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 50

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 50

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political views Mr. Martin has been a life-long Democrat, voting for Greeley in 1872. He is a member of A. F. & A. M. Lodge, at Cotton Plant, of Richmond Lodge, and was once secretary of I. O. O. F., at Cotton Plant, now disbanded; also a member of Augusta Lodge No. 1122, K. of H., and he, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Rufus J. Martin is one of the many successful planters residing near Snapps, Ark., and, like the majority of them, has worked his way up to his present position through his own endeavors. He has given his attention to farming all his life, and to say that he has been merely successful would but mildly express the results which have attended his endeavors. He owns excellent farming land to the amount of 480 acres, and has 230 acres under cultivation, all his land being well improved with good buildings, fences, etc. Mr. Martin was born in Lawrence County, Ark., December 22, 1854, and is a son of Rufus and Ann (Hickerson) Martin, of North Carolina, who immigrated to Arkansas at at early day, settling in Lawrence County. About 1855 they removed to Woodruff County, and in 1873 settled in Little Rock, where they now live. The father followed farming for nearly fifteen years, and was a very extensive land holder in the State. He is president and a large stockholder of the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad, and is now in the broker, banking and real-estate business. The following are their children: Rufus, Anna, Jessie, Gustave, Susie and Raymond. Rufus J. Martin was reared in his Woodruff County, and after attending the common schools he completed his education at a well-known collegiate institute in North Carolina. Since 1880 he has been married to Florence Shish, by whom he has three children: Katie, Winfield and Willie. Mr. Martin is an intelligent and thrifty farmer, and socially is a Mason.

Dr. William J. Mathis, of the firm of Mathis & Baker, physicians and surgeons at Cotton Plant, is a native of Paris, Tenn., and was born Septem- ber 7, 1851, the son of Josiah and Angelina (Paynter) Mathis, who were Kentuckians by birth. Josiah Mathis dates his existence to the year 1816,

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his wife having been born in 1826, but when very young they moved to Henry County, Tenn., were there married, and spent the remainder of their life. Mr. Mathis was a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. Their death occurred in 1863 and 1880, respectively. Josiah Mathis was the son of Jesse Mathis, and at the time of his death enjoyed the distinction of being a prosperous farmer. Jesse Mathis, who died in Henry County, Tenn., was born on the ocean; he died in 1875, having been in the War of 1812, and with Jackson at New Orleans. His father, William Mathis, came originally from France, and died in Kentucky. Grandfather Will- iam Paynter, of Irish descent, first saw the light in the Blue Grass State, and died in Henry County, Tenn. The father of our subject was twice mar- ried, his last wife being the mother of William J. He was the oldest of six children born to their union. Educated at Caledonia Academy, in Henry County, Tenn., at the age of nineteen he began the study of medicine, and took a course of lectures in 1872 and 1873 at Nashville University, grad- uating from that institution in 1879. After prac- ticing in Henry County until 1881, he came to St. Francis County, and in 1887 located in Cotton Plant, where he has since resided, continuing his practice with marked success. In November, 1875, Dr. Mathis was united in marriage with Miss Emma W., daughter of Harry Wyms, of Houston County, Tenn. Six children have blessed this union, only two now living, a son and daughter. Dr. Mathis is conservative in politics, and voted for Tilden in 1876. He is a member of a Masonic Lodge in St. Francis County, and is Medical Ex- aminer in the K. of H. and K. & L. of H.

R. W. Murray is one of the pioneers of the early history of Arkansas, and one who has been largely instrumental in the rapid and steady growth of his adopted county. Mr. Murray is a Tennesseean by birth, being born in Hardeman County, July 18, 1831. His parents, James and Eliza (Beazel) Murray, were also Tennesseeans, and about 1845 came to the State of Arkansas, settling in Woodruff County, and resided there until their respective deaths in 1863 and 1866.

Their family was a large one, but only seven chil- dren are now living. R. W. Murray was about eight years of age when brought to Arkansas, and here he grew to mature years and received such education as the schools of that day afforded. He became familiar with the duties of farm life at a very early date, but when the war broke out he dropped all work to take up arms, and enlisted in Company A, Eighth Arkansas Regiment, serving about three years. After the cessation of hostil- ities he returned home and again took up the du- ties of the farm, and has made agriculture his calling ever since. Owing to his early removal to this State he has witnessed the development of Woodruff County into a very prosperous county. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary M. Walker, by whom he had eight children, only three of whom are now living: Lee, Addie and Stella. His sec- ond marriage took place in 1882, his wife being Miss Sallie E. Campbell, and is the mother of two children: Elmo and Edith.

W. J. O'Shields. In the township in which the subject of this sketch lives there is not to be found a more attractive farm than his, and which calls forth the admiration of all who see it. His residence, barns, outbuildings, and, in fact, all necessary conveniences, bespeak of prosperity and show that he is a thrifty farmer, and of the 500 acres of excellent farming land which he possesses there are about 225 under cultivation. This he devotes to the raising of cotton and corn, and he also raises the necessary stock for the successful conducting of his farm. He was born in Jackson County, Ga., July 23, 1833, and is a son of Jethro and Polly (Boyce) O'Shields, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Georgia. They were married in the latter State, and at the time of the late conflict resided at Resaca. In 1867 he and his family came to Woodruff County, Ark., and here he departed this life during the following year, his wife's death having occurred in Georgia prior to his coming to Arkansas. W. J. O' Shields is one of the three surviving members of a family of seven children, and was reared and educated in the State of Georgia. In 1862 he enlisted in Capt. Keith's Company and was on active duty during

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the entire war, coming out of the army with no wound or mishap of any sort. He came with his father overland to Arkansas and in December, 1869, he purchased the farm where he is now living. He was married Jaunary 1, 1876, to Paralie Amelia Thompson.

J. P. Penn, one of the foremost in the ranks of Augusta's prominent and enterprising business men, and a citizen of good repute, was born in Maury County, Tenn., October 8, 1833, and from his earliest youth has been familiar with farm work, and by his own pluck and indomitable will has acquired the property he now owns, being one of the largest real-estate holders in the county. He was sixteen years old when he came to the State of Arkansas, receiving the larger portion of his education in his native State. Upon his arrival in this county his sole possessions consisted of the trunk which contained his clothes. He immediately sought employment and hiring out to a farmer worked on a farm for some years. By strict economy he soon laid by some money, and in 1852 he began clerking for Hamblet & Penn, his brother being a member of this firm. After remaining with them two years he began clerking for Purssell & Bro., and upon this firm selling out he continued in the employ of their successor one year. He and his brother, Thomas H., then became proprietors of the establishment and the business continued under the firm name of T. H. Penn & Bro. until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1861 J. P. en- listed in the service and served the cause he es- poused faithfully until the final surrender. He clerked one year after his return home and then formed a partnership with John T. Hamblet in the mercantile business, remaining in the firm until 1882, when he sold out and engaged in the real- estate business. He was first married to Lucy Bland, by whom he had three children, all de- ceased. Again he was married, taking for his sec- ond wife, Martha H. Hall. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His parents, Philip and Louisa (Brisco) Penn, were born in Prince Edward County, Va., and removed to Tennessee during the early history of that State. Here the father's death occurred, but the mother died in Woodruff

County. To this couple were given ten children, five of whom are now living.

Capt. D. F. Price, a well-to-do planter residing near Snapps, was born in Prince Edward County, Va., November 21, 1841, and is a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Compton) Price, also Virginians of English-Irish descent, respectively, who spent their lives in their native State. The father was a tobac- conist and farmer, and was a man who possessed sterling traits of character well worthy the emula- tion of all. His father was born in Ireland, but at an early day came to America, and took part in the War of 1812, rising to the rank of captain. Capt. D. F. Price was one of eight children, only four of whom are now living: Harry, D. F., Josie and Cora. The subject of this memoir was reared and educated in Virginia, and remained with his father until the latter's death. Upon reaching the age of eighteen years he left home and went to Mem- phis, Tenn., and worked for a cotton firm in that city until 1861, when he dropped his work and enlisted in Company A, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, and served until the surrender, holding the rank of captain of his company after the battle of Smithville, N. C. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right leg by a gunshot, but fully recovered after a short furlough home. He re- ceived two other slight wounds which were of not much importance, and after the war he returned to Tennessee, and commenced farming in Gibson County, continuing until 1869, at which time he went to Fayette County, where he followed the same occupation for two years. In January, 1871, he came to Woodruff County, Ark., and now owns an excellent farm of 120 acres, with seventy- five acres under cultivation, which he devotes to the cultivation of cotton and corn. Miss A. F. Corley (a daughter of C. C. Corley), became his wife in 1872, and by her he has a family of four children: Corley G., Arthur, Cora and Otis. Mrs. Price is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. A. Reed, prosperous and exceedingly pop- ular, takes his place in the corps of Woodruff County's most eminent business men as one of the oldest merchants of Lone Grove. He is a native

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of Tennessee, being born in Murfreesboro in 1856. His father, John W. Reed, was of Scotch descent, born about 1831. He was of Virginia origin, but at the time of his death, in 1861, was a prosperous mechanic in Tennessee. In 1854 he was married to Miss Annie E. Alexander, and to them two chil- dren were born: W. A. and Ada W. (now deceased). Mrs. Reed was again married in 1863 to J. W. Bruster, of Nashville. Mrs. Bruster was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1883. W. A. Reed, the subject of this memoir, immigrated from Tennessee to this State in 1871, locating in this county. For the first four years he rented land and farmed, meeting with great suc- cess. His next business venture was a clerkship for four years with B. F. Hall, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Mr. Hall, the firm being known as Hall & Reed. After a few years (about four) Mr. Reed purchased Mr. Hall's interest, and since then has conducted the business on his own responsibility. His trade is a very good one, his yearly sales amounting to quite a snug sum. In the year of 1879 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Ellen M. Land, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Land, of this county. To this marriage four children have been born: Flor- ence M., Kenneth A., William Logan and Douglass A. (deceased). In secret societies Mr. Reed affili- ates with the K. of H., and although a young man is counted among the foremost and is one of the most successful merchants in the village. He ad- vocates and donates liberally to all public enter- prises, such as schools, churches, etc., and is respected and esteemed by all. He has a fine residence, and the sociability of himself and wife make his home a favorite place of entertainment in the community.

John W. Revel, conceded to be a very pop- ular and prosperous planter, and one of, if not the best in the county of his adoption, was born in Northampton County, N. C., February 1, 1832, and is a son of Louis and Martha (Outland) Revel, who were of English-Dutch descent, and natives of North Carolina. They immigrated to the State of Tennessee about the year 1844, and located in Shelby County, living here until their deaths, the

mother dying in 1868 and the father in 1870. John W. is the eldest son of eleven children, and from the time he was twelve years of age was a resident of Tennessee. When at the outbreak of the Rebell- ion he, with all the ardor and enthusiasm of youth, espoused the Southern cause and enlisted in Com- pany A, Eighteenth Mississippi Cavalry, but was subsequently captured, and taken to Alton, thence to Fort Delaware, being confined in prison some twenty months. After being discharged, he came home, and in December, 1865, determined to seek his fortune, turned his face farther westward and accordingly settled in Woodruff County, Ark., where he rented land for three years, and tilled the soil. In 1869 he purchased a portion of the farm which he now owns, and which then had but few improvements; adding to this from time to time, he now owns 1,200 acres, having about 550 of these cultivated and fairly improved. He has labored hard to make his farm one of the best in the county, and judging from its appearance and the amount realized from it every year, he has admirably suc- ceeded. His land is exceedingly fertile, and about 400 acres is devoted entirely to the cultivation of cotton. He has been married three times. In 1868 he married Abbie Brown, having by her one child, now deceased, and in 1873 he wedded Katie Didlake, she being the mother of one child, also deceased. He married his third wife, Mary L. Miller, in 1882, and by her has a son, John W., Jr. Mrs. Revel is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and in his political views Mr. Revel is a Democrat.

Edmond Roddy, sheriff and collector, Augusta, Ark. Mr. Roddy is now filling his third term as sheriff and collector of Woodruff County, and no man ever held the position who was better fitted to discharge the duties connected with it than he. He was born in this county (then Jackson) on No- vember 11, 1850, and is the son of Thomas B. and Elizabeth R. (Erwin) Roddy, the father a native of Spartanburg District, S. C., born in 1821, and the mother a native of North Carolina. The parents were married in Jackson County, Ark. Thomas B. Roddy was left an orphan when very young, both his parents dying the same day of

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some malignant disease, and he came with an uncle to Tennessee from his native State. In 1833 he came to Jackson County, Ark., located about four miles east of Augusta, entered a tract of land in the woods and cut and hewed logs to make a cabin. Here he opened a farm and tilled the soil for a number of years. He then purchased a second farm in the woods, three miles north of Augusta, cleared it and resided there until May, 1887, when his death occurred. The mother died in 1858. There are only two children of this mar- riage: Edmond and Morgan A. The subject of our sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits, and received his education in the log school-house of pioneer times. He remained on the farm until 1874, when he hired to W. P. Campbell, then clerk of the circuit court, now clerk of the supreme court of the State, and remained with him until his election to the office of sheriff in 1878. He served one term and was defeated on a second run. He purchased a farm, moved on it, and there re- mained for three years. In 1886 he was re-elected to the office of sheriff and again elected in 1888. He owns 500 acres of land, and has 300 acres under cultivation. He also ownes a homestead of twenty-five acres in Augusta. He was married on February 12, 1877, to Miss Beatrice Skinner. Mr. Roddy is a prominent political worker, and is a first-class citizen. He is a member of Knights of Honor, and Mrs. Roddy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Roddy spent one year at the Gulf of Mexico, on account of a slight misunderstanding between himself and Powell Clayton's militia, occurring in 1868 and 1869.

Ed. Scales, a successful merchant of McCrory, is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Tip- ton County, in 1855. His father, Dr. James Scales, was also of Tennessee origin, a prominent physi- cian in that State. He attended medical lectures in Louisville, Ky., and Philadelphia, Penn., and after graduating, was recognized as one of the shining lights of his profession. In 1860 he immi- grated to Arkansas, locating in Woodruff County, where he met with great success, building up a large and esteemed practice. In 1854 Dr. Scales

was married to Miss Jennie Whitner, and by her became the father of six children: Ed., Alice (wife of Dr. James, of Cotton Plant), Pleasant, Walter, Cornelius and Augustus. Dr. Scales purchased 160 acres of land on his arrival in the county, which has been increased to 1,200 acres. He is a member in high standing of the Masonic order, and an influential, enterprising citizen. Mrs. Scales died in 1878. Ed. Scales began life for himself in 1878, at that time engaging in mercan- tile business, in De View, but is now located at McCrory, in the same branch of trade, the firm name being Crosby & Scales. They have a liberal patronage, and enjoy an average annual patronage of about $40,000. In 1881 Mr. Scales was united in marriage with Miss Rebie Johnson, the daughter of Stephen Johnson and wife, of North Mississippi. To this union two children were born: Edwin (now deceased) and James. Mr. Scales belongs to the ' K. of H. and Douglass Lodge No. 56, K. of P. He is deemed one of the progressive merchants and citizens of McCrory, and an affable and court- eous gentleman.

John Shearer. Although America can not claim Mr. Shearer as one of her native-born citizens, De View proudly and justly claims him as one of her most prosperous merchants. He is a native of " Bonny Scotland," his birth occurring in Edin- burgh in 1840. His father, John Shearer, Sr., first saw the light of day in the highlands of Scot- land in the year 1815. His occupation was that of a ship carpenter, which he followed for a livelihood until his death, in 1852, on board a ship that was wrecked. He was married in 1840 to Miss Jane Heslop, and by her became the father of one child, John, Jr., the subject of this sketch. John Shearer, Jr., sailed from Scotland in 1844, landing in New York, and went from there directly to Mon- treal, Canada, where he remained twelve years, then traveled through several States and came to Arkansas in 1860, located in this county, and in 1870 he was united in marriage with Miss Hettie E. Brown, by whom he had five children, only one of them now living, Ruth. Mrs. Shearer was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., in 1852, and came with her parents to Arkansas, from Tennessee, in

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1861. Her father, Mr. Brown, was born in North Carolina, in 1820, and her mother owes her nativ- ity to Franklin County, Tenn., where her birth occurred in 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were married in 1844, and to them a family of eight children were born: Andrew J., William, Abigail, Hettie and Lena, the others having died in infancy. Mr. Brown died in 1879, and his wife in 1865, both dying in Augusta, Ark. They were members in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. When John Shearer, Jr., first came to this State, he worked for $1 per day on the White River levee, thien was employed by a Mr. Allen, a blacksmith of Augusta, this county. Sub- sequently he worked for Dr. Leach as chore boy and errand boy, and later for James Ferguson as a farm hand on his plantation on Cache River. At the breaking out of the late war Mr. Shearer, Jr., enlisted in the artillery service, under Capt. Mc- Gowen, of Jacksonport, Ark., in 1861. He partici- pated in all the principal engagements, serving with great bravery until the final surrender. At the close of the war he found himself penniless and almost destitute of clothing. An old boot leg served him for shoes, a crownless hat sheltered (?) his head from the weather, and the few articles that comprised his clothing were all in rags; he was indeed a picture of dispair. But possessing an unbounded amount of pluck and energy he came out all right, and in the year of 1869 he was able to engage in farming on a small scale, in connec- tion with a mercantile business at White Church. In 1873 he came to De View and again embarked in the mercantile business with a stock invoicing about $8,000, also has a store at McCrory, Ark., of about the same value. His career is an illustration of what can be accomplished by perseverance and determination of purpose. To-day he stands one of the wealthiest men in the county. He owns 880 acres of land with 260 cultivated, and owns real estate valued at $3,000, in McCrory, and $1,500 worth of property in De View. This he has accumulated by his own individual efforts, and all since the war. Mr. Shearer is a member of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., being initiated into that order in 1867, Chapter 37, Council 22, at Augusta, and

Hugh De Payne Commandery No. 1, at Little Rock. He also belongs to the K. of H. and K. & L. of H., of De View. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and though a stanch adherent to his party, is not a political enthusiast. He stands high in this community, both socially and financially, and this sketch shows him to be, what he certainly is, a shrewd financier. Mrs. Shearer is a favorite in social circles, entertains largely in her easy, grace- ful manner, and is an earnest worker in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, to which she belongs.

D. P. Shoup, merchant, Augusta, Ark. Among the enterprising business establishments of Au- gusta, whose operations are worthy of record, is that of Mr. Shoup, who is not only deeply inter- ested in mercantile pursuits, but is also one of the first-class farmers of the county. He was born in Bedford County, Penn., on August 7, 1851, and came to Woodruff County, Ark., with his parents in infancy. He was reared in Yell County of this State and received a fair education. In 1867 he went north and traveled to different points; but, finally, in 1875, located in Woodruff County, Ark., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years. In 1880 he embarked in the mercan- tile business and has since continued this in con- nection with agricultural pursuits. He owns about 1,400 acres of land, has about 700 acres under cultivation and raises a vast amount of cotton. He was married, on January 7, 1875, to Miss Elva Gulic, a native of Mississippi, and the fruits of this union are four living children: Freddie, Ida, Ruby and Charlie. Mr. Shoup is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Royal Arch, K. of H. and K. & L. of H. He has also held the position of city alderman. He is the second of three living chil- dren (William A., Daniel P. and Joseph W.) born to the union of Jonathan T. and Virginia (Pound) Shoup, natives of Pennsylvania and Mississippi, respectively. The parents were married in Pike County, Mississippi, whither the father had gone when a young man, and he died at Danville, Yell County, Ark., in 1860. His wife died in 1859. The father was a merchant and carried on this business in different places. He came to Arkansas in about 1851. He had two brothers, Abraham

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and Henry, who were born in the Keystone State. They removed to the State of Ohio, and since that time has lost all trace of them. They were owners of considerable property which was left them.

L. D. Snapp is one of the thoroughly reliable and upright business men of Woodruff County, and is said to be one of the largest and most successful real-estate owners in the county, he owning 3,000 acres with 1,000 acres under cultivation. On this property are thirty five tenement houses, all occu- pied, and his own private residence, a very hand- some structure, also a large cotton-gin which has a capacity of twenty-five bales a day. He has done more than any other one man in developing the county; and it is through his influence that a post- office has been established bearing his name, and at this place he has a general mercantile establish- ment which nets him a fair annual income. He is a man of exceptionally fine character, and noted for his exceeding liberality, always being ready to as- sist the poor and distressed. His birth occurred in Taney County, Mo., April 22, 1842, and here he received the greater part of his education and rear- ing. He abandoned farm work at the outbreak of the Rebellion to take up the weapons of warfare in defense of his country, and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry, serving until June 27, 1865. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of the company, meriting it by his bravery and was in all the engagements of the Trans-Mississippi Department. Two brothers fought with him in the army and one was killed at the battle of Glasgow. After the proclamation of peace Mr. Snapp returned to Missouri and in the fall of 1866 came to Woodruff County, Ark., where he has since made his home. He was married on March 4, 1869, to Miss Mary H. Luckenbill, by whom he has had a family of ten children, five now living: James C., Harry, Walter, Myrtle and Pearl. The parents of our subject, Harrison G. and Emily D. (Parry) Snapp, were born in East Tennessee, and in 1838 moved to Missouri, where they died. Of a large family of children born to them four only are now living.

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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