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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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 55
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engagements he took part. The last desperate engagement occurred at Newtonia, Mo., near the Arkansas line. After this Mr. Kimzey returned, home, and a few days later, in a skirmish with a detachment of Illinois troops, was captured and taken to Little Rock, from which place, after un- dergoing some thrilling experience, he made his escape and returned home, and in a short time, in company with many others, surrendered at Searcy to a Dutch captain, who held that post with Min- nesota troops. His wife is an active member of the Methodist Church at Magnet Cove. He is a member of the Masonic order, and an active worker in all judicious enterprises.
John Henry Lecroy was born in Newton Coun- ty, Ga., September 12, 1831, the son of John and Docia (Dickason) Lecroy. John Lecroy moved to Benton, Saline County, Ark., in 1851, where he engaged in farming until 1862, when he went to Texas. Returning to this State in the following year, he settled in Hot Spring County, where he died in the spring of 1886. Docia Lecroy came originally from North Carolina. She moved to Hot Spring County in 1851, and here died in 1862. John H. Lecroy was reared in Autauga County, Ala .. where he had very poor facilities for obtaining an education. In 1853 he began farming in Saline County, Ark., continuing until the opening of the late war, when he enlisted in the First Arkansas Cavalry, Monroe's regiment, Company H, in 1862. At the skirmish of Cotton Plant he had his horse shot from under him. Serving throughout the war he returned home in the spring of 1865. He was first married in the spring of 1855, to Elizabeth Crooks, daughter of Josia and Tilda Crooks. There were five children born to this union: Will- iam (born in 1857, died in 1859), Josephine (born in 1859), Willie (born in 1861, died in 1865), Cal- ata (born in 1863) and Joshua (born March 4, 1874). Mr. Lecroy was married the second time to Mary E. Orr, in 1882. The only son born to them is John Henry, Jr., who saw the light of day on April 17, 1887. At the close of the war Mr. Lecroy embarked in the saw-mill business. which he continues, in connection with farming. He owns a large saw-mill and 600 acres of land,
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with 200 acres under cultivation, and by his indus- try and enterprise has won for himself a substan- tial reputation as one of the county's representa- tive citizens.
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William D. Leiper, the present editor of The Arkansas Meteor, published at Malvern, started upon a professional career as editor in August, 1883. He was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1825, and was the son of Hugh and Esther (Harper) Leiper. His paternal grandfather, James Leiper, came to this country from the North of Ireland shortly after the Revolutionary War, and settled in Pennsylvania. Hugh Leiper was born in that State, in 1798. He followed farming all his life, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The ma- ternal grandfather of William D, was James Har- per, whose parents were Scotch, and who came to this country shortly after the Revolutionary War. He was a relative of Gen. Goodlow Harper, of Revolutionary fame. He also settled in Beaver County, Penn. Mrs. Leiper was his fifth child. William D. Leiper had eleven brothers and sisters, seven of whom are still living. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1851, after which he com- menced the study of law and theology as a resident graduate for two years. He then came to Mem- phis, Tenn., and accepted a position as principal of an academy at Stanton's Depot, Tenn., which he held for two years and a half. He then moved to Tulip, Dallas County, Ark., in 1857, and was there put in charge of the military academy of the State at that place. He remained in control of that institution until 1860, when he resigned and went into the mercantile business, thus continuing until the year 1861. Then he enlisted as a private in the Third Arkansas infantry, Confederate army, and served until after the battle of Bull Run, when he received his discharge on account of poor health. Returning to Arkansas, he assisted in raising a company of cavalry, and was commissioned its first lieutenant. His company was then transferred to the Second Arkansas Cavalry, commanded by Col. W. F. Slemons. In 1862 Mr. Leiper was commis- sioned captain in the quartermaster's department, on bis staff, and served in that capacity until he was finally made major. He participated in the
battles of Corinth, Coldwater, West Point, Miss., Hernando, Miss., and a number of others. After the war he was engaged in the mercantile business for two years at Tulip, his old home. He then re- sumed charge of the military academy again for the next nine years at that place, after which he moved to Malvern and took the superintendency of the city schools, which position he held for over four years, when he again went into the mercantile business, carrying on the same for three years. He bought out the Meteor in 1883, and is still editing and publishing this representative journal. Mr. Leiper was married in December, 1865, to Perscilla Macon, a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of five children: Willie H. (now wife of Lenard Bratt, of Malvern), Mary F., Samuel H., Macon A. and Ester A. Mr. Leiper and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and take an active part in the Sunday-school, of which he has been superintendent for the last five years: in May, 1889, he represented the church as a lay del- egate at the general assembly at Chattanooga. In 1874 he was elected delegate from Dallas County to the constitutional convention, and has several times been a delegate to the State convention. He is president of the County Emigration Society, and a member of the executive committee of the State Emigration Society, and has been county examiner of schools since 1882. As a citizen it is but the truth to say that Mr. Leiper stands among the foremost of the residents of Hot Spring County. His well-known characteristics and honorable traits of manhood have drawn about him a large circle of friends, and in public as well as private circles his word is held in high regard.
Judge Hugh McCallum has been a resident of Arkansas since February 2, 1852. He is a native of Moore County, N. C., where he was born De. cember 25, 1822. being the son of John and Christian McCallum, both of Scotch parentage. The paternal grandfather, Duncan McCallum, was born in Scotland and emigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he took part, being under Gen. Green, and serving until the close of that struggle. After this he settled in Moore County, N. C., on a farm, where he was
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married to Mary McDuffy, also of Scotch parent- and efficient manner for two years. In 1886 he age, and where he died at an old age. The was elected county judge and served one term. Judge McCallum has always been an active man in public affairs, and was one of the prime movers in building the present court house, which is a credit to the county. His influence is widely felt, and while not a man to desire notoriety, his well-spent and useful life has given him an honorable and substantial reputation. He and his wife were the parents of five children, who grew to manhood and womanhood: Harriet E. (now Mrs. Pryor of Mal- vern). Christian E. J. (deceased, who married Sam. Kunkel, and mother of three children), Mary A. (now Mrs. Herren of Omaha, Tex.), Jasper (who resides in Malvern) and Annie (at home). Judge and Mrs. McCallum have been members of the Baptist Church since 1853, and have always taken an active part in all church work. He has also been a member of Rockport Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M., since 1865, and during his life has voted the Democratic ticket. father of our subject, John McCallum, was reared on a farm in North Carolina, making it his home until his death in 1858, at the age of seventy years. He left six children, of whom Hugh is the only survivor. John was a soldier in the late war, in the Confederate service, and died at Fayetteville. N. C., from wounds received; Archibald D., also a soldier in the Confederate service, died from wounds in Moore County. N. C., leaving two chil- dren; Malcolm died of brain fever after the battle of Helena, Ark., leaving one child; Angus died as prisoner of war at Fort Elmira, N. Y., leaving one child; and Flora died at the old homestead. Young McCallum was reared on the farm, and at the age of nineteen, went into the county clerk's office of Monroe County, N. C., as deputy. He had obtained a good education while attending the common schools in the falls and winters, and subsequently took what money he had earned in the clerk's office, and attended the Carthage In- David A. McCollough, the subject of this sketch, was born in Columbia County, Ark., in a little village called Liddesdale, just preceding the Civil War. He was the sixth child of Thomas D. and S. L. (Curry) McCollough, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, who emigrated to Arkansas in the year 1857. Thomas D. Mc- Collough was engaged in the mercantile business at Liddesdale before the war, an occupation to which he afterward devoted himself. He was also quite an extensive farmer. Though at heart a Union man, when his adopted State seceded he linked his fortunes with the Confederacy, and went out early to battle for its cause. When the war was over he was considerably crippled financially, as he was rather a large slave-owner, which prop- erty he lost as a result of civil strife. November 11. 1873, at the age of forty-nine years, he died. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and took much in- terest in that order. No man in Columbia Coun- ty was more greatly esteemed for his honesty, generosity and high moral character than he. He was also a strict and consistent member of the Baptist Church. On account of his willingness to do such an extensive credit business, his failure to stitute, where he completed his education. In 1850 he was married to Mary A. Blue, of Moore County, N. C. In the fall of the next year they moved to Hot Spring County, settling in what is now Garland County, on the South Fork of the Saline River, coming all the way in a wagon, and being over two months in making the journey. In the spring of 1852, Mr. McCallum rented a farm in Hot Spring County, and the following fall bought a partially improved place of forty acres, where he lived for eight years. In 1860 he was elected clerk of the circuit court. He then moved to Rockport. at that time the county seat, remaining during his term of office, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army State Troops, in which he served one year. In 1864, while still in service, he was again elected clerk, and held the office one term. After the war he was appointed clerk by Gov. Murphy: the term expiring he was elected in 1866, but in 1868 the reconstruction act turned him out, and Mr. McCallum commenced the prac- tice of law. This he has since followed with great success. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate, representing his constituents in an able /
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collect forced him to discontinue mercantile trade a short while previous to his death. At the time of the death of his father, David was thirteen years of age. Thinking Arkansas not large enough for him at that age, he went to Texas and secured a position in his uncle's store at Craigleville, Van Zandt County. After one year he returned to Arkansas and attended school the next two years, following which he taught school, attended store and farmed one year. Subsequently, he and his brother, John L. McCollough, founded the little town of Longstreet, where they were engaged in the mercantile business. Leaving there David went to Texas, and with a partner was engaged in the grocery business and tie-contracting. Happen- ing to be unfortunate in that transaction. on account of fire, he again returned to Arkansas, and with his elder brother, J. C. McCollough, carried on the business of a retail grocer in Magnolia. Dur- ing this time he was also a law student under Col. J. M. Kelso. Closing out in that town, he traveled one year throughout Texas and the northwest ter- ritories, finally settling in Sherman, Tex., where he conducted a large broom-manufacturing busi- ness. Selling out in Texas, he took the contract to carry the mail on the Princeton and Malvern route. One year later he purchased the Malvern Weekly News, which he changed to the Arkansas State Journal, January 26, 18SS, and which he is still running. Mr. McCollough was elected justice of the peace at the general election, September 4, 1888. He is still having the mail carried, is farm- ing, and is thinking of going into the real estate business on an extensive scale. His enterprise is recognized wherever he is known, and certainly no one deserves success more than he.
John J. Miles is prominent among the substan- tial citizens of Fenter Township. He has been a resident of the county since September, 1865, though a native of New York State, and the son of James H. and Abigail (Tyler) Miles. His father was of Pennsylvania nativity, born in Erie County in 1805, and was a maker of edge tools by trade. In 1841 James H. Miles emigrated to Osage County, Mo., where his wife died in 1846. He was afterward killed in an accident. Both he and
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his wife were members of the Methodist Church. John Miles' paternal grandfather, Thomas Miles, was a native of Ireland, and followed the profes- sion of civil engineering. He came to this country at an early day and received a large tract of land from the United States for his services as engineer. Mr. Miles also took part in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather was of Scotch birth and became located in America prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he took part, being with Washington at Valley Forge. J. J. Miles left home at the age of thirteen, and was employed on a canal-boat driving mules for about a year. The next season he was engaged as cabin boy on a vessel on the lakes, after which he shipped on board an Atlantic vessel, where he was occupied for eight years, filling almost every position from cabin-boy to mate, and during which time he visited the coast of Africa, West India Islands, South America, England, France and the Baltic Sea. He was crippled by falling from the rigging of the ship to the deck, and consequently was compelled to give up the life of a sailor. He then embarked as a mate on a Mississippi steamer and followed the river for about five years. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted at Fort Smith. Ark., in Reid's battery (which was attached to the Third Louisiana Regi- ment) and served in that company until the fall of Vicksburg. Mr. Miles took part in the battles of . Oak Hill, Elk Horn and Vicksburg. After the war he came to Rockport, where he ran a ferry for about twenty years with J. H. Alexander. He afterward bought a piece of wild land, which he improved, living upon it until his removal to the farm he now owns. Mr. Miles was first married in 1860 to Elizabeth Margaret Young, a native of Tennessee, who died June 19, 1871. He was again married July 29, 1880, to Mrs. Davis, a widow lady, whose maiden name was Sallie A. Braly, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Miles now has no children of his own, having lost five, but he has a step-son. He now owns a fine farm of 600 acres, and has a splendid home. He has served as justice of the peace for twenty years, deputy county clerk for six years, and at the same time holding the office of deputy sheriff, and has held the position
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of school director for a number of years. Mrs. Miles is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Miles belongs to the A. F. & A. M., in which he has held the office of secretary for several years.
Dr. W. T. Morehead was born in Washington County, Ky., in the year 1818, the son of J. T. and Sarah A. (Thomson) Morehead. Both parents died when the prospective doctor was but twelve years old, leaving him to the care of his grand- father, an old Revolutionary soldier and a success- ful farmer. At the latter's death, the lad was left to shift for himself. While his parents lived, he had mastered the rudiments of an education, and when his grandfather died he left his native coun- ty for Fayette County. Here he worked in var- ious capacities for two years, husbanding his means thus gained for the acquisition of more learning. He was assisted some by his two great- uncles, J. T. Morehead, then Governor of Ken- tucky, and Charles S. Morehead, United States senator from Kentucky. At the expiration of two years W. T. Morehead began teaching school. He taught nine months in Fayette County, then re- turned to his native county, where he taught a term of six months. At this time, 1838, meeting an uncle who had been traveling in Arkansas and Texas, he learned of the beauty and fertility of that country and immediately concluded to go west. Adopting the primitive mode of locomo- tion, he struck out for the Ohio River. Reaching that, he continued his journey on water. After six days of traveling he reached Little Rock, on the 6th of June, 1839, tarried there six days, and then again starting forth, he arrived at Benton, the county seat of Saline County, on June 14. Leaving this place in a few days, he crossed over into Hot Spring County, finally arriving at the home of Dr. P. S. Phisick, who had located in this section some nineteen years previous. On the Sth of July Mr. Morehead commenced a school ou Blakely's Creek, ten miles from the present loca- tion. During this school he boarded with Dr. Phisick, having access to his medical library. Here he began his study of medicine. pursuing it after school hours, assisted by the Doctor. When his school closed, Mr. Morehead obtained an ox
team from his preceptor and engaged in freighting goods, provisions, etc., from Little Rock, the dis- tance being fifty-three miles. The money thus obtained was the first start young Morehead had in the country. Hot Spring County embraced at that time the counties of Garland and Montgomery and a portion of Grant, west of Saline River, and contained a voting population of about 200. On the 15th of December, 1842, Mr. Morehead was married to the widow Nancy Cates, who had at that time four children, three boys and one girl. After his marriage, he entered forty acres of land. Here he has resided since 1842, with the exception of three years which he spent in Hot Springs prac- ticing his profession. In 1861 he moved his family to the old place and joined the Confederate army, enlisting in the Second Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, McIntosh's regiment. He served eighteen months, when his health gave out and he returned home, resuming his profession when the war closed. In 1841 he was appointed constable, serving one year. Three years later he was chosen justice of the peace, which office he held for four years. In 1846 he was elected county judge, serving two terms. During 1851 and 1852 he acted as deputy sheriff. Under the administration of Gen. Grant he was appointed postmaster in 1871, serving eight years. In 1876 he was elected judge of the coun- ty and probate court of Hot Spring County, being re-elected in 1878. He has frequently been ap- pointed by the Governor to set on special cases. His first wife, Nancy Lee, bore him four children: W. T. (born September 1, 1844, died December 26), P. C. (born January 16, 1847), A. J. M. (born September 1, 1848), Araminta Susana (born April 12, 1851). The Doctor's second wife was Jennie Smith, born in March, 1845, in Tennessee. Her mother was a Walker, a native of South Caro- lina, she having a brother in the Confederate army. By this marriage Dr. Morehead became the father of nine children: J. T. (born April 8, 1864, present surveyor of Hot Spring County), Mary E. G. (born April 18, 1867), Rosalee (born October 1, 1869), Andy W. M. (born May 17, 1873), Cassanna G. (born July 31, 1878.) His third wife was Mary Andrews Criner, born in
HOT SPRING COUNTY.
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Tishomingo County, Miss., in 1843. The Doctor has always been a Democrat, casting his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and supporting each successive candidate, except during the war and re- construction days, when disfranchised. He was made a Mason in 1855, and has filled the different chairs. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, becoming identified with it as early as 1854, and always contributing freely toward any church enterprise. Being quite a hunter in his earlier days, he has killed over 200 bears. many weighing as high as 600 ponnds. He is at this date hale and hearty, always ready to entertain, possessing a varied store of interesting experiences.
John Morrison, one of the leading farmers of Fenter Township, .came to Arkansas in 1849, and settled in Tulip, Dallas County, where he worked at his trade of carpentering. He is a native of East Tennessee, his birth occurring in 1829, and is the son of George and Mary Pryor, both natives of Hawkins County, Tenn. The father was a col- lege graduate and owned a large farm in Hawkins, and in connection with agricultural pursuits he taught school. He died in Georgia during the late war, his wife dying in 1832, when John Mor- rison was eighteen months old. Both parents were members of the Methodist Church, in which they took an active part. John Morrison, the only child of the family, lived with his father until sixteen years of age, when he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, serving six years as apprentice. After learning his chosen calling, his father sent him to school at Dandridge, Tenn. He came to Arkansas as above stated, in 1849, and has since resided here. During the war he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served eight months in Capt. Daniel Lamar's company of artillery, when he was discharged on account of disability. Mr. Morrison was married August 25, 1869, to Mar- garet Gill, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Thomas Gill. They are the parents of six children: Lotta (who is a teacher in the public schools), Annie M., Fannie J., George, William and Alice. Mr. Morrison owns a fine farm of 139 acres, and also some property in the city. He is
a representative farmer, and also carries on his carpenter trade. He is a member of the A. F & A. M. Mr. and Mrs Morrison are members of the Methodist Church, in which they take an active part.
Judge D. A. Newman, closely identified with the affairs of Fenter Township, has been a resi- dent of this county since 1853. He is a native of Marshall County, Ala., was born in 1819, and is the son of Stephen and Jane (Barr) Newman, na- tives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. Stephen Newman, a wagon-maker by trade, was one of the old pioneers of Alabama, and a man who took an active part in public affairs of the day. He was justice of the peace for a number of years. He died in 1854, at the age of fifty- two years, his wife surviving until 1885, having reached ninety years. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of nine children: Elizabeth (deceased, married Abner Parris). D. A. (the subject of this sketch), Nathaniel G. (who died in 1865), William Carrol (died in the Mexican War), Rhodie (deceased, mar- ried John Ceips), Nancy (now Mrs. Hall, of Ala- bama), Caleb (deceased), Stephen Jasper (de- ceased) and Mary Jane (deceased). At the age of seventeen years, D. A. Newman enlisted in the Indian War, under Benjamin Snodgrass, and served six months. He then returned to his native county, became engaged in farming for himself, and in 1847 enlisted in the Mexican War, serving until its close. In 1853, Mr. Newman emigrated to Arkansas and settled in Hot Spring County, near Rockport, where he has lived ever since, ex- cepting one year spent in Texas. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Third Ar- kansas Infantry. and served one year. He was married, in 1840, to Sarah Ceips, a native of North Carolina, who died in 1885, when sixty years old. She was a member of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of seven children: Christo- pher G. (who resides in Yell County), Stephen D., John W. (deceased), James C. (deceased), Hiram J., Lavina Jane (now Mrs. Rayns), J. W. (de- ceased). Mr. Newman has always taken an active interest in politics, and has held the office of jus-
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tice of the peace for two years, sheriff six years and judge two years. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, is a self-made man, having educated himself by the light of pine knots, and is not afraid of hard work. He owns | eighty acres of fine land, and is one of the lead- tion of county and State. ing men in his county.
Oliver H. P. Norwood, prominent among the leading citizens of Hot Spring County, Ark .. was born in Franklin County, Ga., on August 1, 1826. being the son of John and Mary E. Norwood. The father was a successful tiller of the soil, and died when Oliver was but a young child. After his death Mrs. Norwood married William Wood, who soon passed away. In 1856 the widow moved to Hot Spring County, Ark., where she died, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, having become, by her last marriage, the mother of four children. Oliver remained at home until his fifteenth year, when he went to live with James Knox, of Chero- kee County, Ga. Here he worked on a farm until twenty-one years old, when he was married to Miss Caroline Hammonds, who was born in Cherokee County, in 1834. Nine children blessed this union: Mary E. (deceased), E. P. (farmer of Grayson County, Tex.), Amanda (wife of Frank Parker, farmer of this county), Margaret (deceased), Oliver P. (on a farm in this county), William and Marion (twins, farmers of this county), Evalina (at home). Julia A., John E. and D. R. (at home.) At his marriage. Mr. Norwood began to farm for himself, which he has continued with varied success ever since. In 1851 he moved with his family to Hop- kins County, Tex., and remained nearly three years, but at the expiration of that time be returned to this county, locating on the farm he now calls home. He owns a finely improved place of 320 acres. In 1863 he cast his lot with the Confed- eracy, enlisting in Hawthorne's regiment, with which he took part in the battle at Jenkins' Ferry and other minor engagements. Every member of his family, with the exception of one son, is con- nected with the Missionary Baptist Church, the father being a deacon. He is a Wheeler, and in politics is rather an independent, voting for the man who, in his judgment, is the better qualified.
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