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 26

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 26

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WHITE COUNTY.

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matrimonial venture resulted in his marriage to Miss Estelle Churchwell. They are the parents of six children: Carrie L., Mary T., Sallie, Jessie B., Ora B. and Mattie J. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The former belongs to the Masonic order, and is a prominent Democrat. He is recognized as one of the leading men of his township and enjoys a well- deserved popularity.

M. N. Gentry, groceryman, Searcy, Ark. The family grocery trade of Searcy is well represented by honorable commercial men, who are full of en- terprise. Among those who hold a leading position in this line is Mr. Gentry, firmly established in his business and enjoying an excellent trade. He car- ries a full line of queensware, groceries, etc., and started his house in 1876. In April, 1882, he was burned out, and in the same year erected a good one-story brick building, 100x25 feet. Mr. Gentry moved to Independence County, Ark., in 1868, remained a short time, and in the same year moved to West Point, White County, where he resided until 1869. He then moved to Gray Township and followed farming. He owes his nativity to Tisho- mingo County, Miss., where he was born in 1856, being the third in a family of four children, the result of the union of N. J. and Jane (Eaton) Gen- try, natives of South Carolina and Alabama, re- spectively. The father when a boy moved to Ala- bama, was married in that State, and followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. In 1856 he moved to Red River County, Tex., remained there until 1866, then moved to McLennan County, where he resided until 1868. He then moved to Inde- pendence County, Ark., and later to White County, purchased land, improved it, and in 1876 engaged in business under the firm name of Ward & Gen- try, which title continued until 1878, after which it was changed to Gentry & Son, remaining so until 1887. The father died in June of that year. So- cially he was a member of Searcy Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M. The mother is still living, and resides at Searcy. Since 1887 the firm title has been M. N. Gentry. The children of the above-mentioned couple are named as follows: W. C. (married, and resides in Navarro County, Tex., engaged in farm-

ing), J. T. (married, residing at Hillside, Tex., and is a railroad agent), M. N. and Mary (who resides in Searcy). Mr. Gentry was reared to farm life, and received his education in the schools of Texas, and in White County, Ark., attending one year in Searcy. He assisted his father in clearing and developing the home place, and remained on the farm until he engaged in business in 1876. Socially he is a member of Searcy Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., and served as Junior Warden for six years, Senior Warden for one year, and Wor- shipful Master for two years. He is at present one of the masters of ceremonies. He served four years as a member of the city council, one of which was known as the Dade council, and during that year sheds were erected over the springs. Mr. Gentry takes an active interest in everything for the good of the county. He aids in all enter- prises for the public good, and is one of the sub- stantial citizens.

C. S. George, clerk of the county and probate court, Searcy, Ark., is well known to the residents of White County, as one, who, in all his relations to the public, has proven himself faithful to the trusts committed to him. Whether in his private or official capacity no taint of dishonor can be found. He was born in Coahoma County, Miss., in Jan- uary, 1853, being the fourth of eight children, born to C. L. and Catherine M. (McDermott) George, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respect- ively. The parents were married at Helena, Ark., and later settled in Mississippi, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. His father took an active part in politics, was clerk of Phillips County, Ark., was also assessor in the early his- tory of the county, and county judge of Coahoma County, Miss., and in 1867 moved to Lawrence County, Ark., where he purchased an improved farm. From there he moved to Searcy, in 1876, lived a retired life, and there died in November, 1881. His excellent wife still survives and resides in Searcy. C. S. George was reared to the ardu- ous duties of the farm, and received a fair educa- tion in the schools of Mississippi and Arkansas. He commenced for himself as deputy clerk of Law- rence County, Ark., in 1871, served two years and

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moved to White County, Ark., in 1876, locating at Searcy. He then entered the office as deputy county clerk in 1880, served eight years, and in 1888 he was elected clerk of the county, having the honor of being the only one elected on the Democratic ticket. He has been connected with the records of White County longer than any one else now living. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Searcy Lodge No. 49, is also a mem- ber of Tillman Chapter No. 19, R. A. M. Mr, George was married in Searcy, in February, 1880, to M. B. Isbell, a native of White County, and two children living are the fruits of this union: Herbert L. and Leland S. Those deceased were named: Lillie (who died in 1882) and Charley (who died in 1884). Mr. George is a member of the school board, and takes an active interest in all that per- tains to the good of the community. Mrs. George is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Robert N. Gill, though one of the younger citizens of the county, has risen to a worthy place among its farmers and merchants. He was born in Tennessee in the year 1855, and is the oldest in a family of five children in the family of W. F. and Ollie A. (McDowell) Gill. The former was a native of Tennessee, and spent his life in farming, which occupation proved very successful to him. Moving to Marshall Township, White County, Ark., in 1853, he purchased 300 acres of land, and at once proceeded to carefully cultivate this prop- erty. His wife died in Arkansas in 1875, leaving five children: Robert, James N., Ellen, Molly, and Georgia A. Mr. Gill subsequently married again and reared a family of four children; he was called to his final home in 1889. Robert N. passed his early life on a farm, and received a good education in the schools of Arkansas. He was married in 1874 to Miss Johanna Thompson, daughter of Henry Thompson, and a native of Arkansas. To their union six children have been born: Frank M., Ora B., Olie E., Johnie M., Jessie Lee and Elmer. Mr. Gill is an expert mechanic, and has built many houses in the coun- try, which are excellent specimens of his skill. In 1887 he embarked in merchandising business in Romance, where he carries a large and carefully

selected stock, and is building up a substantial and lucrative trade, also owning a fine farm of 120 acres, of which seventy-five acres are under culti- vation. He has observed a very great change in the country since taking up his residence here, and in the general growth and advancement has borne a faithful share. In politics Mr. Gill is a Demo- crat, and with his wife worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Emmet O. Gilliam was the fifth son in a fam- ily of six children, of William and Mary (Spencer) Gilliam, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. William Gilliam was at one time a resident of Mississippi, and later became settled in Tennessee, finally coming to White County, Ark., where he opened up a farm of 160 acres, in Gray Township. After remaining here for three years, he sold out and moved to Des Arc Township. The children of himself and wife were named : Albert A., William S., Robert H., Leona L. (deceased), Emmet O. (our subject) and Edward C. Emmet O. Gilliam was born February 8, 1860, in White County, on the farm where he now lives. Conse- quently he is numbered among the community's younger citizens. In 1880 he took charge of the old homestead, consisting of 160 acres, of which 100 acres are under a high state of cultivation. . Mr. Gilliam is a strong Democrat, and although a young man in years, takes an active and influential interest in politics. His energy and determination promise to render him one of the leading men of his county.

James Monroe Gist, M. D., medical practition- er and a resident of Beebe, Ark., was born Decem- ber 31, 1833, in Carroll County, Tenn., being a son of Joseph B. and Dorcas (Mitchell) Gist, the former of English descent. In 1739 the Gists first came to America and Dr. Gist can trace his ances- try back five generations. Grandfather Mitchell was a participant in the battle of New Orleans and in 1858 came to White County, Ark. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Scott in 1812, while a resident of Kentucky. Dr. James M. Gist received his early education in the private schools of his native county and began his medical studies under Dr. J. W. McCall, of Carroll County, and

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took his first course of medical lectures in the med- ical department of the University of Tennessee at Nashville, during the winter of 1857-58 and 1859-60, graduating in the latter year. In 1858 he had removed to Arkansas and after his gradua- tion he returned here and settled at Austin, Prairie County. In the spring of 1860 he moved to Stony Point, White County, being there united in mar- riage June 5, 1861, to Miss Mary Eleanor Thomas, a native of Marshall County, Miss., a daughter of John Franklin and Nancy Thomas, both of whom were of English descent, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Mississippi. To the Doctor and his wife two children were born: Nancy Dorcas (born January 10, 1867, was married to J. E. Fisher in 1885 and died, July 9, 1887, at her home in Texas, of cardiac rheumatism, having given birth to a daughter, Myron Gist Fisher, December 6, 1886), Minnie Laura (the younger daughter, was born October 22, 1869). When Dr. Gist first came to Arkansas game was very abun- dant, the country being very wild and unsettled. There were two log school-houses in the southern part of the county in which religious services were often held, but the morals of the people were at a very low ebb. In the summer of 1862 the Doc- tor joined the Confederate army as a private in Col. Dandridge McRae's regiment, but was de- tached from his company and assigned duty in the hospital serving in the Trans-Mississippi Depart- ment, in which service he remained for a period of eight months, being discharged by reason of dis- ability. He returned to his home at Stony Point where he was living at the time of his enlistment, and again engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. In 1865 he embarked in mercantile pur- suits with H. B. Strange at Stony Point, carrying a general stock of goods, but the firm dissolved partnership in 1872. Dr. Gist then engaged in the drug business for about eight years. In 1873 he was elected by the Democratic voters of his county to represent them in the State legislature, serving two terms in the regular session and in the extra session called by Gov. Baxter in 1884. In the spring election of 1876 he was chosen mayor of Beebe and has served at different times two or

three terms. The Doctor has held a membership in the Masonic fraternity for a number of years,, and has attained the Chapter order. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and are char- itable and hospitable.

George W. Goad, planter and stock raiser of Denmark, Ark. This enterprising agriculturist is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hardin) Goad, na- tives of Kentucky, born 1806 and 1809, respect- ively. The father was of English descent, and his ancestors came to America prior to the Revo- lutionary War. They first settled in Virginia, but as the country developed moved farther west, and were among the first settlers of Tennessee. Ben -. jamin Hardin, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a participant in the War for Independence. John Goad and Elizabeth Hardin were married in Graves County, Ky., in the year 1826, and to their union were born the following children: Susan (born August, 1827), George W. (born July 21, 1830), Mary (born 1833), Nancy (born 1836), Sarah Ann (born 1839), John (born 1841), James J. (born 1844), Elizabeth (born 1847), an infant (died unnamed) and Louisa S. (who was born in 1853). Seven of these children grew to maturity. Elizabeth died in the spring of 1852, John died in 1861, Louisa died in 1864 and Mary died in 1853. John Goad left his home in Ken- tucky to move to Arkansas, and located in Den- mark, White County, of that State, on February 3, 1846, after a tedious journey overland of two months. His was the first family to settle in that part of White County. In 1847 he took a claim of 320 acres, improved it and resided upon the same until 1875, when he sold out. He then set- tled upon Section 31, Denmark Township, and after the death of Mrs. Goad, which occurred in the fall of 1875, he married a lady by the name of Miss Clarissa Pinegar, and resided in Denmark Township until his death, which occurred on De- cember 3, 1887. Five of his children are still living and all married. Susan is now living with her second husband, G. C. Caruthers, and is now residing in Independence County. She had eight children by her first husband, Steven Whilton. Nancy, married Nicholas Lovell and became the

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mother of seven children. Sarah Ann, married George Swick (deceased), became the mother of five children (one living) and is now living with her second husband, Wiley Westmoreland. James J. Goad married Miss Quintilliss Barnes, resides in Jackson County and has one child living. George W. Goad received a limited education in the common schools of Kentucky and at the fire- side at home. He was reared principally to the arduous duties of the farm, but also learned the tanner's trade with his father, which business the latter carried on, both in Kentucky and Arkansas. George W. Goad selected for his wife Miss Eliza- beth J. Riddle, a native of Tennessee, supposed to be of Irish descent, and the wedding took place on December 25, 1851. Ten children were born to this marriage, six now living: James E. (born Sep- tember 19, 1852), William (born January 16, 1854, and died March 29, 1864), Mary J. (born February 10, 1855), Harmon M. (born April 23, 1856), Ste- phen (born May 29, 1857), John (born December 29, 1858, and died April 6, 1864), Lewis W. (born June 16, 1860), an infant (born and died in 1862), Andrew (born February 2, 1863,) and Elizabeth T. (born November 15, 1866, and died August 28, 1868). Mrs. Goad died on November 15, 1866, and Mr. Goad took for his second wife Mrs. Julia A. Wilson, whom he married on August 1, 1867. The following children were the result of this mar- riage: Margaret (born May 20, 1868), Gabrey (born February 22, 1870), George H. (born Janu- ary 18, 1872), Jacob (born November 25, 1875), Susie (born August 6, 1880). Of the first children, Mary married William Morgan on December 25, 1873, and has seven children; James married Miss Virginia McCauley, and became the father of seven children; Stephen married Miss Mollie Yarbrough, and has three children; Harmon married Miss Jane Wagoner, in 1882, and has five children; Lewis married Miss Florence Wagoner, in 1883, and has two living children. And of the second marriage, Margaret married Roy M. Hodges, on January 27, 1889, and has one child. Mr. Goad was in the Federal army during the war, served about one year in Col. Baxter's regiment, which was organized at Batesville in the latter part of

1863 and fore part of 1864. The regiment partici- pated in a number of severe skirmishes. Mr. Goad made his first purchase of land in 1855, buying forty acres, upon which he has since made his home. By subsequent purchase he added to the original tract until he owned 480 acres, but now owns 340 acres, with 100 acres under cultivation. He gave his children a liberal portion of land. Mr. Goad is a Republican in politics, is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church.

Joseph H. Grammer is a native of Virginia, and was the eldest in a family of five children, born to P. W. and Mary B. (Tyus) Grammer, both of whom were also Virginians by birth. P. W. Grammer was reared on a farm in the Old Dominion, and in 1836 moved to Haywood County, Tenn., where he died in 1853, his wife preceding him one year. They were the parents of the fol- lowing named children: Joseph H., Rebecca, Ed- mond W., B. F., and one whose name is not given. Joseph H., the subject of this sketch, first saw the light of day in Petersburg, Va., in 1829, remov- ing to Tennessee with his parents when seven years of age. He commenced farming for himself in 1851, and in 1853 was married to Miss Josephine W. Pettey, a native of Alabama, and a daughter of G. G. and Elizabeth (Capell) Pettey, of Virginia birth. Two years after his marriage Mr. Grammer came to Arkansas and settled in Des Arc Township, White County, where he bought 320 acres of land, near the present site of Centre Hill. To himself and wife eight children have been born, three be- ing deceased: William Henry (deceased), Emmett L., William N., Nora., Fannie E., Hattie Lee, Jennie B. (deceased) and Jennie D. (also de- ceased). They also have three grandchildren. Mr. Grammer is a strong Democrat, and has been called upon to serve in various official capacities. He held the position of deputy sheriff of White County, was postmaster of Centre Hill for a num- ber of years, and was appointed postmaster of Mount Pisgah, in April, 1889, by President Har- rison. Mr. and Mrs. Grammer and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The former has been engaged in farming

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all his life, and in connection therewith has given his attention to the mercantile business for a num- ber of years, commencing that branch of trade in 1872, at Centre Hill, and in 1889 at Mount Pis- gah; his family, however, still residing on the farm. Mr. Grammer is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Centre Hill Lodge No. 114, and to Chapter No. 19. He has been instrumental in aiding many worthy movements hereabouts and helped to build the first church and first school- house in White County.

B. F. Grammer, a Tennesseean by birth, a farmer by occupation, a Methodist in his religious preferences, a Democrat in politics and a veteran of the Civil War, has been a resident of White County since December, 1856, a period of sufficient length to render him well and favorably known. His parents were P. W. and Mary B. (Tyus) Gram- mer, both natives of Virginia, as were also their parents. B. F. Grammer was united in marriage in January, 1861, to Miss Sarah J. Neal, who was born in Fayette County, Tenn., a daughter of James and Mary (Smith) Neal, also of Tennessee origin, and who came to Arkansas in about 1852. Mr. Grammer enlisted in 1862 for three years' service during the war in the Thirty-sixth Ar- kansas Infantry, and participated in the battles of Oak Grove and Pleasant Hill, whither his regiment was sent as reinforcement to Gen. Dick Taylor who had been in a siege of eighty-three days. His next engagement was at the ford of the Saline River, after which he was sent to Marshall, Texas, on garrison duty. Upon the close of the war he re- turned home and again engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Grammer are the parents of seven chil- dren, all boys: John B. (married, and resides at Centre Hill), James H. (attending school), Elmer, Horace, Edwin L., Marvin F. and Tyus C. Mr. Grammer has a farm of 125 acres, which he has cleared himself, besides some timber land. Him- self and wife and three oldest sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His ac- quaintance throughout this territory is a wide one and he enjoys universal esteem and respect.

Philip Yancey Graves. The estate upon which Mr. Graves now resides, and to which he has given

such close attention in its cultivation, embraces 520 acres, a well-improved farm, substantial and convenient buildings being a leading feature of these improvements. He is a son of John and Mark (Yancey) Graves, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Tennessee, their marriage taking place in the latter State, where the father died in 1841. Philip Y., his son, in- herits Scotch blood from his paternal ancestry, and was born in the State of Tennessee, on October 8, 1830, and after his father's death, being the eldest of the children, the support of his widowed mother and three younger children devolved almost en- tirely upon him. He worked out by the day and month, and at the age of fifteen years, began work- ing on a tract of timber land, on which his father had held a claim, and which was partly improved. He began clearing off the timber and making it into shingles and clapboards, for which he found a market at Somerville, Macon, Moscow and other places. After clearing off the timber from about five acres, and erecting thereon a good log-house, he was compelled to give up all claim to the land, as others had a clearer title than he. In 1855, in company with Joseph Hollis, he purchased some cypress timber near La Grange, Tenn., and this was made into shingles and sold at that place for the academy and college, which were in process of erection at that time. He followed this occupa- tion in Shelby and Hardeman Counties, but in 1857 he gave this up and moved to Tippah County, Miss., where he rented land and engaged in gen- eral farming. About one year later he removed to Arkansas, and was married in Mississippi County, of this State, to Mrs. Elizabeth Hollis (nee Tingle), the widow of Joseph Hollis, his former partner. In the fall of 1859 he returned to Mississippi, but owing to rheumatism contracted from exposure while pursuing the shingle business, he was com- pelled to give up work for about four years. From 1861 to 1865 he farmed in Marshall County, then returned to Arkansas and purchased 160 acres of land, four miles north of Beebe, upon which were some log buildings and other improvements, twenty acres being under cultivation. He now has 150 acres under the plow, and seven acres in an orchard

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consisting of peach, apple and plum trees. He finds a market for his fruit at Beebe, his peaches averaging about 50 cents per bushel, and the ap- ples 60 cents. He also ships to St. Louis. His land is well adapted to raising any kind of grain or grasses, and he has raised as high as twenty- two bushels of wheat to the acre. Mr. Graves is a Democrat, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and family are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, at Antioch, Ark. Mrs. Graves had five children by her first husband, two of whom are now living: Arminta (married in 1866, R. W. Bell) and Caroline (who became the wife of S. S. Hayney in 1868, and is now Mrs. F. W. Rodgers). The children of Mrs. Graves' second marriage are: Penelope (born March 22, 1859, is the wife of N. M. Parker, who has a farm near Beebe, but works at the carpenter's trade. They have three children: Fred D., John W. and Ger- trude). Ella was married to John H. Pendleton, a native of Tennessee, in 1881, and has two chil- dren: James D. (born March 6, 1884) and Bettie Estelle (born November 13, 1885).

Alfred Greer enjoys a deserved reputation as a prominent planter of White County. Born in Da- vidson County, Tenn., February 22, 1820, he re- ceived his education in Alabama, near La Fayette. . His father, Elijah Greer, was a Virginian by birth and when about twenty-two years old immigrated to Kentucky, where he married Miss Mary Acors, of that State. To them a family of fourteen chil- dren were born, twelve of whom grew to maturity, Alfred being the thirteenth child. Elijah Greer manifested a great interest in politics, and served in the War of 1812 as a fife-major. He was a farmer by occupation, and moved from Kentucky to Tennessee in 1810, going in 1830 to Georgia, and settling in Pike County. He resided in that State until his death, in 1841, his wife surviving him only three years. Alfred was married Octo- ber 13, 1839, in Alabama, to Miss Elizabeth J. Waters, a daughter of William and Feriberry Wa- ters, and their union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, three boys and seven girls: Will- iam V., Elisha J., Hiram A., Mary F., Nancy, Feribey, Lucinda, Susan F., Georgia F. and

Margaret E. who died in 1846. Mr. Greer owns 160 acres of land, with seventy-five under cultiva- tion. He is a member of the Wheel, in which he has held the office of chaplain for three months. He served in the late war, and enlisted in 1864 under Capt. Choshea, as a home guard, and at the final surrender, returned at once and re- sumed his occupation of farming, which he has continued with good results since that time. Mr. Greer and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which the former has acted as dea- con. He was one of twenty-four who organized Mount Olive Church, and many other enterprises, which have proven of substantial worth, may be attributed in a large degree to his energy and support.

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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