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 31

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 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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miles north of Beebe, Ark., and moved to Beebe at once, but the same year sold the saw-mill and land, continuing the timber business in Beebe, also building several houses there. Ever since his res- idence in White County he has been interested in all movements for the good of the county, and is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. He engaged in the real-estate business in 1888, and when the Beebe Board of Immigration was organ- ized he was elected president, and has since given his time and attention to that work. In Septem- ber, 1883, Hon. F. P. Laws was elected on the Democratic ticket as a Prohibitionist to the office of county and probate judge, and in that capacity did more for the county in the way of internal im- provements than had ever been done before by any one county judge. He built a good fire-proof jail on the latest improved plans, bettered the condi- tion of the county farm by erecting three new and comfortable houses, and took special care of the county poor. He repaired all the existing bridges, and built five new ones in different parts of the county, where they were greatly needed, also bought a copy of the field notes of the county and placed them on file in the county clerk's office. At the expiration of his term of office he left the county without a saloon in it. Judge Laws organized the Beebe Artesian Well Company, in August, 1889, and is acting president of the same, and fills the same position in the Southern Building & Loan Association. October 17, 1864, witnessed Judge Laws' marriage with Miss Lorinda J. Johns, a na- tive of Missouri and a daughter of one of the oldest families of Franklin County. To their union six children have been born, only one now living: Nellie, a charming young lady of fourteen. Mamie, Eddie, Charlie, Jennie and Bessie are de- ceased. Judge Laws was made a Mason in Pacific Lodge No. 159, A. F. & A. M., in 1864, at Pacific Mo., and with his wife and daughter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, He was a lay delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which met at Richmond, Va., in 1866, and was a delegate to the annual conference which met at Searcy De- cember 11, 1889.

George W. Leggett, the well-known dry-goods merchant, of Floyd, has been engaged in the mer- cantile business since 1878, first in Mount Pisgah, and two years later in Floyd, where he is at pres- ent engaged. He was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1849, and was a son of E. S. and Polly (Whitford) Leggett. E. S. Leggett owes his nativ- ity to Tennessee, being born in that State in 1811, and is son of Daniel Leggett, who settled in Ten- nessee at an early day. He engaged in the mer- cantile business in Tennessee in 1849, and later came to White County, Ark., where he still contin- ues in business. Mrs. Leggett was a daughter of David Whitford, of Tennessee, and died in White County in 1885. George W. was married in 1875 to Lue Bailey, who died in 1885, leaving one child, also deceased. Mr. Leggett was married the second time to Miss Vincie Greer (a daughter of O. and Coraline Greer, of this county). They are the par- ents of two children: Vincie Pearl and Henry L. Mr. Leggett was appointed postmaster under Pres- ident Garfield, and has held the position ever since. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, and does the largest business in his line in the place, having a trade of about $1,500 to $25,000 per year. He also owns a farm of 140 acres, eighty of which are under cultivation. In politics Mr. Leggett is a strong Democrat.

Dr. John L. Leggett, known to be one of the most progressive farmers in his township, and well qualified to discharge the trust reposed in him by the people, commenced the study of medicine shortly after the war, under Dr. M. F. Dumas, and upon obtaining his certificate in 1876, located at Little Red, White County, and commenced practicing. On coming out of the army he was without means, but taking up the study of medi- cine he became very proficient and very successful as a physician, but in 1883 he turned his attention to the mercantile business and to farming, and now owns a fine farm of 250 acres on the Red River, mostly bottom land, with 150 acres under cultivation, and is one of the most extensive farm- ers in Jackson Township. The Doctor was born in Madison County, Tenn., October 9, 1844, and is a son of E. S. and Polly (Whitford) Leggett, natives

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of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. E. S. Leggett came to Madison County, Tenn., when a boy with his parents, and after his marriage was engaged in farming in that State until 1860, when he removed to Arkansas, locating in White Coun- ty. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, is a Democrat and belongs to the Baptist Church, as did also his wife, who died in 1876, being the mother of ten children, five of whom are still living: F. M., J. B., George, Martha (now Mrs. Rushing) and John L. (our sub- ject). The senior Leggett is still a resident of White County, and is eighty years of age. Dr. Leggett enlisted in the Confederate service, in 1861, in the Eighth Arkansas Infantry, in which he served one year. He then came home and joined the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, and took part in the memorable Missouri raid, and also in a number of hard-fought battles. In 1866 he was married to Miss Bettie Martin, a native of Ala- bama. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living: Mary (wife of D. C. Middleton, a farmer of this county), William L., Lewis T., Icy, Ida, Charles, Lida and Isaac. Mrs. Leggett is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church. Dr. Leggett is one of the most en- terprising men of his community, and a leading Democrat, and has served as postmaster at Little Red since 1876.

John H. Leib. Near the little town of Lan- caster, Ohio, on November 13, 1836, John H. Leib first saw the light of day, being one of ten children born to the marriage of John and Elizabeth Leib. John Leib, Sr., was born in York, Penn., in the year 1800, and his wife was born the same year in Juniata County, Penn. They were united in marriage in Bremen, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1823, and spent fifty-seven years in happy wedded life. Mr. Leib died in 1883, at the age of eighty- three years, and at the time of his death was in Russell, Ark. His wife had gone to her final rest in the year 1880, aged eighty years. They resided in the States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and were quite successful in the accumulation of wealth, being quiet, industrious people. For many years Mr. Leib was an old line Whig, but at the

dissolution of that party he united with the Re- publican, though was not active in party measures or campaigns. In their family of ten children only five are now living: James (a farmer of La- grange County, Ind.), Benjamin (farmer, resident of Crawford County, Ind.), John H. (the subject of this sketch), Anna E. (living in White County, Ark., and Mary J. (Mrs. William Poindexter, of Crawford County, Ind.). Lydia, John and Augus- tus were born and died at Bremen, Ohio. Hamil- ton deceased at Russell, and George S. died at Chauncey, Ill. John H. resided at Bremen, Ohio, until sixteen years of age, at that date removing with his parents to Lagrange County, Ind. His education was limited to the common schools of the period, and though they were far from satis- factory, he managed to acquire a thorough knowl- edge of business, and is now a well-informed man. In November of 1861 Mr. Leib entered the United States army as a volunteer in the Forty-eighth Indi- ana Infantry, in Col. Eddy's regiment. He enlisted as a private, but was soon promoted to the office of first lieutenant in Capt. Mann's Company G. His ability was recognized and commented on by his superior officers, and in 1865 he was given the title of captain, commanding a company until the close of the war. He participated in the siege of Cor- inth, Vicksburg, and in the battles of Iuka, Cor- inth, Raymond, Champion's Hill, Jackson and Black River Bridge in the State of Mississippi, Altoona and Bentonville in Georgia, also in Chat- tanooga, Tenn. He was with Gen. Sherman on his famous march to the sea. After the close of hostilities, Mr. or rather Capt. Leib returned home and engaged in farming and stock raising, which is still his occupation. He is a Royal Arch Mason, having reached the seventh degree, and is a liberal contributor to schools, churches and all public enterprises.

Benjamin W. Lewis. David and Elvira (Hag- ler) Lewis, the parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of North Carolina and settled in Ten- nessee at an early day, rearing a family of thirteen children: Benjamin W., Nancy F., J. L., Eliza- beth, Lucy, Polly, Lucinda, John L., Elvira, Sarah, William, Richard (also a resident of Kane Town-

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ship, White County) and Martha. Mr. Lewis died in Tennessee in 1870, and his wife in 1852. B. W. was born in Western Tennessee, where he grew up on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He was married on January 2, 1851, to Mary E. Hastings, a daughter of John M. C. and Elizabeth (Sexton) Hastings, of North Carolina nativity, and who immigrated to Tennessee at an early day. After his marriage Mr. Lewis settled on a farm in Henry County, Tenn., where he lived until 1870, when he removed to Arkansas, and settled in Gray Towship, White County, and three years later bought a farm of 160 acres in Cane Township, where his home now is. He enlisted in the fall of 1862 in the Forty-sixth Tennessee Infantry, com- manded by Col. J. M. Clark, and was in the service five months. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have a family of eight children, all of whom were born in Tennes- see: Nancy J. (now Mrs. Osborn), John D. (lives in this township), William L., James W. (deceased), L. D., Henry W., Elvira (wife of Dr. V. W. Ware, of this township) and Benjamin F. In politics he is an active Democrat, and takes a strong interest in all work for public improvement, and has been school director for the past five years. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Lewis is one of the trustees.

Jefferson Pinkney Linder is one of the enter- prising and industrious agriculturists of this region, and is a son of Abraham W. and Itea . (Templeman) Linder, the former of whom was born in Spartanburg District, S. C. He was of English descent, his grandfather having emigrated from England to America before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and took an active part in that struggle on the side of the Colonists. He settled in North Carolina, and there reared his family, his son John, the grandfather of our sub- ject, being born there. He was married in that State and at an early day removed to South Caro- lina, where his son Abraham W. was educated and grew to manhood. He was also married there and eight of his children were born there prior to the year 1844, after which they moved to Alabama and settled in Benton County, where four more children were given them. Their names are as

follows: John A. (born July 18, 1823), Calvin D. (born July 1, 1825), Elizabeth Ann (born July 10, 1827), Delilah E. (born September 9, 1829), James Templeman (born April 17, 1832), Lewis M. (born October 24, 1834), Austin A. (born March 17, 1837), Jefferson Pinkney (born August 10, 1839), Mary A. (born October 6, 1841), Arcena S. (born March 21, 1844), Virgil Taylor (born June 3, 1848) and Martha C. (born on March 8, 1851). The father and mother of these children were born on September 23, 1803, and February 27, 1807, respectively, and in 1857 they came to Arkansas. Abraham Linder and his sons were opposed to se- cession, but Lewis M. and Austin A. espoused the Confederate cause after the ordinance of secession had been passed, and served as members in a com- pany of Arkansas Volunteer Infantry. Lewis M. died of measles while at home on a sick furlough, and Austin was mortally wounded at the battle of Helena, Ark., on July 4, 1863, and was taken from the field where he fell by the Federals to a hospital at Memphis and there died. Jefferson Pinkney Linder (our subject) was reared to farm life and received his education principally in the subscription schools of Alabama, whither his father had moved from South Carolina. He em- braced religion at the age of twenty-one years, and is now a member of the Presbyterian Church, On December 4, 1861, he was married to Miss Lu- cinda Jane Shelton, a daughter of John F. and Martha Payne (Milam) Shelton, of Shelby County, Tenn., her birth occurring in that county on May 8, 1846. The names of their children are here given: Thomas Jefferson (born March 28, 1863), Laura Eudora (born August 24, 1865), Margaret Itea (born December 26, 1867), John Robert (born January 6, 1870), Charles Henry (was born on February 1, 1873, and died August 1, 1875), Mc William (was born on August 4, 1875, ) Oscar B. (was born on September 5, 1877), Albert Lee (born February 8, 1880), Mertie Velmer (born March 23, 1882, and died October 9, 1884), Vida May (born June 16, 1884, and died August 3, 1886), Burri- lah (born on February 14, 1887). Thomas J. was married to Miss Fannie Dennis, of Henderson County, Tex., on December 23, 1886, and is now

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farming in Monroe County, Ark. Laura E. be- came the wife of S. N. Trotter, and lives in Mon- roe County, Ark. Margaret Itea bore one child by her husband, J. W. Acree, but is now separated from him by mutual consent. Mr. Linder has been noted for his industry and thrift, and on com- mencing life these constituted his capital stock and well he has made use of them, being now the owner of 360 acres of land, his first purchase being only eighty acres. He has 100 acres under cultivation and makes a specialty of stock raising, his mules being of a fine grade, and he also has some very fine horses of the Tone Hal breed. Mr. Linder was troubled for some time with a scrofu- lous white swelling on one of his legs which finally resulted in the loss of that member, the operation being performed in 1879. He is a man possessing a fund of useful information and is a Democrat in his political views. Himself and wife and four children are members of the Baptist Church.

Elder Benjamin H. Lumpkin, a prominent Bap- tist minister of White County, is a son of Robert and Jane (Harden) Lumpkin, and owes his nativ- ity to Arkansas, his birth occurring May 2, 1849. Robert Lumpkin was a native of Georgia, and his wife of Ballard County, Ky. They were married in the latter State and came to White County in February, 1835, settling near Denmark, said coun- ty, where Mr. Lumpkin died in 1855. He was a Universalist in belief and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Lumpkin was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and closed her eyes to the trials and tribulations of this world in 1857. Mr. Lumpkin in his political views was a Democrat, and manifested an active interest in party campaigns. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lumpkin eight children were born, three sons and five daughters: Louisa (wife of Elder J. M. Butler, a Baptist missionary to the Chero- kee Indians), Susan M. (Mrs. Ramer, of Shelby County, Tenn.), Sophia E. (now Mrs. J. F. Burket, residing in Northern Arkansas), Benjamin H. (subject of this sketch), John (died while in the Rebel army at Bowling Green, Ky.), Noah (deceased in boyhood, in White County), Charity (wife of Thomas Simmons, a farmer of Fulton 13

County, Ark.) and Rebecca (died in White Coun- ty, Ark., in 1868). Benjamin H. passed his early life near Denmark, Ark., and received but meager advantages for an education in his youth, but is now a well-read gentleman, and conversant on all important subjects of the day. He began preach- ing at the age of twenty-nine years, and by his earnest and eloquent expounding, has made many converts to his faith. He began farming at the age of fifteen years, which he continued until he reached the age of thirty. In 1883 Mr. Lump- kin embarked. in the mercantile business in con- nection with his preaching, and has been very successful in that departure. He carries a stock of carefully selected groceries, valued at $15,000. Mr. Lumpkin was married July 19, 1870, to Ra- chel F. Ruminor, of White County, and a daugh- ter of James Ruminor. By this marriage five children have been born, two sons and three daughters: Allie F., Hayden A., Maggie A., Ben- jamin T. and Lena Rivers (deceased). Mr. Lump- kin was elected justice of the peace in September of 1888, for a period of two years, and is dis- charging the duties of that office in a manner that proves beyond a doubt his ability to satisfactorily fill that position. He is a member of the Mission- ary Baptist Church in his religious belief, and a stanch Democrat in politics. Mr. Lumpkin con- tributes liberally to all worthy enterprises, and lends his valuable support to all church, school and charitable movements. In societies he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he is a member in high standing.

Dr. J. F. McAdams, physician and surgeon, Searcy, Ark. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowledges as successful more worthy of honorable mention or whose life- history affords a better example of what may be ac- complished by a determined will and perseverance than that of Dr. J. F. McAdams. This gentleman was born in Shelby County, Ala., in 1830, and was the fourth of seven children, the result of the mar- riage of James and Sarah (Foreman) McAdams, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and Ten- nessee. The father was a planter, and when a young man went to Alabama, where he married

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Miss Foreman and settled on a farm within five miles of Columbiana, where he lived for over fifty years. His death occurred in 1867, and his wife died in February, 1889. Of their family the fol- lowing children are living: Isaac F. (resides in Dallas, Tex. ), J. F., Elizabeth (now Mrs. Edwards, of Shelby County, Ala.), Sarah (now Mrs. Horton, resides in Shelby County, Ala.), and Dr. Henry Clay (who is married and resides in Shelby County, Ala.). Dr. J. F. McAdams was reared to plantation life and secured a good practical education in the schools of Shelby County, Ala., subsequently tak- ing a three-years' course in Talladega, Ala. After leaving school he engaged in teaching, and at the same time commenced reading medicine at the Mo- bile Medical Institute, graduating in the class of 1861. After this he practiced some and in the spring of 1862 came to Searcy. He was the lead- ing physician of the county during the war, and remained at home by request. He was married in Perry County, Ala., in 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Crow, a native of Perry County, Ala., and daugh- ter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Hopper) Crow, natives of Alabama. Her father was a successful agriculturist and his death occurred in 1865. His wife died in 1876. When coming to Searcy in 1862 Dr. McAdams found the town very small, and where fine business streets now are was then un- dergrowth. The Doctor opened his office in the public square and began practicing, which he con- tinued all through the war without molestation. He is not very active in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. Socially, he is a member of Searcy Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M. To his mar- riage was born one child, Frank Waldo, who is book-keeper for F. Lippman, at Olyphant, Ark. Dr. McAdams has seen many changes since first residing here, both from an educational and moral standpoint. The customs of the people have also changed. He and Mrs. McAdams are members of the Baptist Church.

Maj. John C. McCauley, Searcy, Ark., is one of the well-known and esteemed pioneer residents of this county, having come to White County in 1851. He was born in Orange County, N. C., February 24, 1834, and was the second in a family of nine

children born to James and Mary A. (Freeland) McCauley, both natives of North Carolina. The father grew to manhood near Chapel Hill, N. C., settled on a plantation and made that his home until 1836, when he moved to Tennessee. He first settled in Fayette County, then Tipton County, and kept a hotel at Concordia, Tenn., in 1851. Later than this he came to White County, settled in Gray Township, speculated in land (being also a contractor), and erected a great many houses in Searcy. He there closed his eyes to the scenes of this world in December, 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years. His excellent wife died in 1883. The father was a member of Searcy Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., and was charter member of the same. Of their family, seven children are now living: E. J. (now Mrs. E. J. Carter, who resides in Searcy), Maj. John C., Mary A. (now Mrs. William T. Holloway, of Searcy), Martha E. (now Mrs. Joseph R. Hall, resides in Tipton County, Tenn., near the old homestead), James (is married, and resides on the father's homestead near Judsonia), Catherine B. (now Mrs. John D. Sprigg, resides at Searcy), and George C. (who married Miss Emma Black, resides at West Point, White County). The paternal great-grandfather, John McCauley, was a captain under Gen. Marion in the War of the Revolution. He was at Antrim Island in the war against England, retreated and took secret passage on a Colonial vessel, in which he safely crossed the ocean to America. He landed in North Carolina, and made that State his home. Grandfather John McCauley was a soldier in the War of 1812, and held the rank of colonel. He represented Orange County, N. C., in the leg- islature for many years, and his death occurred in that State. On the mother's side, the family was of Scotch descent. Maj. John C. McCauley was nearly seventeen years of age when he came to White County, and received his education under the tutelage of Dr. James Holmes, an able edu- cator. After coming to Arkansas he commenced studying law under Scott McConaughey, but in 1852 engaged in merchandising, which business he has since continued, with the exception of four years during the war (1861-65). He has had different

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partners, the present firm being McCauley & Son, which has continued since 1865, and carry every- thing to be found in a general store. In 1861 Mr. McCauley raised Company K, First State Guards, and entered the State's service January 1, 1861. Later he was transferred to the Seventh Arkansas Infantry, and remained there during the war. He was in the bombardment of Columbus, Ky., and was at Bowling Green and Shiloh; was twice wounded, and was confined in the hospital at Tupelo, Miss., and Blount Springs, Ala. After the battle of Shiloh the company was reorgan- ized, and the subject of this sketch was the only one of the company re-elected, and he was promoted to the position of major. He was in Farmington, took the battery and then rejoined Gen. Bragg in his invasion of Kentucky. After the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., he was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and after the battle of Missionary Ridge he was detailed and put in charge of a company to recruit men. He was captured by the Third Missouri Cavalry near Batesville and taken to the military prison at Little Rock, where he was paroled by Col. Chan- dler at the house of Mrs. Green, remained two months, and was then taken to Johnston Island, where he was exchanged on January 9, 1865. He surrendered on May 9, 1865, after which he returned to White County and engaged in mer- chandising. He has taken quite an active part in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He was deputy postmaster for many years before the war, and was postmaster under President Hayes, filled the same position under President Cleveland, and occupies that position at the present time. He has been Master of the Masonic Lodge No. 49, Searcy, for six years, is a member of Tillman Chapter No. 19, and has been High Priest and King; is also a member of the Council, having been Thrice Illustrious. Maj. McCauley was mar- ried in Tipton County, Tenn., in 1855, to Miss Eliza J. Hall, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Thomas S. and Mary Hall, natives of North Carolina. Her father was a farmer and tanner, and both he and wife died in Tennessee. They were related by marriage to Stonewall Jack-

son. To Mr. and Mrs. McCauley were born four living children: Aurora (now Mrs. Fancette, re- sides in Searcy), Charles E. (widower, and is postal clerk on the Iron Mountain Railroad between St. Louis and Little Rock), Ernest J. and James Thomas. Mr. McCauley and wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and he is deacon and Bible-class teacher in the same.

James A. McCauley, farmer and ginner, White County, Ark. Permanent success in any calling in life is largely dependent upon the energy, per- severance and enterprise of an individual, and this, together with honest, upright dealing, will event- ually bring him to the front. Mr. McCauley was originally from Tipton County, Tenn., where his birth occurred in 1842, and was the fifth of seven children, the result of the union of James and Mary (Freeland) McCauley, natives of Orange County, N. C. The parents were married in Chapel Hill, N. C., and in 1836 moved to Tipton County, Tenn., where the father tilled the soil until 1851. He then came to White County, settled at Prospect Bluff, now Judsonia, and in connection with his former pursuit, ran a steam saw-mill, one of the first in the county, and doing the grinding for several counties. In 1885 he moved to West Point, White County, and there his death occurred on December 15, 1888. His wife received her final summons in Searcy, in 1882. James A. McCauley attained his growth on the farm, received his edu- cation in the schools of Searcy, and on April 13, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Seventh Arkan- sas Infantry, as a private, for one year. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and after this disastrous engagement he re-enlisted for three years or during service, in the same company and regiment. He was in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, and at the reorganization of the company he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. This was after the last-named battle. The regiment was consolidated with the Sixth Arkansas Infantry, and Mr. McCauley was transferred to Gen. Kirby Smith. He was put in Turnbull Camp, Washing- ton, Hempstead County, for four months, drilling troops, and was then transferred to Dobbin's bri- gade, McGee's regular cavalry. He was with

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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