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 119
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on staff duty, holding such positions as provost- marshal, inspector-general and aid-de-camp. He commanded the military prison at Helena for some five months, and was also engineer in charge of Helena's fortifications. He arrived at Little Rock the night of the surrender of Richmond, and was assigned to duty as district provost-marshal, which position he held until August, 1865, at which time he was assigned to duty as superintendent and provost-marshal Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for the White River Dis- trict embracing De Vall's Bluff, Augusta, Jack- sonport, Batesville and Evening Shades. In Octo- ber he was ordered to Little Rock to relieve Col. Sargeant, in charge of the largest district of the State. During the reconstruction he was appointed by Gen. E. O. C. Ord, as president of the board of military registration for Johnson County, which office he held until after the election for the con- stitution, and its adoption in March, 1868. In July of the same year he was appointed by Gen. Clayton, assistant adjutant-general for the State, and assistant mustering officer, and was sent to the district embracing the counties of Van Buren, Searcy, Newton, Carroll and Madison to muster the militia, which he accomplished in due time, and returned to Little Rock the night of November 4, in time to vote in the Congressional election held on November 5. He was one of Clayton's briga- dier-generals in the military troubles, was with Gen. Upham in his skirmishes, and subsequently commanded the district composed of the counties of Greene and Craighead, where he had a skirmish with the Ku-klux gang, and on being relieved, turned over to Gov. Clayton 980 affidavits of par- ties who confessed to having belonged to the Ku- klux. All this time he was interested in planting on the Arkansas River, an investment that did not pan out to his advantage, and in July, 1869, he was appointed assistant assessor and deputy col- lector of one division of the First Congressional district, with headquarters at Jacksonport, and during this time collected some $20,000, much of which he obtained from old delinquents. In March, 1871, he was made chief assistant assessor for the district, with headquarters at De Vall's Bluff, which
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office he held until the fall of 1872, when he was appointed clerk of the United States Court at Helena, and held this office until March, 1875. In March, 1881, he was tendered the position of mail agent on the Memphis & Little Rock Mail Route, the duties of which position he faithfully filled until November, 1881. Since that time he has been twice elected a school director of his dis- trict, and although he has never been an aspirant for political honors, he was once nominated by the Republican party for State senator, but declined to be a candidate. He is now one of the commis- sioners of accounts and notary public of Prairie County. Although disabled and incapacitated for manual labor, he prides himself as being one of the "honest sons of toil," and the owner of about 1,000 acres of land. He was married November 19, 1863, to Miss Serena M. Graham, a daughter of Hon. James B. Graham and Sarah A. (Fish) Graham, the latter a relative of Hamilton Fish. Mrs. Tisdale was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1844, and when about nine years old she was taken by her people to Warren, Ohio, thence to Keokuk, Iowa, at the age of eleven years. She is an ac- complished singer, and at the time of her marriage was the leading soprano singer in the Congrega- tional Church at Keokuk. She is one of nine chil- dren, all of whom are living and married, with the exception of two who died in infancy. Gen. Tis- dale is the seventh son in succession in a family of nine children, the one younger than him a girl, and he and five brothers were in the Union army, three operating in the East and three in the West. Gen. and Mrs. Tisdale have had born to them a family of seven children: Launa Maria (born May 3, 1865, in Keokuk), Frank Story (born in Keokuk November 8, 1868), Maud Alice (born January 13, 1870, and died August 12, 1872, at De Vall's Bluff). The following children were also born there: Charles Henry (born August 8, 1873), Clara Mabel (born October 8, 1874, and died in September, 1875, at Fairmount), Thomas Albert (born March 8, 1877, and died August 12, 1878), and John Timothy (born May 8, 1881, and died August 12, 1881). These little ones were carefully laid away on the home place, and the especial care of their
graves and the wealth of flowers which bloom over them shows that though absent they are not for- gotten. When the General first came with his family to their present home, which they called Pleasant Prairie, the people in the community ob- tained their mail at De Vall's Bluff, twenty five miles away, but through the instrumentality of Hon. W. W. Whitshire, then a member of Con- gress, and a personal friend of the family, he had established a mail route from Lonoke to De Witt, which gave them mail once each week, and later was increased to twice a week. This office was from some cause unknown abandoned, and Gen. Tisdale had the office established at his home and it was called Des Moines, Mrs. Tisdale being postmistress until the establishment of a store at Fairmount, when she resigned in favor of Benjamin Thalheimer. The General is now Post Comman- der of the G. A. R. Post at Stuttgart, and is a member of the Republican Central Committee of Prairie County. In politics he is a strong Repub- lican, and always has been from boyhood. He has in his possession a silver spoon that came from England with the first John Tisdale in 1646.
J. M. Van Zandt, M. D. One of the very foremost among the professional and active busi- ness men of Barrettsville, is acknowledged to be Dr. Van Zandt, whose personal popularity is un- limited. He was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1841, being the eldest of five children born to Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Wells) Van Zandt, the former of whom was born in the State of Tennes- see, in 1828, and there spent his youthful days and received his education. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a mem- ber of the Southwest Missouri Conference. In 1839 he married, his wife being a daughter of George Walls, and in 1844 he moved to Ozark County, Mo., and there became pastor of a church. Of five children born to him, our subject is the eldest. The next in order of birth is John W. (who lives in Marion County, Ark., is married, and has a family of six children), James A. B. (who resides near St. Charles), Elizabeth H. (Mrs. J. L. McSwayne, residing near De Vall's Bluff) and Margaret P. (Mrs. C. E. Hayley, also residing
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near St. Charles). Rev. Thomas T. Van Zandt was a Democrat in his views, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a man whom all re- spected and esteemed. He met a violent death during the turbulent times of the Civil War, being killed by Jayhawkers, in 1863. His wife died in Missouri, in 1858. The paternal grandfather, Elijah Van Zandt, was born in North Carolina, and was a participant in the War of 1812. Dr. J. M. Van Zandt received his early education in the common schools of Missouri, and after reach- ing a proper age, began studying medicine, at McDowell's College, in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1861 began his first practice. He did not continue long, however, but the same year enlisted as third sergeant in the Missouri Cavalry State Troops, and was a participant in the fights at Oak Hill, Lex- ington, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry and others. After the death of his father he left this command, and took charge of a company, and joined Price on his raid through Missouri, his last fight being at Newtonia, that State. He practiced his pro- fession in Dallas County, Mo., in 1865, and the following year went to Texas, and settled in Som- erville County. Not liking this location, he came to Arkansas, and after a residence in Arkansas County until 1884, he settled in Barrittsville, Prairie County, where he has since made his home. In connection with his practice he is engaged in merchandising, having commenced this enterprise in October, 1889, and is doing a prosperous busi- ness. While in Texas he was married, in 1877, to Miss Ida E. Yager, a daughter of R. L. and Elizabeth (Sanders) Yager, the former an Ala- bamian. Dr. and Mrs. Van Zandt are members of the Christian Church, and are the parents of two children: Nannie M. and Helen E. The Doctor has been an extensive traveler, but is thoroughly satisfied with his present location. He is a Mason, and has a demit from Little River City Lodge No. 402, Bell County, Texas.
Judge Horace P. Vaughan. On this page of the history of Prairie County, Ark., is found the life record of a man, whose career through life has been as honest in the honesty of manhood, as
worthy so far as duty, well and faithfully per- formed goes, and as untarnished by reproach as that of any man mentioned in the history of the community. He was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., August 25, 1825, and is a son of Pleasant and Mourning E. (Dance) Vaughan, who were also Virginians. The father for a number of years was a teacher by profession, being also engaged in farming. He reared his family, consisting of a son and two daughters, in Mecklenburg County, and there died in 1883, his wife's death having oc- curred in 1844. Although not favored with very good educational advantages in his youth Judge Horace P. Vaughan possesses a brilliant and cul- tured mind and his knowledge of books and the world has been mostly acquired since reaching years of maturity. At the early age of thirteen years he began clerking and followed this occupa- tion off and on until he came west in 1852, arriving at Somerville, Tenn., in August of that year. He followed his old occupation of clerking in that place for three years and in 1855 came to Arkan- sas, settling at Des Arc, where he formed a part- nership with another gentleman and was engaged in the mercantile business up to the opening of the war. He was then appointed by the military board as secretary of that organization, and this position retained until the close of the war, being also paymaster-general of the State troops and private secretary to the Governor. After the close of the war he settled in Des Arc again, took up the study of law, and in 1867 was admitted to the bar and practiced his profession successfully until 1878. Before commencing the practice of law and since giving up the work he has been engaged in farming and at one time he owned a considerable quantity of valuable lands and town property, but reverses have swept much of his property away. Mr. Vaughan was elected and held the office of magistrate for a number of years, and has been mayor of the town and county judge one term, and to the excellent natural abilities possessed by Judge Vaughan are added the wisdom and experience of a useful and well-spent life and there was no reason to view his official career with disapproval when he retired from the bench. He was married in
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Prairie County, Nov. 4, 1856, to Mattie E. Brock, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of Caleb and Mary F. (Jones) Brock, who were among the first families to come to this region. Mrs. Vanghan died February 5, 1873, leaving five children: D'Arcy, Emmet, Victor, Percy and Rezzie. Victor died January 24, 1883, aged seventeen years. Judge Vaughan's second union took place in May, 1873, his wife being Mrs. Mary J. (Cox) Mizill, was born in Phillips County, Ark., and by her he is the father of five children: Blanche, Mabel, Bertha, Alzie and Horace Cox. Judge Vaughan belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife to the Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
F. P. Wells. A sketch of Mr. Wells' life, as far as Prairie County is concerned, covers a period of but little over six years, yet he has become so thoroughly identified with the business interests of the same, and his career has been so successful that a brief sketch of his career will be of much interest to all. His birth occurred in Erie Coun- ty, Penn., in 1836, he being the eldest of a family of nine children born to the marriage of J. E. Wells and Louisa Cole. The former was born in the " Green Mountain State " in 1812, and about the year 1820 removed with his father to Pennsyl- vania, and in that State he was reared to manhood and married, the last-named event taking place in 1835, and resulted in the birth of these children: Mittie, Charles, Jerome (deceased), Julius, Louisa, Judson, Addie, Jerome (named for his elder brother who died) and subject of sketch. Mr. Wells was a tanner by trade, and in this business became quite successful. He died in 1886, still survived by his wife, who is residing in Buffalo, N. Y. F. P. Wells' youthful days were spent in the "Key- stone State," but his education was acquired in Hillsdale College, Mich. Mr. Wells is a married man, his wife having formerly been Miss Sarah M. Page, a daughter of E. Page, their union being consummated in 1861, and resulted in the birth of six children: Charles, Marie, Julius, Frank, Louise and Clara. They, with their mother, reside in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Wells first began manufact- uring boat-oars in 1865, in Albion, Erie County,
Penn., but at a later period he removed to Lan- sing, Mich., where he had control of four mills for this purpose, his business there being on a very extended scale, indeed. In 1883 he established a factory at De Vall's Bluff, Ark., which establish- ment is the only one of the kind in the State, and it is fitted up with all the latest improved and best machinery, and has a capacity of 3,500 feet of oars per day. He ships his product to all points of the globe, and in addition to having an exten- sive trade with the seaport and river towns of the United States, he supplies the markets of London and Liverpool (England), Glasgow (Scotland) and Sidney and Melbourne (Australia). He manufact- ures pike-poles, handles of all kinds and descrip- tions, but makes a specialty of oars. Joseph Gord- ner & Sons, of London, Liverpool (England) and Glasgow (Scotland), are interested in this estab- lishment. Mr. Wells owns a portion of 14,000 acres of woodland, and in addition to this, owns valuable property in Lansing, Mich., and Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Wells is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of the county, whose strict attention to work, perseverance and integrity have produced such substantial results, and it is a pleasure to lay before the reader the unsullied record of such a man. He is a member of the Masonic order, and he and wife are members of the Congregational Church at Lansing, Mich.
Dr. David N. White, Hickory Plains, Ark. This much-esteemed and prominent citizen was origi- nally from North Carolina, his birth occurring in Burk County, July 18, 1832, the son of John and Sarah P. (Duncan) White, natives of North Carolina. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and also car- ried on agricultural pursuits all his life. He moved to Tennessee about 1834, located into Carroll County, and there tilled the soil until his death, which oc- curred about 1857. His wife survived him many years, and died in Tennessee in 1879. Dr. David N. White passed his boyhood days in Carroll County, Tenn., and remained with his father until twenty-one years old. He embarked in the tan- ning business when a young man, continuing seven years, when he commenced the study of medicine at Shady Grove, under Dr. J. G. Boyd about 1857.
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He took his first course of lectures at Nashville, Tenn., in the winter of 1860, but had previously practiced for some time with Dr. Boyd. In the last-mentioned year he located in Henderson Coun- ty, and practiced in connection with Dr. H. Brown for six years. In the spring of 1866, he removed to Arkansas, located at Hickory Plains, and has been in constant practice here since that time, and had most of the practice in the neighborhood. The Doc- tor located on a farm when he came here and in con- nection with his professional duties has carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married in Hender- son County, Tenn., on May 6, 1863, to Miss Mar- tha J. Whyte, a native of Henderson County, and the daughter of Joseph Whyte. Ten children have been the fruits of this union, eight sons and two daughters: Homer L. (a physician now practicing with his father), Joseph M. W. (clerk at Des Arc), William L., David E., Lily, John T., Luther, Newton B., Fred and Mattie. The Dr. and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and have the respect and esteem of all acquainted with them. The Dr. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, White River Lodge No. 39, and is a Master Mason. He was elected a commissioner to locate the court house.
William L. Willeford is the present efficient circuit and county court clerk of Prairie County, Ark., and as his prominent characteristics are strict, honest and exceptionally fine business quali- fications, his fellow-citizens have been quick to recognize his merits. His birth occurred in Giles County, Tenn., July 20, 1847, and he is a son of A. H. and Sarah W. (Cotrell) Willeford, the former a Tennesseean, and the latter a native of Alabama. A. H. Willeford removed to Alabama after reach- ing manhood, and there became a prominent at- torney at law, and served the Government as sur- veyor of that State. After the celebration of his nuptials, he returned to Tennessee, but in 1851 settled in Hernando, De Soto County, Miss., where he successfully practiced law until his death, which occurred in July, 1860. His widow re- moved to Des Arc, Ark., in 1871, and is now re- siding with her son, William L. The early days of the latter were spent in Mississippi, and there he
acquired his early education, and from this State he joined the Confederate army, in 1862, being at that time only fourteen years of age. He enlisted as a private in Company K, Ninth Mississippi In- fantry, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfrees- boro, Franklin and a great many skirmishes. During the latter part of the war, he was trans- ferred to Forrest's cavalry, and was disbanded near Selma, Ala., in 1865. He then returned to Mississippi, and began clerking in a drug store, and during the period up to 1871, he became thor- oughly familiar with the details of this business. He then followed this occupation in Des Arc, in the drug store of Col. Burney, until 1875, at which time he turned his attention to farming, continuing one year, and in the fall of that year he purchased a drug store, and successfully man- aged it until 1882. At this date he was elected on the Democratic ticket, of which he has always been a supporter, to the office of clerk of the circuit and county court, and has been re-elected successively in 1884, 1886 and 1888, and is acknowledged by all to be the best clerk Prairie County has ever had. He has also filled other positions of trust with ability, and in every walk in life, has been straight- forward, upright and conscientious. September 26, 1872, his marriage with Miss Emma Becton was celebrated. She was a daughter of J. G. and Lizzie Becton, and was born in North Carolina, her death occurring in Prairie County, Ark., Oc- tober 2, 1888, leaving a family of five children to mourn lier loss: Anna, Gracie, Jacob, William and Frederick. Mr. Willeford took for his second wife Miss Maggie Bacon, a Kentuckian, a daughter of Ben. and Gabriella Bacon, their union taking place April 17, 1889. Mrs. Willeford is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and her husband be- longs to the K. of H. and the K. of P.
B. S. Willeford, merchant, Des Arc, Ark. Among the prominent business houses of Des Arc, one deserving of special mention is that conducted by Mr. Willeford, who established himself in busi- ness at this place in 1887. He owes his nativity to Pulaski County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on February 13, 1850, and is the brother of W. L. Willeford, whose sketch immediately precedes
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this. B. S. Willeford moved with his parents from Tennessee to Mississippi, thence to Arkansas, in 1870. Previous to this, while in Mississippi, he had been engaged in a number of business enter- prises, and, after coming to Des Arc, he engaged in merchandising on his own responsibility. Although he commenced in a very small way, he soon built up an extensive trade, and now does as flourishing a business as any of the substantial men of the town. He selected for his companion in life Miss Amanda Allen, a native of Prairie County, and the daughter of Col. Allen, whom he married in December, 1878. The fruits of this union have been two chil- dren, viz .: Cannie and Ruth. Mr. Willeford has served as alderman of his ward, also filled the po- sition of marshal, and was deputy clerk at De- Vall's Bluff for a time. He has steadily kept up that reputation for excellence, which first gave him success.
Dr. W. F. Williams, physician and surgeon, Hazen, Ark. Dr. Williams is a man who is stead- ily and surely making his way to the front in the medical profession and as a prominent and useful citizen. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., in December, 1850, and his parents, John S. and Frances S. (Lawrence) Williams, were natives of Virginia and Memphis, Tenn., respectively. The father came to Tennessee, a single man, engaging in the drug business under the firm name of Wat- son & Williams, and was married in Memphis. In 1856 he came to Prairie County, Ark., settling on a farm, where he also engaged in the practice of medicine, having graduated from the Philadelphia Medical Institute some time previous. In 1862 he enlisted as surgeon in Col. Lemoin's regiment of this State, and later consolidated into the Seven- teenth Arkansas Infantry. He was transferred to the west side of the Mississippi River, was enrolling officer for several counties and was made bonding agent for Confederate script. At the close of the war he returned to Woodruff County, engaged in teaching and earned money enough to take him and his family back to Prairie County. He returned to the homestead in the winter of 1865, and re- sumed the practice of medicine. He was elected Secretary of the State Grange, and was Secretary
pro tem. at its organization in 1872. In the year 1875, he moved to De Vall's Bluff, Ark,, and made that his home. In 1879 he was elected Master of the State Grange. His death occurred in Novem- ber, 1881. The mother died in September, 1870. The father was a member of Des Arc Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M. Dr. W. F. Williams was edu- cated at St. Johns' military school in Little Rock, Ark., attending four years, and then attended the Memphis Medical Institute, from which he gradu- ated in March, 1886. After this he commenced the practice of medicine near Hickory Plains, and later went from there to Hazen, buying out Dr. G. W. Hudspeth. He takes a prominent part in politics and his vote is cast with the Democratic. party. He was married in Prairie County, in 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Horne, a native of Tennessee, who bore him seven children, four living: Frank, Lawrence (deceased), Joseph (attending school in Water Valley, Miss.), Sim, Anna Lou (deceased), Bessie Emma and W. F., Jr. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, Hazen Lodge, No. 561, and he and Mrs. Williams are now connected with the Presbyterian Church at Hazen, having been members of that denomination since 1867. He was elected representative to the State Medical Association and is the present Treasurer of the County Medical Society. He takes a deep interest in the temperance cause and is one of the progres- sive men of the county.
Rudolph Wintker, planter, Ulm, Ark. This gentleman is another of the many esteemed citizens of foreign birth who have made their home in Prairie County. He was born in Germany on December 27, 1833, and was the son of Matthew Wintker and Wilhelmina Wortman, both natives of Germany and both members of the Lutheran Church. The father was a farmer by occupation and this pursuit carried on the principal part of his life. Rudolph Wintker left his native country with his mother and emigrated to the United States. They located first in St. Louis, but subsequently moved to Illinois, where they remained two years and then returned to St. Louis, where he learned the carpenter's trade. About 1851 he returned to Illinois, locating in Washington County, and there,
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1
on January 3, 1856, was united in marriage to Miss Mena Platt, a native of Germany. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, six of whom are living at the present time: Caroline, Franklin, Henry, Emma, Emele and Rudolph, and all reside in Prairie County. The mother of these children died on February 8, 1885, and Mr. Wintker chose for his second wife Miss Helena Eilers, and was married to her on April 16, 1889. He emigrated from Illinois to Arkansas on December 1, 1882, located where he now resides, and is the owner of 200 acres of good land, with seventy acres under cultivation. He has held the office of school direc- tor and has been justice of the peace for five years. He has also been a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Mr. Wintker also handles considerable real-estate and is one of the thorough-going busi- ness men of the county. He and wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and reside a short distance from the same. He makes it now a spec- ial business to sell real estate and attend to collec- tions.
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