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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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
614
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
he was held until June 13, 1865, then being re- leased. While a soldier he held the office of ser- geant-major, and participated in all the battles of the Georgia campaign up to the time of his capt- ure. After the close of the war he returned home, where he arrived June 22, 1865. He was appointed sheriff of Prairie County, in September of that year, by Gov. Murphy, and the following year was elected to that office, but was put out of office in 1868 by the reconstruction act. Browns- ville, the former county seat of Prairie County, in 1860 had a population of 1,000, a good court house and jail, several churches, schools, Masonic and I. O. O. F. halls, etc., but was pretty well destroyed during the war. When the county seat was changed, the place continued to go down, and now only exists in memory as the former site of Brownsville. Mr. Gray was married in 1867 to Jane A. S. Evans, a native of North Carolina, who died in 1882, leaving a family of three children living: Arthur R., Mary E. and Joseph G. Those deceased were Thomas W .. James W., William G. and Salome A. Mr. Gray was married the second time to Engenia Munlin, originally from North Carolina. Her mother is now deceased, but her father lives in this State, and has eight children, seven of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the parents of one son, Henry S. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
the former belonging to the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., and to the Knights of Honor. He is a Royal Arch Mason and one of the charter members of the lodge at Lonoke. He is a prominent Democrat of the county, and one of its leading farmers, having a farm of 900 acres of which over 300 are under cultivation.
Daniel L. Gray has become prominent in Lo- noke County's affairs, not alone because of his wealth, but by reason of the many estimable traits of character which attend his every day life. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born June 16, 1847, being a son of Rev. D. L. Gray, Sr., whose clerical fame was by no means local. The latter was born, reared and educated in South Carolina, becoming a minister of the Old School Presbyte- rian Church, to which his whole life was given.
He moved to Kentucky when a young man and there met and married Miss Kate Foster, a grand- daughter of Ex Gov. Adair, she being his second wife. Mr. Gray was one of the first settlers in Jacksonport, but afterward, moving to Kentucky, lost his first wife. Following his second marriage he resided in the Blue Grass State for some time, going thence to Memphis, where after a short pe- riod moved again, this time coming to Arkansas, in 1855, and locating in Des Arc. Rev. Mr. Gray was an able minister of the church until his death, and his was a noble work; never thinking of self, he was always ready to help the needy, finding his highest delight in guiding others in the Way of Life. His death, which occurred in 1862, left a vacancy in the church that never could be filled. He also owned and managed a plantation which was very finely cultivated. D. L. Gray, Jr., grew to manhood in Prairie County, remaining with his father until his death, after which he continued to reside at home with his mother till 1872. He was the oldest of five children by the last marriage, himself and a sister. Mary (wife of B. S. Pillow, of Austin, Tex.), being the only ones now living. Daniel received good common-school advantages and was a bright, intelligent scholar, characteris- tics which marked his career in military life, also, for he served in the staff department of the army during the last year of the war. The old home place in Prairie County is still in the possession of Mr. Gray, and this he values very highly, not alone for its intrinsic worth, but for old associa- tion's sake. In 1872 he went to Little Rock and engaged in the grocery business, in which he was very successful for eleven years, enjoying a trade of upward of $100,000, annually (retail). April 25, 1877, Mr. Gray was united in marriage with Miss Lucy J. Dodge, a daughter of Dr. R. L. Dodge, one of the old pioneers of the State and a man of influence and wealth, whose portrait ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Gray was born and reared in Little Rock, where she received an excellent education in the best schools of that city, and in New York, where she remained for two years in school. To this couple three sons have been born: William Dodge, Daniel, Jr., and Clif.
×
615
LONOKE COUNTY.
ton Welch, aged eleven, nine and six, respectively. Mr. Gray is quite an extensive land owner, having a large farm in Richwoods Township and also in Prairie County, 400 acres being in the latter place, and 1,300 acres in Lonoke County. He owns an ele- gant residence in Little Rock, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the Presbyteri- an Church, and the former is a member of the K. of H. and K. of P. One who knows him well says: " He is indeed a worthy son of an honored sire, being beloved by those who know him best, and honored and respected by all for his genial quali- ties, his friendly spirit and his unusually fine physique and social qualities."
Alphonse Hamberg. Not every one who enters into mercantile life makes a success of it: but there are some whose excellent business judgment and straightforward manner of carrying on trade win of the leading merchants of Lonoke is Mr. Ham- berg, a native of Holland, who was born in Maest- richt, in the Province of Limburgh, October 25, 1851. His parents were Moses and Sarah (Arenz) Hamberg, natives of Germany. When Alphonse was fifteen years old, he became a clerk in a whole- sale dry-goods house, where he remained for some time, and during youth received all the advantages of a superior education in the public schools and college of his native city, becoming a cultured and well-educated man. At the age of sixteen he entered the military schools at Kampen, and vol- unteered for a period of ten years, serving his term of enlistment, and being promoted to the position of first sergeant and clerk in the United States Normal School, in which he was instructor for two years. In 1878 he emigrated to America, landing in the Quaker City (Philadelphia), and after a few days started for Arkansas, locating upon arrival in' Lonoke, and for eight years he was a clerk in the stores of Daniel & Strauss, and A. G. England & Co. He established his present general merchan- dise and millinery business in 1885, in which he has met with the most gratifying results, his store having become known throughout the country. His marriage with Miss Sally Austin was consum-
three sons. Mrs. Hamberg was a native of Ten- nessee, and is a highly accomplished and attractive lady. Mr. Hamberg is a Democrat in his political views, and is thoroughly American in all that he does. He is a member of the K. of P. and Past Vice Commander. He comes from a long-lived race of people, his grandmother having attained her ninety fifth birthday at the time of her demise, and his parents are both hale and hearty at the age of eighty years. They have not had an inclination to leave their native land, and consequently have never crossed the water.
William T. Hamilton, one of Lonoke County's younger citizens, and a man identified with the farming and mercantile interests of England Sta- tion. is a native of Florida, where he was born in October. 1863, being a son of John and Sallie (Wells) Hamilton, originally from Georgia and prominence and success in commercial life. One ; Mississippi, respectively. The senior Hamilton 1 was a planter of Florida, and moved to Arkansas in 1865, settling on White River, in Prairie County. He is now a resident of Lonoke County, and is re- membered as an old soldier of the late war, having served the Confederate army about two years. William T. Hamilton was reared principally in Prairie County, but started out for himself in this county. In 1887 he bought a farm of 120 acres, all in the heavy timber, and has now ninety-five acres in cultivation, improved with a good house, buildings, etc. He also owns another tract of eighty-six acres. Mr. Hamilton has never mar- ried, his sister keeping honse for him.
William H. Harper was born in Tippah County, Miss., April 18, 1845, and was a son of D. M. and Frances (Nicholoson) Harper, natives of Georgia and Alabama, respectively. D. M. Harper moved to Arkansas in 1855, locating in Jefferson County, and afterward in Drew County, where he bought a farm, and lived until after the war. He enlisted, in 1861, in the Third Arkansas Regiment, in which he remained until discharged on account of disa- bility. After the close of the war he moved to Desha County, and purchased a farm, which was his home until death claimed him, in August, 1886. He was married five times. William H. mated in 1882, and to their union have been born ; enlisted in 1863, in the artillery service, continu-
1
616
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ing a brave and gallant soldier until the close of the war. He was in several battles, among which was one at Spanish Fort. Mobile, Ala., where he fought fifteen days and nights, and was struck several times by spent balls, but received no wounds. After the close of hostilities he returned to Drew County, where he was married, in 1866, to Priscilla Peacock, who died three years later, leav- ing one son. Jesse P. Mr. Harper was again mar- ried a few years after, to Miss P. M. Chadick, a daughter of Rev. James Chadick, by which union he has three children living and one dead: Willie F., Hattie May, William Arthur and Minnie C. (who died September 11, 1879). After his second marriage Mr. Harper settled in Jefferson County, where he rented a farm until 1873. Then moving to Drew County he also rented there until 1875. when Sebastian County became his home. In 1877 he rented land in Pope County, but in 1879 came to Lonoke County, where he farmed rented prop- erty until 1884, then settling on his present place. He has eighty acres of fine bottom land, twenty- five acres of which are open land. Mr. and Mrs. Harper are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Harper and son, Jesse P., are also members of the Agricultural Wheel.
Benjamin M. Harrington, one of the leading citizens of Lonoke County, and a prosperous farm- er of Eagle Township, was born of Mathias M. Harrington, in Lonoke County, January 14, 1863. Mathias Harrington's birth occurred in North Car- olina in 1815. He was educated in his native State, and there married Miss Mary Lasiter, their union being blessed with six children, one boy and five girls. Mr. Harrington was bereft of this wife, and Miss Nancy Grant afterward became his sec- ond wife. To them were born four children: Cor- nelia (who died in 1889). Lulu (now Mrs. Whitley), Tabitha (now Mrs. Smith) and Benjamin M. (the subject of this memoir). Mr. Harrington died March 19, 1889, but his wife is still living, and resides with her son. At the time of his death he was a member of the Wheel, in which he held the office of treasurer. He was also a devoted mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Benjamin M. was educated in Lonoke County, receiving such school
advantages as were to be had in the time he could devote to study. Mr. Harrington is not married, but provides for his kind mother, a course that is highly commendable and praiseworthy in any young man. He is a member of the Wheel, and has held the office of steward in that order. There are 240 acres of land in his farm, eighty of which are in a fine state of cultivation, and the general appear- ance of his place indicates prosperity and thrift. Mr. Harrington is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a liberal contributor to all enterprises that will promote the growth of the county or State.
Henry R. Harris, a planter of Gray Township. Lonoke County. was born in Copiah County, Miss., January 9, 1842. His father, Dr. Walton Harris, was born in Georgia. in 1804. After obtaining his education in that State, he went to Mississippi, where, in the course of time, he was married to Sarah Raglin. To the union was given a family of eight children, equally divided in regard to sex. The father was a physician and merchant of Lo- noke and Augusta, Woodruff County, having a capital invested in merchandise of between $7,000 and $10,000, he carrying on an extensive business. He practiced medicine for about twenty years, and attained to success and prominence in his profes- sion. He was a member of the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason. Moving from Mis- souri in 1849, he settled at Brownsville, Prairie County. Ark., where he died October 1, 1884. His wife was a member of the Methodist Church, dying in 1854. Henry R. was educated in Mississippi, where he lived until 1855, when he came to Arkan- sas, settling at Brownsville. Here he married Margaret E. Blenden, on April 4, 1875. She was the daughter of William N. and Sarah (Smith) Blenden. This union has been blessed by the birth of seven children: Walton, Charles H., Will- iam D., Claude, Sarah R. Margaret E. and Clar- ence. Mr. Harris is a very successful farmer, owning 160 acres of good land, with forty acres under cultivation. He holds the office of justice of the peace of his township, serving the people faithfully and impartially. Both he and his wife are liberal members of the Methodist Church, giv- ing their aid to all worthy religious enterprises.
L
617
LONOKE COUNTY.
William Madison Hensley is a grandson of an old Revolutionary soldier, and was the fifth son in a family of nine children born to Jacob and Betsey (Collins) Hensley. The former's birth occurred in Greene County, Tenn., September 7, 1803, and in 186S he removed to Lonoke County, where he still resides. He is a millwright by trade, and in his younger days traveled all through the South, en- gaged in his occupation. He is a strong Demo- crat, and cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. He was a son of Christian Hensley, originally from Shenandoah County, Va., who died in Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of ninety-two years. He and his father (who came to this country from Germany) and a brother were in the Revolutionary War. William M. Hensley's mother is still liv- ing, and has a family of nine children, six living: Fleecy Ann, Martin, Catherine, Harriett, William M. and Martha. William M., who was born in Chattahoochee County, Ga., April 10, 1857, was about ten years of age when his parents moved to this State, and here he has resided ever since. He was married in January, 1885, to Miss Pazzetty Johnson, a native of Lee County, Miss., born Sep- tember 3, 1866, and the daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Blackwood) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Hensley are the parents of three children: Ollie S., Carrie L. and James D. Mr. Hensley has a farm of 120 acres, forty of which are under culti- vation. He and his wife are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, he also belonging to the County Wheel. He is a strong Democrat, and a highly respected citizen.
Hon. William Frields Hicks, editor of the Lo- noke Democrat, and representative to the General Assembly from Lonoke County, is the son of Hin- son R. and Jane (Frields) Hicks, and was born in Anderson County, Tenn., May 17, 1824. His parents were natives of North Carolina and Vir- ginia, respectively, the progenitors of the Hicks family in America, having emigrated from England at an early period and settled in South Carolina. The Frields are of Irish birth, and it is known that early representatives left the Emerald Isle during the O'Neil Rebellion, locating in France, from which country they came to America with the
Huguenots. About the year 1808, Hinson R. Hicks emigrated to Tennessee, where he afterward mar- ried Jane Frields, who preceded him to the new country with her parents, and moved to Indiana in 1829. In 1835 the family came from Indiana to near Little Rock, Ark., in which place the parents died some years afterward. Of a family of five sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch is the eldest. He accompanied his parents to Ar- kansas in 1835, suffering the privations incident to a pioneer's life, and receiving only the meager ad- vantages of the day for education. When but a lad of twelve years, he was bereft of his mother's love and care, and after following her remains to their last resting-place, he went at once to Little Rock, never returning to his home, and upon arriv- ing in that city he began life for himself. Al- though very young, he accepted the position of ferryman, and afterward served as cabin boy for a short time. He had early set his mind upon learning the printing business, the height of his boyhood ambition being to own a printing estab. lishment, and so, in 1837, he entered the Times and Advocate office at Little Rock, where he began his professional career. Later he went into the office of the Arkansas Gazette, and applied himself so assiduously to the business that before he had reached the age of nineteen years, he was occupy- ing the responsible position of foreman of that periodical. He now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest printer in Arkansas, who learned the "art preservative " trade in that State. In 1846 he enlisted in the Arkansas Mounted Regiment, and served under Capt. Albert Pike in the war with Mexico. He participated in the battle of Buena Vista, and his recitals of that and other engage- ments, are both interesting and exciting. After his term of enlistment had expired, he returned to Little Rock and engaged at his trade, and also began the study of law under the instruction of Pike & Cummings. In 1852 he went to the Indian Territory, and for some time worked at the print- er's business, going, in 1854, to California, where he remained until 1866. Returning again to Ar- kansas, he engaged in the mercantile business at Hicks Station, but soon afterward moved the store
618
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to Lonoke, and continued in trade there until 1876. At the expiration of that time he began the practice of law at Lonoke, and in 1887 became the editor of the Lonoke Democrat, which he now manages. Mr. Hicks was originally a member of the old Whig party until its demise, but since that time he has been an ardent adherent to the prin- ciples of Democracy. In 1868 he was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Convention held at Little Rock, for the reconstruction of the Consti- tution of Arkansas, and in 1874 was elected to the State senate, and re-elected in 1882. He was the choice of the people to represent Lonoke County in the General Assembly in 1886, and was re elect- ed in 1888. Mr. Hicks has held many municipal positions, always to the satisfaction of those whose interests have been represented. He has taken an ac- tive interest in educational matters, and was the first president of the Lonoke board of public education. He has served as mayor and postmaster and super- visor of census in 1880, and in his political career has displayed commendable judgment and earnest- ness, having won a reputation that will survive him many years. His popularity is unquestioned, and he is in every respect worthy of the deference and esteem shown him. Mr. Hicks was married in 1867, to Miss Hula H. Burns, a native of Cam . den, S. C., an attractive and fascinating lady. She is of Scotchi extraction, and a lineal descendant of Scotland's famous and honored poet, Robert Burns, being also a cousin of Mrs. Stonewall Jackson. Four children have blessed their union, only one of whom is now living. In societies, Mr. Hicks is identified with Lonoke Lodge No. 51, F. & A. M.
James H. Hicks, an efficient public servant of Lonoke County, and the incumbent of the office of sheriff, was born in Brownsville, Ark., March 22, 1855, the son of Isaac C. and Eliza M. (Smith) Hicks, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respect- ively. Isaac C. Hicks canie to Arkansas when but eiglit years of age, and the rapid growth and im- provement of the State since that time seems al- most marvelous. He located here when the Terri- tory was thinly settled, and of course endured all the inconvenience and privations incident to pio- 1
neer life, his privileges for schooling being meager and far from satisfactory. He carried the mail for three days during the week, and attended school the remaining three days, and though his educa- tion was gained under such disadvantages he be- came a man of more then ordinary attainments, possessing indomitable will. He never sought po- litical distinction, but served as mayor of Browns- ville, and also of Lonoke. At the time of his death, in 1872, he was filling the latter position. During the war he served as lientenant in the Ar- kansas State troops, and was disabled at the battle of Oak Hill. After the war he resided for some years at Little Rock, giving his children excellent opportunities for acquiring an education in the schools of that city. He was one of the founders of Lonoke, helping to lay out the present site of the city, and was among the first to settle there. In a family of nine children, James H. is the fourth in order of birth, and when only an infant his mother died, leaving him to his father's care. Mr. Hicks married again, so that the home was not broken up. James remained at home until he reached his majority, and was given every advan- tage for a good education. In 1873 he entered St. John's College of Little Rock, after leaving which he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, and has for many years been thus occupied in the county. He also devoted his attention to the study of law, but never practiced that profession. In 1886 he was elected to the office of sheriff, and in 1888 was re-elected, being the unanimous choice of the people, and the candidate of the Democratic party. He served several years as city marshal of Lonoke, and in all cases never failed to give en- tire satisfaction. Mr. Hicks is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, a director in the Lonoke Building & Loan Association, and also director of the Lonoke Bank. He is Chief Templar of Lonoke Lodge I. O. G. T. and president of the corporation to construct the building known as the Lonoke Hotel. In June, 1878, Mr. Hicks was married to Miss Rosa J. Puryear, a native of Virginia, who came with her parents to Tennessee, and from there to Arkansas in 1877. To Mr. and Mrs.
621
LONOKE COUNTY.
Hicks have been born three children, two sons and one bright little daughter, named in order of birth, James H., Alma Puryear and I. C. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Hicks has been steward for fifteen years, and he is one of the building committee for that organization. He is a large land owner in Lonoke County, having 100 acres in an excellent state of cultivation. Thoroughly believing in de- veloping the resources of the country, Mr. Hicks is always ready to lend his aid and support in the county's general advancement and growth, his heart and pocket ever being open to worthy objects of charity. He has inherited from his father, to a re- markable degree, that ambition and pride of char- acter. which have enabled him to carve his own way through life to a position of honor and affluence.
James A. High, who has witnessed the com- plete developement of Lonoke County. and has borne an active share in its improvement and de- velopment, was born in Mississippi in 1844, his parents being Lodesick and Nancy A. (Wynne) High, natives of North Carolina. They removed to Mississippi in their young days, and were after- ward married, Mrs. High dying in that State, shortly after which Mr. High and children came to Arkansas and located in this county in 1860. Here Mr. High died in 1885, at the age of eighty - five. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was the father of nine children, four of whom are still liv- ing. James A., the subject of this sketch, enlisted, in 1861, in the Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, in which he served throughout the war. He was in the battles of Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chick- amauga, Chattanooga, Peach Tree Creek and a number of others, and received a shot through the left leg at the battle of Nashville, which caused bis confinement in the hospital at Columbia, Tenn .. where he was captured and taken prisoner. Then taking the oath of allegiance he was released and returned home, entering into farming. Mr. High was married to Miss Emma Deal, a native of Mis- sissippi, and they are the parents of seven children, all living: Edgar, Walter, Wade, Espy, Horace Samuel and Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. High are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The
former is a prominent Democrat of his county. He always takes an interest in schools and churches and other enterprises of a worthy nature.
J. W. Hollis has risen to his present position as a prosperous planter of Lonoke County through his own merit. He was born in Amite County, Miss., March 7, 1839. John W. Hollis, his father, first saw the light of day in South Carolina, in 1814, being taken to Mississippi when but a boy, where he received his education, and married Ashia (Hilliard) Caird. A family of three children blessed this union, of whom two are now living, one in Texas, and the other residing in this State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and upon coming from Mississippi to Arkansas in 1852, set- tled in Ashley County where he owned 440 acres of good land. He held the office of justice of the peace for two years, and that of postmaster at Elon for three years. He and his wife were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. J. W. Hollis, the subject of this sketch, was educated near Hamburg, Ashley County, Ark., and on No- vember 21, 1866. was married to Julia Callaham, daughter of James and Matilda Callaham. To them a family of seven children was born: Brad- ford A., Norman L., John W., Zealier E., Ama- zon, Clyde U. and Julia A. Five of the children are living. Mr. Hollis owns a splendid farm of about 320 acres, 100 under cultivation. He served in the late war on the Confederate side of the cause, enlisting in 1862 under Gen. Palenight. The first hard battle in which he engaged was at Pleasant Hill, La. After this he participated in many skirmishes, being discharged in 1865, at the surrender of Jacksonport. Returning home he began to till the soil, continuing it to the present day. He is a member of the Wheel, having held the office of chaplain. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and were among the organizers of the South Bend Church in 1869. They take much interest in religious matters.
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.