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 55

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 55

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I. Block, one of the prominent business men and planters, of Cross County, Ark., was origi- nally from St. Louis County, Mo., where his birth occurred in March, 1851, and is the son of Maurice and Anna (Woubilman) Block. [See sketch of Maurice Block. ] I. Block attended school at Har- risburg, in Poinsett County, until the outbreak of the war, and during those troublesome times he assisted his father in many expeditions, smuggling cotton into Memphis, and goods and provisions to the people back home on his return. During those trips they met with many adventures, and endured much hardship, but with cotton at $500 per bale, and all goods that could be brought home yielding an enormous profit, they continued this business until the end of the war. In 1866 I. Block at- tended school for one year at Wittsburg, and dur- ing the next three years he assisted his father on the farm. During 1868 he spent another year in school at Covington, Tenn., and then his father

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gave him a farm, after which for five years he was engaged in cultivating the soil, "baching it" on the farm. He was quite successful, raising a great deal of cotton, corn and live-stock. In 1875 he went to Wittsburg, and engaged as clerk with his brother, L. N. Block & Co., continuing with this firm for about eight months. At that time his fa- ther dying, he entered the firm of D. Block & Co., representing his mother's interest in that business, and continued with the same for about three years, or until 1879, when the firm dissolved partner- ship. After this he became a member of the firm of L. N. Block & Co., and the title was changed to Block Bros. & Co. This firm immediately began to do a large trade, the first year handling $85,000 worth of cotton, dealing extensively in live-stock and machinery. This firm continued in business until the decline of Wittsburg as a trading point, when they dissolved. For about two years they ran a branch store at Wynne, under the title of Block & Co., and these two stores were connected by a Bell telephone, the only one ever used in Cross County. These stores were closed out together. In 1882 Mr. Block bought 160 acres on the Helena branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad, at Wynne, and con- tinued to add to this tract of land until now he is the owner of 766 acres. In 1884 he built a saw- mill and ginnery at Wynne, and the saw-mill soon became valuable property, as the railroad created a large market for lumber, and during this time Mr. Block acquired the reputation of being the shrewd- est saw-mill man in Cross County. They sold this mill in 1888. After clearing out the commercial interests at both Wittsburg and Wynne, Mr. Block applied himself diligently to clearing his large farm adjoining the town of Wynne. In four years time he had cleared up, and reduced to a state of perfect cultivation, 400 acres, and made improve- ments on the same, which have at once placed this plantation among the highest improved places in the State. This fine piece of land adjoins the town of Wynne, and extends two miles along the rail- road, being enclosed for over two miles by solid plank fence. Along the front every twenty acres has a neatly constructed tenant house; each 40 acres has a double four-roomed cottage, and each house

is surrounded by a plank fence. This row of cottages, extending for two miles along the road, each one painted white with red trimmings, pre- sent the appearance of a street in a town. There is no plantation in Eastern Arkansas that is better im- proved, or shows better taste, or business judg- ment in improving or erecting buildings than this. In addition to this place, Mr. Block owns over 1,000 acres in all parts of Cross County, and on those tracts there are about 150 acres under culti- vation. Mr. Block now spends most of his time in looking after his extensive farms, and occupies as a residence an attractive home in the city of Wynne. This residence was constructed in 1884 and 1885, and is furnished with taste and care. He was mar- ried in 1878, to Mrs. Fannie Puryear, a widow and daughter of J. M. Levesque [see sketch], and his wife, with her many social graces, is a true help- mate to her husband, and his home-life is a pattern of domestic peace. Mr. Block has also built in Wynne a large two-story brick house, with a hall for exhibitions, and the store rooms are elegantly fitted up, and are very attractive. He has also built a number of the houses in the town and several small stores. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge.

Raphael Block is a leading merchant of Vann- dale, was born in the town of Tremblade, Alsace, France, in May, 1852, and was the fourth in a family of five children, born to Herman and Rebecca Block, the father a successful business man of the old country. Raphael remained at home attending schools, until thirteen years of age, and in 1871 determined to seek his fortune in America, and came to Wittsburg, Cross County, Ark., and engaged as a clerk for D. Block & Co., but about two years later, became an employe of G. M. Arnold & Co., general merchants of the same place. In 1874 he engaged in general mer- chandising at Wittsburg, being associated with B. Block, and they immediately began doing an ex- tensive trade, the largest in all probability that has ever been done by any one firm in Cross County. This partnership was dissolved in 1886, and our subject became sole proprietor, and in 1887 he bought the interest of J. W. Killough, of that

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well-known mercantile firm of Killough & Erwin, of Vanndale, and since January 1, 1889, has been sole proprietor of this establishment also. He has a large and well-selected stock of general mer- chandise, amounting to about $10,000, and he commands a large and constantly improving trade. He is quite extensively engaged in buying and shipping cotton, and is an enterprising and won- derfully successful young business man, and is courteous, pleasant and cheerful, a leading spirit in the commercial affairs of the county. He is quite an active politician, and is always found at the polls on election day. Socially he belongs to Arcadia Lodge No. 183, of the A. F. & A. M., at Vanndale, and he also belongs to the K. of H. and the K. & L. of H. December 28, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Hester C. (Hamilton) Perry, a daughter of J. G. Hamilton, a member of the firm of D. Block & Co. They have had five children: Herman (attending school at the Christian Broth- ers' College of Memphis), Felix, Nina, David and Mary (who died in infancy).

Joseph Block, freight agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, is a son of Maurice and Anna Block, his birth occurring in Poinsett County, Ark., in 1853. He is unfortunately a deaf mute, but has a bright mind, and is perfectly capable of filling the position of responsibility conferred upon him by the railroad company. He entered the Little Rock Deaf and Dumb Asylum at the age of fourteen years, and continued in this institution until eight- een years of age, when he began to learn the sad- dler's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years at Memphis. He then worked at his trade a short time as journeyman, and received very good wages. After this he engaged in business for him- self at Wittsburg as a saddler, but soon began and conducted a saloon under the firm title of Joseph Block & Co. for two years at the above mentioned place. In 1884 he secured a situation as express agent for the Southern Express Company, and held this position for one year to the universal satisfaction of the company and all its patrons. Later he became assistant freight agent, and in 1888 was promoted to general freight agent for the station of Wynne. This railroad company em-

ploys over 8,000 men, and Mr. Block is the only mute in their employ. He'is exceptionally brilliant, and, but for his infirmity, would long ere this have been included among the prominent business men of this section. He is moral, reliable and temper- ate in all his habits.

William M. Block, the present efficient and esteemed deputy treasurer of Cross County, and real-estate dealer at Vanndale, was born on the place known as the Bond Farm, in Poinsett (now Cross) County, about eight miles northeast of Vanndale, March 9, 1853, being the third son in a family of eight children born to Maurice and Anna (Woubilman) Block. He was educated in the com- mon schools of this county, and in 1871-72 attended the Tipton County high school, at Covington, Tenn., subsequently taking a course in 1872-73 at the University of Mississippi at Oxford. Upon his return home in September, 1873, Mr. Block was appointed deputy county clerk, under Thomas O. Fitzpatrick, which office he creditably held until the following March, when he became engaged in the livery business at Wittsburg, and the follow- ing November was again appointed deputy clerk, under James N. Dobson. In this position he served until the death of Mr. Dobson in December, 1875, at which time he was appointed deputy col- lector of taxes, under James M. Levesque, remain- ing so occupied until the following June. Mr. Block engaged in his present business as real-estate agent and abstractor of titles, in June, 1876, and has made and owns the only set of abstract books in Cross County. On May 19, 1880, he was ap- pointed clerk of Cross County, to fill an unexpired term, and also has held office as justice of the peace for six years, having been a notary public the same length of time. The abstracts of Mr. Block's are a model of neatness, by which the transfers of title, and all liens affecting the title of any property in the county can be readily found. He owns con- siderable property in this and adjoining counties, and also a fine residence in Vanndale, and has no superior as a thoroughly posted man on the real- estate of this county. Mr. Block was married on December 18, 1878, to Miss Alice Austell. They are the parents of three children.

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J. D. Block. To the thoughtful mind a con- trast between the work of the bar of the present day, and a lawyer's life journey fifty years ago in Arkansas, is something worthy of more than pass- ing interest. The great task necessarily performed by those faithful practitioners of years gone by, did not combine to form a smooth path of gentle declivity leading to a beautiful temple of justice, elaborately arranged with all the comforts and be- longings of the present. Neither is success in the legal profession now, won by lack of energy or persevering effort, in the line of this gifted calling. Mr. Block, one of the younger attorneys of Cross County, and its present prosecutor, has attained to a front rank as a member of the bar of the Second judicial district. Born in Poinsett County, Ark., he is the son of Maurice and Anna W. Block, rep- resentative people of this county, to whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. A thorough Ar- kansan by bringing up, as well as by birth, he se- cured a good common school education, which only served to fit him more thoroughly for the study of law, whose practice he had decided to make his life vocation. After a careful course he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon what was des- tined to be a remarkable experience, for one so young in years. From his majority the field of politics seemed to offer unusual attractions for him, and at an early age he was found active in local political movements throughout Cross County. In 1886 he was elected to the State legislature, and had the distinction of being the youngest member in that important body. His term of service was marked by such decided ability and fitness for the position, that he was subsequently honored by be- ing made prosecuting attorney of his district, re- ceiving the largest vote given any man on the ticket. Mr. Block has also held the office of county school examiner. His public life has already been

one to which he may refer with credit. Brave, candid, truthful, with decided opinion, his moral and political convictions have been strong and un- wavering. His manners stamp him a gentleman, and his career thus far promises to render him one of the most distinguished of Arkansas' lawyers. Mr. Block if for no other reason would be promi-

nently recognized on account of his connection with that well-known family of Cross County, whose name he bears.

Robert Lee Block, county school examiner, of Cross County, Ark., was born in 1866, about six- teen miles northeast of Vanndale, being the young- est child born to Maurice and Anna Block [see sketch]. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to Wittsburg, where he received the benefits of the schools of that place for eight years. The three following years he spent in the Christian Brothers' Institute at Memphis, and, be- ing of a studious turn of mind and very industri- ous, he succeeded in acquiring an excellent educa- tion, and graduated from that institution as an A. B. in June, 1884. His first start in life for him- self was in the capacity of a clerk in a drug store, at Jonesboro, where he continued to remain until September 28, 1884, after which he went to Spring- field, Mo., to accept a position as cashier and book- keeper for Priest & King, remaining with them until August, 1885. His next position was as bill clerk with the Springfield Grocery Company, and after continuing in their employ until May, 1886, he went to Memphis and became stock clerk for Robson, Block & Co., remaining with them until October 12, 1886, when failing health compelled him to seek change of employment. From that time until January 16, 1887, he was an employe of Buck & Trexler, at Crawfordsville, Ark., and then worked for C. O. Richards & Co., as commissary clerk on the Memphis branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad. On June 10, 1887, the work on the west end of the road was finished, and the day following he became book-keeper and clerk for William M. Block, real-estate agent at Vanndale, and with him still remains. January 12, 1889, he was appointed county school examiner, and since filling this position has striven to raise the grade of teachers and the standard of schools by recom- mending only those who hold the higher grade certificates, and the excellent education which he has eminently fits him for this responsible place. Being enterprising and ambitious to rise in the world, he, in partnership with E. L. Applewhite, on September 9, 1889, started a stock farm on a

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tract of 700 acres of land, they being joint owners of the same, which they stocked with 130 head of cattle, a one-half Norman horse, seven brood mares, four horses, two Kentucky jacks and eight mules. 4 They have recently put up twenty- five tons of hay, for winter use, besides 1,000 bushels of corn, and, as can readily be seen, are admirably equipped to keep their stock in good condition throughout the winter. They have seventy acres planted in rye, timothy and clover, for spring pasture. Mr. Block belongs to an old and influential family of the county, and has five brothers, all prosperous and intelligent men, and, like himself, are pro- gressive and enterprising in their views.

W. P. Brown, an old settler of Wynne Town- ship, is a native of North Carolina and a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Speight) Brown, who also came originally from that State. He has been a resident of this county since fifteen years of age. Thomas Brown was numbered among the promi- nent physicians of Colerain, Bertie County, N. C., and was also proprietor of one of the lead- ing hotels of that place. He came to Arkansas when a boy, but only remained a short time, when he attended the medical school at Philadel- phia, from which he graduated, subsequently set- tling in Colerain, Bertie County, and commencing his practice. He remained there until his death, in February, 1861. He was twice married, first to the mother of our subject, who bore ten chil- dren, two still living: W. P. and T. H. Mrs. Brown died in 1855, and in 1858 Dr. Brown was married to Miss Harriet Riddick. Dr. Brown was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and also of the I. O. O. F., and was a man of considerable means. His father owned 100 slaves and gave each of his four children twenty-five negroes. The Doctor was the owner of a saddle belonging to Gen. Zach- ary Taylor, and which he used during the Mexican War. W. P. Brown was born in 1846, and passed his early days in North Carolina, until fifteen years of age, when he came to Arkansas, residing with an uncle's family in this county. At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in the Confederate service and served two years in McGee's regiment. After the war Mr. Brown commenced farming his

aunt's place, where he remained until 1867, later returning to North Carolina and settling up his father's business. Coming again to this county in December of that year, he rented a farm and re- mained upon it until 1871, when he was married to Miss Laura Jenkins. After his marriage he bought a farm of eighty acres, which had some clearing, but no buildings. In 1884 Mr. Brown traded this farm for his present place, consisting of eighty acres, which was unimproved, with the exception of a house, and of this amount he now has about fifty acres under cultivation. Himself and wife are the parents of six children, all at home: Thomas, Oline, Mattie, Hattie, Paul and Porter. Mr. Brown was elected assessor of this county in 1876, in which capacity he served eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former belongs to the Knights of Honor, and is a man who favors all pub- lic enterprises.

John B. Bruner was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1844, and is the fourth of nine children, born to Daniel and Eunice (Bond) Bruner, the father a na- tive of Ohio, and the mother the first female child born in Dunkirk, N. Y. John B. Bruner was reared and attended school in Springfield, Ohio, Jamestown, N. Y. and Meadville, Penn., in all of which places his father was engaged in merchant tailoring. He acquired a good education, and at the age of sixteen years began clerking in a drug store in Dunkirk, and later served in the same capacity in Jamestown, N. Y. and Franklin, Penn. In 1860 he went to the "Hoosier State," and em- barked in the lumber business, but after a year or two returned to Jamestown and resumed clerking; after a short time he became dissatisfied with his location and went to Michigan, and served in the same capacity for a grocery firm. In 1871 he went to Memphis, and became a traveling salesman for a liquor house, but discontinued this about four years later and engaged in business for himself. After remaining there about two years he began traveling for a St. Louis firm, remaining with them seven years, purchasing in the meantime, in 1881, a farm of 200 acres, one mile north of Vann- dale; 160 acres are under cultivation, and is excel-

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lently adapted to raising cotton, corn, grass, etc. He has some thoroughbred Durham cattle, a high grade of Jerseys, and his hogs are a cross between the Berkshire and Poland China. On this farm, in 1887, he erected a fine residence, it being a two- story frame, 60x42 feet, containing nine rooms, or- namented by a number of handsome double porches, and presenting a handsome view from the road. He made other improvements in the way of build- ings, and has a fine new barn and other substantial outbuildings. His farm is nearly all under fence, and he has recently set out over a mile of hedge. He is a thoroughgoing and thrifty farmer, who sees the advantage of raising the best of every thing for his family's use, including fruit and ber- ries. With his introduction of blooded stock, new seed grains, different and improved methods of farming, the community will at least have an oppor- tunity of seeing what taste and enterprise, com- bined with skill and industry, can accomplish. In manner he is agreeable and courteous, and his wife, whose maiden name was Bettie Mansford, and whom he married on February 1, 1875, is an edu- cated and accomplished lady. She was born in Madison County, Tenn., and her father has for a long time been a well-known farmer of Gibson County, and is still residing there.

T. D. Bryant, pastor of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, of Nolton, and a man thoroughly respected by his fellow-citizens, is originally from South Carolina, as were also his parents, Joab and Mary (Stewart) Bryant, of Scotch and English de- scent. Joab Bryant was a leading farmer of his county, and though not educated was a well-in- formed and a good business man. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were married in 1831, and were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living: Louisa (now Mrs. Reid), F. A. (a Methodist minister of Texas), J. R. (also of Texas), Minerva (now Mrs. Hemphis), Elizabeth (who married F. L. Dullard), W. J., J. W., T. D. (our subject), M. L., B. W. (a manufacturer of Mississippi), G. W. (a resident of South America) and Joseph (a resident of this county). The grandfather (on the father's side), James Bryant, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Joab Bryant and wife were connected with the

Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The senior Bryant died in 1874, and his wife in 1889. He was a Mason. T. D. Bryant was reared to farm life. In his boyhood days the advantages for schooling were very limited, but by close application to study he has educated himself, mostly at home. At the age of fourteen Mr. Bryant enlisted in the Confederate service, joining the First Regiment of Heavy Ar- tillery of South Carolina, which was stationed at Fort Sumter, and in 1862 joined the regular army; was in a number of hard-fought battles, and witnessed the bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 7, 1863, and was present at its capitulation. He was captured at Smithfield, but, escaping, was recaptured the same night. Mr. Bryant served as orderly and was promoted to sergeant. While in the army he was wounded four times, once in the head by a piece of shell, again, on James Island, by a bayonet thrust into the left side, which entered between the fifth and sixth rib; then again in the knee joint and also in the arm by a bayonet. After the war he returned home and the following year moved to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming in the eastern part of the State and also taught school. In 1867 he removed to Dwyer County, Tenn., where he farmed, following this for two years, then taught for two years in McNairy County, Tenn. He returned to South Carolina and busied himself with farming and teaching for twelve years. In 1882 he removed to Alabama and in 1886 immi- grated to Arkansas, settling on his present prop- erty, which comprises 120 acres of land, with thirty-five under cultivation. Mr. Bryant was born in 1846. He has been twice married, first in 1866 to Miss N. J. Fitzgerald, of South Carolina, who died in 1871, and who was the mother of three children: George (a resident of this county), Ed- gar (a resident of South Carolina) and Elector (a teacher in South Carolina). Mr. Bryant was mar- ried the second time to Miss D. E. Fitzgerald, in 1872. They have been given seven children, all living: Lillie, Joseph, Milas, Lelier, Lulu, Thomas and Talmage. Mr. Bryant began preach- ing in 1885, three months before joining the pres- bytery, and he is the founder of the first Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as well as the

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Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Woodruff County. Mr. Bryant preaches in Cross, Wood- ruff, Poinsett and Jackson Counties, and is very active in all religious and educational enterprises. He is a Royal Arch Mason.

Archie S. Casbeer began life as a saloon keeper at Wittsburg in 1870. In 1874 he commenced clerking in the store, and in March, 1879, opened a general merchandise establishment, which he continued for three years, after which he conducted a saloon and grocery combined. In 1886 he started his present store, carrying a small stock of general merchandise valued at about $1,000. He also owns 587 acres of land in this county, and forty acres in St. Francis County. Mr. Casbeer was born in St. Francis County, October 13, 1844, being a son of Thomas M. and Martha A. (May). The former was born in Maury County, Tenn., on July 4, 1813, and was of German parentage. Thomas Casbeer, Sr., the grandfather of our sub- ject, immigrated to Arkansas in 1817, and was one of the early settlers of St. Francis County. Thomas Casbeer, Sr., was a farmer, blacksmith and proprietor of a large saw-mill. He was mar- ried September 13, 1838, and died on September 25, 1872. Mrs. Casbeer first saw the light in North Carolina, September 25, 1820, and died October 2, 1867; she was the mother of thirteen children, five of whom are now living. Archie S. Casbeer enlisted in the Confederate service in a cavalry regiment during the war, in which he served one year, and was in the battles of Big Creek, near Helena, Pilot Knob, Fort Scott, and a number of skirmishes. Mr. Casbeer is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is a strong Democrat, and has held the offices of constable and deputy sheriff. Janu- ary 7, 1874, he was married to Delana Block, a native of this county, who died June 28, 1887, having become the mother of two children, one of whom is living. She was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Casbeer has a gourd dated 1766, which was used as a powder- flask by his grandfather, T. M. Casbeer, Sr.,' at the battle of New Orleans.

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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