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 113

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 113

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White County. His land embraces five farms, and he has about 300 acres under cultivation and well improved. He has always been a stanch Democrat in politics, and while a resident of White County served in the capacity of associate justice in the county courts, and in September, 1888, was elected to the last-named office in Prairie County, and in this capacity has shown sterling integrity, sound judgment, broad intelli- gence and liberal views. His decisions are made after careful and painstaking study of the evidence and all feel that his judgment can be relied upon. While in White County the Judge was married on October 17, 1860, to Miss Fannie E. Old, a daugh- ter of Thomas Old. She was born near Somer- ville, Tenn., and was there reared to womanhood. She and the Judge are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are the parents of the fol- lowing family: James T. (deputy sheriff of Prairie County), Samuel H., Lucien A. and Rosie (who is attending college at Gallatin, Tenn.).

Adolph Driehaus, at present a planter of Ulm, Ark., is one of the many excellent citizens of for- eign birth now living in Prairie County, who, by their thrift and energy have become prosperous and substantial residents in the community in which they make their home. He was born in the city of Leer on the river Ems, on the north sea- coast (German Empire), on June 25, 1831, receiv- ing his education at several of the schools in the city, and when hardly fifteen years of age went to sea, visiting most every navigable port in the world. He served nearly three years on the old frigate, Constitution, under Commodore Mayo, stationed on the west coast of Africa to suppress the slave trade, and was honorably discharged at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1854, under F. Pierce's administration. He studied navigation and went, after a year's hard studying, to sea again for several years as second and first officer or mate, when, in 1859, he became master of the barque Five Star. After one voyage he was given command of the Goldfinder, in which vessel he went up the Pike River to Fienstien in September of 1862. When France and England were at war with China, on August 13, 1862, at 3 o'clock P. M., they were attacked by Chinese

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pirates in the Gulf of Pichili and Mr. Driehaus was shot through the head and severely cut up with swords and left for dead. In 1863 he commanded the clipper barque, Flying Fish, under the Siamese colors, sailing mostly between Bankok and Shang- hai, when, in 1865, she was sold at Hong Kong for $35,000. While in command of this craft he met with the Confederate cruiser, Alabama, on the east coast of Borneo, commanded by Capt. Lemmon. He then paid his passage from Hong Kong to Lon- don, England, and later made a visit to his old home in Leer to see his father. In March, 1866, he left home again, being of a restless disposition, and crossed the ocean to New York, trying hard to get command of a vessel again, but times being so very dull he remained quite a while in New York without success. He then went to Illinois and Iowa to grow up with the country and made sev- eral successful land speculations. On October 6 he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Ren- nan, who bore him eight children: Emma, Mary, Robert E., Adolph H., Bertha H., John T. and two other children who died in infancy. Mr. Driehaus' children are all at home with the ex- ception of his oldest daughter, Mrs. Alf. Shriner, who resides in Nebraska, and is the mother of one child, a daughter named Mary. Mr. Driehaus has a good farm of 240 acres, eighty acres of which are improved and well stocked. He has an excel- lent orchard of 800 bearing trees, and is one of the wide-awake farmers of the county. After his marriage he resided in Iowa for a short time and then moved to Nebraska where he lived for twenty years, being one of the first settlers. The Pawnee Indians were numerous there at that time. Mr.

Driehaus and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he takes a deep interest in educational matters. He came to this State in December, 1888, taking possession of the property he had bought the year previous, preferring the Sunny South of this locality to the North with its blizzards.

W. T. Edmonds, farmer and ginner, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. What is usually termed genius has lit- tle to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will,

supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling. Mr. Edmonds was originally from Shelby County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on October 14, 1845, and is the son of William T. Edmonds, a native of Tennessee, and one of the early pioneers of that State. He was married in Obion County, Tenn., to Miss Mary Ann Brown, also a native of Tennessee, and the fruits of this union were nine children. The father followed farming there un- til his death, which occurred in 1851, the mother surviving him until 1852. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was revered and respected by all acquainted with him. W. T. Edmonds, the fifth of the nine children born to his parents, was reared to farm life, edu- cated in the schools of Obion and Shelby Counties, Tenn., and in August, 1861, at Dresden, Weakley County, Tenn., he enlisted in Company A, Thirty- first Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Capt. Tansey, as a private. He participated in the bat- tles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville and Murfrees- boro, and after that battle, under the conscript act, he was discharged and returned to West Ten- nessee. He there joined Gen. Forrest's cavalry, and was in the battle of Harrisburg (Miss.), Price's Cross Roads, Memphis, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Pillow, etc. He was paroled at Gainesville, Ala., in 1865, after which he returned to Memphis and engaged as salesman in a wholesale tobacco house. In 1868 he was messenger on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad for the Southern Express Company, run - ning from Cairo to Mobile, and in 1869 he came to Prairie County, settled in Lower Hill Township, where he remained engaged in tilling the soil un- til 1888. He then purchased 460 acres of land, with 150 acres under cultivation, and his principal crops have been cotton and corn. He has a good cotton-gin located one and a half miles from De Vall's Bluff, and is considered one of the practical and progressive farmers of the county. He is a Democrat, politically, but is not active in politics. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, White River Lodge No. 41, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor, De Vall's Bluff Lodge. He was married at De Vall's Bluff, Ark., on December

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23, 1886, to Miss Sally Senter, a native of Ham- blen County, Tenn., who was a teacher in the De Vall's Bluff schools when Mr. Edmonds met her. He and wife are members of the Missionary Bap- tist Church.

Martin M. Erwin is one of the progressive till- ers of the soil of Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Austin in what is now Lonoke County, December 9, 1828, being a son of Oliver Erwin, a brother of A. S. Erwin. He was reared on the home farm near Austin, and his knowledge of the world was only such as could be obtained while assisting his father in tilling the soil. He was married in Pulaski County in July, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth McCraw, a daughter of Pleasant McCraw, a prominent man and a pioneer of that county. After his marriage Mr. Erwin farmed for a short time near the old home place, but in 1853 he moved to Des Arc where he has since made his home, and in addition to conducting his farm he also dealt in real estate, both occupations proving quite suc- cessful, and he is now the owner of several thou- sand acres of land, besides some valuable town property. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army and served until he received his discharge for disability the following year. After remaining idle until 1863 he re-enlisted and was on active duty until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife by death in 1855, and two years later he took for his second wife Miss Sania Bethell, a daughter of Dr. Will- iam Bethell, who is now deceased. Mrs. Erwin was born in Rockingham County, N. C., but was reared and educated in Dallas County, Ark. She and Mr. Erwin have one son, William Erwin, a merchant of Des Arc; and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ambrose S. Erwin, retired merchant, Des Arc, Ark. In these days of money-making, when life is a constant struggle between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to lay before an intelligent reader the unsullied record of an honorable man. To the youthful it will be a useful lesson, an incentive to honest industry. Ambrose S. Erwin, the subject

of this sketch, is a native of Arkansas, his birth occurring at old Austin, in what is now Lonoke County, on February 26, 1834, and is the son of Hon. James and Olivia (McCaleb) Erwin, both natives of North Carolina. The father was of Irish descent and grew to manhood in his native State, where he remained until 1822. He then moved to Arkansas, settled in what is now old Austin, and erected the first house in Lonoke or Prairie Coun- ties, being one of the first actual settlers of these counties. He resided in that vicinity and carried on agricultural pursuits until about 1850, when he, in partnership with G. C. Watkins, of Little Rock, entered the land and laid off the town of Des Arc. He then settled there, erected a residence, mill and gin, and there died on January 1, 1853. He held several prominent official positions, and was the first man to represent Prairie County in the legislature. He contracted with the United States to assist in removing the Indians west of the Mis- sissippi and was engaged in that business for a number of years. Mrs. Erwin survived her hus- band a few years, dying in 1859; she was of Scotch descent. Their family consisted of three sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to mature years, but Ambrose S. and an elder brother are the only ones now living. The former attained his growth in Des Arc, and remained with his parents until they received their final summons. In 1855 he be- gan clerking in Des Arc, and continued at this un- til 1859, when he formed a partnership with a Mr. P. H. Haley, in the general mercantile business and which he has continued the principal part of the time since. He began as clerk, but by his good business management has made a comfortable competence which he now enjoys, and is one of the substantial men of Prairie County. He left his business during the war, and in 1861 enlisted in Col. Churchill's regiment, serving about three months, when he was discharged. In 1862 he re- enlisted in Col. Crawford's regiment and served until the close of the war. He entered the army as a private, was promoted to the rank of lieuten- ant, and at the close of the war had charge of a company. He participated in the following bat- tles: Oak Hills, Poison Springs, Mark's Mill, and

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was in all the battles of Gen. Price's raid through Missouri. He was captured with Gen. Marmaduke at Big Blue, but succeeded in making his escape within two hours afterward. He was at Camden and had command of couriers when peace was de- clared and he was disbanded at that place. Re- turning home after the war he formed a partner- · ship with S. N. Jackson, which continned for three years, and then he and Mr. Plunkett formed a partnership in the mercantile business, which con- tinued for about twenty years. Mr. Erwin was married in Des Arc, in February, 1859, to Miss Lucy Bethell, a native of Memphis, but who was reared in Arkansas, and the daughter of Dr. Will- iam Bethell. They have five children: Anna (wife of Reuben Lee), Albert L., Carrie (wife of F. P. Cates, of Little Rock), Mabel and Minnie (two young ladies at home). Mr. Erwin is a Master Mason, and he and wife and family are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.

Albert L. Erwin, although a young man, is already recognized as a progressive and substan- tial merchant of Des Arc and has achieved a place among the business men of the county by no means an inferior one and one in which many older in years and experience might well feel proud to occupy. He has spent his life and received his education in Des Arc, his birth occurring here January 1, 1864, and he is a son of A. S. and Lucy Erwin, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Besides attending the schools of his native town he was also an attendant of Batesville College and after clerking in his father's store some time he formed a partnership with B. B. Bethel & Co., and was associated with this firm for two years. He then began business for himself and now has one of the best and most complete establishments in the county. His store is a long two-story brick 110x30 feet and is well fitted to supply the wants of the public. He has been married since Septem- ber 20, 1885, to Iuta Ward, a native of Winona, Miss., where she was also reared and educated, being an attendent of the Ward Seminary, of Nashville, Tenn. She died September 22, 1889, leaving one son: Benj. A., a child of three years. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

B. W. Flinn, M. D., is a physician and sur- geon of prominence in Prairie County, Ark., and although he is still a young practitioner he has been very successful in alleviating the sufferings of the sick and afflicted. He was born in Darlington District, S. C., February 19, 1861, and is a son of Dr. C. J. Flinn, a native of the "Emerald Isle," but who was reared and educated in Mississippi. He was a man of superior mental endowments, and for a number of years was professor in Charleston Medical College, becoming well known as an eminent physician. In 1869 he moved to Arkansas, and lo- cated in Lonoke County, and for two years prac- ticed his profession at Austin, moving in 1871 to Des Arc, Prairie County, where he made his home until his death, November 24, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan A. Hearron, was born and reared in South Carolina, and their mar- riage also took place in that State. She now resides in Des Arc. Dr. B. W. Flinn spent the greater part of his youth in Des Arc, and received the best educational advantages the town afforded, commencing, after reaching a proper age, the study of medicine with his father, and took his first course of lectures in 1879 in the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. During 1880 and 1881 he took a course of medical lectures in a College of Memphis, Tenn., graduating in the spring of 1881, but the following year returned to this institution and took the hospital course. He then located eight miles south of Des Arc, and has since been in active practice in the county, but since March, 1884, has been a resident of the town of Des Arc. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and in 1884 was appointed county medi- cal examiner, and still holds this position. He was married in Prairie County, March 10, 1886, to Miss Lizzie Whyte, a daughter of J. F. Whyte, she being a native of this county, and by her he has one son: Heber, who is eighteen months old. The Dr. and his wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the K. of H., and is medical examiner of his lodge.

F. H. Fransioli is a farmer of Belcher Town- ship, Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Wil- son County, Tenn., in 1851, and was reared to

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manhood in that county, being the third child born to J. A. and Mary J. (Thomason) Fransioli, the former a native of Switzerland. About the year 1820 he emigrated to America, settling in Mem- phis, Tenn., where he engaged in the queensware business and made his home for nearly forty years. In 1844 he married the daughter of John Thoma- son, a native of Mississippi, and by her became the father of the following family: Josephine (who is the wife of George Shutt and resides in Wilson County, Tenn.), Charles (who died in Arkansas County, Ark., in 1877) and our subject, F. H. Mr. Fransioli died in Cuba in 1858, whither he had gone for his health. His widow survives him and is a resident of Middle Tennessee. F. H. Fran- sioli spent his life, up to 1875, in the State of Tennessee, and after the year 1870 worked for himself, being engaged in farming in Wilson County. This occupation has received the greater part of his attention since coming to the State, and of his fine farm of 600 acres he has 150 acres un- der cultivation. He possesses those advanced ideas and progressive principles regarding agri- cultural life which has placed so many men at the top round of the ladder, and in looking over his well tilled farm we find that his days have not been uselessly or idly spent. He has done all in his power to promote an interest in the building of schools and churches, and has also been interested in local politics, being a member of the Democratic party. He is a Mason, and his wife, whom he married in 1879, and whose maiden name was Lucy Tittle, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of James and Mar- garet E. (Hurst) Tittle.

David Gates, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. A number of years passed in sincere and honest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty in the different lines of business to which his attention has been directed has contributed very materially to the suc- cess that has fallen to Mr. Gates' career in life. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1845, and was the fourth in a family of five children, the fruits of the union of Mayer and Henrietta Gates, natives also of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a stock breeder, a butcher and an extensive

land owner. He died in 1881, and the mother in 1883, in their native country. Ferdinand, their eldest son, came to America in 1855, settled at Hickory Plains, Prairie County, Ark., and in 1865 engaged in business at Des Arc. Later he had four stores, one at De Vall's Bluff, another at Lonoke, another at Cotton Plant and still another at Des Arc. He is closing out the one at Des Arc. He is now residing at Memphis. He was in the service for three years. Isaac, another son, came to Prairie County, Ark., in 1856, engaged in ped- dling until 1865, and then engaged as partner with his brother Ferdinand. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, was quartermaster and commissary in Bragg's division, and was wounded at Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. He suffered from paralysis and died in 1884. David Gates came direct to Prairie County, Ark., in 1857, and although but little over twelve years of age he commenced working for his brother on a salary. He was educated at Hickory Plains, Ark., and in 1862 he donned his suit of gray, shouldered his musket, and enlisted in Company A, Col. Glenn's regiment of infantry. He participated in the battle of Little Rock, and afterward was placed in Wood- ruff's battalion of artillery. He was in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, and was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He sur- rendered at Marshall, Tex., in 1865, after which he returned to Prairie County, but in 1866 went to the Lone Star State, where he was engaged in the stock business and in running a wagon train. In 1868 he returned to Prairie County, and was engaged on a salary for his brother as collector and outside manager. They own a stock ranch of 480 acres, and make a speciality of raising blooded stock, especially Hereford and short-horned cattle. They also raise cotton, corn, millet and peas. The subject of this sketch owns individually about 1,200 acres, with 450 acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in raising horses. Mr. Gates was married in Des Arc in 1881 to Miss Carrie Greer, a native of Des Arc. They have two children: Stella and Fannie Pearl. Mr. Gates is a member of the K. of H. in Brinkley, and is also a member of De Vall's Bluff Lodge, No. 41, K. of P.

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Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon, planter and stock raiser, Roe, Ark. Every life has a history of its own, and although in appearance it may seem to possess very little to distinguish it from others, yet Dr. Gib- bon's career as a planter and physician, as well as his experience in the political affairs of the com- munity, have contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of Prairie County, if not personally, then by name, and serves to make his career a more than ordi- nary one. Dr. Gibbon was born in Brunswick County, Va., on March 19, 1832, and is the son of Thomas Gibbon, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1772, The father was edu- cated in his native State, and in 1811 was there married to Miss Mary Mabry, who was born in Virginia in 1782, and was the daughter of Nathan- iel and Dorotha Mabry, early settlers of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbon were born eleven chil- dren, five of whom lived to be grown: James L., Thomas, Lucy J., W. R. J. and Charles. The re- mainder died in infancy. The senior Mr. Gibbon was quite a prominent man in Brunswick County, held the office of sheriff of the same for two years, and filled many other prominent positions. He was in the War of 1812, held the position of captain, but on account of poor health was released from duty. He was member of the Masonic fraternity for about fifty years, and held most of the offices in that order. He and wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a planter by occupation, and owned about 1,300 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1859. His wife died in 1867. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon received his education in Stony Mount Male Academy, Brunswick County, Va., and the Virginia Military Institute, and later attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating during the session of 1854-55. In June of the same year he immigrated to Fayette County, Tenn., practiced his profession there until December, 1856, when he immigrated to Arkansas and located in Monroe County, at Indian Bay. He was married April 24, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Wilie, a native of Pontotoc County, Miss., born March 1, 1839, and the daugh- ter of Oliver and Susan Wilie. On May 28, 1860,

a son, Thomas E., was born to this union, and he is now residing at Los Angeles, Cal. He was edu- cated at Austin and Lonoke, and has been practic- ing law for the past eight years. He is a brilliant young man and was elected to the legislature from Pulaski County. in 1885 and 1886. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon is an extensive planter and stock dealer by occupation, and has about 320 acres of good land, with 125 acres under cultivation. He is one of the prominent men of Prairie County, has represented the same in the legislature, and is at present filling that honorary position. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, in the Masonic order, and has held the office of Master for four years of Lodge No. 185. He is also a member of the Good Templars' lodge, and is a man who takes an interest in all - laudable enterprises. He and Mrs. Gibbon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and both are liberal contributors to the same.

J. W. Grady is one of the well-known farmers and stockmen of Prairie County, and is highly re- spected and very popular, for his career has been of much value to this community, both in material affairs, as a public spirited citizen and otherwise. Since 1867 he has resided on his present farm of 160 acres, seventy acres of which are under culti- vation, and has continuously given his attention to the calling to which he was reared, that of farming and stock raising. After coming into this new country, he had many discouragements to over- come, and many obstacles to meet in securing for himself and family a comfortable home, but this did not deter him from putting forth every energy toward the ambition of his hopes. In his efforts he was warmly aided by his good wife, whom he married in August, 1865, and whose maiden name was Sarah J. Collier, a daughter of V. H. and Hannah Collier. To Mr. and Mrs. Grady have been born eight children: William L., Caroline (now Mrs. Petty of Prairie County), James, Anna, Francis, Joseph, Mary and Jackson. The mother of these children died at her home in Prairie County, in 1887, and the following year Mr. Grady espoused Lou E. Petty, a daughter of George I. Petty, of Prairie County. Mr. Grady is a Demo-

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crat, a Master Mason, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. He was born in Alabama in 1841, and was the second child born to William J. and Caroline E. (Brown) Grady, the former of whom was born in the State of North Carolina about 1815. He was married there in 1835, to a daughter of Leroy Brown, a South Caro- linian, and he and his wife became the parents of twelve children: Sophia E. (of Texas), J. W. (our biographical subject), Samuel H. (who lives in Mississippi), Nathaniel (also of Mississippi), Zach- ariah T. (of Alabama), Leroy (of Alabama), Car- oline E. (Mrs. McKinney, of Alabama), Florence (Mrs. Tramell, of Alabama), Frances (who died at the age of seventeen years) and three infants (de- ceased). Mr. Grady moved to Alabama, shortly after he was married and reared his boys to a farm life in that State. He was a prominent Mason, and besides holding a number of official positions, he was Master of his lodge for a number of years. He was magistrate in the town where he lived, and was possessed of a keen insight into business, and very prosperous in farming. He died in Chambers County, Ala., in 1880, his wife following him to the grave five years later. The Grady's are of Irish descent, the grandfather, John Grady, hav- ing been born in the "Emerald Isle." In 1861 J. W. Grady took up arms in defense of the South, and enlisted in Company D, Eighth Confederate Cavalry, and was under Wheeler, taking part in all the engagements in which the Army of Tennes- see participated.

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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