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 118

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 118

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of the late war. He enlisted in the Confederate army, Seventh Battalion Infantry, in May, 1861, and served twelve months, after which he was in the Forty-sixth Regiment Infantry, and served un- til the close of the war, being promoted from pri- vate to sergeant. He participated in the follow- ing engagements: Chickasaw Bayou, Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, where he was captured, held a prisoner until the fall and then exchanged. After this he was in the fights at Atlanta, Kenesaw Mount- ain, and in the fights from Dalton to Nashville. He was again captured in front of Nashville, and held at Camp Douglas until the close of the war. He received one slight wound at Vicksburg, but numerous bullets passed through his clothing. Returning to Mississippi after the war, he fol- lowed farming there for two years, and in 1868 moved to Arkansas, where he rented land in Prai- rie County for one year. He then purchased 160 acres, cleared it, and added to the same until he now owns 500 acres of land, with 150 acres under cultivation. He has good buildings, a fine orchard of five acres, and is one of the progressive men of the county. He has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and is deeply inter- ested in educational matters. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is deacon in the same.

J. B. Sanders, county examiner of Prairie County, Hazen, Ark. There are many men in this county at the present day in whose lives there are but few thrilling incidents, or remarkable events, yet whose success has been a steady and constant growth, and who, possessed of excellent judgment, strong common sense and indomitable energy, have evinced in their lives and character, great symmetry, completeness and moral standing of a high order. To this class belongs Mr. Sand- ers, whose birth occurred in Johnson County, N. C., in 1834, and who was the second in a family of eleven children born to the union of R. T. and Eliza C. (Boone) Sanders, natives of North Caro- lina. The father was a man of education, having graduated from the University of North Carolina, in the class of 1828, and was a large land owner in his native State. In 1870 he moved to Prairie

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County, Ark., and later in life settled at Hazen, where his death occurred in 1887. The mother had died in 1885. The father was not active in politics, but took a great interest in church work, and was moderator of the Grand Prairie Baptist Association at the time of his death. J. B. Sand- ers was initiated into the duties of farm life when young, and received his education in the Baptist College at Clinton, Miss., graduating with the class of 1856. He then commenced cultivating the soil, continuing at this until January, 1863, when he enlisted at De Soto County, Miss., in the Eight- eenth Mississippi Cavalry, in Chalmer's division of Forrest's cavalry. Mr. Sanders participated in many of the battles and raids of Forrest's cavalry in West Tennessee and North Mississippi, and was taken prisoner at Spring Hill, Tenn., in January, 1865. He was confined at Camp Chase, Ohio, pa- roled there on June 13, 1865, and afterward re- turned to De Soto County, Miss., when he found all of his property, stock, etc., gone and he re- duced from affluence to poverty. He was married in Madison County, Miss., in 1856, to Miss Ezza Denson, a native of Mississippi, and the daughter of Harvey and Jennie (King) Denson, early pion- eers of Madison County, Miss. One child, Harvey, was born to this union, and he is at present and has been for nine years, a clerk in the Gates mer- cantile store at De Vall's Bluff, Ark. Mr. Sanders was married in De Soto County, Miss., on Decem- ber 23, 1865, to Miss Lucy C. Gwyn, a native of the Old Dominion, and the daughter of James H. and Caroline S. (Ransom) Gwyn, natives also of Virginia, and both now deceased. After his sec- ond marriage Mr. Sanders settled on a farm, and in 1870, came to Prairie County, where he has been engaged in teaching most of the time for six- teen years. He takes a very great interest in edu- cational matters and had charge of the school at Judsonia, Ark., in the winters of 1881 and 1882. He has been county examiner most of the time since 1881, and has filled that position in a highly creditable manner. He took an active part in the organization of Hazen Township, where he has re- sided since 1881, having bought seventy acres in the woods, and now has forty acres fairly im-

proved. He takes considerable interest in politics and votes with the Democratic party. He was chairman of the Democratic executive committee of Prairie County for years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, White River Lodge, at Des Arc, Ark., and is a member of Quitmana Chapter, Hernando, De Soto County, Miss. He and Mrs. Sanders are members of the Missionary Baptist Church; Mr. Sanders being moderator of the Grand Prairie Baptist Association, comprising this and Arkansas Counties. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were born seven children: Walter Troy (clerking at De Vall's Bluff), Joseph (who has been contracting for the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad, building wire fence for them since eighteen years of age), James (working for the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad), Bappy (John Thomas), Alice, Hall, and Lucy. Mr. Sanders has seen a vast change in Prairie County, from a moral as well as an educational standpoint, since his resi- dence here. When he first came to Arkansas guns and dogs were often heard on the Christian Sab- bath, but now the church and Sunday bell sounds forth instead of the hunter's call. He can say what very few can say, that he has not lost one of his own intermediate family since he came to the State, twenty years ago. This speaks well for the health of Prairie County, Ark.

William D. Shock has been a resident of Hazen, Prairie County, Ark., for only one year, yet he is well known throughout the community as a success- ful business man, being engaged in the real estate and lumber business. He owns about 100 lots in the town, and has about 1,200 acres of land. He was born in Missouri in 1843, being the eighth child in a family of sixteen born to Henry Shock, who was born in Kentucky in 1802. The latter was one of twelve children born to John and Mary Shock, who were of German descent and natives of Pennsylva- nia. The latter couple removed to Missouri at an early day and settled in Boone County, where the father followed farming and blacksmithing. He died in 1855, and his wife about 1862. Henry Shock spent his early life and school days in Mis- souri, and, like his father, was a successful tiller of the soil, being also a prosperous stockman. He

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was married, first, in 1827, to Miss Mary Jackson, a daughter of Thomas Jackson, a Virginian. Five children blessed this union: John J., Thomas P., Permelia A., Joseph S. and Mary J. (the wife of S. Alverson). The mother of these children died about 1835, and three years later Mr. Shock wedded Miss Hannah L. Cox, a member of the Cox family of Kentucky, she being one of a family of seven children. To them were born eleven chil- dren: James H., Lucinda F. (widow of D. Smart, of Missouri), William D., Daniel P., Sarah and Lydia (twins, the former the wife of J. Turner, of Missouri, and the latter, Mrs. Green Gautt, also of that State), Alonzo, Theodore R., Robert A. and Milton P. Mr. Shock died in the State of his adoption in 1885, but his widow still survives him and resides on the old homestead, she being a mem- ber of the Christian Church, as was her husband. William D. Shock, the immediate subject of this biography, spent his youth in Missouri, and in 1862 left home to take part in the struggle between the North and South. After being in the service a short time he was crippled by a horse falling on him, and was compelled to go home, but upon re- covering he again entered the service and in 1864 joined Company H, Marmaduke's brigade, but was afterward exchanged to the advance guard of the same brigade. After his return home he turned his attention to farming and stock raising, in Audrain County, being very successful in both occupations, but since coming to Arkansas has de- voted his time to the real estate and lumber busi- ness, and now has under his control about 40,000 acres of land together with a number of town lots. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Nancy I. Gay, a daughter of John D. and Rebecca E. Gay, of Mis- souri, but natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Shock was born in Missouri, and her union with Mr. Shock has resulted in the birth of three children: Charles E., Olivia (who died in Missouri in 1886) and William R. The family attends the Christian Church.

J. D. Sparks is a stockman and farmer of Cen- ter Township, Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Tennessee in 1854, being the youngest of ten children born to David and Comfort (Marphat)

Sparks, the former a native of the "Old North State," born in 1808, one of a large family of chil- dren born to John Sparks. His youth was spent in his native State, but while still young he was taken to Middle Tennessee, and in this State re- ceived the most of his education. He was reared to a farm life, and in 1834 was married to Miss Marphat, she being a daughter of John Marphat, of North Carolina, who removed to Tennessee dur- ing the early history of that State. Mr. Sparks' family are as follows: Julia, Minas, Findly, Sarah, Comfort, John, William, Elmira, Amanda and Jonas D. (the immediate subject of this biography). The father was a Democrat, and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. The early life and school days of Jonas D. Sparks were spent in Cen- ter Township, and there he was married, in 1876, to Miss Margie Anna Mills, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Mills, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Sparks was born in Arkansas, and has borne her hus- band four children: Pearl, Ross, May and Berney. In 1876 Mr. Sparks engaged in farming for him- self, and by judicious management and industry has become the owner of 120 acres of land, and has about seventy 'under cultivation. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views, and has al- ways been one of the public-spirited citizens of the county.

Hugh S. Stephenson is filling the office of jus- tice of the peace at Des Are, and by occupation is an undertaker. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., March 24, 1819, and is a son of Rev. John C. Stephenson, who was born in Tennessee, where he was reared, educated and married, the last event being to Miss Agnes Simpson, who was born in that State. Rev. Stephenson moved to Ala- bama at an early day, settling in the northern part of the State, where he was engaged in farming and preaching the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years; he fell in the pulpit while preaching his last sermon, and died soon after, his death being caused by the bursting of a blood-vessel, in August, 1840. His wife sur- vived him until 1887, when she too passed from life at the age of eighty-nine years. Hugh S. Stephenson grew to manhood in Lawrence County,

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PRAIRIE COUNTY.

Ala., and until he attained his majority, made his home with his father, learning in the meantime the carpenter's trade, at which he worked as con- tractor until his marriage in 1840. After moving to Sumter County in 1841, he farmed for about eight years, then put up a tannery in Pickens County, and spent eight more years in conducting this business. Northern Mississippi became his home in 1858, and until the opening of the war he was engaged in farming in De Soto County. He joined the Confederate service, Blye's battalion, but a year later he was discharged on account of disability, after which he was on detached duty the most of the time until the close of the war. He continued to make his home in Mississippi un- til January, 1870, when he came to Des Arc, Ark., and engaged in contracting and building, also the livery business. After following the latter busi- ness for about four years he gave it up, and in 1883 began dealing in undertaker's goods, at which he has been quite successful. In all his enterprises he has been reasonably successful, and has acquired a good home and a comfortable com- petency. He first filled the office of magistrate in Alabama, serving there about eight years, and dis- charged the duties of the same office in Mississippi for ten years, and has been justice of the peace at Des Arc for at least twelve years, and has also filled the office of alderman at this place. He joined the Masonic fraternity in Alabama, was Master of his lodge there for about eight years, and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. He was also Master of Des Arc Lodge. He is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a consistent Christian. He was married in Alabama, in 1840, to Ann A. Whitley, a native of Alabama and a daughter of N. G. Whit- ley. She was born in North Carolina, but was reared in Alabama. Their children are: Lou H. (wife of A. C. Weatherall), Alice (wife of W. G. Hazen), Lula (wife of Henderson Reid), Willie H. (wife of D. J. Martinger, of Little Rock), Amos J. (at home) and Dr. Charles C. (a prominent young physician of Swan Lake. Robert H. was wounded at Shiloh, and afterward died from the effects of this wound. Mariah, who died several years ago,

was the wife of J. B. Jamison. George W., who died in 1884, at the age of twenty-eight years, and two children who died in infancy.

,Jefferson J. and Frank Stratton are prosperous farmers and cotton ginners, residing at Barretts- ville, and are natives of the county in which they are now residing, and sons of James E. and Com- fort (Sparks) Stratton. The father was a Tennes- seean, born in 1829, and his juvenile days were spent at farm work in his native State, and in at- tending the old time subscription schools. About 1858 he wedded the daughter of David and Com- fort Sparks, Tennesseeans, and in 1856, came to Prairie County, Ark., and settled in Totten Town- ship, and here reared his family, which consists of the following children: Thomas B. (who died in 1864), Jefferson, Frank, Lou, Dora (who died in 1880) and Eddie. The father of these children was a well-to-do and prosperous farmer, and died in Lonoke County, Ark., in 1873. He and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his widow still survives him, and has been a resi- dent of Center Township since 1886. He was a soldier all through the war, enlisting in 1861. Their sons, Jefferson J. and Frank, were born in 1861 and 1864, respectively, and are now young men of enterprise and push, their outlook for the future being bright and promising. In 1887 they began operating a cotton-gin, which has a capacity of twelve bales per day. Jefferson owns 160 acres of land, and has eighty acres under cultivation, while Frank lives with his mother and manages her farm of 160 acres, of which sixty acres are un- der the plow. Their sister Lou is now Mrs. M. L. McCune, and has three children: Quinton, Bir- ney and Frank.

John Henry Taylor, editor of the Hazen Free Press, was born April 25, 1862, in Panola County, Tex., his parents, Thomas H. and Annie A. Tay- lor, being married there in 1855. The father was a Georgian, who went from the State of his birthi to Texas in 1849, the mother having moved there from her native State (Alabama) with her parents in 1850. Thomas H. Taylor was one of the gal- lant "boys in gray," and spent four years faith- fully fighting for the cause of the South. After

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the proclamation of peace he began the study of medicine, graduating in his profession in 1866, and two years later moved to Hopkins County, Tex., where he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, in June, 1888, being recognized as one of the leaders of the medical fraternity. J. H. Taylor spent his early life, up to the age of sixteen years, on a farm, and became thoroughly familiar with the details and intricacies of farm labor, acquiring also that sturdy independence and honesty of purpose which is characteristic of the average farmer's boy, and which has remained among his chief characteris- tics up to the present day. Upon reaching the above-mentioned age he entered the office of the Sulphur Springs (Texas) Gazette as an apprentice, remaining there until he attained his twentieth year; then went to Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, and worked for two years as foreman of a book and job office for Wortham & Mullins, but think- ing he could do better for himself elsewhere, he, in 1885, went North and traveled over the whole of the Eastern and Northern States, working in nearly every town containing over 10,000 inhabi- tants. This tour extended over a period of two years, and he acquired a keen insight into the po- litical views of the different sections, from which he is deriving a great benefit. In the spring of 1886 he went to Waco, Tex., where he took charge of the newspaper and book and job office of Rev. J. B. Cranfill, called the Advance office. He was also foreman of the daily, and it was published in favor of the prohibition campaign, which was agi- tating Texas in 1887. In June, 1888, he landed in Little Rock, Ark., and in July of the same year he settled in Prairie County, and in August established the Vox Populi, a paper which he edited in a very able manner, winning considerable notoriety as a journalist. February 12, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Cuneo, at Hazen, Ark., and they took a trip to Texas and spent some three months sight-seeing in the Lone Star State. In May, 1889, he established and is now running the Hazen Free Press, an eight-page quarto, at a subscription price of $1 per year. This journal, under the efficient editorship of Mr.

Taylor, is already wielding a widespread influence for good, and some interesting and valuable infor- mation can always be gleaned from its columns. That a brilliant future in the field of journalism lies before Mr. Taylor is conceded by all, and he gives every promise of becoming one of the leading men of Arkansas. He is of a social and genial nature, "With malice toward none and charity for all."

Col. Nicholas B. Thweatt, farmer and horticult- urist, Hickory Plains, Ark. Prominent among the enterprising and successful tillers of the soil of Prairie County, whose career has been both honor- able and successful, is the subject of this sketch. His father, Howard D. Thweatt, was a native of Virginia, who went to Tennessee when a young man and was there united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Echols, a native also of the Old Domin- ion. The parents moved to a farm in Williamson County, Tenn., and there reared their family. The father was a regent in the War of 1812, but was not in active service himself. He died at his son's residence in Mississippi. Col. Nicholas B. Thweatt owes his nativity to Williamson County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on May 10, 1827, and remained in his native State until seventeen years of age when he went to Mississippi, settling in Yalobusha County, where he cultivated the soil up to the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, served on de- tached duty most of the time (in secret service) and thus continued until cessation of hostilities. He was taken prisoner, held at Helena and there suf- fered much from exposure. He was in numerous tight places, but always succeeded in getting through all right. Returning to Mississippi after the war he remained there until 1867, after which he moved to Arkansas and located on his present fine proper- ty. He purchased an improved farm and now has 200 acres with 100 acres cultivated. Like the majority of farmers in that locality he has a good residence and substantial outbuildings. He has a fine orchard of six acres and has one and a half acres in vineyard. He made the first wine manu- factured in Prairie County, and makes on an aver- age from 150 to 200 gallons per year. This is a

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very fine quality of wine. Mr. Thweatt was mar- ried in Mississippi on December 18, 1850, to Miss Mary Hardin, a native of North Carolina, but who was reared in Mississippi, and the daughter of Redic Hardin. Mrs. Thweatt died on March 25, 1870, leaving four sons: J. G. (an attorney at De Vall's Bluff), A. (a farmer and stock raiser), Prof. H. D. (a teacher of Prairie County) and N. E. (who is on the home farm). Mr. Thweatt is a Royal Arch Mason, also belongs to the Council, and is Past Master of the same.

J. G. Thweatt, attorney, De Valls Bluff, Ark. Every life has a history of its own and although in appearance it may seem to possess little to dis- tinguish it from others, yet the popularity attained by Mr. Thweatt in his profession as well as his political career has contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of Prairie County, if not personally, then by name. He came to Prairie County, Ark., from Tallahatchee County, Miss., in January, 1867, settled near Hickory Plains, where he has since made his home. His birth occurred in Tallahatchee County, Miss., in 1852, and he was the eldest of seven children born to the union N. B. and Mary (Hardin) Thweatt, natives respectively of Tennessee and North Carolina. The father left his native State and journeyed to Mississippi when a young man, married there and in 1867 moved to Prairie County, Ark., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is still living, but the mother died in Prairie County in 1869. J. G. Thweatt was early taught the duties of farm life and received his education at Hickory Plains, Prairie County. He commenced reading law at De Vall's Bluff in 1873, and two years later was admitted to the bar. He com- menced the practice of law at De Vall's Bluff in 1875 and the following year moved to Des Arc, where he continued his practice. He also engaged in the real-estate business and has charge of the land of the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad in Prairie and Arkansas Counties. He has consider- able land for sale in South Prairie County, both prairie and timber land, all well watered by living streams. He has sold a vast amount of land and it is advancing each year in value. Mr. Thweatt

is active in politics and in 1881 represented Prairie County in the legislature. He votes with the Democratic party and socially is a member of the K. of H. He was married in Des Arc, Prairie County, in 1882, to Miss Maggie MeLaughlin, a native of Kentucky and the daughter of John and Christina (Cooper) Mclaughlin, natives of Scot- land and Kentucky, respectively. The father left his native country in 1839, settled in Michigan and some time later moved to New York, thence to Ken- tucky in 1857 and in 1870 to DeWitt, Arkansas County. He was for many years a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but prior to that was an attorney. He is now located at Arkadelphia. The mother is also living. J. G. Thweatt opened his present office in January, 1888, and is one of the practical business men of the place. He has always taken an active interest in all things relat- ing to the good of the county, especially educational and religious matters, and he and Mrs. Thweatt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. One child, Charley, is the result of this marriage.

Gen. William A. E. Tisdale. The history of the Tisdale family in this country, or rather that branch to which the subject of this sketch belongs, dates back to the great-great-grandfather, John Tisdale, who settled in Massachusetts in 1646, making his home at Taunton. His son, John, the great-grandfather, was a colonel in the Revolution- ary War, and raised and equipped his regiment. His. son, who also bore the name of John, was born in the " Bay State," was a gentleman of the old school, and possessed very courtly and polished manners, and in his youth was very fond of the chase. His son, Timothy, the father of our imme- diate subject, was born in Massachusetts, and there spent most of his life, his death occurring in 1856, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was very finely educated, being a graduate of Harvard College, and was a Congregational minister. His wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Quintin, was also born in Massachusetts, and on her father's side is a descendant of an old Scotch family, that resided in the Lowlands. She was born in 1800, and died in 1869. Her mother was Thankful Nye,

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a sister of the late Senator Nye, of Nebraska. Maj. Will. A. E. Tisdale, was born near Winchester, Va., in 1838, his parents being residents of that State at the time, but in his early youth he was taken by them to Hampshire County, Mass., and at the age of fifteen years he entered West Point Mili- tary Academy, and was graduated therefrom in 1857. He was sent to the frontier as brevet-second lieu- tenant, and under Maj. (later Lieut. - Gen.) E. Kirby Smith, Confederate States army, went to Salt Lake, thence to San Francisco, Fort Vancou- ver, Walla Walla and back to the frontier, where, in 1859, he resigned on account of rheumatism and located in Clinton County, Iowa. Here he was ad- mitted to the bar by the Hon. John F. Dillon, in April, 1861, but did not enter on his practice as the war then came up. He joined the Missouri State Mi- litia as first lieutenant of an independent company, being mustered in by the then Capt. (afterward Gen.) Lyons, on April 23, 1861, for three months, and before the expiration of said service was made captain. He subsequently enlisted in the Fifth Iowa Infantry (in August, 1861), and remained in the army until August, 1867, serving part of the time after being crippled as Adjutant 60, United States Colored Troops, and mustered out with the volunteer rank of major-brevet-colonel, and the rank of captain in the Regulars. He received a severe wound in the thigh at the battle of Wilson's Creek, in August, 1861, and in March, 1862, at the battle of New Madrid, received a wound in the forehead over the right eye, causing the entire loss of the same. This happened while serving under Gen. John Pope, and he received a high compli- ment from his brigade commander, Brig .- Gen. Schuyler Hamilton. On September 19, 1862, while acting aid-de-camp at Iuka, Miss., he was wounded seven times, twice through the lungs, both balls passing in under the right arm, once through the right foot, one in the right hand, one in the right leg above the knee, breaking the bone, one in the left leg below the knee, and one in the buttock: All these wounds he received in forty minutes, and was complimented on his bravery in a special order by Gen. C. L. Mathias, his old col- onel. Subsequently he served the most of the time

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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