Biographical and historical memoirs of eastern Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties named herein, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties., Part 100

Author: Goodspeed Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; St. Louis [etc.] : The Goodspeed Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 836

USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of eastern Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties named herein, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. > Part 100

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T. J. Robinson, M. D., received a good com- mon-school education in Tennessee, his native State, and spent two years in the study of medi- cine at home, after which he took a course of lec- tures at Nashville. He was attending Medical College at the breaking out of the war, but, with the true spirit of patriotism, enlisted in the Con- federate army, serving part of the time in the hos- pital, though mostly engaged in active duty as a private. After the close of the war he gave his at- tention to farming for four years. He then entered the medical college at Louisville, Ky., and was graduated from that institution in the winter of 1868-69, after which, returning to Hardeman County, he practiced for fifteen years. Dr. Robin- son later went to Texas, but within three months following he came to Arkansas and located at Marianna, Lee County, in 1883. Since that time he has built up a large practice. Dr. Robinson was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1841, as a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Chisum) Rob- inson, natives of the same State. Jonas Robinson was born in 1800, and died at the age of fifty- three. His wife is still living in Hardeman County, at the age of seventy-six years. The subject of this sketch was married in Tennessee to Miss Nan- nie Chisum, by which union were born three chil- dren: John C. (a student of the University of Louisville, Medical Department), Mary Wood and Pearl (his only daughters, aged, respectively, fif- teen and four years, are his pets). The Doctor is a member of the Lee County Medical Society, of the Knights of Honor, and belongs to the' Christian Church.

Capt. James W. Rodgers received a high school education in his native State of South Carolina, preparatory to entering the military academy at

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West Point, to which his father wished to send him, but having chosen a mercantile life rather than that of a military nature he engaged in mer- chandising at Byhalia, Miss., where he opened a stock of general merchandise, and was also pro- prietor of a blacksmith and wagon shop. At the breaking out of the war he joined the first troops organized in his county, Company D, of the Ninth Mississippi Infantry, and the first year served at Warrington, near Pensacola, Fla. He received his discharge within the year on account of sickness, and returned home, but as soon as able organized Company E, Thirty-fourth Mississippi Infantry, which he commanded until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Mur- freesboro, Dalton, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and on to Atlanta, and then went back with Hood, but was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Co- lumbus, Miss. After his recovery he was placed in command of 600 men, and started to join Gen. Johnston's army in North Carolina, but receiving word of the surrender he paroled his men at Meri- dian, returned home, and again resumed his busi- ness. Upon remaining two years he came to Ar- kansas, and located in what is now Walnut Bend Township, Lee County, where he has since lived. Capt. Rodgers was born in Lawrence District, S. C., in 1834, being a son of Hon. James S. and Emily N. (Ware) Rodgers, also natives of that State. James S. Rodgers was a well-to-do farmer and a prominent citizen of his locality, and held the office of sheriff of Lawrence District for several years, and later for several terms was representa- tive from that district to the State legislature. He served under Gen. Jackson in one of the early wars, and was a son of John Rodgers, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Mr. Rodgers was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and his death, which occurred in 1866, was much regretted by all who knew him. He was at that time a resident of Marshall County, Miss., to which he had removed in 1849. Mrs. Rodgers was a daughter of Gen. Edwin Ware, a merchant of Abbeville District, S. C., and a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1862, leaving twelve children,

five sons and seven daughters, four of whom are still living: James W. (the principal of this sketch), Amanda (now Mrs. Du Puy), Albert S. and Flora (now Mrs. Myers). Mr. Rodgers was married in 1872 to Miss Ella Newman, daughter of Augustus and Sallie Newman, who removed from Bolivar County, Miss., to this county in 1868, and both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers are the parents of eight children, five surviving, all sons. Mr. Rodgers has lived on his present farm since 1886, and has it well improved. It consisted of 640 acres, with over 400 acres under cultivation. Mrs. Rodgers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her hus- band is a liberal contributor, strongly advocating Sunday-school work.

Henry Preston Rodgers. In chronicling the names of the prominent citizens of Lee County, that of Henry Preston Rodgers is accorded an en- viable position. He is the son of Ebenezer and Parmelia (Jackson) Rodgers, his birth occurring in Madison County, Ill., in March, 1844. Eben- ezer Rodgers was a native of Wales, born in 1790, and in 1820 he came to America, locating in How- ard County, Mo., where two years later he was united in marriage with Miss Jackson. During their residence in that State three children were given them, but in 1839 they moved to Illinois, where seven children were reared, making a family of ten born to their union. Mrs. Parmelia Rodgers, of English descent, first saw the light of day in Kentucky, in 1805, and after a long and consistent Christian life as a devoted wife and mother, she passed to her eternal rest, on Wednesday, March 28, 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Rodgers, Sr., though of Welsh parentage, was of English birth, and in 1818, being prompted by missionary zeal, came to America, locating in Ken- tucky, which presented a wide field for his labors. His was a grand and noble work, and his efforts for the advancement of Christianity and education have left imprints for good that will remain through time and eternity. In 1823, five years after his arrival in the United States, he organized a Baptist Church, in Capt. John Jackson's neighborhood, and subsequently became its pastor. Capt. Jack-

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son, the father of Mrs. Rodgers, was by occupation a farmer, but entered the War of 1812, command- ing a company of volunteers (Kentucky). In 1834 Rev. Mr. Rodgers moved with his family to Madi- son County, Ill., where he presided for a period of two years as pastor of the Baptist Church. At the expiration of that time he left the pastorate and devoted his time to missionary and association efforts throughout the State. After a long and well-spent life, he passed away, at his home in Upper Alton, Ill., at the age of sixty-four years. Henry Preston Rodgers, the subject of this sketch, received the rudiments of his education in the sub- scription schools of Madison County, Ill., and matriculated in the Shurtliff College in 1861, com- pleting the junior year in 1863. In September, 1863, he entered the scientific department of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and completed his education one year later. After leaving Ann . Arbor Mr. Rodgers went to Memphis, but soon located in Bolivar, Tenn., where he engaged in merchandising. Finding that venture to be un- successful, however, he closed out his business, and accepted a position as salesman with a large and prominent firm, which he filled with credit and satisfaction. In 1870 he came to Arkansas, select- ing Marianna as his place of abode, and again em- barked in the mercantile business, his efforts being liberally rewarded. For ten years he was recog- nized as one of the most enterprising and progres- sive of Marianna's citizens, only retiring from business at that time to devote his attention to planting. He now owns 6,000 acres of as fine farm land as can be found in Arkansas, and 1,200 of this are in a high state of cultivation, the principal crops being corn and cotton. The soil in favorable seasons yields about one bale of cotton to the acre. The year 1877 witnessed Mr. Rodgers' marriage to Miss Mary Virginia Upshaw, a native of Arkan- sas, and a daughter of James R. and Bettie W. (Epps) Upshaw. To their union two children were born: Henry Preston, Jr. (born June 10, 1878), and Mary Lucile (born December 24, 1879). Mrs. Rodgers died in 1887, a lady of great culture and refinement, and a favorite among her wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In politics Mr.

Rodgers is a Democrat, and in 1883 he received the election to the State legislature, being re-elected in 1884. He holds a membership in the Episcopal Church, as did also his estimable wife. That he is popular is proven beyond a doubt, by the respect and confidence reposed in him by the entire people.

Albert S. Rodgers took part in many of the im- portant and hard-fought battles of the Civil War, prominent among which were the engagements at Perryville, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Dalton, Chicka- mauga, Franklin and a number of others. He was wounded in the former and last three battles, and was taken prisoner at the last named, being confined in a Federal hospital for three months. Upon his recovery he was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was held until shortly after the surrender of Lee, when he was released on parole and returned home. There he engaged in farming until 1868. Coming to Arkansas he located in Lee County, and opened up a farm at Walnut Bend. Mr. Rodgers was born in Lawrence County, S. C., in 1844, and is a son of James S. and Emily R. Rodgers, both natives of that State. He was reared in Marshall County, Miss., where his father moved when he was three years of age, and which he made his home until his enlistment, when only seventeen years of age, in Company E, of the Thirty-fourth Mississippi Infantry. He was married in 1880 to Miss Scott M. Davidson, a daughter of A. W. and Susan E. (Camthes) Davidson. They are the pa- rents of two children: Alma M. and Emma S. In connection with farming and stock raising Mr. Rodgers is engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness, and carries a stock of some $2,000, enjoying a large patronage. He is a prominent Democrat, and has held the position of deputy clerk of Lee County, and was justice of the peace for six years, but at the present time is not occupied in an offi- cial capacity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Honor, and is a liberal patron to all public enterprises. Mrs. Rodgers is a member of the Presbyterian Church. James S. Rodgers, the father of our subject, was born in South Carolina in 1791, and lived to the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He was a soldier

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in the War of 1812, and was a prominent man of his county, holding the office of sheriff for several years. He owned a large plantation and at the breaking out of the war was the possessor of sixty slaves. In his family were twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. Saxon Rodgers, his father, was of South Carolina nativity, and a farm- er of considerable means and influence. Mrs. Rodgers, the mother of Albert S., was a daughter of Edmund Ware, a Virginian by birth, and a gen- eral in the Revolutionary War.

John L. Rowland, who stands high in the ag- ricultural ranks of Lee County, came originally from Tennessee, being a son of John B. and Eliz- abeth (Thomas) Rowland. The father was a son of Birch and Mary Rowland, natives of North Car- olina, both of whom lived to be over sixty years of age. They were the parents of four sons: Will- iam (a mechanic and a master of his trade), George, David (both successful farmers and well-to do) and John B. The latter moved to St. Francis County in 1834, where he was engaged in farming, but a few years later came to Lee County. He was mar- ried before entering this State (then a Territory), to Miss Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Thomas, of South Carolina and Tennes- see origin, respectively. Lewis Thomas was a soldier in the War of 1812, and gained distinction by his bravery, living to the age of sixty-five. John L. Rowland was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1829, and was therefore five years of age when his parents moved to Arkansas. He was reared on his father's farm, and as the territory was at. that time very thinly settled, and school- houses were few and far between, his educational advantages were very limited, He commenced farming for himself when twenty years old in this county, and in 1857 was married to Susan E. Reed, daughter of Noah and Mary (Hurley) Reed, natives of Massachusetts and Kentucky, respectively. Noah Reed was born in 1797; his wife died at the age of forty. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have four children: Josephine (deceased), Ardella (deceased), Jessie L. and Mary. Mr. Rowland enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862, in Company B, of Holmes' regiment, in which he served throughout

the war, participating in the battles of Cotton Plant, Helena and some others, but was principal- ly engaged in skirmishing. After the war he re- turned home and resumed farming, and although he lost nearly all he had during that unhappy period, by hard work and close economy, together with good business management, he has accumu- lated considerable property, and now owns a fine farm of 540 acres, with 250 acres under cultivation. He has also a large amount of stock, to which industry he turns his attention, in preference to the more general occupation of cotton raising. Mr. Rowland is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to which his wife also belongs, they taking an active part in religious enterprises. He is a liberal contributor to all enterprises for the good of the community.

John W. Russell, who stands foremost among the farmers of Lee County, Ark., is a native of Alabama and a son of Alexander Russell, also of that State, and who was born about 1809. He was of Scotch descent, and was a farmer, tanner and shoemaker. In 1828 Miss Rebecca Ann Cart- wright became his wife, a daughter of John and Polly Cartwright, both originally from Alabama, and of Irish descent. She was born in Madison County, that State, in 1815, and died in 1882, three years after the death of her husband. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters; three of these are known to be living: Joseph, Eveline (now Mrs. Holly of Ala- bama), and John W. The subject of this sketch was born in Limestone County, Ala., December 10, 1831, and remained in that county until his mar- riage, having charge of his father's farm. He has been married four times; first, in 1855, to Miss Louisa Breeding, a native of Morgan County, who died in 1877, leaving seven children, three still surviving: Samuel R., Otis P. and William W., all engaged in farming in this county. Mr. Rus- sell was next married May 10, 1879, to Miss Susan Bickerstaff, also of Alabama, who died in 1883. His third marriage was in 1884 to Miss Dora Smith, also of the same State. She lived a year after her marriage, leaving one child, which died

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a short time after its mother. His fourth and present wife was Mrs. Mary A. Archy, widow of Rufus Archy, of Tennessee, to whom he was mar- ried in October, 1886. Mr. Russell enlisted in the Confederate service, in 1864, in Malone's bat- talion, in Johnston's army, and served until the close of the war. Coming to Arkansas in 1873, he located in this county and purchased the farm on which he still resides, now one of the finest in Lee County, consisting of 216 acres, with 150 acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in the mill- ing business and cotton ginning. Mr. Russell is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Hartwell Scruggs, holding a prominent place among the enterprising and wealthy farmers of Richland Township, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in 1824, being the second in a family of three children, resulting from the union of Hart- well and Lucy (Howell) Scruggs. Hartwell Scruggs was born in 1800, in the Old Dominion. He moved to Tennessee, and there married about the year 1820, making it his home for many years, and giving his children such advantages for an education as could be obtained at that time. His son, Louis H., died in 1859, leaving a wife and two children; John, died in 1860, a wife and one child surviving to mourn his loss.' Mr. Hartwell, Sr., moved from Tennessee to Lee County, Ark., in 1844, and settled on the St. Francis River, where he resided at the date of his death in 1845. Mrs. Scruggs died in the same year. Mr. Scruggs was a Democrat in his politi- cal views, and in religious faith, a Baptist. Hart- well, the subject of this sketch, passed his younger days in Tennessee, and came with his father to Arkansas in 1844. Two years later he embarked in rafting on the Mississippi River, following this occupation for eight years, after which he went to farming on the St. Francis River. In 1863 he enlisted in Dobbins' Regiment of Arkansas Cav- alry, soon being taken prisoner of war, and was not released until 1865. In 1868 he settled in Richland Township, purchasing a farm of 200 acres, 100 acres now under cultivation. With the improvements that he made this farm is second to

none in the county, and the impression to the cas- ual observer, or passer-by, is that thrift and pros- perity predominate. Mr. Scruggs was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Morgan in the year 1847, and by her became the father of six children: Martha A., Hartwell, Cortez, Howell, Helen and Louis. Mrs. Scruggs died in 1861, and for his second wife Mr. Scruggs chose Rebecca Moore, of Virginia, who died in 1870, leaving two children: Clara and Anna. Mr. Scruggs was married in 1871 to Miss Harriet E. Haydon, a daughter of Waller and Sarah F. (Nelson) Haydon, originally from Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. By this marriage they have had eight children: Libourn R., Lucian (deceased), Horace B. (deceased), Car- rie L. and Cora L. (twins -- Cora is dead), Black- stone F., Edna E. and Rhuney R. Mr. Scruggs is a man who has traveled a great deal, and who has seen life in all its different phases. He is a member of Lodge No. 108, of the Masonic order at La Grange, Lee County, and has been school director in his district for years. He takes an ac- tive interest in those movements tending to the good of the county, lending by his valuable sup- port and influence especially to the advancement of education. He comments with pardonable pride on the development and growth of the county since he has resided here, and many of its enterprises will stand as monuments of his generous support, and interest manifested therein.

Richard D. Shackelford. One among the many prosperous and prominent farmers of Lee County is Richard D. Shackelford, who was born of honor- able parentage at Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Febru- ary 10, 1826. He is a son of John L. and Sarah A. (Chisenhall) Shackelford. John L. Shackelford came upon the scene of action in Virginia, on August 12, 1796; he was a mechanic by occupation, an old-time Whig in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a pious and devout man, was much loved and respected by those who knew him. He was a Scotchman by birth, and came to this country when young, during the War of 1812, taking an active part, and doing valiant duty as a soldier. He was successful in life, and at the time of his death, which occurred

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on August 20, 1863, had considerable property. His wife, to whom he was married May 26, 1816, was also born in the Old Dominion, and was the mother of ten children, two sons and eight daugh- ters, four of whom are still living: Katharine (widow of Rev. John Roberts), Tabitha (widow of William Williford), Rebecca (widow of John Walthall), and Richard D., the principal of this sketch. The latter was reared in Marengo County, Ala., where his father had removed when the son was two years of age. As that portion of the State at that time was comparatively an unsettled country, his education was of a very limited char- acter. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one, and in 1847 removed to Arkansas, settling in Phillips County, about thirty miles northwest of Helena, which. was at that time an uninhabited wilderness. After remaining there

seven years, he removed to Woodruff County, con- tinuing until 1862, at which time he joined the Confederate army, in Company G, of Dobbins' regiment, and served up to the close of the war. He then returned to his family in Woodruff County, but soon removed to his present location, where he has since been engaged as a farmer and mechanic. Mr. Shackelford has been twice married; first, to Miss Belvida Tully, in 1850, who died fifteen years later, having been the mother of seven children, six still living: Alice (now Mrs. Brown, of this county), Thomas E. (a farmer of Pulaski County), Mary (now Mrs. Marshall, of Ft. Smith), William R. (also a farmer of Pulaski County), Lucy (now Mrs. Ferguson, of Lee County) and Louis L. (a farmer of Pulask' County). He was then married in December of that year to Mrs. Mary E. Wilks (nee Brown), a daughter of John and Mary Brown, and a native of Mississippi. They had seven chil- dren, two of whom survive: Zula (now Mrs. McAlexander, a mechanic of Brinkley, Ark.), and Nannie, at home. Mr. Shackelford is a Democrat 'in politics, and a member of the Christian Church, as is also his wife, in which they take an active part, always being ready to give their time and means to worthy church and religious enterprises.

James A. Sims'is a native of Mississippi, and a son of John and Isabella (Johnson) Sims, natives

of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. John Sims was a blacksmith by trade, and was also engaged in farming. He died in 1831, pre- ceded by his wife (who was a daughter of Gilbert Johnson, a native of South Carolina) some five years. They were the parents of nine children, eight sons and one daughter: Samuel A., John P., William B., James A. (the principal of this sketch), Gilbert G., Benjamin M., Ernest W., David D. and Mary A. (wife of John W. Walker, of Warren County, Miss.). The places of residence of the brothers are not known. James A. Sims was born in Warren County, Miss , near Vicksburg, on February 5, 1817. On account of the country be- ing then but thinly settled, his early advantages for an education were very limited. He commenced farming for himself at the age of seventeen, and in 1849 came to Arkansas, purchasing a farm in Lee County, which was at that time a part of Monroe County. Two years later he sold his farm, and removed to Clark County, where he remained thir- teen years, soon returning and purchasing his pres- ent farm, then within the lines of St. Francis County. Mr. Sims was married, in 1851, to Miss Augusta C. Davis, a native of Phillips County, and a daughter of Thomas J. and Elvira (Mullen) Davis, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sims are the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters; seven of these are still living: John H., Louisa J., Florence I., William A., Rob- ert E. Lee, Edward M. and Donnie D. Mr. Sims enlisted in the Confederate service in the summer of 1864, in the Arkansas Home Guards, in which he served until the close of the war. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, to which they have belonged for over thirty years. Mr. Sims is a strong, uncompromising Democrat.

Mrs. Louisa F. (Noles) Slaughter, the widow of Dr. Stanton Slaughter, was born in Maury County, Tenn., November 27, 1837. Dr. Stanton Slaughter, a native of South Carolina, was born in 1820, being a son of Arthur and Jane Slaughter, of Virginia. He. received a liberal education, graduating from the New Orleans (La.) Medical College in 1846, and afterward settled in Missis- sippi, choosing this as the field of his labors, but

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subsequently immigrated to Arkansas, and located in Phillips County in 1851. He was immediately recognized as an efficient and conscientious physi- cian, and rapidly gained an enviable position, both as a son of ÆEsculapius and a citizen. He was married in 1851 to Miss Mary Pollard, of Missis- sippi, who only lived one year. He was again married, his second wife being Miss Louisa F. Noles, a daughter of Allen J. and Eliza Noles. Mr. Noles was a native of Maury County, Tenn., and was born in 1807. He was a farmer and con- tractor and served as sheriff of Lewis County, Tenn., for many years. In 1829 he was married to Elizabeth Batmon, of Maury County, her birth occurring in 1809. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, four now living: Louisa F., Sarah E. (widow of B. M. Marbeau), James B. and Rosena (wife of Bruce Kirk, now residing in Texas). Mr. Noles died in 1887, and his wife in 1863. To Dr. and Mrs. Slaughter a family of ten children were given, seven sons and three daughters, five now living. Dr. Slaughter died in Brinkley, this State, January 26, 1885. He was a courteous and highly-cultured gentleman, well worthy the respect and esteem shown him by his wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Mrs. Slaughter owns 160 acres of ex- cellent farm land, with over 100 acres under a suc- cessful state of cultivation. She is a bright, in- telligent lady, and though by no means a mascu- line woman, manages her estate and business in a highly commendable manner, that might well be copied by many of the sterner sex.

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Author: Goodspeed Publishing Company Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; St. Louis [etc.] : The Goodspeed Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 836

Author: Goodspeed Publishing Company
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; St. Louis [etc.] : The Goodspeed Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 836