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 67

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 67

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place lower down the river. He was an extensive farmer and owned large tracts of land which he acquired after coming to Arkansas. He died in 1841 at Frankfort, Ky., where he had gone for his health. Jane G. Proctor, his wife, was also an Ar- kansan by birth, her parents having emigrated here about the beginning of the nineteenth century, set- tling below Memphis on the river. Mrs. Ferguson was a member of the Presbyterian Church and re- mained a widow till her death, which occurred in 1871. She was the mother of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom three are now living: Mrs. Kate A. Brown (who lives at Marion), Mrs. Nancy E. Lyon (in this county) and Alexan- der H. (the youngest). The latter was reared in this county where he has always lived. As school advantages were not very good hereabouts in his youth he attended school at Memphis until the death of his brother, when he had to return home and assume charge of affairs. In that position he remained up to the death of his mother, when he was married to Miss Kate Ritche, of Memphis. In 1884 he located at Marion and has since been en-

gaged in merchandising. In 1880 Mr. Ferguson was elected county clerk, and discharged the duties of that office until elected treasurer in 1884, in which position he is now serving his third term. He has always taken a great interest in the ad- vancement of education and is also a hard worker in the Democratic party. He was married January 19, 1882, and after the brief space of eight months was left a widower. His wife was a true Christian lady and devoted wife, and was a member of the Baptist Church. Alexander Ferguson entered the Confederate army in August, 1862, and had served but a short time when he was wounded at the bat- tle of Corinth, being several times hit in the body by grape-shot from a cannon. He was taken from the battlefield to a hospital at Iuka, where he had his leg amputated between the knee and ankle. He started home as soon as able to travel, coming to Memphis in a buggy, his sister, Sarah J., and Thomas Baldwin, having gone after him to the field of action. Mr. Ferguson is a competent officer for the place which he fills and is in every way worthy of the trust reposed in him.

Capt. LeRoy Fogleman, deceased, is remem- bered as a prosperous planter of Crittenden County, whose association with its material affairs proves of decided benefit to the community. He was born in this county October 7, 1847, and lived here till his death, December 24, 1879. John Fogleman, his father, was also a native of Arkansas, having been born April 29, 1813, and he lived to be over seventy years of age. [See sketch of G. A. Fogle- man. ] LeRoy was reared and received his educa- tion in the common schools of Crittenden County, where he tilled a farm, and was for a number of years captain of the steamer John Overton. After arriving at maturity he was married to Miss Sallie F. Barton, who was born and reared near Russell- ville, Logan County, Ky. She came to Arkansas with her husband in February, 1868. They are the parents of three children living and two dead. Those living are: Alice E., Carrie Lee, and John LeRoy. Fannie B., one of the sweetest of little girls, was killed by a cotton-gin when she was twelve years old and Sallie Hall died at the age of two years. Mrs. Fogleman is the third daugh- ter of eleven children, of whom seven survive, born to John and Carrie (Edmonds) Barton, num- bered among the oldest and most respected fam- ilies of Kentucky, and who are still living at Union City, Tenn. Mrs. Fogleman was reared and edu- cated in the State of Kentucky, and is not only a woman well esteemed, but one who commands the respect of all her acquaintances. She had never known what hardship and misfortune meant till the death of her beautiful little daughter, and the sub- sequent loss of her husband left her with a family of small children to care for. She has done most nobly, however, having kept up a large farm and educated those of her children that are old enough, and one daughter is a teacher in the Memphis high school, she having graduated at the Clara Conway School with the highest honors. Mrs. Fogleman has an excellent family of whom she is justly proud, and to whom she is a devoted mother. They are all active members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Memphis.

Capt. G. A. Fogleman has become thoroughly identified with Crittenden County's interests, and

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is now conceded to be a well-to-do planter. Born October 21, 1852, in this county, he is the son of John Fogleman, whose birth also occurred here, April 13, 1813. His father, George Fogleman, was a native of Europe, where he lived till about middle age, then coming to the United States and locating in Arkansas, where the village of Hope- field now stands. Here he remained but a short time, when he moved to the place where the sub- ject of this sketch lives. He improved a small farm, and, on account of the newness of the coun- try, there being more red men than white in those days, built a huge log-house to protect himself and family from danger. He was a very brave man and knew no such thing as fear. A family of five children blessed his union, of whom George, the second child, was born at what is now Hopefield, being reared on the place where his son, G. A., now lives. His father having died when he was thirteen years of age, he had to work for the small sum of 25 cents per day to support his mother and two sisters, but by diligent perseverance and economy he laid the foundation upon which he afterward erected his fortune, consisting of 2,500 acres of land and many negro slaves. He dealt largely in timber, selling logs at the mills and rafting them to New Orleans. In 1865, when the steamer Sultana, loaded with about 1,700 Union soldiers, sunk opposite his place, he, with his family and friends, rescued and saved the lives of some seventy-five men. Although a stanch Con- federate, he did all in his power to assist the per- ishing soldiers of the opposite faction. He did not himself serve in the late war, but took active part in contributing of his means and supplies to the Confederate forces. He delighted in telling the tale of having walked to Memphis on dry land from his place, which is five miles distant, and on the other side of the river. By the change in the channel of the river he did actually accomplish this feat, though it took him over twenty years to do it. Mr. Fogleman married Miss Elisabeth Trice, who was born of a most excellent family, February 28, 1821, in Kentucky, in which State she was reared. Her parents came to this State in 1842. When the late war broke out he moved to

Mound City, where he died. Elisabeth was an earnest and true Christian lady, and was devoted to her family, which consisted of eight children, and of whom two are still living, viz .: Gustavus A. and Fannie K. (now wife of R. B. Barton, liv- ing in Memphis). The mother died February 26, 1858. Capt. G. A. Fogleman, the only son now surviving, has always lived in this county. About seventeen years of his life were spent on the river as captain of the John Overton and the Mark Twain, which, after it was rebuilt, was called the Alace; he was pilot on the same boats for a num- ber of years, commencing when he was but a boy and continuing till February 1, 1889. He has a large farm, with 500 acres in a good state of culti- vation, and this now receives his personal attention. Capt. Fogleman was first married to Anna Dickey, January 23, 1878; she died August 2, 1881, when twenty-one years of age, leaving one child, LeRoy, who was born December 1, 1878, and died Sep- tember 25, 1887. Capt. Fogleman was married January 15, 1889, to Mamie T. Barton, an estima- ble lady. [See sketch of F. G. Barton. ]

John Gilmore (deceased) was, during life, the largest stock raiser in Crittenden County, having lived near Gilmore, which was named in his honor. He was born in Virginia, in 1831, and died while visiting in Texas, in 1883. His parents moved from Virginia to Missouri when he was a small boy, and he was mostly reared in the latter State, coming to this county when yet single. In 1860 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Mooring, who was born in Lexington, Tenn., in 1839, the daugh- ter of Dr. John E. and Matilda (Johns) Mooring. They also immigrated to Crittenden County in pio- neer days. Dr. Mooring was born in North Caro- lina, and his wife, Miss Matilda Johns, in Ten- nessee. The former died in Texas, the latter in Tennessee. John Gilmore was a pioneer settler in this county in early days. A successful rafts- man, a famous bear hunter, a prosperous and prominent man, whom every body liked, he was the largest stock raiser in this county, a man of sterling integrity, who did all that he could to pro- mote the interest of his country and the commu- nity in which he lived. He was a loving husband,

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an indulgent father, and a kind and considerate neighbor. His father. James Gilmore, spent the latter part of his life with his son at his Arkansas home. At the time of Mr. Gilmore's death he owned about 2,500 acres of land and 800 head of cattle. Mrs. Gilmore has now about the same amount of land and stock. She resides on the old homestead, at Gilmore, a station on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Missouri Railway, with her two children: John Q. (a young man of sterling worth and Kimmie (a beautiful and accomplished daughter). Mrs. Gilmore is a true Christian woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

John P. Hackler. In giving the biographies of the prominent men of Crittenden County, that of J. P. Hackler should not be omitted. A native of Arkansas he was born in Phillips County, July 17, 1859, being the oldest child which blessed the union of John G. and Verturia (Harkelroad) Hackler, also of Arkansas origin. John G. Hack- ler's father came to Arkansas in 1836 and settled in Phillips County. He (John G.) served in the late war on the Confederate side, under Gen. Hindman, and while home on furlough was capt- ured and taken to Memphis, then to Alton, Ill., and from there to Richmond, Va., where he was paroled in 1865. Returning home he resumed farming in Phillips County, but in 1874 moved to Crittenden County and was renting land until 1878. At that time John P. bought the farm where he now resides, and for one year Mr. Hack- ler made his home with his son, but at the date of his death, November 6, 1885, was living with his daughter, Mrs. Conlan. John P. and his sister, Mrs. Conlan, are the surviving members of their father's family. Mrs. Hackler had been married previous to her union with Mr. Hackler, her first husband being Mr. Thrailkill, and by him became the mother of five children, only one living: Emma (Mrs. Langston, residing in Tate County, Miss), Mrs. Hackler died in 1863, a member of many years' standing in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. John P. Hackler attended the schools of Phillips County in youth ; and received a practical education, being a care-

ful student, and applied himself diligently to his studies. In February, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Walker. Mr. Hackler owns 800 acres of fine bottom land with 175 under cultivation, and raises about eighty bales of cotton per annum. He also has engaged quite extensively in stock raising, in which he has met with fair success. He was elected justice of the peace, of Lucas Township in 1886; was re-elected in 1888, and is also postmaster, having held the latter office with creditable distinction for the past four years. In his political views he is a stanch Democrat, and a supporter of all worthy enter- prises, that indicate the growth of the county, and especially favors immigration.

William J. Hardin is favorably known as the present assessor of Crittenden County, as well as one of its most energetic young men. Born in what is now Lonoke County, near Carlisle, Ark., in 1855, he is the son of John and Nascissa (Perce- full) Hardin, natives of Mississippi and Arkansas, respectively. The Percefull family were among the first settlers in the section of country near Car- lisle, and Uncle Johnie Percefull is now one of the oldest citizens living in Lonoke County. John Hardin died while his son, William J., was an in- fant in Lonoke (then Prairie) County. The mother died in the same county, in 1882, at the age of forty-two years. William J. Hardin lived with his mother until grown and came to Crittenden County in 1878, where he followed farming and clerking, until being appointed deputy sheriff in 1884, which office he held to the satisfaction of all for a term of four years. In 1888 he was put forward by the Democratic party for assessor and was elected, and now occupies that responsible position. He is a man of rare abilities, and has a bright future before him, being recognized as a leader in the Democratic party in Crittenden County.

Hon. Asa Hodges. The great men of our time are self-made. Born in the ordinary walks of life, with no especial advantage above their fel- lows, and forced in early youth to labor for their daily bread, they have risen above the common level by dint of personal effort, working their way up

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the hill "difficulty," the true road to fame. The secret of their success is industry, persever- ance and integrity. Firmness of purpose, rectitude of intention, and persistence in effort are their stock in trade, to which is very seldom added the jewel genius, the uncertain brilliancy of which too often dazzles, but to mislead. Its place is, how- ever, supplied by a stock of that very uncommon article-common sense. A clear head, a quick eye, an accurate judgment, willing hands and self-reli- ance, are the true essentials to success. The great man is noted for his deeds of endurance; the man of power is known by his influence. While but a small proportion of the human family attain to po- sitions of prominence, fewer still exhibit the ability to lead the masses. To achieve the greatness of power, one needs the ability to grasp, group and generalize the facts and ideas of the times in advance of the mass, to reason out the solution of the ever recurrent social problem, and make it pat- ent to the popular mind, pointing out the path of improvement, mental, social, or physical, and in- ducing the people to travel therein, not by the force of fire and steel, but through the high and loftier process of enlightenment. He who at once informs and impels is the true hero, the king among his fel- low-men. Such a man is the subject of this sketch, such his sphere of action, such his influence, and it is indeed a pleasure to the historian of the present day to refer to a life so filled with useful- ness, so encouraging to struggling youth, and so worthy of emulation by them. Asa Hodges was born in Lawrence County, Ala., January 22, 1822. His father was Hon. William Hodges, a brave son of North Carolina, who, smarting under the would-be tyranny of the mother country, bore with his father an active share in the colonies' struggle for independence. Great-grandfather Hodges was of sturdy Scottish birth, possessed of those sterling characteristics of honesty, upright- ness and energy, that stamped him a man among men; and these noble traits have come down in a marked degree to his descendants. William Hodges, it almost goes without saying, was endowed with unusual vigor of character, and decided natural ability., A blacksmith in early life, he was

held in universal esteem as a citizen, and in 1828 and 1829 was called upon to represent his native county in the General Assembly of the State, serv- ing with a faithfulness and distinction that won for him permanent reputation. He was united in marriage with Miss Jeannette Daugherty, of Ten- nessee nativity, though her parents came originally from Nova Scotia. She attained to womanhood in the State of her birth, being married in Smith County, after which she accompanied her husband to Alabama, and there died in 1832. Firm in character and gentle in disposition, she was greatly beloved, the influence of her thorough training producing lasting impression upon the minds of her children. Of the original family of five sons and four daughters, two sons and two daughters survive. Of these Col. Fleming Hodges makes his home in Mississippi; Mrs. Townsend is a resident of Shelby County, Tenn., and Mrs. Phillips lives in Memphis. By the death of his father, in 1837, Asa Hodges was thrown upon his own personal resources at the age of seventeen. The fam- ily estate having been left in an embarrassed con- dition, he found himself face to face with the stern realities of life, never knowing much about the real pleasures of boyhood, but the very obstacles and struggles, which his self-dependent circum- stances obliged him to undergo, served to develop those intellectual and moral characteristics which in after life made him a man of influence and mark among his associates. With praiseworthy ambition he set about to acquire an education. To a young man possessing no means this was not an easy thing to do, but great determination and a "keeping- everlastingly-at-it" spirit overcame the serious difficulties which earlier surrounded him, and he passed the later years of his student life in attend- ance at La Grange College, an institution of wide repute at that day, conducted under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was, perhaps, not strange that young Hodges should have turned almost intuitively to the legal profession as a field offering the greatest inducements for his talents; at any rate he became a student of law in the office of Hon. L. P. Walker, of Florence, one of the most able and successful practitioners in Northern Ala-

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bama, under whose instruction he pursued a thor- ough course of study until qualified for admission to the bar. Upon receiving his diploma in 1848, as a regularly licensed attorney, he entered into partnership with the eminent Thomas M. Peters, afterward chief justice of the supreme court of Alabama, which relation proved mutually beneficial, and more than ordinarily lucrative until dissolved by the loud mutterings of civil war. Some years before Mr. Hodges had met and formed a pleasant acquaintance with Mrs. Caroline Chick, an estima- ble lady, whom he married April 17, 1853, Mrs. Hodges bringing to this union the culture, influence and wealth of a prominent family of South Caro- lina. Subsequently, and previous to the breaking out of the Rebellion, he purchased and settled upon a large and valuable plantation in Crittenden County, Ark., which he still owns. After locating here he was made judge of probate, the duties of which position he discharged with peculiar care and fidelity, winning unbounded commendation from his fellow-citizens, who soon transferred him to a seat in the State constitutional convention as a delegate under the reconstruction act of 1867. Following the adoption of the constitution he was elected to the General Assembly in 1868, and in 1870 was the choice of the people of his district as State senator, in which body he served as a member for a term of four years. While holding the lat- ter position, Mr. Hodges was sent as a Repub- lican to represent Arkansas in the XLIII Con- gress. Here, also, a loyal, consistent adherence to the best interests of those whom he represented at- tended his career. While there may have been no occasion for especial brilliancy of oratorical pow- ers, or momentary manifestation of personal ag- grandizement, there was always about him that quiet, thoughtful, dignified demeanor which is never without its influence. Indeed, it is well known that Congressman Hodges was a man able to do his own thinking and act upon a judgment rarely, if ever, at fault. Public service, honorably discharged, stands as a lasting monument to any man, and no words that might here be added could carry with them more power, or a greater apprecia- tion of Mr. Hodges' public efforts than the verdict

accorded him, "Well done, good and faithful ser- vant." In his private life he is all that his national reputation would indicate him to be. Considerate, thoughtful, and always courteous, is it any wonder that he is so generally beloved ? The large means given him have not been misused, as the many recipients of his open-handed charity stand ready to testify. His pecuniary success is well known. His immense plantation in this county, 3,000 acres in extent, laid out into highly cultivated fields, is a present reminder of his industry and labor, for when he moved upon it only seventy acres were cleared. Several other tracts in various parts of Crittenden are included in his possessions, some 2,000 acres of which are also worked. A 350-acre plantation in Bolivar County, Miss. (yielding a bale of cotton to the acre annu- ally), another 1,000 tract in Monroe County, Miss., and city property in Memphis also comprise a part of his wealth, a single block in the latter city being valued at $40,000. The opinion gathered by nine- ty-nine out of every 100 individuals, from a survey of his appearance, would be that he is a man of good, sound, sterling, practical common sense; not afraid of work, persistent in effort, quick in perception and temper, straightforward, sincere, a fast friend, a man with a large heart, clear head, quick eye, and honest intentions. His character is this and more. There is nothing of the hypocrite about him, and he detests hypocrisy in others. As a friend to progress he is especially liberal, and it is his great desire to see this favored section become rapidly appreciated by the outside world. The accompanying excellent portrait of Mr. Hodges is reproduced from a photograph taken while he was a Congressman, and though twenty years have spread the mantle of declining years and left their silvery imprint on his hair, they have not dimmed the honest candor of his eye, obliterated the intel- lectual cast of his facial features, dulled the activity of his mind, nor quenched the milk of hu- man kindness that has forever flowed from his generous heart. Here, in the meridian of life, happy in his domestic relations, he resides, enjoy- ing the sincere respect of all who are favored with his acquaintance.

Eng. by J.R. Rice & Sons, Phila

A. Hodges

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Ralph Hathaway, a prosperous planter and saw-mill man of Crittenden County, is a native of North Carolina, born in 1836, and is the fifth of six children born to John and Lucy (May) Hatha- way, natives of North Carolina, who moved to Shelby County, Tenn., about 1845, where they lived till their death. They were both earnest Christian workers, and members of the Baptist Church. Ralph Hathaway reached his majority in Shelby County, Tenn., and in 1856 commenced business for himself on a farm in that county, where he remained for four years, coming to Crit- tenden County in the spring of 1860. Here he pur- chased a lot of wood land and made improvements on it for two years, when he sold it, and for four years tilled a rented farm on the river in the same county. In 1867 he purchased land and com- menced to open it up, and in 1872 commenced merchandising at Mound City. He sold his farm in 1876, and when he went out of the merchandis- ing business two years later, he purchased the farm upon which he how lives, consisting of a good body of land in an excellent state of cultivation; also a gin and saw-mill attachments. He makes his home on his farm, but his family lives near Barton, Tenn. He served in the Confederate army during 1863 and 1864, and when the war ended he returned to his farm work. He was married to Eveline Carlton, a native of Tennessee, in 1856, and by this union were born seven children, four of whom are still living: Viola, Laura, Lelia and Wellington. Viola is the wife of W. O. Christie, of Dyersburg, Tenn. Mrs. Hathaway is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hathaway is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is a Demo- crat in politics.

John D. Hodges was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1842, as the son of Milton and Emiline E. (McCamey) Hodges, who were natives of South Carolina and Alabama, respectively. When John D. was six years of age, his parents moved to Pontotoc County, Miss., and settled on a large plantation. Here he was reared, enjoying the ad- vantages of good public school facilities, and when the Civil War broke out, he was attending the Union University of Murfreesboro, Tenn. In Au-

gust, 1861, he joined the Confederate army, in Company A, Forty-first Mississippi, and served four years and two months, under Col. W. F. Tuck- er, who was soon promoted to brigadier-general, LaFayette Hodges being captain. Mr. Hodges was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., by a shot in the left ear. He was taken prisoner at Selma, Ala., in the Wilson raid, and was paroled at Mont- gomery, in 1865. Going thence to his home, he remained for two years, when he moved to Ar- kansas and purchased the farm upon which he now lives. In the following year, 1868, his parents came to Arkansas, and remained for two years, moving later to Memphis, where they lived till their death, which occurred in 1878, of yellow fever. Mr. Hodges' wife was formerly Miss Ella Kennedy, who was born in Cadiz, Ky., in 1845; she is the mother of seven children, of whom the following five still survive: Grace E., Dudley T., Jesse T., Nellie A. and Annie E .; those deceased are: Mary Ellen (who died an infant) and John M. (who died at the age of three years and nine months). Mr. Hodges is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of Lodge No. 3114, K. of H. He owns a farm of 160 acres, most of which is under cultivation, and by his judicious management it yields an abun- dant crop anually.

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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