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 117

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 117

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John W. Pettey is a manufacturer of lumber and shingles at Des Arc, and since one year old has been a resident of the State of Arkansas. He was born in De Soto County, Miss., May 11, 1854, and is a son of George I. Pettey, of Alabama, who was reared in Mississippi and was married in Shelby County, Tenn., to Barbara Ann Callis, a na- tive of Shelby County. After their marriage they resided in Mississippi for about two years, and in the spring of 1855 moved to Arkansas and settled near Hazen, where they cleared a farm and reared their family. The father served in the Confederate army for over two years and died at his old home in September, 1880. His wife, two sons and four daughters survive him, all residents of Prairie County, the children being married. John W. Pettey grew to manhood in Prairie County, and remained with his father on the farm until twenty- six years of age, then began blacksmithing, having learned the trade at home, and from 1878 up to 1881, conducted a blacksmith, wagon and repair shop, but in the last-named year purchased his mill, and has since given his attention to the man- ufacture of lumber, averaging about 400,000 feet annually, the business rapidly increasing from year to year. He has overhauled his building and put in considerable new machinery this year, and is preparing to cut all the lumber and shingles for which he has demand. His brother has been asso- ciated with him in business since January, and they are honest and enterprising business men, and are bound to succeed. He was married in October, 1885, to Lelia W. Plant, a daughter of C. H. Plant, of Prairie County. Mrs. Pettey was born near Moscow, Tenn., but was reared and educated in

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Prairie County, Ark., and by Mr. Pettey is the mother of two children: Earl Cecil and Homer Al- len. Mr. Pettey and his wife are members of the Methodist and Christian Churches, respectively, and he is a Mason and a member of White River Lodge No. 37, of which he has been Master for two years.

Dr. George E. Pettey, physician and surgeon, Des Arc, Ark. Dr. Pettey, one of the successful practitioners of Des Arc, was born in Washington County, Tex., on January 16, 1857, and is the son of Dr. F. M. Pettey, a native of Limestone County, Ala. The father was educated at Mem- phis, Tenn., and afterward located in that State, where he practiced his profession for four years. He then moved to the Lone Star State, located in Washington County, but a few years later moved to Navarro County, Tex., where he practiced his profession until the breaking out of the war. He was surgeon in the army, and had charge of Gal- veston Hospital, where he remained until the ces- sation of hostilities. After the war he located in Arkansas, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Monroe County of that State. He married Miss Sarah A. G. Elliott, in Hender- son County, Tenn., in 1848, and the result of this union was the birth of two sons and six daughters. Dr. George E. Pettey came to Arkansas with his father in 1870, attained his growth in Mississippi County, and later began the study of medicine with his father. At the age of fourteen years he entered a drug store, where he remained while studying medicine. He took his first course of lectures at the Medical Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., in the winter of 1880-81, and took another course in the spring and summer of the last-mentioned year. He then passed an exam- ination before the medical board, and began the practice of his profession at Hickman, Mississippi County, Ark., where he remained three years. From there he removed to Golddust, Tenn., where he continued in practice until October, 1887, when he went to Memphis, and took an additional course at Memphis Hospital Medical College, graduat- ing from the same in the spring of 1888. After completing this course he came to Des Arc, Ark.,

where he is doing an extensive practice. Dr. Pettey is a surgeon of superior skill, bold, but ex- tremely careful, giving personal attention to the most minute details of an operation. His complete success in every operation he has undertaken is sufficient warrant for the general expression that he is fast taking position as one of the leading sur- geons of the State. The Doctor makes a specialty of the diseases of women and rectal diseases. He has always been studious, there being few well- known books on medicine he is not acquainted with, and by taking a number of the leading med- ical journals, both of this country and Europe, keeps constantly up with the times. He was mar- ried in Mississippi County, Ark., on December 24, 1879, to Miss Susan C. Lynch, a native of Arkan- sas, who was reared in Mississippi County, and the daughter of Esq. A. J. Lynch. To this marriage were born four children: Adah L., Mary A., Fran- cis Allen and George E., Jr. They lost their eld- est son, Francis Allen, in June, 1888. Dr. Pettey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is now Worshipful Master of White River Lodge No. 37. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South.

Capt. Augustus M. Reinhardt, farmer, stock raiser and horticulturist, Hickory Plains, Ark. This enterprising and progressive citizen was born in Lincoln County, N. C., October 20, 1825, and is the son of Hon. Michael and Mary (Moore) Rein- hardt, both natives of North Carolina. Michael Reinhardt was a farmer up to 1846, when he moved to Marshall County, Miss., and there re- sided until his death, which occurred in 1852. He served one term as a member of the State senate, and held other positions of honor and trust, ac- quitting himself as an efficient, popular official, always laboring zealously for the best interests of his constituents. He also served in one of the old Indian wars. His wife died in 1828. Capt. Rein- hardt went to Mississippi in the spring of 1845, and his father's family moved out in the fall of the same year. They made a crop the following year, and remained there until 1852, farming in Marshall County, when they moved to Prairie, Ark., and bought land in Hickory Plains Township. They

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farmed here until the breaking out of the war, and were also engaged in the real-estate business for four years previous to that event. Capt. Rein- hardt enlisted with the "Boys in Gray," in March, 1862, first in Col. Turnbull's infantry, and served in that capacity up to May, when he returned home. In 1863 he joined the cavalry, Col. Mon- roe's regiment, and was commissioned captain in the First Regiment, serving until peace was de- clared. He participated in the fights at Mark's Mill and Poison Springs, and also in a number of skirmishes. Returning home after the war, he engaged in farming and the real-estate business, being now the owner of 1,000 acres of land, with all but 160 acres in Prairie County. The home place consists of 600 acres, with 300 acres under cultivation, and the buildings on the same are sub- stantial and pleasing to the eye. He has a beau- tiful yard, ornamented with trees, evergreens, shrubs and flowers, and his orchard, of about eighty acres, furnishes some of the finest peaches, apples, pears and plums to be found. He has a fine vineyard of about four acres, and shipped about 800 baskets from the same, but retaining for himself about as many more. He was first mar- ried in Prairie County in January, 1856, to Miss Mary Harshaw, sister of John Harshaw, whose sketch may be seen in this work. Mrs. Reinhardt was born and reared in Marshall County, Miss., and died August 28, 1881, leaving nine children: Henry, Anna (wife of Brainard Perkins), Mattie (widow of Mr. Jones), Mamie, Emmett, Clara, Sallie, John and William. Mr. Reinhardt took for his second wife Mrs. Sallie E. (Rayburn) Harrison, a native of Conway County, Md., where she was educated and married. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Reinhardt is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is an elder in the same.

Abel S. Reinhardt, like the majority of native Mississippians, is progressive in his views and of an energetic and enterprising temperament. He was born in Marshall County January 4, 1847, and is a son of D. F. and Harriet E. (Shuford) Rein- hardt, both of whom were born and reared in Lin- coln County, N. C. About 1844 they immigrated

to Marshall County, Miss., but a short time after- ward moved to Tennessee and in 1857 settled in Prairie County, being engaged in farming in these three States. In October, 1888, he moved to Lit .. tle Rock and there died in November of that year, his wife having passed away many years earlier, in 1861, on October 8. He was twice married, his second wife being a sister of his first, and she still survives him. Mr. Reinhardt was a representative to the last Constitutional Convention and was a man who possessed superior natural abilities and was universally beloved and respected. He reared nine children to mature years, but one son, Adolphus, lost his life at Pilot Knob in 1864, while serving in the Confederate army. Mary (wife of Rev. R. H. Croz- ier, of Palestine, Tex.), Emma (wife of Dr. P. E. Thomas, of Clarendon, Ark. ) and Abel S. Reinhardt are the only ones of the family now living. The latter received a common-school education in Prairie County and in 1864 enlisted in the Con- federate army, Col. Witt's regiment, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. He was badly wounded in November of that year and was dis- abled for several months. After the surrender he returned home and successfully conducted the home farm for a number of years, but in 1876 moved to Hickory Plains. Two years later he was elected sheriff and collector of Prairie County, and was re- elected in 1880, 1882, 1884 and 1886, serving in all ten consecutive years, his majority at each time of his re-election being large. He has been carry- ing on a farm all these years and he also owns a good home in Des Arc. He was married in Prairie County on October 30, 1871, to Miss Laura J., a daughter of Daniel and Mary Harshaw, of Hickory Plains, and by her has had the following children: Alice, Katie Gray, Lillie, Gracie, Arthur Shuford and two sons who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt are members of the Old School Presby- terian Church and the former belongs to the Knights of Honor.

George J. Reubell, druggist, Hazen, Ark. This worthy and much-respected citizen of Prairie County, Ark., was originally from New York State, his birth occurring in the city of New York, in 1837, and was the only son born to the union of

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Jacob and Mary A. (Cornelius) Reubell, natives of New York. George J. Reubell was left father- less when but six months old, and his mother, who was a native of France, died at Staten Island, N. Y., in 1845. Grandfather Cornelius was under Napoleon in the battle of Austerlitz, and others, in the retreat from Moscow, and after Napoleon was banished to the Island of Elba he came to America, settling on Staten Island, N. Y., where he followed the occupation of a gardener. His death occurred early in 1856. George J. Reubell was reared and educated in the schools of New York City, and at the age of seventeen years he went to Madison County, Tenn., where he worked at the boot and shoe business. He also engaged in clerking, and in November, 1860, he came to Prairie County, Ark., where he resumed his trade, at Brownsville and Des Arc, until the close of the

war.

He also read medicine for some time.

1866 he was engaged in selling drugs for different firms, and also filled the position as clerk in a gen- eral store. In 1874 he was appointed assessor of Prairie County, was elected the same year, and served in that capacity until 1878, when he was appointed deputy circuit clerk, filling this position until 1884. He is active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He is a member of the K. of H., Hazen Lodge No. 3135, and is Reporter of the same. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married in Des Arc, in 1863, to Julia A. Kilgrove, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of James D. Kilgrove, who was also a native of North Carolina, and who came to Prairie County, Ark., in 1860. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Reubell were born seven children: James C., Gilson B., Henry D., Mary Anna, Medora, Charles E. and Addie. In 1876 Mr. Reubell purchased eighty acres of land, and has added to the same until he is now the owner of 205 acres, with thirty- five acres under cultivation. He and Mrs. Reubell are members of the Presbyterian Church.

W. H. Richards (deceased). Of that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Arkansas, none were possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. His birth occurred in

Person County, N. C., February 16, 1841, and in 1871 he was married to Mrs. Harriet (Hunter) Tip- ton, the widow of J. A. Tipton. Moving with her shortly after to Prairie County, Ark., he purchased in Center Township 100 acres of land which he commenced immediately to improve, and soon had seventy acres under cultivation. He took an act- ive interest in all affairs pertaining to the welfare of the county and in his political views was a Dem- ocrat. He was also a patron of education and his death, which occurred in Prairie County, January 25, 1888, was deeply lamented by all. Mrs. Rich- ards was born in the State of Mississippi in 1835, and was there married in 1852 to William B. Hig- ginbottom, born September 15, 1829, in Tusca- loosa County, Ala., by whom she became the mother of four children: John B. (a farmer), E. E., S. L. and Mary A. (deceased). Mr. Higginbot- tom removed to Clark County, Ark., in 1860, and there died in 1863, his widow afterward being united in marriage to J. A. Tipton, by whom she became the mother of one son: John. She was again left a widow in 1871 and the following year married Mr. Richards, as above stated. She was born in Mississippi in 1835, and was one of a fam- ily of twelve children born to George W. and Har- riet (Bonds) Hunter, natives of North Carolina, who were married in Mississippi and spent their days in the last-named State. Mr. and Mrs. Rich- ards became the parents of three children: Jennie E., Robert L. and Florence Idella.

Robert E. Richardson, of the well-known firm of R. E. Richardson & Co., composed individually of J. M. and R. E. Richardson, owes his nativity to Memphis, Tenn., where his birth occurred on January 28, 1848, and where he attended school until fourteen years of age. His father, Gen. Robert V. Richardson, was born in the Old Do- minion, on November 4, 1820, and immigrated with his parents to Wilson County, Tenn., in 1834. He received his education in Clinton College, after- ward taught school for about four years, and then commenced the study of law, opening an office at Brownsville, Tenn. Here he found the field too small for his capabilities, and later moved to Mem- phis, Tenn., where he became one of the prominent

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legal lights in the profession. He continued his chosen calling up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1869. In 1845 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Avent, a daughter of James M. Avent, of Limestone County, Ala., and the fruits of this union were three children: James M., Robert E. and Philip R., the two eldest of whom reside in Prairie County, Ark. Previous to the war Gen. Richardson was one of the largest land holders in the State of Arkansas, owning at one time 100,000 acres of land. He was the inspector- general of the Tennessee Volunteers during the Mexican War, and was in service during the whole time. In 1861 he organized the Twelfth Tennes- see Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry, and was as- signed duty under Gen. N. B. Forrest, afterward receiving the commission of brigadier-general. Later he organized the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments of Tennessee Cavalry, which formed one of the principal brigades of the Army of Tennessee, and served with distinction in all the principal battles of the late war. He was paroled at Grenadier, Miss., on April 15, 1865, after which he moved immediately to New York City, where he became vice-president of the United States Cotton Company, and in his official capacity, while with the company, he was obliged to visit Europe twice on business. In 1868 he returned to Memphis, Tenn., practiced his profession there, and while on a tour of inspection of his large landed interest in South- east Missouri, he was assassinated in Clarkton, Dunklin County, in December, 1869. Robert E. Richardson moved with his parents to Fayette County, Tenn., in January, 1862, and in the spring of the following year he joined the Confederate army as a private, Twelfth Tennessee Regiment, commanded by his father, and his first engage- ment was one of the most desperate cavalry charges that occurred during the war. The Twelfth Tennessee Regiment, 325 strong, fought over 3,000 Federal soldiers who were trying to capture Capt. Richardson's wagon train, consisting of sixty or seventy wagons, but the captain succeeded in draw- ing the enemy away from the train and went out of the fight with 100 prisoners. He was in numerous engagements over Tennessee and Mississippi during

1863, 1864 and 1865, was in secret service also dur- ing those two years, and gained much valuable in- formation for the Confederate army. He was pro- moted to the rank of captain, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He surren- dered April 15, 1865, after which he returned with his father to their home, and was here engaged in tilling the soil. In 1865 he attended the Male Academy at New Castle, Tenn., and there remained until May, 1866. The same year he moved with his father's family to New York City, where the remainder of that year and the whole of 1867 he attended school at the University of New York. At the close of the last-mentioned year he moved back to Memphis, and here read law under Judge McHenry and Col. Hubbard. He remained with them for about a year, and then went to Hardeman County, Tenn., where he was engaged in cultivating the soil until 1868. In June of the same year he married Miss Annie Avent, daughter of W. T. and Nannie Avent, and afterward re- mained in Hardeman County for four years. In January, 1872, he moved with his family back to Memphis, and was there engaged in the wholesale grocery business, under the firm title of Scales, Richardson & Co. He became dissatisfied with his partner and sold his interest to a man named Murphy, and in 1863 he engaged as a drummer for Menken Bros., remaining with them two years when he was offered a larger salary and began working for Lowenstine Bros. He remained with this firm until after their failure, when he went to Louisville and worked in the capacity of a drum- mer for W. H. Walker & Co. In 1879 he and a brother crossed the Mississippi River to Arkansas and engaged in farming and merchandising in that State. In 1881 they moved to Fort Smith, and after remaining there six months became dissatis- fied and moved to Prairie County, Ark., where the same year they bought out the firm of R. P. Watt & Co. Here they have remained ever since, and have gained a large trade by their honest, upright conduct. Mr. Richardson has been a member of the K. of H. for seven years; is one of the promi- nent citizens of the county and is a liberal contribu- tor to all worthy enterprises. He is a member of

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the Methodist and his wife a member of the Baptist Church. Their family consists of the following children: Annie C., Robert V., Mattie A. and James E.

J. M. Richardson, a member of the firm of E. R. Richardson & Co., is a brother of R. E. Richardson, the subject of the preceding sketch, and is a man whose excellent business ability is acknowledged by all. He owes his nativity to Memphis, Tenn. (where his birth occurred Octo- ber 16, 1850), and is the son of Gen. Robert V. Richardson (see preceding sketch). J. M. Rich- ardson received a thorough education in Memphis, Tenn., and New York City and there he began business for himself as book-keeper, remaining thus engaged until January, 1881. He then came to De Vall's Bluff, engaged in the mercantile busi- ness on a capital of $1,200 and has been very successful, increasing the original capital to $40, - 000. He is also engaged in a large ranch business, has an excellent stock farm and has some of the finest blooded animals in the State of Arkansas. He owns about 10,000 acres of good land in the State and is the man who by his wide-awake and thoroughgoing manner will succeed in whatever he undertakes. He selected as his companion in life Miss Ella Rose, daughter of Judge E. W. Rose of Giles County, Tenn., and was united in mar- riage to her March 18, 1874, at Pulaski, Tenn. The fruits of this union have been the following children: Ella, Gussie, Erma, Annie, Sarah, Lillian (deceased) and James M., Jr. Mr. Richardson is a member of the K. of H., has held all the offices in the gift of his lodge and has represented his lodge twice in the Grand Lodge of the State. He has been a delegate to every Democratic State convention from this county since his removal here and is a man in whom implicit confidence is placed. He and Mrs. Richardson are members of the Presbyterian Church, take a deep interest in church and school work and are liberal contributors to all worthy enterprises.

F. M. Robinson, justice of the peace, Hazen, Ark. Mr. Robinson owes his nativity to Madison County, Tenn., where his birth occurred October 10, 1835, and is now one of the much-esteemed

and respected citizens of Prairie County. He is the eldest of a family of twelve children born to Henry and Jane (Golden) Robinson, the father a native of the Old Dominion, and the mother of South Carolina. They were married in Tennessee, where the father conducted a farm, and was a suc- cessful farmer. He is still living in Madison County, Tenn., but his wife died in February, 1889. He first settled in Tennessee when it was called Kentucky. F. M. Robinson passed his boy- hood days in assisting on his father's farm and in attending the schools of Madison County. He se- lected Miss Susan Lester as his companion in life, and was married to her December 29, 1853, in Tennessee. She was the daughter of Richard and Mary (Newsom) Lester, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Tennessee. At an early date Mr. Lester settled in Tennessee, and there he and wife passed their last days. Mr. Robinson came to Prairie County in 1858, settled near Hickory Plains, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits, which occupation he has continued for twenty-five years. He enlisted at Austin, May 10, 1861, in Company C, Col. Glenn's regiment of infantry, but later was transferred to Company I, as second lieutenant of the same regiment. He was in a number of the prominent battles, Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, Saline and others, and was taken prisoner at Camden, Ark., confined at Aus- tin, and paroled in 1865, after which he returned to Prairie County, Ark. Here he engaged in till- ing the soil, and this continued until 1883, when he mnoved to Hazen, where he followed the carpenter's business for some time, and later the undertaker's business. He owns a good business building and some lots. He takes considerable interest in poli- tics, and votes with the Democratic party. He is recorder of the town of Hazen, and one of the commissioners of accounts of Prairie County. Mr. Robinson has also been magistrate for fourteen successive years, and has discharged all duties in- cumbent upon these various public offices to the satisfaction of all. To his marriage were born ten living children: Walter (married, and resides near Boston, Tex.), T. A. (engaged in merchandis- ing in Cotton Plant, Ark.), Sam E. (married, and

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

residing at Hope, Ark.), Ella (now Mrs. Rev. W. J. Hudspoth, State evangelist of Christian Church, of Texas, resides at Prescott, Ark.), F. C. (physi- cian and surgeon at Kerr Station, Ark.), Emmett (married, and resides at Hazen), F. B. (resides at Cotton Plant), Minnie (resides at Prescott), Eva and Nellie (both residing at Prescott, Ark.). The mother of these children was called to her long home in March, 1886. She was a kind mother and a true helpmate to her husband.

James M. Rooker, farmer and stock raiser, Hickory Plains, Ark. Mr. Rooker is now follow- ing a calling that has for ages received undivided efforts from many worthy individuals, and one that always furnishes sustenance to the ready worker. He was originally from York County, S. C., where his birth occurred on December 11, 1833, and is the son of John B. Rooker, a native of South Carolina, and Nancy A. (McCallum) Rooker, who was born in Scotland. John B. Rooker was a mechanic, a bridge carpenter, and moved from his native State to Georgia, where he was engaged in building bridges on the first railroad from Atlanta to Chattanooga. He subsequently located on a farm in Gordon County, and there received his final summons about 1857. He served as magis- trate for a number of years, and was a much re- spected citizen. His wife survives him, and is seventy-five years of age. James M. Rooker passed his boyhood days in Georgia, and remained with his father until of age, after which he went to Noxubee County, Miss., and was overseer on a plantation for three years. He was married on January 28, 1858, in Smith County, to Miss Mary A. Hill, a native of Noxubee County, and the daughter of Sherod Hill. To this union have been born fourteen children: Emma E. (wife of R. S. Guess), Joseph A. (lives on a farm near his father's), J. Thomas (now taking medical lectures at Little Rock), Ella E. (wife of William Webb), John W., Augustus, Cora E. (wife of J. E. Wilson), Bunyon, Leroy C., Mary O. and Martha (twins), Samuel, Ava and Elmer. They lost one child, Minnie, on November 2, 1871, at the age of four years. After his marriage Mr. Rooker bought a farm in Smith County, and tilled the soil up to the breaking out

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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