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 112

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 112

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).

David J. Burks, farmer and ginner, Hickory Plains, Ark. Generally age and experience are essential to success and promotion, but in the ex- ample before us we have a young man who has risen without any especial fortuitous circumstances to the position of one of the successful agriculturists of the county. He was born in Logan County, Ky., June 11, 1859, and his father, W. I. Burks, is a native of the same State. The latter was married in his native State to Miss Harriet Irwin, a native of the same county and State, and followed farm- ing in Kentucky for a number of years. He now resides at Springfield, Mo., where he is engaged in merchandising. He served through the late war as first lieutenant in the Confederate service. In 1874 he moved to Arkansas, and remained here until 1883, when he moved to Springfield, Mo. D. J. Burks came with his parents to Arkansas in 1874, and here grew to manhood. On November 22, 1878, his nuptials with Miss Emma Deener, a native of Arkansas and a daughter of Thomas and Huldah Deener, were solemnized, and to this happy union have been born two children: Willie and Irwin. After marriage Mr. Burks located on a farm, and has cultivated the soil industriously since that time. He bought a gin in the fall of 1888, and has good machinery, etc. His farm consists of about eighty acres with seventy-five acres under cultivation. He has a good residence and outbuildings, etc., and is making his way to the front.

Dr. James W. Burney, physician, surgeon and druggist, Des Arc, Ark. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits,

690

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

sciences, arts and professions, it is only fit and right that that profession on which, in some period or other of our lives-the medical profession-all are more or less dependent, should be prominently noticed. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ailments to which suffering humanity is prone, and as such he deserves the most grateful consideration of all. A prominent physician and surgeon, who, by his own great abil- ities, has attained distinction in his profession, is Dr. James W. Burney. This gentleman owes his nativity to Williamson County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on November 1, 1830, but he was reared principally in Maury County, of that State. He came West, to Mississippi, in 1850, located at Mount Pleasant, and in 1855 commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. J. D. Sale, one of the most prominent physicians of Northern Mississippi. In the winter of 1856-57 he took his first course of lectures at the Memphis Medical College, and in March, of the last-named year, located at Des Arc, where he associated him- self with Dr. J. C. Goodwin, with whom he com- menced the practice of medicine. The following year, in July, he volunteered his services in the terrible epidemic of yellow fever, then scourging Vicksburg, Miss., rendering valuable assistance in fighting the same. In 1859 the Doctor returned to Des Arc, resumed his practice, and on Septem- ber 13, of the same year, was united in marriage to Miss Lucy C. Adams, a native of Tennessee, who was reared and educated in Memphis, and the daughter of H. S. Adams, a planter in Mississippi, a soldier in the War of 1812, and a participant in the battle of New Orleans. In 1861 the Doctor enlisted in the Confederate army as lieutenant in Col. Patterson's regiment, and the following year was promoted to the captaincy of Company K, Col. Matlock's regiment, by Gen. Hindman. He remained in active service up to 1864, when he resigned his commission and returned to Des Arc. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, and was in many severe skirmishes. After returning to Des Arc he engaged actively in the practice of his profession, in which he continued up to the present time. He went to Philadelphia and com-

pleted his course, graduating from the Medical Department of that renowned university in the class of February, 1870. Before and since his graduation he has enjoyed an extensive practice, proving conclusively that he is one of the most successful and skillful physicians in the State. He engaged in the drug business in 1881, and still continues that industry. Dr. Burney lost his first wife on August 6, 1878, and on December 7, 1880, he selected for his second wife Mrs. Hattie (John- son) Richardson, a native of Alabama, but who was reared in Arkansas, and the daughter of Hanp Johnson. The fruits of this union have been two children: Alfred and Robert, aged, respectively, eight and six years. The Doctor was first vice- president of the first medical society formed in Prairie County, and is president of the board of examiners of this county, discharging the duties of this, as in all other important positions to which he has been called, with honor, fidelity, ability, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Master Mason, and he and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South. For the past ten years the Doctor's name has been prominently mentioned by his friends in connection with a seat in our State legislature, but owing to private busi- ness and his extreme modesty, he has never given his consent to become a candidate for the position, although a prominent leader in the Democratic party. Chairman of the County Democratic Ex- ecutive Committee during the dark days of recon- struction, he was ever at the helm, and landed the old scar-worn party safely and successfully to vic- tory over all opposition. The Doctor's father, John Burney, was a native of North Carolina, and was reared in Guilford County, where he married Miss Matilda Young, a native also of North Caro- lina, and who was reared in the same county. The father moved to Tennessee about 1820, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also a mechanic, and died in Henry County. His wife survived him a few years. . Their family con- sisted of nine children, six sons and three daugh- ters, three sons and three daughters now living, the three elder sons being deceased: J. T., R. W. and J. M. Burney. Those living are Mrs. E.

691

PRAIRIE COUNTY.

P. Warren (of Mississippi), Mary B. Burney (on the old home place in Maury County), Mrs. Sallie Glenn (of Tennessee), Thomas P. Burney (of Maury County, Tenn.), Prof. A. M. Burney (president of the Howard Female College, at Gallatin, Tenn.) and Dr. James W. Burney (the oldest of the three brothers, living at Des Arc, Ark., actively engaged in the practice of medicine and the drug business). He has practiced medicine a greater number of years than any other man ever did in Prairie County. He never smoked a cigar, never took a chew of tobacco, never shaved his face nor never drank whisky. At this date (January 1, 1890) his weight is even 200 pounds, and he is six feet in height, stout and active, as all may be who will lead a temperate life.

Joseph W. Caskey, farmer and stock raiser, Hickory Plains, Ark. Agricultural pursuits has been Mr. Caskey's principal occupation in life, and the energetic and wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas tend- ing to the enhanced value of his property, has had a great deal to do with obtaining the competence which he now enjoys. He first saw the light in Maury County, Tenn., on August 6, 1847, and when ten years of age came with his parents, J. J. and Nancy J. (Foster) Caskey, to Arkansas, and there grew to manhood. He is the eldest of three children, two sisters: Sarah (deceased, wife of C. C. Broyles) and Martha E. (wife of C. C. Burton). The parents were natives of Tennessee, and in 1856 moved to Arkansas, locating in Prairie County, on the farm where Joseph W. is now residing. There were but slight improvements on the place at that time, but they began working on the same, and soon many changes were to be seen. The father died in Ringgold, Ga., in 1863, and the mother followed him to the grave in 1885. Joseph W. Caskey then took charge of the home place, has 160 acres of land, with eighty acres improved, and all 'his buildings are good and substantial. He was married on January 18, 1872, to Miss M. J. Bur- ton, a native of Henderson County, Tenn., and the daughter of C. A. Burton. Five children have been born to this union: L. C., James A., N. E., W. J. and Harriet R. Mr. and Mrs. Caskey are

members of the Baptist Church, and he is clerk of the same.

M. M. Clark, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. Mr. Clark, another of the honored and much respected pion- eers of Prairie County, was originally from Ken- tucky, where his birth occurred in Warren County, in April, 1829, and was the eighth in a family of thirteen children born to the union of Joseph and Sarah (Moore) Clark, natives of South Carolina. The parents were married in Warren County, Ky., in 1818, and the father followed the occupa- tion of a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife died in St. Louis two years later. The grandparents on both sides were pioneers of Kentucky, and the paternal grandfather, Micajah Clark, was in the Revolutionary War, as was also the maternal grandfather, Hugh Moore, who died in Kentucky. at the age of ninety-six years. M. M. Clark was early taught the duties of the farm, and received his education in the schools of Warren County, Ky. He came to Arkansas in 1854, settled in Mississippi County, near Osceola, where he pur- chased 161 acres of land, with ten acres cleared. He also entered 160 acres, making 320 acres in all, cleared the same, erected buildings, but in the freshet of 1858, lost everything he had. He was married in Mississippi County, Ark., in October, 1857, to Miss Temperance A. Herrell, a native of North Carolina, and in 1859 he sold out and came to Prairie County, Ark. In March, 1862, he en- listed at Des Arc, in Capt. Ball's company, Mc- Carver's regiment, for three years, and was in the battle of Fort Pillow. After remaining there some time, he returned to Arkansas, and entered Gen. Hindman's division, Col. Glenn's regiment, par- ticipating in the battle of Oak Hill, Ark. He was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He was in the battle of Helena, where he received a bomb shell wound in the foot, and was paroled at the hospital at Helena, in July, 1864. He then returned to Prairie County, Ark., entered the cav- alry service, and was in active duty during the war. After this he returned to Prairie County, Ark., and in 1870 moved into Wattensas Town- ship, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and now has seventy acres cleared and under cultiva-

692

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

tion. His principal crops are cotton and corn. He is active in politics, and votes with the Demo- cratic party. He has been magistrate in his town- ship. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To their union were born two children: John and Mary (now Mrs. George Ray). Mr. Clark has witnessed many changes in the country since his residence here, being one of the oldest settlers in the township, and has always taken an active interest in all mat- ters relating to the good of the county. He is deeply interested in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board for sixteen years.

B. J. Collins, merchant, Hazen, Ark. Jared Collins, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina in 1807, was married in about 1832 to Miss Matilda E. Witty and reared a family of five children: Sally J. (deceased, mar- ried Dr. Jerome Cockran), J. W. (was killed in a battle at Jonesboro, Ga.), O. B. (is residing at Birmingham, Ala.), Emma C. (married Mr. Stead- ham and now resides at Pine Bluff, Ark.) and Mat- tie E. (now Mrs. Lawrence, resides at Memphis, Tenn.). Mr. Collins moved to Mississippi about 1835, and settled in Hernando County, where he was engaged in the tailor's business, but later be- came a tiller of the soil in the same county. His wife died and he married Miss R. J. Irwin, the mother of the subject of this sketch, in 1842, and the daughter of Bashford and Sophia Irwin, na- tives of that grand old mother of States, Virginia. B. J. Collins is the eldest of the following children: J. W. (who is married and resides in Birmingham, Ala.), Laura A. (deceased, was the wife of Mr. G. W. Guthrie), J. D. (resides in Shubuta, Miss.), M. J. (resides in Cotton Plant, Ark.), Minnie (is the wife of Mr. Dobbins, of Hazen, Ark.), and M. J. (married and resides at Cotton Plant, Ark. ). B. J. Collins was reared and educated in Missis. sippi, and in 1862 enlisted in Company C, Forty- second Mississippi Infantry, commanded by Col. Miller. He was discharged in 1863, and after the war was engaged in farming until 1869, when he went to Grenada, Miss., and until 1877 carried on the mercantile business. Returning to De Soto

County he remained two years, and in 1879 re- moved to Brinkley, Ark. In 1881 he located at Batesville, Independence County, coming thence to Prairie County, in 1887, where he engaged in mer- chandising with Mr. Dobbins. Mr. Collins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is a Democrat in his political views and is one of the successful men of the county.

William Cook, deputy county clerk, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. This representative gentleman is a native of Shenandoah Valley, Va., where his birth occurred in 1838, and is the eldest of five children, the fruits of the union of William and Sarah (Kelley) Cook, natives of the Old Dominion. The father was a merchant by occupation and followed this in Warren County, Va., for many years. William Cook, Jr., was reared in the Shenandoah Valley, received his education in his native State, and when fifteen years of age left home and went to Missouri. He then started to go overland to California, went as far as Salt Lake City, and then returned to Missouri, settling in Rockport, and was here engaged as clerk for different firms. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and soon after the battle of Wilson's Creek, he was assigned to Gen. McBride's regiment, Seventh Division, Mis- souri State Guards. He participated in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Pea Ridge, Ark., and Corinth. He was with Gen, Price in his raid through Missouri, and was taken prisoner at Lexington, in that State. He was taken to John- son's Island, was paroled in 1865, and then came direct to Des Arc, Prairie County, Ark., where he engaged in general merchandising under the firm of Wilson & Cook, and carried on business until 1868. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm he had purchased in the edge of Des Arc, for some years, and later was made deputy clerk of Prairie County. He is a Democrat in his political principles. Socially he is a member of the White River Lodge No. 37, A. F. & A. M., and has served in every office in the lodge, having been Worshipful Master for ten years. He is a member of Iron Hall Lodge No. 109, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. He was married in Missouri in 1861, to Miss Mattie Lewis, a native of Virginia, who

693

PRAIRIE COUNTY.

died at Des Arc in 1874, leaving three children, the eldest, Lula, now Mrs. Vayden, of Des Arc. Mr. Cook was married the second time in Des Arc, in 1875, to Miss Can T. Allen, a native of Tennessee, and the result of this union was one child, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Cook was a member of the school board at Des Arc for some years, and is now one of the progressive men of De Vall's Bluff. Mrs. Cook is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Joshua Davis. From his earliest youth, Mr. Davis has been familiar with the details of farm work, and since his fifth year has been a resident of Arkansas. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., in the year 1835, being the fourth child born to Joseph and Hannah (Lamb) Davis, the former a native of South Carolina, born in 1812. He was the youngest of his father's family, and when quite a young man he was left an orphan, and from that time onward was compelled to fight his own way in the world. He started westward, and finally settled in Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Lamb, by whom he became the father of nine children: Emma (deceased), Eliza- beth, Thomas, John Abraham, Leonidas, William, all of whom are dead. Those living are: Joshua and Nancy (Mrs. Davis). Joseph Davis was a farmer and a practicing physician, and followed both these occupations throughout his residence in Arkansas, having first come here in 1840, set- tling in Monroe County. In 1849 he moved to Prairie County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and later bought eighty acres more, and here made his home until 1882, when he moved to Pulaski County, and here died the following year. He was very fond of the chase, and his desires in this direction were fully satisfied, for on first coming to the State, it was a splendid hunting region. Politically he was a Democrat, and for many years he had been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife, who was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, died in Prairie County, Ark., in 1852. Joshua Davis was married in 1860 to Miss Emma Knowls, her people having been residents of Ohio. His wife died five days after her son Scott was

born, and in 1866 Mr. Davis wedded Mrs. Sarah M. (Hendrix) Sparks, widow of S. M. Sparks, and by her has had the following children: William H. (deceased), Priscilla (Mrs. Davis), Lucretia (Mrs. Sales), Leonidas and Elmira. In 1861 Mr. Davis enlisted in Capt. Garrett's company, Fifth Arkansas Regiment, and after serving until 1862, was discharged on account of ill health. Upon re- covering, he enlisted in the Second Arkansas Cav-, alry, and in 1863 received a severe wound in the head at Big Shanty, Ga. He was also at Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. Since his return home, he has given his time to agricultural pursuits, and now has a fine farm of 320 acres, with 120 under cultivation. Like his father he is fond of hunting, and in his political views is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

Richard Dinsdale, county assessor, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. The locality in which De Vall's Bluff is situated is indeed fortunate in having among its citizens such a man as Richard Dinsdale is con- ceded to be, for his connection with the interests of the county in a quiet, but none the less effective way, has proven to be of much benefit and influ- ence, and of no little importance. He was born in Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1835, and was the youngest of eight children, the fruits of the union of John and Isabella (Thwaite) Dinsdale, both na- tives of Yorkshire, England. The ancestors were farmers for generations back, and on both sides were of English descent. The father died in his native country in 1837, and the mother received her final summons in 1863. Their children were named as follows: Alexander (married at Brown- more, Yorkshire, England, was an extensive stock and dairy farmer and died, leaving one daugh- ter, Isabella, now Mrs. Thomas Willain, of Brownmore, England), Simon (married and settled in Yorkshire, England, was a farmer, and died in 1887 or 1888, leaving one daughter, Rose, who is now Mrs. Hebden and resides in England), George (married and settled at Gale, England, was an iun- keeper, and died in 1883), Ann (married Robert Pratt, and died in England in 1880), Fawcett (married, and settled near Melbourne, Australia,

694

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

in 1851, where he is engaged in farming), Jane (died at the age of six years) and Richard. The .

latter was reared on a dairy farm in Yorkshire, England, received his education in the schools of that country, and, at the age of twenty-one years, left Liverpool, on a sailing vessel, and, after an ocean voyage of five weeks, landed at Castle Gar- den, New York City. From there he went direct to La Crosse, Wis., remained there one year, and, in the spring of 1857, in company with nine others, crossed overland to Blue Earth County, Minn., where he entered 120 acres, near Mankato. This he improved, and also speculated in buying and selling land. In October, 1861, he enlisted in an independent battalion of Minnesota Volunteers and was mustered into service at Fort Snelling, Minn., November 1. From there he was sent to Benton Barracks, Mo., and participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, after which he was engaged in guard duty as escort to the telegraph corps through Kentucky and Tennessee. He was discharged at St. Paul, November 30, 1864, remained there a short time, and, in January, 1865, started for De Vall's Bluff, Ark., where he was engaged in the general grocery business. This he continued un- til 1873. During this time he was appointed county treasurer by Powell Clayton, and served four years. He subsequently engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and is the owner of 400 acres of land, while his wife has 200 acres, making 600 acres in all, with about fifty acres under cultiva- tion. He was married at De Vall's Bluff, Ark., in 1873, to Mrs. S. A. Brooks, a native of West Ten- nessee, and the result of this union has been two children: Isabella (died at the age of four years) and Maggie (who died at the age of eight years). Mr. and Mrs. Dinsdale are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South. Socially. Mr. Dinsdale is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hamilton Lodge No. 110, he being Worshipful Master of the lodge. He is also a member of the Chapter, a member of Occidental Council No. 1, Little Rock, and belongs to De Vall's Bluff Lodge No. 2172, K. of H., which he has represented in the Grand Lodge. He takes an active part in pol- itics, and his vote is cast with the Republican

party. He also takes a deep interest in educa- tional matters and has been a member of the school board for years. He has been a member of the town council a number of terms. He was elected county assessor in 1888, which position he fills to the satisfaction of all.

Dobbins & Collins, general merchants, Hazen, Ark. W. G. Dobbins, senior member of the firm, was born in Warren County, N. C., in 1844, and was the fourth in a family of five children born to the union of N. J. and Rebecca (Baker) Dobbins, natives of Virginia and North Carolina. The par- ents were married in North Carolina in 1830, and later moved to Mississippi, where the father car- ried on agricultural pursuits. Their children were named as follows: Elizabeth (deceased, was the wife of John E. Brown), John J. (married and re- sides in Mississippi), Edward B. (was killed at the battle of Shiloh), W. G. (our subject), and Joseph S. (who is married and resides in Mississippi). N. J. Dobbins is a member of the Baptist Church, is a public-spirited citizen and an earnest Democrat. His wife died in 1888. W. G. Dobbins moved to Mississippi with his parents in 1856, received his education in the common schools and began life as a sturdy son of the soil. He was married in 1877 to Miss Minnie C. Collins, daughter of Jared and R. J. (Erwin) Collins, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Virginia. To this union were born five children, two now living: Viola D. and Edward B. Those deceased were named: William I., Clyde and Ada I. Mr. Dobbins moved to Ark- ansas in 1888, and engaged in merchandising at Hazen, where he still continues. He is an active man in the building up of the country and is uni- versally respected. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In 1862 Mr. Dobbins enlisted in Blythe's battalion for twelve months, State service, and in 1863 he enlisted in Chalmer's battalion Eight- eenth Mississippi Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Fort Pillow, Guntown, Harrisburg and several skirmishes. At the close of the war he re- turned to Mississippi and there remained until coming to Arkansas.

James M. Dorris has been a resident of Prai-

695

PRAIRIE COUNTY.

rie County for twenty two years, but has been a resident of the State since 1859. He is a Ken- tuckian, born in Fulton County August 7, 1838, and is a son of Samuel H. and Anna (Howton) Dor- ris, who were also natives of the" Blue Grass State." The father, who was born in 1795, was a farmer throughout life, and a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and died in his native State in 1847, his wife's death occurring in 1846, she being born in 1799. James M. Dorris made his home with a sister in Kentucky until about sixteen years of age, then resided with different parties until he attained his majority. His early advantages for acquiring an education were not of the best, but he read with avidity such books as came in his way, and by the time he was ready to commence his medical studies he was a well-informed and intelligent young man. He became a disciple of Æsculapius under the di- rection of Dr. J. B. Blanton, of Hickman, Ky., and was a conscientious and faithful student for over two years. In 1859 he came to Arkansas and located at Searcy, and until the opening of the war was occupied as a hardware merchant. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a member of Company A, of Col. Matlock's regi- ment, one of the best drilled, as well as one of the best fighting companies west of the Mississippi River. Capt. James A. Poe commanded the com- pany, in which he served until the close of the war, being engaged in various detached duty the most of the time. He was a participant in a number of skirmishes, and while home in Arkansas on a fur- lough, the army was disbanded in Louisiana. He then returned to Searcy and again engaged in the hardware business, but sold out after one year's experience, and settled about six miles northwest of Des Arc, where he began the practice of medi- cine, and was one of the leading members of that "healing art" for about seventeen years. He also conducted a farm, and was engaged in rais- ing stock, and in all these enterprises was extreme- ly successful. During the war he lost all his property, but since that time he has accumulated a handsome competency, and is now the owner of about 1,500 acres of land, about 250 acres being in

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.

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