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 51

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 51

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).

Francis M. Spradlin is a planter of White River Township, whose operations are extensive

and lucrative. Born in Coweta County, Ga., Oc- tober 22, 1830, he is the son of David and Sarah (Stone) Spradlin, also natives of Georgia. In the year 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Spradlin immigrated to Arkansas, and located in what is now Woodruff County near White Church, making one of the first entries of land in this part of the State. There were no improvements whatever on the land, and they camped out until they could build, their home for many years being a little log-cabin covered with clap-boards. Of the family of eleven children born to them only four are now living: Francis M., Missouri, William I. and Susan Hariston. Mr. Spradlin was a quiet, unassuming man, and lib- eral in his contributions, but many of his generous deeds were never known to the outside world. His death in 1856 was lamented by all who knew him. Mrs. Spradlin only survived her husband two years. Francis M. Spradlin was fourteen years old when he came to Arkansas, and the edu- cation that he received was given him in Georgia, as there were no schools in this county at that time. His youthful days were spent in helping to clear away the forest of his parents' new home, and in 1861 he left the quiet monotony of the old homestead to enlist in Company E, Col. Gause's regiment, serving until the final surrender. He has resided on the farm where he now lives for twenty-eight years, and his recitals of the many inconveniences and privations endured years ago, and the improvements up to the present day, sound almost incredulous. In this place are 160 acres of land highly cultivated, and he also has an interest in a tract of 240 acres partially improved. In 1872 Mr. Spradlin erected a cotton-gin, which was run with horse-power until 1885, after which he has put in an eighteen-horse-power engine, and has successfully conducted it since that time. Mr. Spradlin was first married in 1857 to Miss Amanda Hubbard, and the second time to Josephine Scott, in 1863. His third wife was Miss Martha Thomas, by whom he has one child living, Columbus. Mr. Spradlin was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Chil- dress, and to their union two children were born: Norella and Wyatt. Mr. Spradlin is a member of the Baptist Church, and has served as magistrate

315

WOODRUFF COUNTY.

for fourteen years. He is a prosperous and well- to-do farmer, and is worthy the respect and esteem shown him by the entire community.

Hon. T. E. Stanley, attorney at law, Augusta, Ark. Every life has a history of its own, and, al- though in appearance it may seem to possess lit- tle to distinguish it from others, yet the political career and experience of Mr. Stanley, as well as his popularity in his profession, have contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every individual of Woodruff County and throughout the State, if not personally, then by name. Mr. Stanley was born in Lawrence County, Ala., on October 15, 1844, and is a son of Joseph H. and Maria L. (Hill) Stanley, the former a na- tive of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia, and both of Scotch origin. The father was a planter and immigrated from North Carolina to Alabama in about 1823. He died in Courtland, that State, in 1852, and his wife died in 1871. The paternal grandfather, Jonathan Stanley, was killed near Corinth, Miss., by a robber. Hon. T. E. Stan- ley is the only one living of three children born to his parents. He was reared and educated in his native State, and there remained until the break- ing out of the war when, in June, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Alabama Infantry, and served until May, 1865. Previous to the war he attended school at La Grange Military Academy, and was but sixteen years of age when he enlisted. Al though he entered the army as a private he left the ranks as a lieutenant. On the retreat from Corinth in May, 1862, he was wounded by a gunshot through the left hand, was wounded the second time at Murfreesboro in the hip, and received a third wound at Chickamauga, where his right foot was almost crushed to pieces. He was a boy of great nerve and will-power, hardly knew what it was to fear, and his career as a soldier is one of honor and renown. He was in all the principal engagements of the Western army, and at the close of the war he returned home, where he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until 1869. In 1870 he entered Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn., and after passing a strict examination, graduated from the Law Department in 1872. The

same year he came to Augusta, opened an office, and in 1876 was elected to the legislature, serv- ing three consecutive terms. He was also a dele- gate to the Cincinnati convention which nominated Hancock and English, and was brought into the race before the Democratic convention for Governor in 1882. He is a prominent man and a bright ornament to the legal profession. He is the owner of about 1,400 acres of land in Woodruff County, with about 900 acres under cultivation; also own- ing some real estate in Alabama. Mr. Stanley was married in May, 1873, to Miss Laura McCurdy, a native of Augusta, Ark., and the fruits of this union have been three living children: Louise, Thomas E., Jr., and Joseph H.

Capt. James A. Stoker, pre-eminent among the farmers of Barnes Township, was born in Stanly County, N. C., in 1831, and is the son of David H. and Sarah (Coleman) Stoker. Mr. Stoker and wife were natives of North Carolina, where he spent his life, and was killed in that State in 1864. He was a wealthy farmer, sheriff for fourteen years, and captain of State militia for a number of years. He organized a regiment for the Mexican War, but was not actively engaged in it himself. He was a son of Allen Stoker, who was born in Rowan County, and died in Davie County, same State, a farmer, as well as a soldier in one of the early wars. His father was a native of the "Emerald Isle." Mrs. Allen Stoker was a sister of Wade Hampton (Sen- ator), thus making Capt. James Stoker a cousin of Senator Wade Hampton, United States senator from South Carolina. Grandfather Coleman was a farmer of Irish descent, and died in Stanly County, N. C. Mrs. Stoker, mother of James A. (Captain), died in Sebastian County, Ark., in 1868, a devoted mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Capt. James A. was the first in a family of five children, and was edu- cated in the common schools of his native State. At the age of eighteen he went to Texas, but in 1849 took passage on a steamer at New York for California, here spending four years as an employe in the mines of that State. He then returned to North Carolina, and in 1853 was united in marriage with Frances, daughter of Akrela and Lucinda Griffin, of North Carolina. To this union five chil-

316

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

dren were born: Robert W., Ira, Albert, Hattie (deceased) and Della. Capt. Stoker moved to New- ton County, Mo., in 1856, and there formed the first company of Confederate troops of regulars, organized in that county (Company A). He was in command of the company about eighteen months, and fought in numerous battles, among them being Oak Hill, Richwoods, Lexington, Pea Ridge, etc. At the battle of Oak Hill he entered the fray with 118 men, but after the fighting ceased, found only eleven were left of that gallant 118. After eighteen months of service, and one without a blem- ish on his record as a soldier, he resigned, and sub- sequently joined Col. Tom Livingston's Partisan Rangers. He served as a member of this staff until the death of the Colonel, which occurred in Mis- souri in the latter part of 1864. Capt. Stoker then returned to Arkansas, but soon after Gen. Price made the request that he act as special guide for his advance guard, during his raid through Missouri and Kansas, which he did and surrendered 200 men at Forsyth, Mo., at the close of the war. His family were living in Arkansas during the hostilities, but in 1865 he moved to Jackson County, and in 1867 moved to Central America. A short residence in the latter place proved to the Captain that Arkan- sas was more to his taste, so he returned to this State, settling in Woodruff County, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, with 140 under the plow, and keeps himself well posted on all subjects relative to the improvments of the day, and is in every respect a wide-awake, enterprising farmer and citizen. In his political views Capt. Stoker is a Democrat, and voted for Buchanan. Mrs. Stoker is a member of good standing in the Christian Church, and is respected and esteemed by all who know her, as is also her husband. One episode worthy of mention in the Captain's life, and which will be of interest to his numerous friends, is that of the Pool expedi- tion, in 1857. He in company with 135 men, all, except himself, from Newton County, Mo., under command of J. P. Ogden, and Mr. Pool acting as guide, started out to explore the west and north- west of the Wichita Mountains in search of the golden treasures supposed to be hidden in these

mountains. Going in the vicinity of the Blue- stone Park, they went southwest until they reached the Pigist River, then went down into New Mex- ico. While en route the guide related to the com- pany that, while lost in the vicinity of these mount- ains, in 1854, he discovered large deposits of gold. He was lost eight months, but was never able to find his way back to where he supposed he had discovered the vein. He had on his person some nuggets of gold. This party was out sixty or sev- enty days.

E. G. Thompson, of the firm of Thompson & Gregory, general merchants, Augusta, Ark. Prominent among the mercantile resources of the town of Augusta is the dry-goods trade. It is thoroughly representative in its character, being conducted with much ability and success. Fore- most among those engaged in it here are Messrs. Thompson & Gregory, who have won the confi- dence and respect of the public by their honest, upright dealing. Mr. Thompson is a native of Lewis County, Mo., born September 1, 1850, and is the son of A. M. and Helen (Waters) Thomp- son, natives of the "Old Dominion." The father was a tiller of the soil, and immigrated to Missouri with his parents at quite an early day, and died on the old homestead in Lewis County. The mother is still living on the home place. E. G. Thompson is the youngest of four sons born to his parents. When seventeen years of age he entered La Grange College, Missouri, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1871. In October of the same year he came to Augusta, Ark., studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1872, but never practiced. One year later he engaged in the real- estate and banker's business, which he has since carried on. He is agent for a great deal of land besides being the owner of about 15,000 acres of his own, with a vast amount under cultivation. He entered the mercantile business in 1883, under the present title, and has since continued. They carry an immense stock of goods and do a heavy business at all their stores, it being probably the largest business firm in Woodruff County. Mr. Thompson is a thorough business man, as is also his partner. They do a considerable cotton trade,

317

WOODRUFF COUNTY.

and besides their store at Augusta also have estab- lishments at Grays and Lone Grove. Mr. Thomp- son was married in 1872 to Miss Fannie Gregory, a sister of his partner. They have three living children: Leah C., Helen M. and Lottie L. Two children are deceased. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the K. of H. and is a very prominent man.

Judge William T. Trice is a man well versed in the lore of his chosen profession, and fully competent to discharge the duties to which he has been elected, that of judge of county and probate court of Woodruff County. He is a native of Arkansas, and first saw the light of day in Wood- ruff County, May 17, 1859, being the son of Judge Tazewell W. and Martha A. (Dunlap) Trice. Judge Trice, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1812, and his wife in Limestone County, Ala., in 1827. They were married in Mississippi in 1854, and came to Woodruff County in 1858, settling in Freeman Township, on unimproved land, where the remainder of Mr. Trice's life was spent. He was a man of an excellent English education, and began practicing as an attorney at twenty-five years of age. He was a probate judge in Alabama four years, and in 1872 was elected county and probate judge; but this election did not amount to anything, he being counted out with the rest of the ticket. He was a man of many accomplish- ments, and well qualified to fill the positions that he did so successfully. He owned a fine farm of 600 acres, on which he was residing at the time of his death, in December, 1873. The A. F. & A. M., Richmond Lodge, at Cotton Plant, counted him as one of its members for many years. He was the son of William A. Trice, who was born in England, and came to America when a young man, first locating in Virginia, but afterward im- migrated to Alabama, where he was living at the time of his death as a successful farmer. Mrs. Trice was a daughter of John Dunlap, a prosper- ous farmer, who died in Alabama. His parents were born in Ireland. Mrs. Trice is now living, and for a great many years has been a member of the Methodist Church. Judge William T. Trice, the subject of this sketch, is the fourth in a family

of six children, all residing in Woodruff County, and, with the exception of one, all married. Judge William T. was reared to farm life, receiving a good common-school education, and at the age of eighteen began the study of law, and as the result of his untiring efforts in that direction was his admission to the bar, in 1882, by Judge J. N. Cypert, since which time he has practiced with great success, being now a successful attorney of Woodruff County. In January, 1884, Judge Trice was united in marriage with Minnie C., daughter of Capt. John .R. and Elizabeth Shelton. Mr. Shelton was born in Tennessee, but came to Ar- kansas (Woodruff County) in 1854, where he oc- cupied himself with farming. He was a soldier in the Confederate army, and received the title of captain, his death occurring in 1881. Mrs. Shel- ton is still living, and belongs to the Methodist Church. as did her husband. Mrs. Trice was born in 1864. To Judge and Mrs. Trice two sons have been born, both still living. Judge Trice lived on a farm until 1887, then came to Cotton Plant, where he has a fine residence. His farm in Free- man Township is second to none of its size in the county. Its extent is 180 acres, with 100 under cultivation. This farm was obtained largely by his own efforts, but partially by inheritance. Judge Trice was justice of the peace two years, from 1884 to 1886, and in 1888 was elected county and pro- bate judge, which position he filled with honor and distinction. He is a member of the K. & L. of H., Aurora Lodge, at Cotton Plant, No. 1314, in which he is present Protector, and of the K. of P., at Cotton Plant, Lodge No. 94, is Master of Finance. He is a strong Democrat, and voted for Hancock in 1880. Himself and wife belong to the Methodist Church, in which he is steward.

P. A. Vaughan, of Howell, Woodruff County, Ark., is a native of Virginia, his birth occurring in Petersburg, in 1825. He is one of thirteen children born to Thomas and Martha P. (Rivers) Vaughan, only five of whom survive: P. A., John F., Virginia (the wife of S. Gardner, of Memphis, Tenn. ), Minerva and Robert. Mr. Vaughan served in the War of 1812, and died in Fayette County, Tenn., in 1838, his wife surviving him until 1843.

318

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

P. A. Vaughan was united in matrimony with Miss Mary Whitmore, of Fayette County, Tenn., in 1849. She died in 1864, having borne seven chil- dren only two now living: John T. and Charles E. In 1866 Mr. Vaughan was married to Miss Sallie Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Clark, of Louisiana, and eight children have blessed this happy marriage, four boys and four girls, five of whom are alive: Roberta (now Mrs. Joel York), Augusta C., Minnie, Peter A., Jr. and Martha P. Mr. Vaughan served in the late war under Capt. W. F. Cody, enlisting in 1862, and remaining on the field of action until the final surrender. After the cessation of hostilities he returned home and en- gaged in farming, which occupation he is still pursu- ing. The life of this worthy citizen presents an excellent example of what may be accomplished by energetic application and determination, for he started with comparatively nothing, and is now the possessor of 1,500 acres of land, with 500 under cultivation, being to-day one of the " solid " men, financially, of the county. He immigrated from Tennessee to this State in 1850, and purchased a small, insignificant tract of land lying in the heart of a forest, built a log-house, and began clearing what is now one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Vaughan owns the only brick farm- house here, the bricks for which were burned by him, so he knows and can appreciate the labor requisite in that work. It is certainly an elegant home, and what is better, a hospitable one, the friend or stranger alike receiving a hearty welcome by Mr. Vaughan and his estimable wife. The lat- ter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William S. Waide, an agriculturist and stock raiser of considerable prominence, is the son of William and Mary (Ray) Waide, of Hickman County, Ky., nativity, being born in 1845, and one of four children (one son and three daughters). William Waide, Sr., was born in Virginia and his wife in Kentucky. Their deaths occurred in 1846 and 1863, respectively. After Mr. Waide's death in Kentucky, the family came to Woodruff County, and here Mrs. Waide ended her days, after a wid- owhood of seventeen years. The subject of this sketch received but a meager education, as the

schools in his early boyhood days were very lim- ited; sometimes a few weeks only would be the ex- tent of his schooling for the year. Mr. Waide and a sister are the only surviving members of the fam- ily, and since 1861 Woodruff County has been his home. In 1862 he joined Company G, Eighteenth Arkansas Infantry, which was stationed east of the Mississippi river until the fall of Port Hudson, when he was captured and held a prisoner for eight days. He was then paroled, came home and fin- ished his war career in Arkansas and Missouri, be- ing with Price in his raid through Missouri, Kan- sas, etc., and finally surrendered at Wittsburg, in May, 1865. After the war he resumed his occupa- tion of farming, and in March, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Riddle, who was born in North Carolina, and the daughter of John and Cely Riddle. Mrs. Waide's parents came to what is now Woodruff County when she was only six months old (1850). Mr. Riddle was a justice of the peace some years, and a soldier in the Confed- erate army, being captured and dying a prisoner in Alton, Ill., during the war. Mrs. Riddle died in 1853, and was a life-long member of the Method- ist Church. To Mr. Waide's marriage four children have been born, three sons and one daugh- ter. In 1875 he settled in the woods on 360 acres of land, three miles east of Howell's Station, and since clearing the land has got one of the finest farms in that portion of the county, and all due to his own efforts. Mr. Waide is largely engaged in stock raising, and is a hard-working, ambitious farmer and citizen, lending his hearty support to all worthy movements for the advancement of the country. He is a Democrat in his political views, voting the Seymour ticket in 1868. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. at Augusta. Mrs. Waide is a communicant of the Baptist Church.

Dr. J. W. Westmoreland, in his connection with the professional affairs of White County, as a practicing physician and surgeon, located at Cot- ton Plant, has attained to well-deserved promi- nence. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Giles County, in 1838, being the son of Laborne and Nancy (Neale) Westmoreland. The birth of

319

WOODRUFF COUNTY.

these individuals occurred in Virginia in 1812, and South Carolina in 1807, respectively, and they were married in Giles County, Tenn., where their lives were spent, with the exception of two years in Mississippi. Mr. Westmoreland died in 1860, his wife surviving him four years. He was the son of Reuben Westmoreland, from Virginia, orig- inally, and one of the early settlers of Tennessee, where he was residing at the time of his decease. He was a descendant of the family of Westmore- lands who were numbered among the Virginia colonists from England. Grandfather Neale was born in Ireland, but came to America when a young man, and followed the occupation of farm- ing, living at the time of his death in Giles County, Tenn. J. W. Westmoreland, the seventh in a family of twelve children, was reared with them to farm life, receiving such educational advantages as were to be had in that day. He began the study of medicine at the age of nineteen, and in 1859 was graduated from the University of Nash- ville, Tenn. Subsequent to his graduation he practiced in Giles County, for two years, moving thence to Woodruff County, Ark., from which lo- cality, after a residence of seven years, he went to Alabama. In 1883 the Doctor returned to Arkan- sas, settling in Cotton Plant, where he has since lived. In 1862 he joined Hooper's Second Com- pany of Arkansas Troops as quartermaster, but soon after was detailed to furnish supplies until the close of the war. In March of 1859, Dr. Westmoreland was united in marriage with Mary A. Deaver, a daughter of James M. and Mary S. Deaver, of Giles County. Her father died in Giles County, Tenn., but his wife is now living in Woodruff County. To the Doctor's union two bright children have been born, which inherit the love of study from their father, and the charming disposition of the mother. Dr. Westmoreland owns 160 acres of land seven miles from Cotton Plant, which is in a fine state of cultivation. For some years he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Alabama, and for several years in the drug business at Cotton Plant. In his political views he sides with the Democrats, having voted for Breckenridge in 1860. He is a member of Lodge

No. 3367, K. of H. at Cotton Plant, and also the I. O. O. F. The Doctor has met with several re- verses, which resulted in financial losses, but by his untiring determination and perseverance, it is easy to see that he is not one to be discouraged or kept down.

J. C. Widener is a prosperous planter living near Augusta, and is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, which have been carefully tilled, and all the buildings put in good repair. This farm has been his home for the past thirty years, and he now has 100 acres of land under cultivation, which is devoted principally to the raising of such com- modities as cotton and corn. Our subject was born in Gwinnett County, Ga., March 30, 1840, and is a son of Littleton and Nancy (House) Widener, both of whom were born in the "Palmetto State." In the year 1857 they immigrated to Woodruff County, Ark., and here spent their declining years. The father was a blacksmith and wagon maker by trade. To these parents were given eight children, three of whom are now living, J. C. Widener be- ing the eldest. He was reared in Gordon County, Ga., and came with his parents to Arkansas, en- listing from this State in 1861, in Company B, Eighth Arkansas Infantry, and was but a short time in service. After learning the mechanic's trade he worked in machine shops for five years, assisting in making supplies for the army. Since the termination of the great struggle he has re- sided in Woodruff County, excepting the six years spent in Texas. He was married in 1866, to Lucinda C. Harris, a native of Georgia, and by her has had two children, both of whom are de- ceased. During the past fall Death claimed his estimable wife.

Dr. J. E. Woods, physician and surgeon, Au- gusta, Ark. Dr. Woods owes his nativity to Livingston County, Ky., where his birth occurred March 5, 1843, and is the son of Henry W. and Nellie (Hodge) Woods, both natives of Kentucky. The grandparents were from Virginia, and were early settlers of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Woods passed their last days in their native State. The father was a successful agriculturist, and this vo- cation followed up to the time of his death. Of

320

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

their large family of children, seven are now liv- ing, and Dr. J. E. Woods is the third eldest child living. He was reared and received a fair educa- tion in Livingston County, remained on the farm until eighteen years of age, and then began the study of medicine at Marion, Ky. He then entered the University of Louisville Medical College, and attended first course of lectures at that institution in 1863. He then graduated at Long Island Col- lege, Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1864, after which he began practicing at his home in Kentucky. In September, 1865, he came to Augusta, Ark., began practicing, and is the oldest practitioner in that place. He is a very successful physician; is of pleasing address and most agreeable manners, possessed of a mind clear, penetrating and com-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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