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 56

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 56

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William J. Cobb, Vanndale, Ark. The entire life of Mr. Cobb has been passed in an industrious manner, and not without fairly substantial results of success. He was born in Washington County, Ark., in 1846, was the second in a family of eight children born to William A. and Susan (Brodie), the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. The father was reared to farm life and attended school in his native State until about twenty-one years of age, when he went to La Grange, Tenn. There he attended school for about a year, and was then ordained a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church by the Tennessee Con- ference. He then began preaching on a circuit in North Alabama, and was engaged in this work about one year. In about 1838 he came to Arkan- sas, followed his ministerial duties in this State, and after a year or two was sent by the Conference of Arkansas to the Indian Nation, where he preached, and had charge of the mission schools of that Territory until about 1854. Prior to that time, about 1844, he had married in Washington County, Ark., the daughter of Ludwick Brodie, a pioneer from Middle Tennessee, to Northwestern Arkansas. After giving up the work in the Indian Nation, he was on the retired list for a year or so, and in 1857, he, with his family, went to Florida, where, after residing about a year, they came further north, and located at Trenton, Tenn., in order to educate their children. Here he followed farming, was also engaged in merchandising, con- tinuing at this until 1862, when the family returned to Poinsett, now Cross County, and settled about two miles southeast of the present village of Vann- dale. Here he at once took charge of the Poinsett Male and Female Academy, which educational institution he conducted during war times, the last session of this school being held in 1865-66. He then joined the conference, and was immediately placed in charge of the Harrisburg Circuit, preach - ing from that time until 1873, in various districts and circuits of Eastern Arkansas. About that time he retired, and soon after died from a cancer, which had troubled him for many years. W. J. Cobb was attending school at Trenton, Tenn., at the breaking out of the war, but came with his parents

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CROSS COUNTY.

to Arkansas, in 1862. In 1863, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Confederate army, and was assigned duty in Eastern Arkansas, partic- ipating in his first engagement near Augusta, on White River. He was with Gen. Price on his Missouri raid, and was in every engagement of that campaign. After that he returned with his regi- ment to Arkansas, and on May 25, 1865, surren- dered at Wittsburg. He then at once began farm- ing in Cross County, on his father's place, and here he remained until 1878, after which he went to Northwest Arkansas, and was engaged as clerk for A. A. Brodie, a merchant at Huntsville, Madison County. Here he remained four years, when he re- turned to Cross County, and again followed ag- ricultural pursuits on the old homestead. He remained there until 1887, when he moved to Vanndale, bought a lot, erected a dwelling, and has since made his home there, following the. carpen- ter's trade. In February, 1889, he engaged with Killough & Erwin as clerk in the store at Vann- dale. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Alice E. Burnett, a native of Tennessee, but who was principally reared in Arkansas, and who is a daugh- ter of John O. Burnett. Mr. Burnett was a soldier in the Confederate army, was wounded in the battle of Prairie Grove, and died from the effects. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

William H. Cole, one of the genial members of the enterprising firm of Smith, Cole & Davis, also the general manager of the three mills owned by this firm, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, being a son of Joseph and Ellen (Yost) Cole, of German de- scent, the paternal grandfather, Joseph Cole, was a hotel keeper and also owned an interest in a lumber business. He moved to Iowa, living in this State about four years, then in 1870 came to Mississippi County, Ark., where he busied himself in farming until his death, which occurred in 1872. To the parents were given seven children, five of whom are still living: William H., Clemenza E. (the wife of John J. Merrison), J. C., James' R. and Edward F. William H. Cole (whose biog- raphy is here given) was born in 1852, and lived at home with his mother until 1875, when he started

in the mercantile business at Richardson's Land- ing, Tenn., which he followed for four years, losing in this business some $10,000, after which he went into the lumber business, being very successful. In October, 1888, he removed his mill and family to this county and located near Bay Village, erected a saw-mill in charge of the firm of Cole & Davis, which

was moved from Tipton County, Tenn., where it had been operated six or seven years by said firm. They bought 260 acres of timber land and erected their first mill, which turns out annually about 1,500,000 feet of lumber, the capacity of this mill being 20,000 to 22,000 feet daily. In June, 1889, they bought the mill at Levesque, of John N. White, which has been improved and now turns out 2,000,000 feet annually. Messrs. Smith, Cole & Davis have now under lease another mill, which has about the same capacity as the one at Levesque. They also have a planing-mill connected with one of their mills. Mr. Cole was married on Septem- ber 25, 1877, to Miss Martha Isabelle Davis, and they are the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Elizabeth and John. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cole is one of the prominent men of his coun- ty, known and respected by all.

William H. Copland, a prominent and energetic farmer of Searcy Township, was born in Tennessee in 1827, and was the younger of two children, the result of the union of Thomas and Elizabeth (Huey) Copland, respectively of North Carolina and South Carolina origin. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation principally, but for a long time found employment in overseeing and railroad contracting. In 1840 he was under contract to build three miles on the Georgia Railroad, and after that he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in the last-named State, but before he had gathered the crops, sold out and in 1843 came to Arkansas. He remained in this State but a few months when he went to Memphis and there resided for one year. From there he went to Georgia, thence to Mississippi, but not finding a location to suit him he returned to Tennessee, where he bought land and remained until 1849. He then went to Memphis, and later spent a number of months in various parts of Ar-

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

kansas, settling eventually in Poinsett County, where he died in 1872 at the age of seventy-three years. William H. Copland remained with his father until 1846, when he came to Arkansas and located in what is now Cross County, where he farmed for a number of years on rented land. In May, 1859, he married Mrs. Hester Stanley (nee Hamilton), a daughter of Theopolis and Mary Hamilton, natives of Georgia and South Caro- lina, respectively. Mrs. Hamilton was born in a fort which the men protected from the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton came to Cross County, Ark., in 1836, and settled on what is now known as the Bay Road. They were obliged to go a long way to mill and endured many hardships. Mr. Hamilton bought 160 acres of land in 1837, cleared about forty acres, erected buildings and made quite a pleasant home. He did much to improve the country, and took a great interest in politics, and in fact all that pertained to the good of the country. He died in 1849. His daughter Hester, the wife of the subject of this sketch, was married first in 1837 to Mr. George Shaver, also a descend- ant of one of the old pioneer families. He died in 1846 leaving his wife with three children: Obediah, Charles and Mary, all deceased and the sons dying in the aniny. In 1852 Mrs. Shaver married Mr. S. Stanley, who died in 1859 leaving her with two children, Nancy and Leander, both of whom died in childhood, and the father and children dying within two weeks of each other. At the time of his marriage Mr. Copland had about 100. acres under cultivation, and now has another 100 acres also under cultivation. He has made many improvements, and in 1863 planted an orchard which is still the best in the county. His fine residence was erected in 1855. In 1870 Mr. Copland erected a horse-gin, which he ran for ten years, when it was replaced with a steam-gin. This he sold in 1886. He is the owner of 440 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. In 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate army, was in all the battles of Gen. Price's raid through Missouri and never received a wound. In Novem- ber, 1864, he returned home, surrendering at Wittsburg in the spring of 1865. Mrs. Copland is

a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Copland is a member of the K. of H. In 1876 he fell from a horse and hurt his leg, rendering amputation necessary, the following year. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Copland has been born one child, a son, Willie, whose birth occurred in 1861. He is living at home, and has control and management of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Copland are among the intelligent and much respected citizens of Cross County and are universally respected.

S. Daltroff, of the firm of Daltroff, Sparks & Oliver, merchants at Wynne, Ark., is an affable, pleasant gentleman, and is now at the head of one of the largest firms in Eastern Arkansas. He be- gan his commercial life as an errand boy, and rose by rapid stages, until he occupied the highest places, and was always a trusted employe. His birth occurred in New Orleans, La., August 13, 1852, and he was the youngest in a family of six children born to the union of S. and Fannie (Seelig) Daltroff, natives of France and Germany, respect- ively. The parents were married in Mayence, Germany, in 1844, and immediately emigrated to the United States, landing at New Orleans early in 1845. The father started a private school of languages, teaching French, German and Hebrew, and continued this in New Orleans until 1853, when he went to Lake Providence, La. Here he started a general store, but soon discontinued, and proceeded to Vicksburg, where they remained un- til 1861. From there they went to Memphis, and here the mother died in 1880, and the father June 29, 1881. S. Daltroff, Sr., was very talented, and from the conclusion of the war until his death, taught languages, mostly in Memphis. While in that city, and during the war, he was foreman of the cannon molding of the Confederate army, and when Memphis fell he followed the fortunes of the Confederate cause, and was located at Meridian, Miss. Here he remained until 1864, when he re- turned to his family at Memphis. S. Daltroff, Jr., was reared principally in Memphis, where he at- tended the public schools, and later the Commer- cial College of Leddins, in the same city. After leaving school he began his mercantile career as er- rand boy, and advanced with this firm until he was

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CROSS COUNTY,

made shipping and receiving clerk over the wholesale department. He remained with this firm for seven years, or until 1873, when he engaged with Low- enstein & Bros., as shipping and receiving clerk. At the outbreak of yellow fever in Memphis Mr. Daltroff left this firm, made an extensive trip through the Southern States, and in 1875 came to Wittsburg, Cross County, where he accepted a position with D. Block & Co. He only remained with this firm two months, when he was trans- ported. to the firm of L. N. Block & Co., and re- mained with the same until April, 1877, when he was admitted as a member of the firm. This part- nership lasted until 1879, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Daltroff accepted a position as book keeper for the firm of Block Bros. & Co., remaining with them until 1883, when he became a member of that firm, remaining in this company until 1886,

when it was dissolved. He then became senior member of the present firm of Daltroff, Sparks & Oliver, the successors of Block Bros & Co. This firm almost immediately removed to Wynne. where they started a large store, but this was burned out

is the finest arranged commercial building in East- building, covering 290 square feet of floor, which in 1887. After this they erected a large brick

ern Arkansas. They carry a stock of goods val- ued at $15,000, which comprises a full line of dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries and general plantation supplies. Mr. Daltroff was married, in 1879, to Miss Willie Ma-

lone, a daughter of Rev. W. C. Malone, of this

county. She died in 1886, leaving three children, all daughters: Frederica, Bettie M. and Willie Florence. In December, 1887, Mr. Daltroff mar-

ried Miss Rosa Ackerman, a native of Pennsyl-

his wife, in 1886, he sold to his partner, G. N. erected a fine residence, which, after the death of vania. On his arrival at Wynne Mr. Daltroff

Sparks. In 1888 he erected another home, which

is among the handsomest and best residences in Wynne. Mr. Daltroff is a member of the K. of P.,

Arch Mason, is a K. of H. and K & L. of H., be- Chancellor Commander of the same. He is a Royal Levesque Lodge No. 53, at Wynne, and he is

longing to John M. Hewitt and Pearl Lodges.

He is active in politics, and is a stanch Democrat.

R. J. Ellis, one of the oldest settlers of Mitchell Township, and among its leading farmers, is a native of Tennessee, and came to this county in 1856 with his father, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, remaining upon it for three years. Then he accepted a position as overseer of a large plantation owned by Jesse Cross, D. J. Burt and Maj. Wynne, a position that he held until the breaking out of the war, when he joined the Con- federate army, in Company C, of the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Richmond, Murfreesboro and a number of others. He was taken sick at Mur- freesboro and sent to the hospital, where he re- ceived his discharge and returned home. He was also shot at the battle of Belmont in the arm, by a minie ball. Mr. Ellis sold his farm in 1865, and moved to Shelby County, Tenn., where he re- mained until 1871, engaged in farming one year, and the rest of the time operating a saw and grist- mill. In 1871 he returned to Cross County, entered 103 acres under the homestead laws, and now has sixty-one acres under cultivation, with good build-

ings. Born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1833, he

is the son of William and Elizabeth (Allin) Ellis, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respect- ively, and the parents of ten children. William Ellis moved to Arkansas in 1849, and located in

this county, bought a farm of eighty acres, par- tially improved, and remained until 1865, then re- turning to Tennessee, where he died the following

year; his wife survived him until 1886. Both

were members of the Presbyterian Church. R.

J. Ellis was married, in 1856, to Miss Sophia

Burks, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, two of whom are living: W. A. and Eliza- beth (the wife of John Stephens). Mrs. Ellis died

in 1873, and Mr. Ellis married his second wife in

Mr. Ellis married Mrs. Mary Robinson (nee Mitch- lived about four years after marriage. In 1881 1875. She was formerly Miss Mollie Airs, and

ell). Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the

Seven Day Baptist Church, his first and second wives having belonged to the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the County Wheel

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

and is a strong Democrat, taking an active interest in the politics of the day.

James E. Erwin, merchant, Vanndale, Ark. In this brief outline of the life of this representative citizen of Cross County appear facts which are greatly to his credit, given as plainly as it is possi- ble to put them, and without the intention of any. thing savoring of flattery. Mr. Erwin is a mem- ber of the general mercantile firm of Killough, Erwin & Co., of Vanndale, Ark., which business was established in 1889, and they carry a full stock of general merchandise, dry goods, groceries, cloth- ing and plantation supplies. Mr. Erwin owes his nativity to Tennessee, and his birth occurred in 1849, and is the sixth of ten children born to W. F. and Lucinda (Tucker) Erwin, natives of Ten- nessee, where the father followed farming until 1856. He then came to Arkansas, settled in Hempstead County, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Poinsett County, and located near Harrisburg. He there purchased a farm of over 200 acres, cleared much of it, made many improve- ments and here died in 1872. The mother died many years previous, about 1855. James E. Erwin divided his time in youth between assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools where he received a good practical education. At the age of nineteen years he engaged as clerk after which he kept the books of a firm in Harrisburg. In the spring of 1873 he went to Wittsburg and became a book-keeper for the firm of D. Block & Co. until 1877, after which he bought an interest in the business and continued a member of the same until the firm closed out in 1879. On February 1 of the same year Mr. Erwin, with J. W. Killough, formed the firm of Killough & Erwin, and began business at Wittsburg, continuing there until Feb- ruary, 1884, when' they moved to Vanndale. In February, 1884, Mr. Killough sold his interest to R. Block, and for two years after this the firm continued as Block & Erwin. In 1889 Mr. Erwin sold out to his partner and soon started in a new store as the present firm of Killough, Erwin & Co. This firm carries a full stock of general merchan- dise, dry goods, groceries, clothing and plantation supplies. Mr. Erwin was married in 1872 to Miss

R. M. Wade, a native of Virginia, and the daugh- ter of W. H. Wade, who came to Poinsett County in 1860. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin were born three children: William F. (attending school at Searcy College), Henry Gordon, and Hugh Maitland. The family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Erwin is an enterprising business man and for years identified with the commercial interests of Cross County, and is always found at the head of all improvements of a public nature. He takes a deep interest in school matters and is at present director of Vann- dale School.

J. T. Fannin was reared on a farm in Georgia, and at the age of nineteen commenced farming for himself on a rented place, on which he remained three years, then moving to Western Tennessee, his place of abode for two years. In 1875 coming to Cross County, Ark., he rented for two years, when he bought his present farm, consisting of 320 acres of fine bottom land, with thirty-five acres under cultivation. He now has 120 acres im- proved, and on it has erected a fine residence, having lost his former dwelling, furniture and household goods by fire in March, 1889. J. T. Fannin was born in Georgia in 1844, the son of John and Eliza (Thomas) Fannin, natives of North Carolina. Mr. Fannin, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, rented land in North Carolina for awhile, and shortly after his marriage moved to Georgia, then, in 1862, go- ing to Kentucky, where he remained for two years. Returning thence to Georgia, in 1874 he went to Western Tennessee and settled in Fayette County, where he made his home for some eight or ten years, or until coming to Arkansas in 1885, and locating in Cross County, where he still lives at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Fannin took part in the Indian War of 1836, and in the Mexican War, and during the late war served in the Home Guards in the Confederate service. Mr. Fannin has been twice married, first to the mother of our subject, by which marriage he was the father of eleven children, seven of whom are still living: William (resides in Georgia), Martha (wife of A. Wadkins), Lafayette, Wylie A., J. T. (our subject), Alfred B. and J. A. (a resident of Western Tennes-

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CROSS COUNTY.

see). Mrs. Fannin was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1883. Mr. Fannin was mar- ried the second time in 1885 to Elizabeth Thomas, who bore four children. J. T. Fannin was mar- ried in 1868 to Mrs. Harriet Daugherty (nee Gar- rin). This union resulted in the birth of seven children, six of whom are living: Thomas, Amanda, Emma, John, F. V. and Alice, Mrs. Fannin died April 16, 1885. Mr. Fannin was married the sec- ond time in December, 1888, to Miss Bettie Spill- man. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Fannin belongs to the K. of H., and is a liberal contributor to all enterprises for the good of the community in which he lives.

W. A. Faulkner is a son of William and Per- melia (Mullins) Faulkner. William Faulkner, Sr., was born and reared near London, England, and emigrated to this country some time in the 40's, locating in Mississippi, and followed his trade, that of brick-mason and plasterer, until 1869, when he removed to Arkansas, settling in this county, where he entered land under the pre- emption laws. During the Rebellion, he served in the Confederate army for two years, Mrs. Faulkner died in 1859, leaving two children: W. A. (our subject) and James T. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Faulk- ner was married the second time, in 1861, to Mary Jackson, who died in 1871, leaving one child, now deceased, and in 1872 he married his third wife, Mrs. Lou Smith (nee Ellis), who is still living. To this union were given four children, three of whom still live: Robert, Lillie and Edward. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. A. was born in Mississippi, in 1855, where he spent his younger days, coming to this county with his father when fourteen years of age. At the age of twenty-one he rented a farm which he worked for three years. He then bought his pres- ent farm of 240 acres, which he works, besides one of 160 acres belonging to his wife. His farm is considered among the finest in the county, hav- ing good buildings upon it, a large orchard of some seven or eight acres and good stock. He was married, in 1879, to Mrs. Sarah Bowers (nee Auldrigh). They are the parents of two children:

I. H, and N. B. His wife has been married three times, her first husband being James Stephenson, her second Jacob Bowen, who lived only one month after their marriage, and the third, Mr. Faulkner. Mr. Faulkner is an enterprising and industrious farmer and highly respected by all who know him.

William Fountain, one of the oldest and most respected farmers in Cross County, was born in 1829 to the union of Cary and Sarah (Powers) Fountain, natives of North Carolina and of English descent, the paternal grandfather of our subject coming to this country from England. Cary Fountain was a farmer by occupation, and a slave owner. The paternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War after emigrating to this coun- try, and the maternal grandfather served in the American Navy. Cary Fountain was the father of six children, two of whom only are living: Maria (wife of Wyatt Earp, of North Carolina) and Will- iam (our subject). The latter was reared on a farm in North Carolina, his native State, and at the age of fourteen engaged in teaming, hauling turpen- tine, in which occupation he was engaged for two or three years. He was afterward occupied in clerking in a dry-goods store for some years, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for about twenty years. Mr. Fountain has been married three times; first to Martha A. Cutch- ins, who died in 1855, leaving four children, one now surviving, George A., who resides in this county. His second wife was Clara A. Parker, a native of Tennessee; she was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in 1880, leaving one child now deceased. In 1880 Mr. Fountain was married to his third and present wife, Mrs. Char- lotte T. Martin (nee Shaver). They are the par- ents of two children: Cary E. and Ernest R. In 1849 he left North Carolina for Tennessee, and re- mained there until 1860, when he came to Cross County, Ark., locating on the place on which he now resides. This then consisted of 140 acres, upon it there being a log-cabin, with ten or twelve acres of land under cultivation. He now owns 827 acres, 100 under cultivation, and raises a large amount of stock, which costs but little to keep

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

through the winter. Mr. Fountain is a member of the Masonic lodge, and holds the office of Jun- ior Warden. He was formerly a notary public of Cross County, and has held the office of constable for about six years, serving as school director for some twenty years. He is also president of the County Wheel, and is one of the prominent Dem- ocrats of the county.

Alexander Futrell, farmer and stock raiser of Vanndale, Ark. Among the influential and respect- ed citizens of Cross County, Ark., there is no one more justly entitled to representation in this work than Alexander Futrell. He was born in Northamp- ton County, N. C., in 1830, was taught the duties of farm life when quite young and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he came to Arkansas, settled in Poinsett County, where he was engaged as overseer until the outbreak of the war. He then enlisted in Company A, Fifth Arkansas Regiment Infantry, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Mur- freesboro, Chickamauga, Nashville and Franklin, and was in ten other of the principal engagements, besides many skirmishes. He was in the battle of Raleigh, N. C., and two days later surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. He then made a visit to his old home, where he spent three months, then returned to Cross County, Ark., settling on a tract of 160 acres of wild land, one mile west of the present city of Vanndale. In 1868 he married Miss Isabella F. Lewellen, daughter of James A. and Nancy E. Lewellen, after which he removed to his new home, erected buildings and made many improvements. At the end of four years he had eighty acres under cultivation and has a pleasant and comfortable home. He raises a variety of crops and can make three-fourths of a bale of cotton to the acre and forty bushels of corn. By his marriage Mr. Futrell became the father of these children: Eddie E. (died at the age of seven years), John Lewellen, James A., Blanchard W., Mary B., Gordon C., Emma M., Ernest H., Pearl. Gordon C. died at the age of six years; Ern- est H. at the age of six months. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Futrell is one of the most progressive

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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