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 75

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 75

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ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.

ing one son, James W. In 1872 Mr. Coffey re- moved to Arkansas, and settled in St. Francis County, on a farm nine miles from Forrest City, purchasing first 160 acres of land, to which he has added from time to time, until he now owns 1,120 acres, and besides these he has his home farm, 225 acres, which are cleared and under cultivation. Two years after his removal to this county, he was elected justice of the peace, holding this office until 1886, when he was elected county judge, and was again elected to this office in 1888, and is now finishing his second term. In December, 1873, he was again married to Mary A. Houston, a daughter of James M. Houston. They are the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living: Mary E., Martha T., Noma, Nora Belle and Clarence Elbert. Mr. Coffey affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has taken the degree of Royal Arch, and in the thirteen years of mem- bership, he has not missed but four regular meet- ings. He is also a member of the County Wheel, being one of the charter members of this lodge, and was its first president.

J. H. Cole. In passing through Eastern Ark- ansas it would be impossible to meet a gentleman of more marked characteristics than J. H. Cole, the subject of this sketch. He is a typical Tennes- seean, and a man of more than ordinary physical strength and activity, and the observer needs to be no expert to recognize in him a person of unyielding determination and will. He still stands erect and walks with the agility of a man of forty years, although three score years and two have passed their mantle upon him, his birth occurring in 1827. He spent his boyhood days in Stewart and Humph- ries Counties, Tenn., but the monotony of his quiet life made him restless and the opening of the Mexican War gave him an opportunity to see life in its most exciting phase. Eagerly embracing the opportunity, he enlisted in 1846, and followed the fortunes of the war until its close, participating in the famous battles of Monterey and Buena Vista At the close of hostilities he went to New Orleans, and for two years engaged in the drug business. Returning thence to Tennessee, shortly after he was married in Carroll County to Miss May Math-

ews, and moved to Hickman, Ky., where he ac- cepted a position as marshal and wharfmaster. He then came to Madison, the old county seat of Arkansas, landing there in September of 1857, having made the journey from Helena in a dugout or canoe. In Madison he opened a livery business, acting as agent for the line to Hot Springs, and contractor for the lines from Helena to Cherokee Bluff. At the breaking out of the war he joined the Fifth Arkansas State Troops, under Ristor, but when they joined the Confederate army he left and took charge of Hardee's wagon train for Mis- souri. He was suddenly taken ill, and obliged to come home, but afterward reported to Col. Walker, and was with him in the fight at Helena. He was taken prisoner by Powell Clayton, a short time after receiving his parole; and was once charged with the burning of a boat, and on trial for his life, but Clayton proved him in his hands as a prisoner at the time, which act saved his life. As soon as the war closed he opened at Madison the first store in St. Francis County, under the firm name of Cole & Prewett. He received all the goods with which to conduct it from New Orleans on credit, through the influence of friends, and from that departure made a fortune. The firm continued till the Governor of the State called for civil in- stead of marshal law. A committee was appointed to select some reliable man to go and secure the commission from the Governor, but, although vari- ous parties were appointed, no one would under- take the venture; accordingly Mr. Cole -- always fearless as he was shrewd-started without telling any one of his intention. He went on horseback to Memphis, and from there by boat to Little Rock, where he secured an interview with the Governor, and received the commission. He then returned home and immediately called together some of the most reliable men of the county, appointing them to the various offices. Then in a field close to an old court house, he organized the first county court after the war. The records had been buried there during the war. The commissioner of the post came and ordered him to jail, but he read him the commission from the Governor, showing him that his time of service had expired the day before.

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

Mr. Cole was not in favor of secession, but went with his State when it seceded. A man by the name of Inge was sent from Mississippi before the war for the purpose of preaching secession. Mr. Cole made the remark to Judge Pierce of the coun- ty, that it would have been better if South Caro- lina had slipped into the sea than to have slipped out of the Union. The secessionist procured a pistol and cowhide, and began to whip Mr. Cole. A fight ensued, in which Mr. Inge was killed. Our subject was afterward wholly exonerated by the court. When Forrest City became the county seat of St. Francis County, Mr. Cole closed up his business and came here. At this place Hugh H., the only child, died. He was a rising young at- torney of the place, and a graduate of Lebanon Law School. Since his death Mr. Cole and wife have been disconsolate, and have tried to forget their sorrow in traveling. They have gone as far North as possible, visiting every point of interest mentionable. They were for a period abroad, spending some time in Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Cole recently united with the church, a large audience congregating to hear his experience. He is be- loved by all who know him, and is well worthy the respect and deference paid him, for though he is per- haps a trifle eccentric, a mean act is something he has yet to do. He is a favorite in society and busi- ness circles, and though witty and quick at repartee, he never wounds a friend and there is no sting in his mirth. He, with his honored wife enjoys that which is so much to be desired -- an unsullied name, and the sincere love of a host of friends. His grandfather was a native of Virginia and the third settler of Nashville, Tenn.

William A. Council. The village of Council Bend was named after Redwick Council, who built the first house in that locality, and who was the grandfather of the subject of this biography. His son, Simeon, was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and removed to Arkansas in April, 1822, settling in Crittenden County for a short time and then re- moved to Walnut Bend, on the Mississippi River, being married in St. Francis County, in 1827, to Rebecca Lane, who was born in Alabama in April, 1811. He died in April, 1848, and his wife in

1879. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom are still living: Allen (a farmer of St. Francis County), Mary J. (now Mrs. McKay, of Hood County, Tex.), and William A. The lat- ter was reared in this county and began life for himself as a farmer at the age of nineteen. He was born here on December 28, 1847, and was married, February 22, 1874, to Miss Anna M. Smith, who died in July of that year. The fol- lowing April, Miss Elizabeth Filingim became his wife, who died April 22, 1881, leaving one child, now deceased. Mr. Council's third matrimonial venture was in February, 1883, to Miss Margaret L. Hubbard, of Alabama nativity, who died two years later, having borne one child, that died in infancy. He joined the Union army at the age of sixteen, enlisting in the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and a number of others. After the conflict Mr. Council went to Wisconsin, and remained two years, then returning to Arkansas and settling in St. Francis County. He is now engaged in the timber busi- ness in connection with farming, and owns 160 acres on the St. Francis River, which is very fertile and well timbered.

D. W. Davis, a brother of John M. Davis, whose sketch appears in this work, and a relative of Jeff. Davis, is a son of Cornelius Davis, the latter hav- ing come to Arkansas from Kentucky, his former home, in 1828. At that time the Territory was but thinly settled, the forests were filled with bear, deer, wild turkey and other game, and the mode of traveling was in ox carts or on horseback. Our subject was reared to farm life, but had no advan- tages for acquiring an education when a boy, and it is a fact that, up to his eighteenth birthday, he could neither read nor write. He was born in this county December 9, 1833. In 1851 he ran away from home, and went to Fulton County, Ill., where he attended school for three years, working for his board and enough to keep him in clothes. Then returning home he commenced teaching school, and in that way earned means to take him through college, after which he took a course in civil en-

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ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.

gineering at the McKendrie College. Subsequently he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and took part in the border warfare in Missouri and Kansas. Be- coming located at Omaha, he was engaged in his profession of surveying a short time, but later re- turned to St. Francis County, and in 1857-58 held the position of deputy sheriff. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Crittenden Rangers, the first company raised in Arkansas. A few months later he helped Marsh Walker raise his regiment, of which he was made captain and com- missary. After the war Mr. Davis came home and commenced farming, and also took up the study of law, afterward entering upon his practice, but soon again abandoned the legal profession and resumed farming. This he still follows, and is also engaged in surveying, in addition being timber inspector of the Third district, comprising St. Francis, Cross and Poinsett Counties. He has the credit of sending in more money than any other inspector in the State. He has a fine farm, with over 100 acres under cultivation, upon which are good buildings and a fine orchard. His principal crop is cotton, but does not confine himself to that one product as do some. He has also tried introduc- ing thoroughbred short-horned cattle, but the coun- try is not yet educated up to seeing the value of fancy stock. Mr. Davis was married in 1863 to Mrs. McClintock. They are the parents of five children: Blanche (wife of James W. Steward, who was su- perintendent of the public schools for ten years), De Witt (nineteen years of age and who is study- ing surveying, of which he has a practical knowl- edge, having at the State Fair at Little Rock com- peted and taken the prize for the best plat of a thirty-two sided farm and architectural drawings), Annie, David and Mabel. Mr. Davis and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and is a strong Democrat.

Anthony D. Davis, also actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, was born in 1836 near the pres- ent site of Corinth, Miss., made historic during the war by one of the most famous battles of that pe- riod. His parents were Arthur and Elizabeth E. (Smith) Davis, natives of North Carolina. An-

thony Davis did not receive many advantages for an education in youth, a few months passed in a neighboring school during the winter months, com- prising the whole amount of his literary instruc- tion. His first venture on his own account was at the age of nineteen, when he accepted a position as manager of a large plantation, discharging the manifold duties connected therewith in a most sat- isfactory manner. Soon becoming tired of this employment, and wishing to own land of his own, he resigned his position, much to the regret of his employers, and went to De Soto County, Miss. Not long after his arrival at that point the war broke out, which, of course, destroyed all his plans, for the time, at least. He enlisted Sep- tember 15, 1861, in Company G, Thirty-first Ten- nessee Regiment, Capt. Baker's company and Col. Bradford's regiment, and participated in the bat- tles of Belmont, Chickamauga, Perryville, etc. At the close of the war Mr. Davis removed to St. Francis County, purchasing a farm of 240 acres, of which he has cleared and has in a good state of cultivation 140 acres. His improvements are such as would do credit to any country, and his beauti- ful residence, furnished in such excellent taste, gives evidence of culture and refinement. In addi- tion to his farming operations he is an extensive stock raiser. In 1865 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Maria Prewett, and to them a family of four children were born: Daisy and Arthur now living, and Cheatham and William (deceased). In poli- tics Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Methodist. His wife is a Baptist, and a lady of many excellent traits and characteristics. Mr. Davis is a liberal contributor to all worthy enter- prises, but many of his generous acts never reach the ears of the outside world.

John M. Davis is numbered among the well- known farmers and stock raisers of Franks Town- ship. He was born on the farm on which he still lives, in 1845. His parents Cornelius and Eliza (Holbert) Davis, were natives of Kentucky. The former came to Arkansas in 1828, and remained one year, then returning to Kentucky, where he was married in 1832, moving permanently to this county, and engaging in farming. At that time

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the country was very thinly settled, the nearest market being Helena. He first entered 160 acres of land, but at the time of his death, in 1868, at the age of sixty-three years, owned 600 or 700 acres. John M. Davis grew to manhood on his father's farm, his early educational opportunities being limited, as the senior Davis was one of those men who believed in acquiring a competency before spending it. When eighteen years old John went to Kentucky, and attended school for about two years. After the war, in which he did not take part on account of poor health, he returned to Ar- kansas and resumed farming, and is now conduct- ing the old homestead which his father entered and improved on coming to this State, and where he was born. Mr. Davis has been twice united in the bonds of matrimony. First, in 1868, to Mary C. Folbre, who died in 1871, leaving one son, Thomas C., who was killed in a railroad wreck in 1887. Mr. Davis took for his second wife Miss Hester A. Davis, in January, 1874, a daughter of Rev. Arthur Davis, of Western Tennessee. They are the parents of ten children: Benjamin, Arthur W., Mattie P., Drucilla, John, Susie, Eliza, Myr- tle, Claudia and Elizabeth. Mr. Davis is one of the most prominent Democrats of this locality, and is now the efficient sheriff of St. Francis County, and a man whose name is a terror to law breakers. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South. Mr. Davis is also connected with the Masonic order.

H. P. Dooley. Among those who have con- tributed liberally to the numerous enterprises of Forrest City, and are recognized as leading citi- zens, the name of H. P. Dooley, dentist, is a fa- miliar one. He is a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring in Maury County in 1847, being the son of W. A. and Sarah (Joyce) Dooley. W. A. Doo- ley was born in 1820, participated in the Civil War and died in 1877. The grandfather came originally from North Carolina and raised the first company of soldiers in Tennessee for the Creek War. He entered the service as captain, but came out as colonel, dying a few years afterward. The great-grandfather was of Ireland origin, and the great-grandmother from Scotland. H. P. Dooley,

the subject of this sketch, received his literary edu- cation in the schools of his native State, afterward entering a seminary near Memphis, where the breaking out of the war found him. Putting away his books, despite his ambition to obtain a good ed- ucation, he joined McDonald's Company of Ten- nessee Cavalry, serving in the Confederate army two and a half years. He was twice wounded, first receiving a severe wound in the leg, and the second time his arm was broken. Eighteen of his company were shot down, and a ball, which passed through his arm, knocked the mounting from his gun and injured him quite seriously. After recov- ering sufficiently to admit of his again entering the service, he returned and remained until the final surrender. The first year after the war Mr. Doo . ley engaged in farming, but attended school the winter of 1866, subsequently commencing the study of his profession under the tutelage of R. G. Edwards and next with one W. F. Southern. After one year spent in traveling in Northern Mississippi he came here, locating in Forrest City in 1870. When he began he had but very little, except un- daunted courage and a determination to succeed, which is doubtless the secret of his present pros- perity. He has amassed quite a fortune, and owns one of the most attractive residences in the city. He takes much interest in fine stock, paying careful attention to raising the same, and is trying to get the people interested generally in this indus- try. Mr. Dooley was married in Forrest City to Miss R. H. Johnson, a native of Arkansas and a daughter of G. V. C. Johnson. He was sheriff of this county at the time of his death. His father, John C. Johnson, was representative of St. Francis County for several years. Mr. Dooley has traveled quite extensively, and is a genial, courteous gentle- man, one who makes friends wherever he may go. His business takes him in various parts of the State, and his reputution as an efficient dentist is an en- viable one. He became a member of the Masonic lodge when it could boast of only seven members, and to him the lodge owes its present prosperous state. He was Worshipful Master four years, but recently refused to act any longer, though prevailed upon to accept the secretaryship; he has held an

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ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.

office ever since becoming identified with the order in 1872, in which year he was made Master Mason.

O. E. Dorriss, one of the oldest and most prom- inent of the early settlers of St. Francis County, was born in Jackson County, Ill., in the year 1819, being the son of James S. and Catherine Dorriss, of English and Irish descent, respectively. James Dorriss was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was chaplain to Andrew Jackson during the Creek War, participating in the famous battle of Horseshoe. Hamlet F., a brother of O. E. Dorriss, served in the war between Mexico and Texas, tak- ing an active part in all the engagements of note, and was present at the capture of Gen. Santa Anna at Santa Jacinto. O. E. Dorriss' advantages for an education were extremely limited, but his con- stant reading and keen sense of observation have made him a well-informed man, conversant on all the important topics of the past and present. At the age of fourteen he left home, starting out to make his own fortune. In 1834 he came to Arkan- sas on a trading expedition, going southwest, and upon reaching the Saline River, in the southwest part of the State, he was suddenly taken ill, which put a quietus to his business prospects for some time. After recovering he discovered to his horror that his partner had absconded with all the finan- ces. This left him entirely destitute and among strangers, but in time he made his way to Little Rock, suffering many privations during his long journey. At this point he was met by his father, who had come to him in response to an appeal, written in a trembling hand during his convales- cence. He returned to his home in Missouri, but soon after returned to St. Francis County, arriving here in 1835, and locating on a farm of 320 acres, which he improved and has since made his home. Mr. Dorriss ran among the first steamboats that ever plied up the St. Francis River, in the years 1844-45. In 1847 he was married to Miss Julia Hanson, of Morgan County, Ga., and to their union nine children were born: Josephine, Georgia A., Lugene, Franklin, Jenette, Julia, Sallie Vick, Lou Kate and Lee, of whom four are now living. In March, 1865, Mrs. Dorriss died, and in 1866 Mr. Dorriss married Miss Ann T. Ellis, who bore him six

children: James, Mary, Ada, Willmorth, George and Thomas; of these three are deceased. Mr. Dorriss was a member of the Fifth Arkansas Regi- ment, Confederate army, during the war, and represented his county in the legislature of 1866. for ten years he was justice of the peace, discharg- ing the duties of that office in a highly commend- able manner, and during his entire term of office, from 1856 to 1866, only one of his decisions were taken to a higher court. He filled the office of sheriff by appointment for several years, and in this, as in everything else, gave entire satisfaction. In his political opinion he favors the Democratic party, but is not an enthusiast. Mr. Dorriss as- sisted in the removal of the Indians to their pres- ent home in the Indian Territory, and also gave his valuable support in laying out and opening up the old military road in this county in 1835-36. In addition to Esquire Dorriss' many enterprises he is running a fine steam-gin, with a capacity of eighteen bales per day, and a self-acting, or auto- matic, press of the latest improvement. He is a liberal contributor to all movements that have for their object the advancement of educational and religious matters. Mrs. Dorriss is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

John E. Douglas has attained to a position of credit as a farmer and surveyor of St. Francis County. A native of Tennessee, he is the son of John E. and Elizabeth (Sparks) Douglas, who came originally from Alabama and Tennessee, re- spectively. The principal of this sketch was born on January 18, 1837. His father died when he was less than two years old and his mother then came to Arkansas and settled in St. Francis County where she was shortly after married to Curtis G. Tyer. Young John lived with his mother after her second marriage, and had the advantages of a good education in the subscription schools of the county, at the age of seventeen engaging in teaching in order to raise money enough to enable him to con- tinue his studies, as he was very desirous of tak- ing a thorough course in civil engineering. Three years later he was offered the position of assistant teacher in St. Francis Academy, where he com- pleted his education, acquiring a superior knowl-

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edge of surveying, in both its theoretical and prac- tical phases. Following this he resumed teaching until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry and served in Price's famous raid through Missouri. After the war Mr. Douglas again turned his attention to the instruction of the young, continuing it until 1868, when he bought 120 acres of land and com- menced farming. He was married on March 7, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Casbeer. They are the parents of six children: Charles M., Thomas E., Nathaniel E., Effie D., Lucy A. and Leta J. Mr. Douglas owns a fine farm with good buildings, his large orchard containing all kinds of choice fruit, and also owns forty acres of desirable land in Cross County. In 1880 he was elected census enumer- ator, and the same year was made county surveyor, which position he has held since that time with a faithfulness and ability which have redounded largely to his personal esteem and worth. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Knights of Honor and is an enterprising citizen, contributing liberally toward those enterprises which tend to the devel- opment or improvement of the community, physic- ally, morally or intellectually.

William Elliott. Prominently identified with the prosperous and influential citizens of St. Fran- cis County is William Elliott, who is a native of Alabama, his birth occurring in Huntsville, in 1826. He was the son of Allen and Jane Elliott, originally from the same State. When William was one year of age his parents moved to Arkan- sas, settling in St. Francis County, where his early boyhood days were passed in assisting his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he homesteaded the place on which he now resides. This farm consists of 200 acres, with 125 acres un- der cultivation. Mr. Elliott is, aside from his many farming interests, quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and also has an interest in a good steam-gin, with a capacity of ten bales per day. He was united in marriage in 1851 to Miss Sarah Styres, and by her became the father of three chil- dren: John A., Sarah and Jane (all deceased). Mrs. Elliott died in 1854, and for his second wife Mr. Elliott chose Miss Adeline E. Adams, who

bore him three children: James H. and Benjamin F. (both deceased) and William H. In 1861 Mr. Elliott enlisted in the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Company A, and participated in several of the most important battles of the war, among them being Paducah, Tupelo, Prairie Grove and Union City. In 1863 he was married to Melissa J. Adams, and their union has been blessed by five children: Robert L., Elisha T. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Martha and Mary. Mr. Elliott is a Democrat, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. He has held the office of magis- trate, coroner and deputy sheriff in his township, serving acceptably in these various positions. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of the com- munity.

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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