H. B. Russell, well known in this locality. William A. Davidson is a native of Arkansas, and was born in Saline County, May 28, 1859, his parents, James and Mary (Russell) Davidson, having been among the early settlers of this county. Young William received his education in the schools of this local- ity, applying himself closely in youth, and was married November 23, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Cam- eron, a daughter of Daniel A. Cameron, assessor of Saline County. To this union have been born
the following children: James A. (born March 21, 1880), Cullen J. (born February 15, 1882), Ashbury P. (born November 24, 1884), and Will- iam Russell (born February 3, 1886). After his marriage Mr. Davidson continued his occupation of farming, and bought a farm of 214 acres of woodland, thirty of which he cleared, erecting good buildings and otherwise improving it. In November, 1883, he purchased a farm of 157 acres near La Belle, which he also cleared and improved, but selling this tract, in 18SS, to his partner, Mr. Russell, he bought 226 acres in Beaver Township, with fifty under the plow. This farm he has cul- tivated and improved, until now it is classed with the finest places in Beaver Township. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and Mr. Davidson is trustee of the Salem Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a member of the school board, and also post- master at La Belle, Ark. H. B. Russell is also a native of Arkansas, and was born in Saline County. January 10, 1859, the son of Alex. Russell, ex-rep- resentative in the State legislature. He attended the common schools of his native county, and at the age of eighteen began life for himself; first in assisting his father upon the home farm till his marriage, which occurred in 1881, to Miss Josie Cameron, the daughter of Daniel Cameron, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are the parents of three attractive children: Currie (born May 6, 1883), Florence Myrtle (born August 12, 1885), and Sylvester J. (born August 28, 1887). Previous to his marriage Mr. Russell had purchased a farm in Beaver Town- ship consisting of 102 acres timber land, to which later on he added 124 acres. He at once began to improve it, erecting a handsome residence, good barns, etc., but in 1SSS traded that farm (226 acres in all) to his partner (Mr. Davidson) for 157 acres near La Belle, and a half interest in his gin and mill. Mr. Russell at once moved to his new farm, and in January following embarked in the mercantile business with Mr. Davidson, in La Belle, where their subsequent career has gained for them extensive acquaintance. Some time in 1886 Mr. Russell engaged in the blacksmith's
1
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trade, and bought a complete outfit in the spring of 1889, opening a shop in La Belle. In this di- rection also his business is rapidly increasing, and is all that he could desire. His commercial affairs interfere in no way with the management of his farm, which is not excelled in the county. Him- self and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, and the former is a liberal contributor to all church and school enterprises, in fact, giving his support to all worthy measures for the benefit of the county. In politics he is a Democrat, though not an enthusiast. He has served two years as deputy assessor for Saline County. The firm of Davidson & Russell is probably the leading business house in this part of the country. They are honest, conscientious, and are in every way worthy of the confidence reposed in them.
Russell Deaton, the subject of this sketch, is one of the leading farmers of Marble Township, Saline County, and was born in Georgia, in 1845, being the son of Thomas and Mattie (White) Dea- ton, natives of North Carolina. Thomas Deaton moved to Georgia about the year 1832, and settled in Polk County, living in that section until his death, which occurred in 1874, when over eighty years old. He was married about the time of his settlement in Polk County, and he and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living, as follows: Levi Deaton (a farmer in Georgia), Andrew Deaton (in Saline County, Ark.), Martha, Joseph, Martin and Reu- ben (all residents of Georgia), and Russell (the subject of this sketch). Mrs. Deaton still lives in Georgia and is now about ninety years old, en- joying vigorous health for one of her age. Her husband was one of the earliest settlers of that portion of Georgia, and previous to the late war owned some 400 acres of valuable land and twelve or fifteen negroes, besides a large amount of stock. He lost his property during the war, with the ex- ception of his real estate interests. He was a supporter of the Democratic party. In the year 1868, Russell Deaton, then twenty-three years of age, purchased 100 acres of land, with twenty acres under cultivation in this State, and com- menced life as a farmer. He has since increased
his place to 180 acres, eighty acres of which are improved, and situated on the Middle Fork of the Saline River, upon them being found buildings in good condition and plenty of stock. He is very successful as a cattle raiser. Mr. Dea- ton was married in Arkansas in the year 1870 to Miss Sarah E. Millinder of that State, and a daugh- ter of Joseph and Nancy (Lindsey) Millinder, also of Arkansas nativity, who were among the State's earliest settlers, having come here in 1818. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Deaton became the parents of five children, three of whom are now living: Mattie A. (wife of Isaac Dodd, in Saline County), Mollie F. and Andrew (at home). Mrs. Deaton was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church up to the time of her death, which occurred in 1884. In 1887 Mr. Dea- ton married Miss Mollie Johnson, who was also a native of this county. The result of this union was one child. In 1862 Mr. Deaton joined the Confederate army, Massenburg's battery, and was afterward transferred to Anderson's battery, where he served until the surrender, fighting in the bat- tles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. He was with Gen. John- ston in all the later battles fought by him, and surrendered with that army at Greensboro, N. C., in 1865. He was wounded during the war three times. not, however, deeming any one serious at that time, though recently his wound has broken out and gives him much pain. Mr. Deaton takes an active part in all matters pertaining to education and the benefit of his fellowmen. He keeps a fine pack of hounds, and is always ready to grant his friends a day's sport. He votes with the Demo- cratie party.
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