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 127
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James H. Lanier, farmer, Helena, Ark. This prominent and much respected citizen of Phillips County, Ark., was born in Person County, N. C., on March 10, 1826, and is one of thirteen children
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born to the union of Lewis G. and Sarah E. (Hen- ning) Lanier, natives of North Carolina. The fa- ther was born in 1800, and was married in his na- tive State to Miss Henning. About 1830 they moved to Maury County, Tenn., and there the mother died in 1850, when about forty-nine years of age. The father was afterward married three
times, and received his final summons in Maury County in 1880. His last wife survives him and is now living in Maury County, Tenn. The mother of our subject was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and the father a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Whig in politics. He was a well to-do farmer and stock raiser. Of their large family of children, three are now living, and James H. is fourth in order of birth. They are named as follows: James H., Joseph (a saddler, and is now living in Wynne, Ark.) and William (a farmer in Maury County, Tenn.). Those deceased were: Lewis (a farmer of Maury County), Mary (died in that county), Albert (died during the war while in the Confederate service, and it is thought his last days were spent in a Federal prison), Hugh H. (died in Maury County, Tenn .; was a farmer), Martha (died in Tennessee), Sallie (died in that State) and Rebecca (who is the eldest daughter and the wife of James H. Colburn, died in Tennessee). James H. Lanier passed his school-boy days in Maury County, Tenn., and when twenty-two years of age engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued only a short time until he turned his at- tention to mercantile pursuits, serving in the ca- pacity of salesman at Mount Pleasant for three years. He again returned to tilling the soil, and in 1855 moved to Phillips County, Ark., serving in the capacity of overseer on the plantation of Thomas Barrows, continuing thus for three years. In 1862 he enlisted in Capt. Weatherby's company of Col. Dobbins' regiment of cavalry, and served until the close of the war, being in the commissary department during the latter part of the war. He participated in the battle of Helena ; was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, and was at Pilot Knob. After the war he commenced to farm for himself, bought forty acres of land, and has added to this until he has an extensive farm. In
1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Lanford, a native of Alabama, born near Hunts- ville on November 14, 1835, and the daughter of William Lanford. The fruits of this union were two children: James R. (in the employ of Lohman & Co., at Helena) and Mittie N. (attending school at Helena). These children are deceased: William L. (died when ten years of age), Sallie R. (died at the age of eight years), Martha F. (when six years of age) and Mary L. (at the age of ten years). Mrs. Lanier has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, since early girlhood. Mr. Lanier is a Mason, a member of the Wheel, and is a Democrat in politics. He is an enterprising and much respected citizen of the county.
Henry Lawrens is a proper representative of the energetic business men of Helena, which element has done and is doing so much for the advance- ment of the material interests of the city. He was born in Shelby County, Tenn., June 13, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret Lawrens, who were born in the old country and removed to America during the early part of their lives, set- tling in the State of Indiana. From this point they moved to Nashville, Tenn., where the father worked as engineer in a brewery; and in this city the mother's death occurred. Henry Lawrens resided in Nashville until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Memphis and worked for some time in a cooper shop, learning the trade, and two years later came to Helena, Ark., and spent some time in working in different restaurants. In 1880 he established his present business, but began on a small scale, and now carries a large and well selected stock of dry goods, and in fact everything to be found in a general establishment. He is in every respect a self-made man as he came to this county without a dollar, and is now deserv- edly classed among the leading business men of the county, which reputation he has acquired by the active, intelligent management of his affairs, and by his honesty and fair dealing. He is worth at least $10,000, and instead of carrying a stock of goods valued at $156, as he did at first, his present stock is valued at $6,000 at least, and his establishment is known as the Magnolia Store. He
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has served as city alderman six years or three terms, and is a director in the Mutual Building and Loan Association. Socially he is a member of the K. of P. He was united in marriage November 9, 1886, to Miss Clara Dissman. Their one child is Minnie.
Silas Lingg is a member of the firm of Lingg, Lambert & Co., undertakers, of Helena, Ark., and was born in the State of Delaware, on May 21, 1849, being a son of Joseph and Judith (Ffirth) Lingg, the father a native of Switzerland, and the mother of America. Their marriage took place in the State of Delaware, and shortly after they moved to Chicago, Ill., later to Grand Detour, that State, and here Joseph Lingg was engineer of a plow fac- tory until his death, his wife also dying there. Of eight children born to them, only two are now liv- ing. He and three brothers were in the Union army during the Rebellion, and his brother Joseph A. was killed in battle at Spottsylvania, Va. The maternal grandfather Ffirth was judge of a court in Philadelphia in 1796, and was a very intellect- ual and prominent man. The ancestors of the wife of Mr. Lingg's maternal grandfather settled on the site of Philadelphia, Penn., in 1623, which place is still occupied and owned by one of Silas Lingg's cousins. Nine generations of children have been born on the homestead, which is still in the family. Silas Lingg was reared and educated in Illinois, but being of a rather enterprising disposi- tion, he went to Nebraska, and followed river life until 1875, and at present has in his possession his commission as pilot and captain of a steamboat. In 1875 he took an interest in a soda water and cider manufactory belonging to Jacks & Co., and was thus associated until 1880, when he bought out his partners, and has since managed the bus- iness alone, meeting with the best success. Since 1880 he has been in the undertaking business also, and has become thoroughly experienced in the de- tails of this difficult branchi. He is very prompt day and night, and guarantees strict and careful attention to all orders. He is a director of the People's Building and Loan Association, and so- cially belongs to the K. of P., the A. O. U. W. and the A. L. of H. In 1880 he was elected city treasurer, and in 1885 was chosen city marshal,
and was re-elected in 1886. He was married in 1873 to Mattie E. Gordon, by whom he has three children: Vera, Blanche E. and Silas L.
Dr. D. A. Linthicum is one of the very foremost of the professional men of the county and is ac- knowledged by the medical fraternity to be one of their leading members. He was born in Bards- town, Ky., June 15, 1827, and is a son of Rufus and Eliza (Anthony) Linthicum, the former a na- tive of Maryland and the latter of the "Blue Grass State." The paternal grandfather, John Linthi- cum, was born in Wales, and on coming to the United States, settled in Maryland and later in Bardstown, Ky., where he followed the occupation of farming and lived until his death. The mater- nal grandparents were native Germans and were early settlers of Kentucky, in which State they both breathed their last. Rufus Linthicum, like our subject, was a physician and was a graduate of the Transylvania University of Lexington, Ky. He was twice married, and his first union resulted in the birth of seven children, only two of whom are now living: Dr. D. A. and Susan A., the wife of Dr. J. A. Hodge, of Henderson, Ky. To his second marriage six children were born. He prac- ticed his profession in Henderson County, Ky., until his death in the winter of 1864, his wife having died in an adjoining county many years earlier. The subject of our sketch received the principal part of his rearing in what is now Mc- Lean County, Ky., and received an excellent knowledge of books in the Hartford Academy of that State. Having always been desirous of fol- lowing in his father's footsteps, he began his medi- cal studies under the able instructions of the latter and after receiving sufficient preparation, he entered the St. Louis Medical University, graduat- ing in 1849. He first entered upon the practice of his profession in McLean County, Ky., where he remained until the breaking out of the war, then enlisted as a private in the Eighth Kentucky Reg- iment (C. A. S.), and was subsequently made sur- geon of his regiment which position he held until 1862. He was then made chief surgeon of Gen. Patrick Cleburne's division of Hardee's corps of the Army of Tennessee, and served in this capacity
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until the final surrender. He then returned to Kentucky, where he was an active medical practi- tioner until 1867, when he became a resident of Helena, Ark. In 1870 he graduated from the Washington University of Baltimore, Md., and in 1872 had an honorary degree conferred upon him by his Alma Mater. He has been president of the State Medical Society of Arkansas and is a member of the American Medical Association, also of the County Medical Society. He was married in 1848 to Miss Phoebe C. Johnson, of Daviess County, Ky., and by her has had three children, of whom Dr. Theodric C. is the only one living. He is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine and of the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy.
Thomas J. Lucado, planter, Marvell, Ark. One of the foremost men among the agriculturists of Phillips County is he whose name appears above, and who has borne an influential part in promoting the various interests of the county. He owes his nativity to Fayette County, Tenn., where his birth occurred November 29, 1843, and is the son of Joel Lucado. The father was a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1797, was reared in that State, and was there married to Miss Mary Johnson, a native also of Virginia, born in the same year. They moved from their native State to Tennessee about 1836, were among the early settlers of that State, and resided there until 1859, when they moved to Phillips County, Ark. He died in 1862, and his wife the year following. His father, Isaac Lucado, was born in Virginia, and there passed his entire life. He was of Spanish-English de- scent, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Thomas J. Lucado was the youngest of twelve . children born to his parents, three of whom are now living. He attained his growth in Fayette County, Tenn., received his education in the com- mon schools of that county, and there remained with his parents until reaching his majority. He then came with them to Phillips County, Ark., and here the father purchased about 1,200 acres of land, which he owned up to the time of his death. In 1862 Thomas J. enlisted in the Confederate army, Company G, Fifth Arkansas Regiment In- fantry, served three years, and received a slight
wound at the battle of Prairie Grove. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Helena, removed to Alton, Ill., and from there to Fort Delaware, where he remained until April, 1865. He then returned to this county. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Peterson, of Phillips County, born in 1854, and who died in 1873. Two children were born to this union, both now de- ceased. His second marriage took place in 1884, to Miss Molly Impey, who was born in this county in 1868, and died in 1886. In 1888 Mr. Lucado married Miss Mary Kitchens, who was born in Phillips County. Mr. . Lucado has 540 acres of land, with about 250 acres in cultivation, and raises 100 bales of cotton annually. He erected a cotton-gin in 1867, but this was burned in 1876, and the one he now has, and which is run by steam, cost about $1,500. He is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for Horatio Seymour. He is an honest, upright man, a substantial farmer and a highly respected citi- zen. He and Mrs. Lucado are members of the Baptist Church.
William M. Lowry, planter, Helena, Ark. One of the foremost men among the agricultur- ists of Phillips County, is he whose name appears above, and who has borne an influential part in promoting the various interests of the county. He was originally from Louisana, his birth occur- ring at Milliken's Bend, September 20, 1832, and is the son of Alfred J. and Cleora C. (Hynes) Lowry, natives, respectively, of Frankfort and Bardstown, Ky. The father died at Milliken's Bend, La., in 1872, when fifty-five years of age, and the mother died in 1864 at the age of forty- two years. They were married in Bardstown, Ky., and later moved to Natchez, Miss., where they re- mained two years, going thence to Milliken's Bend, La. The mother died while on a visit to Louis- ville. The father was a graduate of St. Joseph College, Bardstown, and was a planter by occupa- tion, raising annually from 600 to 1,000 bales of cotton. He was a member of the lower house of the legislature while residing in Louisana, and served in that capacity for four years. He was a Mason and held an office in the Grand Lodge of
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the State, was a Whig at one time, but during the latter part of his life was a Democrat. Mrs. Lowry was a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. Their family consisted of eight " children, six of whom lived to maturity, and five of whom are living at the present time, viz. : Mrs. S. D. Tompkins (now residing in Helena), William M., Mrs. Caroline Polk (wife of Col. Cadwallader Polk, of Phillips County), F. M. (wholesale merchant at St. Louis, Mo.), Mrs. C. C. (now residing at Helena). Onė son, A. J. Lowry, contracted consumption during the war, and died one year after peace was declared. He was aid- de-camp to Col. Cadwallader Polk. William M. Lowry received his education at Bardstown, Ky., and remained there until three months before graduating, when he was compelled to leave St. Joseph's College, at that place on account of ill health. He went from there to New Orleans, La., where he was engaged in planting for three years, after which he returned to his father's old planta. tion in that State. In 1869 he came to Phillips County, and is now the owner of 520 acres of land, with 480 acres under cultivation. He was in the Confederate service a short time during the war, but was discharged on account of disability. He lost $100,000 in two years after the war, and consequently was obliged to begin over again. He has been quite successful since that time, and is one of the first cotton growers in the county. He has reared an interesting family of children, three sons attending college at Bardstown, Ky., and two daughters attending at Fayetteville, Ark. His marriage occurred in 1860, to Miss Artana Majoun, of Bayou Sarah, La., and the fruits of this union have been eight children, five now liv- ing: Bruce (carrying on the home plantation), Alfred J. (in the employ of D. H. Crebs, of Hele- na), Sam T. (is in the employ of J. W. Clopton, cotton broker of Helena), Jennie (at home) and Annie T. (at home). Mr. Lowry is a member of the Catholic and his wife a member of the Epis- copal Church. He is a Democrat in his political opinion, and is one of the most enterprising citi- zens of the county, always manifesting public spirit in worthy movements.
Gen. L. H. Mangum, attorney at law, Helena, Ark. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of man in general. Keen per- ception, sound judgment, and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling, and their possession is sure to accomplish the ends hoped for in the days of his youth. The jurispru- dence of a commonwealth is the most necessary factor toward its growth and permanence, for, with- out a thorough knowledge and administration of the law no form of popular government could long exist. Gen. L. H. Mangum, by virtue of his abil- ity as a jurist and his victories at the bar, is emi- nently worthy of a place in the record of success- ful men, and the history of his life is an important and honorable part of that of his State and country. He was born in Hillsborough, N. C., on May 26, 1837, and is the son of Priestly H. and Rebecca H. (Southerland) Mangum, natives of North Carolina. The maternal grandfather, Ran- son Southerland, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that family was one of the most promi- nent in the State of North Carolina. The Man- gum family were originally from Wales, were early settlers of North Carolina, and W. P. Mangum was State senator from North Carolina for thirty years, being president of the senate during President Tyler's administration. Priestly H. Mangum was a very prominent and noted lawyer, was solicitor for a number of years, and was also a member of the North Carolina legislature for a number of years. His whole heart was in his profession, for he loved the law and had the most exalted respect for its conscientious and honorable followers, and he found very little time to mingle with politics. His reputation was that of a safe counsellor, a fear- less, eloquent, earnest, and most convincing advo- cate. His death occurred in 1850, and the moth- er's in 1838. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, four of whom are now living. Wiley P. was consul-gen- eral, sent by President Lincoln to China and Japan, and held this position for twenty one years. He died at Tientsin, China, in February, 1881. Cath- erine (deceased), Priestly H., Mary L. (wife of
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J. J. James, of N. C.), Rebecca T. (widow of John R. Williams), and Leonard H., who is the youngest of the family. The latter remained in his native State until eighteen years of age, having previously read law, and then entered the school at Princeton, N. J., graduating from the same in 1857. The same year he came to Helena, and in 1858 was admitted to the Helena bar, afterward forming a partnership with Gen. Cleburne & Scaife, under the firm title of Cleburne, Scaife & Mangum, the same continuing thus until the breaking out of the war, when all entered the army. Mr. Mangum enlisted in the celebrated Yell Rifles, and went out as second sergeant. He was badly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, where he had several horses shot from under him, and was shot seven times, through the hip, thigh, arm and hand. He was given up to die, but rallied and returned to the army. He was then offered a captaincy, but declined to serve, and went to Gen. Cleburne's staff, where he remained until the surrender. After returning to Helena he found his library stolen, and although he had but $30 in money, he began practicing his profession and met with excellent success. This he continued until he was appointed by President Cleveland chief of warrants, land and territorial accounts, and steamboat inspector accounts, holding the po- sition for four years, and then resigned on his own account, thinking that he ought to do so to give way to the opposing party. He held the office of probate judge for a number of years, and from time to time held the circuit judge's place. He has been prominently identified with Phillips County for over thirty years, and was a member of the Democratic National Convention of 1868, held at New York, nominating Seymour and Blair, also of the convention of 1876. He served on the Com- mittee of Resolutions and Platforms. He has been twice married, first to Miss Anna W. Nunn, by whom he had two children, one living: Wiley P., who is now in Washington City, and his second marriage was to Mrs. Fannie Metzger (nee Clem- ents) of Helena. Personally, Gen. Mangum is upright, honorable and just in all matters concern- ing his political action, as well as in matters of private life. His entire career has been one to
which he may refer with pardonable pride, and just satisfaction.
Isam Manning, farmer, Poplar Grove, Ark. This much-respected and esteemed citizen was originally from Indiana, where his birth occurred in 1822, and was principally reared in Phillips County, Ark., whither he had removed with his parents in 1834. His education was received in the private schools, and when twenty-three years of age he commenced farming for himself on his own land. In 1846 he went to Mexico as a soldier in Capt Preston's Company, Col. Yell's First Arkan- sas Regiment, and was at the battle of Buena Vista. He was in the service one year and came home in 1847. In February of the following year he was married to Miss Lucinda Bailey, daughter of Thomas and Milly Bailey, of Kentucky, and became the father of three children, only one now living: John, who is a farmer and resides in Johnson County, Ark. Mrs. Manning died in 1857, and in May of the following year Mr. Manning was married to Miss Samantha Thomas, daughter of W. A. Thomas, a native of Georgia. To the second marriage were born eleven children, six now living: Biddie (wife of Robert McGinnis), Walter, Etta, Jessie, Edmond and Robert. In 1859 Mr. Manning bought his present property, consisting of 400 acres, and now has 200 acres improved, with a splendid frame resi- dence, outbuildings, etc. He has a gin on his place, with which he did his own and some custom ginning until this year. He raises on his home place about thirty bales of cotton yearly, and up to this year ginned, on an average, about seventy- five bales per year. Besides his home farm, Mr. Manning is the owner of 620 acres of land, with 100 acres improved. He did not serve in the late war, but lost a great deal of property. He is a liberal donator to all laudable enterprises, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Wheel, and in his political views affiliates with Democratic party. His parents, William and Jane (Elliott) Manning, moved to Arkansas in 1834, and rented land on Big Creek, close to what is now Middle Bridge, where there was a ferry kept by a man by the name of James Hanks. The country at that time was
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wild and unsettled, bear, panther, wolves, deer, etc., were plenty all over the county, and Helena was a small place with only two dry-goods stores there, kept by Judge McKinzie and F. & M. Hanks. There was several saloons and grocery stores, and population numbered about 250. Mr. Manning remained here about two years, and then went to Mississippi, where he remained but one year. He never bought or entered land in this county. He died in 1843, at the age of forty-seven years. His widow afterward married in (1847) a Mr. Mos- by, of Phillips County. She died in 1853, at the age of fifty-five years.
Peter Mengoz. In all ages of the world, indus- try, perseverance and energy, where intelligently applied, have achieved excellent results, and Mr. Mengoz is an excellent example of what can be ac- complished when the spirit of determination is ex- ercised in connection with the every-day affairs of life. His farming and stock raising operations have resulted most satisfactorily, and he now owns 1,600 acres of land and has 600 acres in a fine state of cultivation. He is also the owner of the Grand Opera House at Helena, and is a director and the main stockholder in the Fair Association. He has some fine thoroughbred horses on his plan- tation, and makes a specialty of Alford cattle and Berkshire hogs. Although a native of France he has become thoroughly Americanized, and takes a deep interest in the affairs of his adopted country. His birth occurred on April 27, 1837, and he is a son of Franco A. and Lucile (Vouron) Mengoz, who were born, reared, educated and married in France. After residing there until 1853 they concluded to cross the "big pond" and seek their fortune in America, and, upon reaching the United States, settled first in Stark County, Ohio, but not liking the situation, moved the following year to Iowa, and purchased land in Black Hawk County, Iowa, being among the first to locate at Gilbert- ville. Here the mother's death occurred in 1866, at the age of fifty-five years, and, after this event, Mr. Mengoz returned to France, and after a few years' stay there, came back to Iowa to settle up his affairs, realizing on the sale of his property quite a handsome sum of money. While in New
York City, on the eve of returning to his native land, he was unfortunately robbed of all his money, and was compelled to join his son, the subject of this sketch, and with him made his home until his death, August 25, 1878, at the age of seventy- seven years. He was a stone cutter and contrac- tor by trade, and was compelled to leave France on account of his political views, and after reach- ing "the land of the free and the home of the brave " gave his attention to farming exclusively. He served in the French War seven years, and he and his wife were members of the Catholic Church. Of five children born to them, their son Peter is the eldest, and only three of the family are now living: France (who has been working in the gold mines of Oregon since 1867), Mary (wife of Nicho- las Deisch) and Peter. Eugene was born in 1842, was a farmer by occupation, and died in Phillips County in 1876. Charles died in France at the age of five years. Peter Mengoz received the most of his education in the schools of his native land and came with his parents to this country, remaining with them until 1858, when he came to Arkansas and became an employe of a New Orleans firm, and was foreman of different forces of men in the State of Arkansas until the opening of the war, when he joined the Confederate army and was in the commissary department, or rather wsa a contractor furnishing beef for the army. He drove his cattle from Texas, and was in this busi- ness until the close of the war, when he came to Helena and engaged in farming, but at the end of one year became a salesman in the grocery and provision house of John Meadow, remaining with him two years. He then became associated with William Baggett in the grocery business, but at the end of one year began business alone, and opened a wholesale and retail grocery, provision and liquor establishment, which he continued to conduct until 1880, when, as stated above, he re- tired to his plantation. His property has been acquired through his own business ability and en- ergy since the war, as at that time what property he had accumulated was swept away. He is a de- vout member of the Catholic Church, socially be- longs to the K. of H., and in his political views is
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