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 74

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 74

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Forrest City is favorably situated to become one of the leading commercial cities of the State, being fortunate in its location, with such a large and fertile region, tributary to it. This is fast becoming settled and will in a few years pour into its lap the wealth of all productions. Successful in the past the city has still before her a more prosperous future.

Secret societies of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and the Agricultural Wheel, sustain a devoted membership, and thrive in a satisfactory manner.

The residence portion of the town is beautifully adorned with numerous shade trees and flower gardens, and many of the homes in their construc- tion and beauty evidence the taste and refinement of the citizens. Most of the buildings are planned on the modern style of architecture, but not a few represent the typical Southern home. Everything indicates quiet and true domesticity, and if home . comforts can exist anywhere it is here.

That the people of this county are pre-eminently a Christian people is shown by the fact that three- fourths of the adult population, both white and colored, are members of one or another of the lead- ing religious denominations, the principal of which are the Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. In every section of the county, churches of more or less pretentions obtain always of a substantial character, and the court records indicate a very small proportion of crime, mostly misdemeanors.

The political parties are nearly equally divided

in the county. At the last presidential election, Cleveland received 838 votes, Harrison, 923; Streeter, 248, and Fisk, 10. The county is in the First Congressional district, commonly known as the "Shoe String " district, taking as it does the whole eastern tier of counties from the north to the south boundary of the State. It is also included in the First judicial district.

The circuit court meets the eighth Monday after the third Monday in August and February, the term in each case being two weeks. The county courts convene quarterly the first Monday in Jan- uary, April, July and October, the sessions being regulated in the length of their continuance by the business to be disposed of, generally, however, lasting only a few days.

Since the organization of the county the follow- ing county officers have served:

Judges: John Johnson, William Strong, Will- iam Enos, R. H. Hargrave, E. Franks, W. M. Ful- kerson, J. C. Johnson, P. Littell, J. M. Griggs, Sr., J. M. Griggs, Jr., W. J. Jones, E. Mallory, T. Pearce, G. W. Laughinghouse, L. Finley, R. T. Scott, W. H. Coffey.

County Clerks: Andrew Roane, S. Crouch, Isaac Mitchell, R. H. Hargrave, J. M. Parrott, G. B. Michie, H. Halbert, W. Becker, W. H. Wills, H. C. Davis, J. M. Stewart, T. O. Fitzpat- rick.

Sheriffs: William Strong, T. J. Curl, J. M. Halbert, William Dunn, G. V. C. Johnson, G. B. Michie, G. W. Seaborn, J. R. Gurley, John Par- ham, W. J. Matthews and D. M. Wilson.

The school system here is on a firm basis and the means for acquiring good common-school in- struction are within reach of all, white and colored. There are in the county thirty-one organized school districts, two schools being conducted in each district, one for the white and one for the col- ored children. The value of school property ex- clusive of real estate is $15,000, and the amount expended for the employment of teachers for the past year reaches to about $16,635.06. The total school population last year was 4,871. Each dis- trict votes the full amount allowed by law for school purposes and there is an increasing interest

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manifested by all in the cause of education. There are now twenty eight good commodious school- houses in the county.

In concluding this reference to St. Francis it is well to add that in the destruction of the records containing the official history serious disadvantages have been met with in the compilation of this sketch, rendering it necessary to depend almost wholly on personal recollections and reminiscences. These, of course, are more or less faulty and conflicting, hu- man memory varying with the lapse of years. In- tercourse with the people has been of the most agreeable and satisfactory nature and all have been ready and willing to impart such information as they possessed. The undeveloped wealth of this county, with its many other natural advan- tages, combine to offer a most favorable field for individuals contemplating a change of residence.

John J. Ables, proprietor of one of the lead- ing groceries of Colt, is a native of this county, and when a boy worked on his father's farm, at- tending school at intervals; although not regular in attendance, he being a bright scholar and will- ing to learn, received a fair common-school educa- tion. In May, 1861, at the age of seventeen, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Com- pany B, Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Govan's brig- ade, Pat Cleburne's division, Hardee's and Cheat- ham's corps of the Army of the Tennessee, com- manded by Beauregard, Albert Sidney Johnston, Braxton Bragg, Joseph E. Johnston and J. B. Hood, of Texas. Mr. Able's career as a soldier led him through many different battles-Chicka- mauga, Murfreesboro, Franklin, from Bowling Green, Ky., to Bentonville, N. C., via Nashville, Chattanooga and Dalton down the railroad and State line to Atlanta, thence to Jonesboro via Au- gusta, Ga., back to Bentonville. He fought the last battle under Johnston at that place, that fa- mous general then falling back to Greensboro, N. C., where he surrendered. Mr. Ables took his chances for his home in Arkansas, and was in all the engagements of that march, soldiering through East Tennessee, around Knoxville, on Clinch

River, at Clinton, with Bragg through Cumberland Gap to Kentucky. He was wounded in the right hand, losing his little finger, which, though a small and seemingly unimportant member, necessi- tated his absence from active duty for three months. He served throughout the war, and took an active part in every battle of his division in the Mississippi Valley, with the exception of those dur- ing the three months of his disability. Returning home in May, 1865, Mr. Ables was married the fol- lowing August to Miss Mary A. Stutts. They are the parents of eight children, all of whom are liv- ing: Cora Belle, John W., Willis R., Anna C., Micager C., Samuel, James D. and Emma Lou. Following his matrimonial venture Mr. Ables en- gaged in farming, and now has a nicely improved farm of 160 acres. He was born in 1844, being the son of M. C. and Jane C. (Moore) Ables, na- tives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. M. C. Ables came to Arkansas in 1828, and settled in this county at a time when there were but few families in the locality. Here he bought a farm of 320 acres, on which he lived until the time of his death, with the exception of a year or two dur- ing his residence in Wittsburg, and also while in the Mexican War. In 1887 our subject sold out his farming interests and came to Colt Station, em- barking in the grocery business, in which he is still engaged. In this he has been very successful. He held the office of constable of his township be- fore moving to Colt, and was also justice of the peace for ten years, and has now a commission as notary public. Mr. Ables is a stanch Democrat and a member of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor.

J. L. Adare, a native of Northern Alabama, is a son of Samuel W. and Mary J. (Freeze) Adare, who also came originally from that State, the father being of French descent, and the mother of Irish ancestry. J. L. Adare assisted his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when he was engaged in clerking for about four years. In 1879 he came to Arkansas and located in St. Francis County, gave his attention to farming the first year, and the following year entered the employ of Mr. Vital Lesca, as clerk, and is now at the head

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of the business. Mr. Adare was born in Madison County, Ala., on December 27, 1850, and was married on September 8, 1889, to Mrs. Delia Lesca, widow of his former employer, and a daughter of Stephen Snowden, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Adare is a member of the K. of H., and is a well- known citizen and highly respected.

William E. Allen, active in the agricultural affairs of this county, was born in St. Francis County, Ark., being the son of William and Eliza L. (Oliver) Allen, natives of Louisiana, and Ar- kansas, respectively. The former began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, and now owns 261 acres of valuable land, with 100 acres carefully improved and cultivated. Aside from his many farming interests, he is engaged in stock raising, making a success of that branch as with everything else. In 1877 Mr. Allen was married to Miss Flora L. Beazley, who died in 1884, leav- ing one child, Mary A. In 1888 Miss Ella E. Gray, a daughter of William F. and Sarah E. Gray, became his present wife. To their union one child has been born, Willie L. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members in high standing of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South, and the former is a Democrat in his political views. He contributes liberally to all public enterprises, and is held in high esteem by the entire community.

W. H. Alley, M. D., in his connection with the professional affairs of this community has attained a well-deserved prominence. Born in Mississippi, in 1861, he passed his boyhood days in the com- mon schools of that State, obtaining a practical ed- ucation, and manifesting at an early age an unus- ually bright mind. At the age of fourteen he was at the head of classes in which the majority were many years his senior. When seventeen years old he commenced the study of medicine under a tutor, and in 1879, entering the Vanderbilt University, was graduated from the Medical Department of that institution in March, 1881. He first located in his home, in Mississippi, where he practiced with success for two years, but later became located at Lewisburg, Miss., for one year, and then in Belle- vue, Miss., where he remained until 1888. Dr. Alley then came to Arkansas and settled in Forrest

City, and though only a few years have elapsed since his entrance, he has built up a practice of which others of more advanced years and expe- rience might well feel proud. Dr. Alley's wife was formerly Miss Emma L. Cobbs, daughter of Paul M. Cobbs, State and land commissioner of Arkan- sas. To their union one interesting little daughter has been born, Mary. The Doctor owns an attract- ive home, which is furnished in excellent taste, and three valuable farms. He is a Democrat in his po- litical views, a member of the K. of P. and prom- inently identified with the County Medical Society. J. H. and Ophelia (McCombs) Alley, his parents, were natives of Tennessee. The father followed merchandising in Byhalia, Miss., nearly all his life, but in 1884 came to Arkansas and is now en- gaged in operating a large plantation. Mrs. Alley is still living, and is of Scotch and Irish descent. The paternal grandfather was born in Virginia and the maternal grandfather, N. H. McCombs, came originally from North Carolina, spending the great- er portion of his life in Mississippi, where he died at the age of seventy-three years. The maternal grandmother's name was Reid; she was directly descended from the Scotch and Irish.

Mrs. Margret E. Anderson. On the first day of January, 1839, was born in St. Francis County the subject of this sketch. Her father, Alfred K. Houston, first saw the light of this world in South Carolina, December 21, 1814, and came to Arkan- sas with his parents at the age of five years, who settled in St. Francis County, Ark., where he was reared, and followed the occupation of a farmer, dying in this county in March, 1879. He was married to Miss Sallie Evans, of North Carolina origin, who came to Arkansas when a girl, and who departed this life in 1860. The issue of this union was seven children, four of whom are living: Margret E. (the principal of this sketch), Wellman C. (a farmer of this county), Hiram (living in this county, whose sketch is given elsewhere), Fran- cis M. (also a resident of this county). Mrs. An- derson has been twice married, and is now a widow, her second husband dying some ten years ago. Her first marriage, on June 20, 1855, was to Aaron M. Hughes, of Georgian birth, and who died May

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18, 1862; by this marriage were two sons, only one of whom is living, Wellman T., born Novem- ber 15, 1860. She married again on June 20, 1867, to Robert Anderson, of South Carolina, and a son of Robert and Lucy (Beazley) Anderson, who died February 20, 1879. Four children were given to them, three of whom are still living: Sarah L., Robert K. and Nancy E. Of her husbands it can be said they were honest, industrious farmers, who succeeded in life and laid up some property for those who were dependent on them, and merited the great respect shown them. Mrs. Anderson is now living on her magnificent farm, situated on the banks of the St. Francis River, and in connec- tion with this, owns a half-interest in 560 acres of valuable land, also the homestead, 115 acres. Her son, William T. Hughes, a model and rising young farmer, has the affairs of the farm under his super- vision, and is making a decided success of it, and they have a happy home, wherein dwells ease, comfort and plenty. Mrs. Anderson is a member of and worships with the Methodist Episcopal Church. William T. Hughes is a member of the Knights of Honor.

Samuel D. Apperson, the present popular and capable assessor of St. Francis County, was born in Marshall County, Miss., near Holly Springs, February 22, 1853, being the son of W. T. and Martha (Howes) Apperson, originally from Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The parents had a family of six children, three now living, of whom Samuel D. is the third in order of birth. The lat- ter accompanied his parents to Arkansas when quite young, and having settled near Forrest City before the present site was located, can justly be deemed a pioneer of the community. He remained here until 1873, attending the schools of the county, and then drove stock over the States of Tennessee, Indiana and Mississippi. In 1875 he returned home and came to Forrest City, where he conducted a general freight and dray business until 1880. His fitness for the position becoming recog- nized, he was elected marshal of Forrest City and served two terms of one year each. In 1886 he accepted the superintendency of trestle work on the Bald Knob Railroad from Bald Knob to Mem-

phis, receiving a salary of $115 per month. Re- turning to Forrest City he found employment awaiting him as farm superintendent, which posi- tion he held for one year. Mr. Apperson was then elected county assessor to fill a vacancy, and is now discharging the manifold duties of that office in a highly creditable manner. He is a member of the K. of H. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and a Democrat in his political views. He is of French descent, his grandfather having been a native of France. Mr. Apperson is progressive in his ideas, and many improvements in the city owe their exist- ence to his liberal support and hearty co-operation.

Edward Bonner was born in Spartanburg Dis- trict, S. C., in 1841, being the son of Andrew and Louisa Bonner, also natives of that State. Young Edward remained in the vicinity of his birthplace until grown to manhood, receiving but limited ad- vantages for an education, and attending school only a portion of each year. When nineteen years of age he assumed charge of his father's farm, and after the latter's death remained with his mother, conducting her business in a most satisfactory man- ner. When twenty years old he enlisted in the Confederate army in Company G, Fifth South Car- olina Regiment, under Capt. Carpenter, com- manded by Col. Jenkins, and participated in the first battle of Manassas, but being taken ill short- ly after, he was detailed to manage the Magnetic iron works, located at Cherokee Ford, S. C. This was one of the most important branches of indus- try in connection with the Southern cause. Mr. Bon- ner remained in this position until the close of the war, after which he commenced business as a mer- chant at Limestone Springs, S. C. After one year, at his mother's earnest solicitation, he returned to her home and resumed control of her extensive business. In 1869 he was married to Miss Julia G., daughter of Elijah and Julia (Ray) Harris, and their marriage has been blessed with three inter- esting children: Edward L., Carl Ray and Erma. The oldest child, Edward, is a promising young man, and bids fair to be a leader among men, standing intellectually far above the average, a young man whose example is worthy of imitation. Mr. Bonner moved to St. Francis County in 1874,

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locating in Forrest City, and four years later was appointed postmaster at that place, serving in that capacity for five years, and also as agent for the Southern Express Company. The change of ad- ministration in 1883, or President Garfield's reign, caused his removal from the position of postmas- ter. Since leaving the office Mr. Bonner has been merchandising, and is at present managing the co- operative store at Forrest City inaugurated by the people for their benefit. The stock is valued at $45,000 and under his efficient control is rapidly increasing in value, and is one of the city's lead- ing enterprises. In politics our subject is a Dem- ocrat, and in religious faith a Baptist, as is also his wife. Mr. Bonner is a liberal contributor to all charitable movements, and, in fact, every act that betokens the good or growth of the county finds him a stanch supporter. Previous to the war his parents were quite wealthy, but the ravages inci- dent to that period robbed them of nearly every- thing, their land being about all they possessed. The paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, born near Petersburg, but afterward moving to South Carolina, died there at the age of sixty- three. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Camp, of South Carolina nativity, who was called to his final home at a very advanced age. Mrs. Bonner's father was Rev. Elijah Ray, a Baptist minister of South Carolina. Her mother's father, Col. William Washington Harris, a native of North Carolina, was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving as colonel in the volunteer service, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. He was one of the first settlers of Spartanburg, S. C.

Calvin N. Bynum, an extensive stock raiser and tiller of the soil. Born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1838, he is the son of James and Rebecca Bynum, natives of Virginia, who moved to St. Fran- cis County, Ark., in 1848; Mrs. Bynum only living a few months after their arrival. Mr. Bynum died the year following. Calvin N. began life on his own responsibility at the age of eleven, and in 1861 settled his present farm, which consists of 326 acres, with 225 under cultivation, From this land he re- ceives excellent crops, and is also extensively en- gaged in stock raising. He enlisted during the war,

in 1863, in Company G, Hart's regiment, serving until the final surrender. Mr. Bynum has been married three times; first, in 1865 to Miss Emeline Price, who bore him three children: James H., Laura A. and Josephine. Mrs. Bynum died in 1870, and Mr. Bynum was again married, his second choice being Miss Louise Price. By this union there were five children, two now living: Sinah E. and Martha E. In 1877 Mrs. Bynum was called to her final home, and his third and present wife was formerly "Lucy J. Price. To them seven children have been given, five surviving: Sara I., Francis C., William H., Charlie and John C. In politics Mr. Bynum is a Democrat and in his relig- ious faith a Presbyterian. He contributes liberally to all public enterprises, and is regarded as one of the representative men of the county.

James L. Caldwell is a native of Tennessee and a son of William and Amanda (Christan) Caldwell, who came originally from South Carolina and Ten- nessee, respectively. William Caldwell was born in 1811 and was reared on a farm, removing to Bedford County, Tenn., when a young man, where he was married in 1844 to the mother of our sub- ject. In 1861 they came to this county, and here the father engaged in farming and also in the milling business, in which he was occupied until his death, in 1865. He was a prominent citizen of his county, a member of the Masonic order and of the I. O. O. F., and belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and at one time, while a res- ident of Bedford County, Tenn., represented that county in the State legislature. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in February, 1816, and died in April, 1888. James L. Caldwell also first saw the light in Bedford County, his natal day being March 23, 1846, and when a young man he took charge of his father's mill, continuing it until 1864. Then he enlisted in a company raised by C. M. Biscoe, which formed a part of McGee's regiment (the Fifth Arkansas Cavalry), was elected second lieutenant, and a short time after promoted first lieutenant. After the war he returned home and engaged in merchandising for over a year, subsequently entering into the saw-mill business, which he followed in this and Cross Counties until

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selling out to his brother in 1887. He erected a mill two miles west of Caldwell, and also took a contract for building ten miles of the Bald Knob Railroad which he completed in that year. Mr. Caldwell has built and owned fourteen different mills in St. Francis and Crittenden Counties, and now owns the mill near Caldwell and a half inter- est in a mill in the last-named county; besides this he has and operates several farms in these two counties and Cross County, in all about 1,800 acres, with over 100 acres under cultivation, the rest be- ing fine timber land. He aided largely in putting in most of the bridges in St. Francis and Crittenden Counties, and now has taken the contract for the erection of the buildings for the Little Rock Oil Company. He was married November 20, 1874, to Miss Annie Halbert, a daughter of John Hal- bert, a native of Missouri. They are the parents of six children: Willie J., Lillie A., Mary Ann, Henry H., Tennie and James L. Mr. Caldwell was justice of the peace of Johnson Township for six years, and is one of the prominent men of his county. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the County Wheel, being made vice- president at its organization here.

William Thomas Clifton, an active carpenter of Forrest City, was born in Elerton, Jefferson County, Ala., near Birmingham, March 23, 1823, being a son of Amza H. and Adelissa (Goode) Clifton, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Clifton, was a Scotchman by birth and came to America about the close of the Revolutionary war, settling in North Carolina, where he married a Miss Martha Rice, daughter of John Rice. Mr. Rice was in the employ of the United States Government as a surveyor under President Monroe, and assisted in moving the Indians west, receiving 5,000 acres of land for his services, part of which tract is the land on which Memphis is now situated, and to this day it is known as the Rice grant. The father of Adelissa Goode (Thomas Goode), was a soldier and served seven years in the Revolutionary War, and was commissioned colonel in Gen. Washington's body guard, and his grandson, Thomas Goode Clark,

was a soldier in the late war, and fell at the battle of Gettysburg, together with his son; the pine boards which marked their resting place are now among the relics at the Libby Prison War Museum. Mr. Amza H. Clifton was born in Caswell County, N. C., and was married in 1821 at Hopkinsville, Ky. He settled in Jefferson County, Ala., moved to Tennessee in 1828 and located in Covington, where he lived about ten years, and then moved to Mississippi in 1837. In 1840 going to Mem- phis, Tenn., he resided there and worked at his trade as carpenter, until his death in 1849. Will- iam T. Clifton gave his attention to the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction until of age, and in 1845 came to Arkansas, but remained only a short time, in 1847 making another trip. In 1848 he was married to Miss Araminta Cathey, and settled in Mount Vernon near the present site of Forrest City, where he has since lived. He and wife are the parents of three children: Mattie C. (wife of Joseph M. Davis, of this city), William A. (a confectioner of Morrillton, Ark.), and Mollie, now Mrs. Ritter of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Clifton are members of the Baptist Church. He is a strong Democrat and a prominent citizen.

Judge W. H. Coffey, an eminent lawyer of St. Francis County, widely known and highly esteemed by his associates on the bench, is originally of Fayette County, Tenn., but was taken by his parents when an infant, to De Soto County, Miss., in which State his father died two years later. His mother then returned to her father's home in Hardeman County, Tenn., and afterward married John Coates, of that county. In 1861 Mr. Coffey enlisted in the Fourth Tennessee Infantry, taking an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, and a number of others. He was captured and taken prisoner at the battle of Missionary Ridge, thence conveyed to Camp Morton, Ind., held in captivity for nine months, when he was exchanged, and receiving a furlough turned his face toward his native land, walking over 225 miles, and reaching home a short time before the surrender. He then took up farming for his livelihood, and in 1869 was married to Miss Mary E. Harris, who died in 1870, leav-

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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