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 47

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 47

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B. B. Conner, a so-to-speak pioneer of Wood- ruff County, and a man who, by courage and a firm determination to overcome the obstacles encoun- tered in making a home in a new country, was born in Giles County, Tenn., on March 29, 1829, and is a son of Lewis and Nancy (Preston) Con- ner, the former a Kentuckian and the latter a na- tive of Tennessee. They were married in Ten- nessee and lived and died in Giles County, where the father made the occupation of tanning and farming a means of livelihood. Four of their eight children born to this marriage, are now living: James H., Bolivar B., John C. and Mrs. Carter. Bolivar B. Conner was a pupil in the common schools of Giles County in his youth, and learned the art of agriculture on his father's farm, which occupation he continued to follow after coming to Woodruff County, in 1851. He purchased a quar- ter section of land, with twenty-one acres cleared, on which was a little log-cabin in which he settled and set himself energetically to work to clear his land, and that he has been successful will be clearly shown when the fact is stated that he now owns 1,000 acres of as good land as there is in Wood- ruff County, and has some 600 acres under the

plow. His farm is one of the finest and most val- uable in the State and is admirably adapted to the raising of all kinds of cereals. He has a hand- some residence, fitted up in modern style, and is so situated financially that he can now enjoy life. He was married, in 1854, to Eliza L. Hall, a na- tive of Virginia, and by her he has had a family of seven children, five of whom now live: Mrs. Stacy, Emerson H., Mrs. Cora McDonald, Minnie L. and John L. Mr. Conner is a Mason.

E. J. Crossett, a leading merchant and a very prominent citizen of De View, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1845. J. K. Crossett, his father, was born in South Carolina, in 1815, and was reared and educated to farm life, which occupation he never departed from. In 1836 Mr. Crossett led to the hymeneal altar, Miss Elizabeth Cupp, of Carroll County, Tenn., originally from South Caro- lina, her parents being from that State. To Mr. Crossett's marriage a family of eight children was born, six of them now living: W. R., J. J., R. B., C. M., Emma (the wife of W. A. Chaney) and E. J. They immigrated from Tennessee to De Soto County, Miss., in 1845, thence to Arkansas in 1853, locating in this county. Mr. Crossett pur- chased 160 acres of land, which he brought to a successful state of cultivation. Mrs. Crossett died in 1860, a consistent Christian and an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she was a member. In 1861 Mr. Crossett was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Corley, of St. Francis County, Ark., and to their union two chil- dren were born: Addie and Ida (the wife of J. D. Parttow). Mr. Crossett was a constituent of the I. O. O. F., and died in 1887, at his home in this county. E. J. began life for himself in 1865. His war record, though not a brilliant one, will always be remembered by him as one on which there is not a blemish, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he was earnest in the discharge of his duties. He enlisted under Capt. Wilson, in the Twenty- second Arkansas Cavalry Regiment (B), entering service in 1863, remaining until the sur- render in 1865, at Wittsburg, Ark. He then re- turned home, and for one year farmed, at the end of which time he learned and became skilled in the

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carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed until 1871. Subsequently dropping his trade, he again resumed the tilling of the soil, continuing in this up to the year 1878, at which. time he em- barked in the mercantile business in De View, remaining in this place ever since. Mr. Crossett was united in marriage with Miss Mattie McMurtry in 1870, and to their union four children were born. Mrs. Crossett was born in Tennessee, in 1853, and came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Mc- Murtry, to this county when about two years old. Mr. McMurtry was a native of Ohio, and his wife was born in Mississippi. Both died in 1878, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Crossett votes with the Democratic party. Himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a courteous, hospitable gentleman, making numerous friends, few if any enemies, and enjoys with his estimable wife, the respect of all.

Dr. F. D. Dale, physician and surgeon, of Augusta, Ark. Few men have attained more prominence in Woodruff County in a social as well as a professional point of view, than Dr. Dale, who is courteous and pleasant in all his relations to the public. He owes his nativity to Jefferson County, Ky., where his birth occurred on February 14, 1847, and was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age, receiving the rudiments of an educa- tion in the common schools, but supplementing the same by a course at St. Mary's College, at Lebanon, Ky. At an early age he began the study of medi- cine and graduated at the University of Louisiana, in 1869. The same year he commenced practicing in Augusta, Ark., and there he has remained ever since, his time being entirely devoted to the relief of suffering humanity. He has built up an exten- sive practice and is one of the first-class physicians of the town. He has one of the finest residences in Augusta, and his surroundings show him to be an energetic citizen. He has done much toward building up the country. He is president of the Woodruff County Medical Association and a mem- ber of the Railway Medical Association of Surgeons of the United States. He was a member of the town council two years. His marriage occurred in

1872 to Miss Ida Hamblet, of Augusta, and the fruits of this union are three children: Hamblet, Ruth and Pat. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, K. T., K. of H. and K. & L. of H. He is the fourth in order of birth of eight children, six sons and two daughters, born to the union of Delancey and Ruth (Caruthers) Dale, natives of Spencer County, Ky. The paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and of Irish origin, while the maternal grandfather was of German origin. Delancey Dale followed the occupation of a farmer and lived and died in his native county. The mother is yet living.

Hon. J. B. Dent, widely and officially known throughout Wood County, and a prominent citizen of Augusta, is a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., being born May 10, 1831, and is a son of James and Dorcas (Berkshire) Dent, the former a Virginian and the mother from Cumberland, Md., the marriage of the parents taking place in the former State. The paternal grandfather, John Dent, was the first sheriff of Monongalia County, W. Va., and was a captain in the Revolutionary War, his father-in-law, Col. Evans, by his bravery, also won his title in that struggle. John Dent died in Virginia, having been known throughout his entire life as a man of active and energetic habits, retaining these even in his old age. The maternal grandfather, William Berkshire, was a Baptist minister, and his son Ralph was chief just- ice of West Virginia for several years. James Dent was captain of a company of militia in his young days, and in 1835 moved with his family to Putnam County, Ill., where he made his home un- til his death, in 1883, his wife dying in 1878. Six of their eleven children are now living: Mrs. Mc- Coy, Mrs. Parrett, Hon. J. B., Mrs. Douglass (of Iowa), Mrs. Taylor (of Kansas) and S. E. J. B. Dent was put to school at an early day, and after acquir- ing a fair knowledge of the English branches, he entered Judson College, remaining here for two years. Upon starting out in life for himself he accepted a position as salesman in a wholesale house of Chicago, filling this position for two years; later was in business in Galena, where he remained also two years, and afterward spent

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some time in Cairo. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany A, First Illinois Cavalry, and was commis- sioned second lieutenant, but at the end of one year he joined the Fourteenth Illinois and was made captain of Company C. When mustered out of service was major of his regiment. He was in the battles of Lexington, Buffington's Island, Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, and was in all the battles from Dalton to Altanta, and during his war career was thrice captured, once at Lexington, in 1861, and again in 1864, while with Stoneman on his raid on Macon, and was put under fire of his own batteries at Charleston, S. C., but remained uninjured. When captured the third time he was on a train going from Charleston to Cincinnati, and was taken back and put in Libby prison. After being held in this dungeon for two months was ex- changed. In the fall of 1865 he came to Arkansas and located in Woodruff County where he met friends and decided to permanently locate. Al- though his finances were at a very low ebb he bought a farm, and is now one of the largest real- estate owners in the county, his lands amounting to about 5,000 acres, 2,500 of which are wild land, and the remainder of very fertile soil. He offi- ciated as county assessor in 1874, and for three terms held the position of county and probate judge. In 1888 he was elected on the Democrat ticket to the State legislature, and is now filling the duties of that position in a manner highly sat- isfactory to his townsmen who honored him with their votes. He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Cleveland for the pres- idency, which met in St. Louis. He was one of the men who defended Gov. Baxter and replaced him in office, acting as lieutenant from Augusta during the Brooks-Baxter trouble. During the Ku-Klux and militia times he fearlessly expressed his opinion, defended himself against both parties and assisted in protecting his neighbors from the depredations of these lawless men. The Major is a whole-souled and honorable man, and is ever ready to defend his country, friend or neighbor. He has taken the degree of Knight Templar in the order of Masons, and takes great pride in his lodge.

Capt. S. E. Dent, merchant, Riverside, Ark. This prominent and highly esteemed business man owes his nativity to Putman County, Ill., where his birth occurred, in September, 1843, and is the son of James and Dorcas (Berkshire) Dent, she a sister of Judge Berkshire, of the Old Dominion. Both parents were natives of Virginia, and were married in Monongalia County, W. Va., where they remained until 1833. Then they immigrated to Illinois, and located in Putman County, where they passed their declining years, both dying since the war. They had a family of ten children, six now living: Mrs. Nancy McCoy (in Illinois), Mrs. Emily Parrett (widow of Judge Parrett), Margaret (deceased), Mrs. Lucinda Douglass (in Johnson County, Iowa), Mrs. Gilla Taylor (in Red Cloud, Neb.), Judge J. B. and S. E. (who is the youngest of the family). The last named was principally reared and educated in Illinois, and his principal occupation in boyhood was in attending the com- mon schools and in assisting on the farm. He remained under the parental roof until the break- ing out of the war, and, although quite young at that time, he determined to enlist. Through the influence of his brother, Judge J. B. Dent, he was successful, and enlisted first in the First Illinois Cavalry. He was captured at Lexington, Mo., and about a year later the regiment was mustered out. He went to Nashville in the Sixth United States Infantry, and served until the surrender. He was captain of Company F, Sixth Regiment, at the time of the battle of Nashville. He was an in- trepid and fearless young man, and fought his way with vigor. After being mustered out he went home, and in March, 1867, came to Woodruff County, Ark., located on a farm, and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. In September, 1885, he embarked in mercantile pursuits at River- side, carries a large and select stock of goods, and also buys and sells cotton and cotton seed. He will handle about 1,000 bales of cotton this sea- son. His marriage occurred in 1873 to Miss Ella K. Darling, by whom he has two children living: Emma and Robert both attending school in Illinois. Capt. Dent was married the second time, June 1, 1885, to Miss Blanche Bancroft, a daughter of

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Judge Bancroft, and the result of this union was two children: Major and Olga. Mr. Dent is a member of the Masonic order, K. T., K. of H. and K. & L. of H. The Dent family are relatives of the Grant family. Capt. Dent has always been a Democrat in politics, and, although not an aspirant to any political office, he takes a deep interest in the political welfare of the country. He organized the first Democratic club of Woodruff, in the cam- paign of 1888, and the club is still in existence. He is a prosperous and influential citizen of the county.

J. H. Douglas, the genial and ever-popular superintendent of the F. G. Oxley Stave Company, of McCrory, owes his nativity to Wisconsin, his birth occurring in Jackson County in the year 1851. His father, Thomas Douglas, was born in Donfreece, Scotland, in 1819, and at an early age learned the lumber business, which occupation he has followed all his life. He was married to Miss Caroline S. Tyler in 1849, and they became the parents of five children, only two of whom arrived to the age of manhood and womanhood: Ruby Amanda (the wife of Dr. R. Rodgers) and James Henry (the subject of this sketch). Mr. Douglas emigrated from Scotland to Wisconsin in 1836, and engaged in the lumber business, which he car- ried on successfully for twenty-five years, subse- quently going to St. Louis, where he engaged in the same business, and thence to Walnut Ridge, Ark., still following this pursuit. He then went to San Diego, Cal., where his death occurred in 1888. His wife, who survives him, is a native of Connecticut, and was born in 1851. She is a member of the Congregational Church, as was also her husband. J. H. was married in Walnut Ridge, Ark., in 1876, to Miss Amanda J. Snow, and the result of this marriage is six boys, only three living: Bertrun Bruce, Charles Hirun and Arthur Henry. Miss Snow was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Snow, natives of Chatta- nooga, Tenn., her birth occurring in 1858. Mr. Douglas received his education in St. Louis, and commenced life for himself at the early age of six- teen years. He has represented the public corpo- rations ever since he has been in the employ of the

F. G. Oxley Stave Company, which is one of the most extensive manufacturing companies in the United States. He was first paymaster and gen- eral purchasing agent of the firm. In societies he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and is a Knight Templar, being a member of Hugh De Payne Com- mandery, also belongs to Little Rock and Walnut Ridge Chapter No. 86, and affiliates with the K. of P., Douglas Lodge No. 56, and I. O. O. F., Janesville Lodge, Ark. Mr. Douglas is a man of fine business qualifications, and is universally es- teemed. He is of pleasing address, hospitable and courteous, enjoying with his wife a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

William T. Echols, one of the leading cotton dealers in Woodruff County, and a member of the firm of Henderson, Echols & Co., dealers in farm implements, wagons and general merchandise, of Cotton Plant, first saw the light of this world in De Soto County, Miss., in 1844, and is a son of J. M. and Mary E. (Henderson) Echols. Mr. J. M. Echols was of French origin and was born in Vir- ginia, coming to St. Francis County in 1848, where he followed the pursuits of farming and real estate. His wife died in 1862. In religion she was a Bap- tist, having belonged to this church for a number of years. William T. enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Second Arkansas Cavalry, and served with Gen. Price in his raid throughout Missouri and Kansas. After the war he returned to Wood- ruff County, where he again took up farming, fol- lowing this until 1869, when he moved to Cross Roads, near Cotton Plant. He was married in 1871 to Isabella Davies (a native of Virginia, and who died in 1877, leaving two children, now de- ceased). He was married the second time in 1880 to Mrs. Mattie Blakemore (originally of Missis- sippi). Mr. Echols entered into business with the present firm of Henderson, Echols & Co. in 1875, at Cross Roads, and in 1879 removed to Cotton Plant, where they are now doing a large business, and have a capital stock of $12,000. Mr. Echols is one among the largest land owners in Woodruff County, having over 1,000 acres, with about 600 under cultivation, all of which he owes to his own industry. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and

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was appointed postmaster of Cotton Plant, holding this office four years. Mr. and Mrs. Echols are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Rolfe Eldridge, a prosperous planter of Point Township, of keen perception, prompt in business and thoroughly alive to the interests of the county, is of Tennessee nativity and was born in Shelby County, in January, 1842. His father, Rolfe Eld- ridge, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1806, and im- migrated from Virginia to Tennessee in 1830, and thence to Arkansas in 1850, locating in what is now Woodruff County. In 1820 he was mar- ried to Miss Carolina Hall, a native of Virginia, as were also her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge reared a family of nine children, six girls and three boys: Elizabeth (deceased), Harriett, Caro- lina (Mrs. Eldridge), Laura, Lucy (wife of Mr. F. E. Pope), John T., Robert and Rolfe. Mr. Eldridge, Sr., was justice of the peace for a num- ber of years in this county and was a devout mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, belonging to the same denomination, died in 1880. Rolfe, Jr., was married in 1869 to Miss Ella Wat- son, originally of De Soto County, Miss., and this union has been blessed with five children: Sam- mie, Rolfe, Robert, John, and Ella (deceased). Mrs. Eldridge died in 1880, and Mr. Eldridge was again married in 1887 to Miss Mollie Dawson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dawson, of Ar- kansas. To them one child has been given, Cora, a bright little lady. In response to the call to arms in defense of his country Mr. Eldridge en- tered the army under the command of Col. Gause. He enlisted in February, 1862, and first was in the cavalry under Capt. Hooker, participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena and Pleasant Hill, and in all the principal engagements during his service. After the war he resumed the culti- vation of his farm, which consisted at that time of 200 acres, since which time he has added to it un- til he now owns 1,500 acres, with 1,000 under cul- tivation, and finely improved, the most important crops grown being corn and cotton. He is inter- ested in the finest cotton-gin in the State, which now has four plants running with all the improved machinery. Mr. Eldridge is one of the most suc-

cessful and energetic farmers in the State, and his elegant and commodious residence, fine grounds and outbuildings all show that thrift, enterprise and refinement predominate. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic lodge and Knights of Honor.

Dr. G. B. Fakes, a prominent citizen, retired physician and surgeon, and considered one of the wealthiest planters in Woodruff County, making his home in Barnes Township, is a native of Wil- son County, Tenn., and was born in 1840. His father, William C., first saw the light of day in Kentucky about 1813, and his mother was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1816. Mr. Fakes was a well-to-do farmer, and he and wife were connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His wife resides in Wilson County, where the greater part of her life has been spent. Grandfather John Fakes is a Scotchman by birth and emigrated to America when a young man, settling in Kentucky where he married and passed the remainder of his life, working at his trade, that of a hatter. The maternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, where he married and lived for a number of years after, but his death occurred in Tennessee. Dr. Fakes is the third in a family of eleven children, and with them was reared on a farm, receiving all the advantages of the schools of that period. In 1860 he came to Woodruff County, where he took up the study of medicine, but was interrupted by the outbreak of the Rebellion. He cast aside the dry and musty volumes of medical lore, and joined the First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen as a private soldier and was appointed assistant-surgeon, serv- ing as such for two years. After the war he con- tinued his practice with marked success for some years, but retired later on, after gaining an envi- able reputation as a son of ÆEsculapius, He was married in 1863 to Miss Eleanor J., daughter of William and Mary Edmonds, natives of Alabama, but after their marriage came to Woodruff County in 1849, settling in woods which soon became an improved farm. Mr. Edmonds was an influential and very wealthy citizen, and his death, which oc- curred in 1868, was regretted by the entire com-

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munity. His wife survived him some twenty-four years, and still lives in the faith of the Methodist Church. The Doctor's marriage has been blessed with two children, only one of them living, a son. He has a farm of 1,000 acres, with about 400 under cultivation. A large portion of this farm was inherited by Mrs. Fakes, and is without doubt one of, if not the finest farm in the county, and by the careful management of Dr. Fakes it has been doubly increased in value. The county recognizes in Dr. Fakes one of the most popular and enter- prising citizens, and well worthy the respect and confidence reposed in him. He is now engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles, supplying the long-felt want of a mill of that kind in the county, and was also at one time the proprietor of a store opened on the old homestead of Mr. Ed- monds, and which was well patronized by the sur- rounding residents. Dr. Fakes is a Democrat, and is connected with several secret societies, being a member of the Seymour Lodge No. 1,268, A. F. & A. M., Augusta Lodge, also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter at Augusta. The K. of H., De View Lodge, count him as one of its members, and the K. of L. find him well qualified to dis- charge the duties of Protector of the lodge. Him- self and wife are members in good standing in the Methodist Church.

James Felker, a farmer of prominence, also stock raiser and ginner of Pumpkin Bend Town- ship, is the son of Peter and Nancy (Eaves) Felker, and was born in Tennessee, in 1822. Peter Felker (his father) was born in Tennessee, and his wife in Abbeville District, S. C. They were married in South Carolina, and soon after settled in Ten- nessee, but when James was a boy they changed their location to Cherokee Purchase, near Chat- tanooga, and there spent the remainder of their lives. After a happy marriage of nearly eighty years, Mr. Felker passed away in 1877, aged one hundred and three years, his wife surviving him until 1883, dying at the age of ninety-seven. Mr. Felker was a very successful farmer, and amassed a large fortune, but during the war became finan- cially embarrassed. He was one of the early settlers in Southeast Tennessee, and carried the

mails at an early period. He was the son of Will- iam Felker, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and while en route for home with his wife, or after getting home, was assassinated by British soldiers. Grandfather Eaves was of English descent, a farmer, and at the time of his death was living in Abbeville District, S. C. James Felker was the third in a family of four sons, all of them living as follows: William (a merchant of Franklin County, Ark.), Stephen (a farmer of Missouri) and Jesse (farmer and merchant of Georgia). They are all enterprising men, and have accumulated very com- fortable fortunes. James received a limited edu- cation, as the schools of Tennessee at that date were inferior in quality and few in number. He was married in Hamilton County, Tenn., in 1847, to Caroline, daughter of William and Polly Brewster. Mrs. Felker was born in Tennessee, and died in 1867, having borne a family of seven children, four now living: Misnier (wife of Ensley Ball), Margaret (wife of Hughey Gilluly), Jesse and Louisa. Mr. Felker was again married in 1872 to Mrs. Charlotte Guest, a native of Georgia, and born in 1833, who died in 1878, and in 1882 Mr. Felker was wedded to his present wife. She was Mrs. Adrain Hawkins, a native of Mississippi, and born in 1848, the daughter of William Worth- ington. Mr. Felker's first home in Arkansas was in St. Francis County, where he resided until the year 1869, then came to Pumpkin Bend, and set- tled in an almost complete wilderness. Of this he owned 830 acres, and has 130 cultivated, all the result of his own labor, with little or no assist- ance. He raises a great many cattle, horses and hogs, and for nearly fifteen years has run a gin and corn mill, and for a short time had a good steam saw-mill attached. For some years Augusta was the nearest postoffice and market, which made it quite a long distance to go, the journey being contemplated and talked of a long time before its execution. Mr. Felker enlisted and served about three years in the Confederate army, in Company C, with Col. McGee of Price's army. He par- ticipated in the battle of Helena, Fitz Hugh, Wal- lace's Ferry, Little Rock and all through the Missouri raid. He served as lieutenant most of

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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