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 76

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 76

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William T. Ellis, another enterprising farmer of St. Francis County, was born in North Carolina in 1853, as the son of James G. and Christiana Ellis, both also natives of the same State. The father enlisted in the Second North Carolina In- fantry during the late war, but being wounded in the battle of Petersburg, Va., received his discharge and returned home. In 1871 William T. removed to Cross County, Ark., with his parents, with whom he remained until twenty-six years of age. How- ever he had been married during this time to Miss Martha C. Hall, who lived only a short time after her marriage. In 1883 he was married to Melinda C. Hall, and by this union four children have been born: Mattie S., Mollie A., Thomas J. and James L. Mr. Ellis owns a farm of 123 acres, with thirty- two acres under cultivation, being engaged princi- pally in stock raising. He is a stanch Democrat and a member of the County Wheel, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Ellis is justice of the peace of his township, which office he has held for the past twelve years. He is well known throughout this part of the county, and is generally liked and re- spected, lending his aid and influence to all public movements for the good of the order.

J. J. Evans, of the prominent and substantial firm of H. Evans & Co., druggists of Forrest City, was born in this county in 1864, being the son of H. and Eliza (Ragsdale) Evans, also natives of

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Arkansas. Mr. Evans is now one the wealthiest planters of St. Francis County, and has the satis- faction of knowing that his fortune has all been acquired by his own personal industry and in- tegrity. He received limited advantages for ob- taining an education in youth, but determined that his children should receive a good, practical liter- ary instruction, and is giving them every chance to become scholars and students in whatever right direction their ambition may lie. To himself and wife a family of eleven children have been born, eight of whom are now living, our subject, the youngest. Mr. Evans is still living, and, though having reached an advanced age, is quite active in business, managing the affairs of his large plan- tation with a sagacity that would put to shame many men of younger years who take pride in their superior and advanced ideas. J. J. Evans finished his literary education in Louisville, Ky., graduating from Bryant & Stratton's College in the scholastic year of 1883 and 1884. He had been occupied in laboring on the farm before going to college, earning enough money to defray his ex- penses, and although his father was generosity itself, he preferred to pay his own way, and at the end of his career, still had some $4,000 with which to commence business. Having a great admira- tion for, but no experience in the drug business, Mr. Evans engaged the services of an expert phar- macist and established a store at this place, and has made his business house as good as can be found in an average city of 40,000 inhabitants. The store is 23x180, and the stock contained there- in is worth about $12,000, an annual business of between $10,000 and $12,0,00 being accorded this firm; this necessitates the services of three clerks. Mr. Evans is not a benedict, but a sincere admirer of the fair sex. He is a member of the K. of P. and A. F. & A. M., and is a Democrat in politics.

Hon. L. B. Featherston deserves prominent mention in the present volume not only as the effi- cient ex-president of the County Wheel at Forrest City, but on account of his worth as a citizen. A native of Mississippi, he was reared in Tennessee, and received a thorough, common-school education, and then attending the Law School at Lebanon,

Tenn., which he was obliged to leave and give up the study of law on account of his eyesight, having lost one eye by hard study. He was then engaged in farming in Tennessee until 1881, when he re- moved to Arkansas and settled in St. Francis County, buying a farm, and now he owns 16,000 acres of land, with between 300 and 400 acres under cultivation. In 1886 he was elected to the State legislature from this county and served for two years. He entered politics to defeat the in- fluence of the "American Oil Trust," and intro- duced into the legislature the first anti-trust bill ever presented before any legislative body in the United States. The bill passed the house by a vote of seventy-two to five, but was defeated in the senate, and not allowed to come to a vote. Mr. Featherston was the recent nominee for the United States Congress, of a convention which met at Jonesboro, having for its platform, "Fair ballot and free count for every citizen of the United States." He is a man of influence and thought and willingly assists the promotion of what he considers the best interests of his adopted section. Mr. Featherston was born in 1851, being a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Porter) Featherston, natives of Alabama and Virginia, respectively. The former is of Scotch descent, and removed to Georgia with his father and brother at an early day, then going to Alabama and later to Missis- sippi; he is now a respected resident of Shelby County, Tenn. The subject of this sketch was married in 1874 to Miss White, a daughter of E. A. White, of Memphis. They are the parents of five sons: Elbert, Lewis, John D., Paul and Douglass.

William C. Ferguson, the son of Joseph L. and Bettie E. Ferguson, was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1848, being denied in youth even such advantages for an education that were to be obtained at that period. When eighteen years of age he began life on his own responsibility, choosing for his vocation the most independent of all callings, farming. In 1874 he came to St. Francis County, Ark., locating on his present farm, which consists of 539 acres, with 340 cleared and carefully im- proved. He has also a gin (steam) with self-act-

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ing press, and a capacity of twenty bales per day, ginning on an average 700 bales each year. He is also extensively engaged in stock raising, in which he has been quite successful. In 1887 Mr. Fer- gulson opened a store on his place, carrying a stock valued at $3,500, from which he is realizing very satisfactory returns. He was married in 1870 to Miss Bettie E. Ligon, a daughter of J. A. and Bettie A. Ligon, natives of Dixon County, Tenn. The result of this union is nine children: Emma D., William R., Annie V., Joe, Elton T., Cleveland, Blanche, Lulu M. and Cora E. (deceased). Mr. Ferguson is a Democrat in his political views, and in religious belief, a Presbyterian. Mrs. Fergu- son is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In secret societies he is identified with the Knights of Honor. * His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The paternal grandfather, a native of South Carolina, reached four-score years and six.

Thomas O. Fitzpatrick, a successful resident of St. Francis County, is of Scotch-Irish descent, his great-grandfather having been obliged to come to this country from Ireland for political causes. He struck for the liberty of his countrymen. Up- on arriving in the United States in the forepart of the eighteenth century, he served in the Revolu- tionary War. His son, Edmund Fitzpatrick, (grandfather of our subject) took part in the War of 1812, in which he held the position of captain. He had a family of nine children. David Fitz- patrick, the father of Thomas O., was born in Char- lotte County, Va., on February 19, 1813. He was twice married; first to Miss Clementine Walker, a native of Virginia, and next to Permelia Har- grove who was the mother of three children: Mari- etta (the wife of Rev. C. H. Ford), Isabella (wife of E. H. Sanders, of Little Rock) and Thomas O. David Fitzpatrick was engaged in speculating in real estate until the panic of 1837, when he was financially ruined, after which he followed farming in Arkansas. Thomas O. was born in Lauder- dale County, Tenn., in April, 1849. He spent his younger days on the farm, and attended the com- mon and high schools of his county, and also had

the advantages of a private tutor. On his return from school he was appointed county surveyor of Cross County, which position he held, also giving his attention to teaching, until 1871. He then started the Wittsburg Gazette, the first paper published in that county, which he continued to operate until he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and in this capacity remained until the adoption of the new constitution in 1874, when he was again a candidate on the Republican ticket, but was beaten by seventy votes. Coming to St. Francis County he embarked in farming, and also erected a steam-gin, which has proven a very prof- itable enterprise. In April, 1872, Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in marriage to Miss Sallie E. Eldridge, and they have five children: Eola, Garnett, Ernest D., Kate and Garfield. In 1883 Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed postmaster of Forrest City, holding that office until Cleveland's administration. In September, 1886, he was elected county clerk, and still discharges the duties of that position with sat- isfaction to the community, and with credit to him- self. He has also been a candidate on the Repub- lican ticket for State senator. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of L., K. of H. and of the County Wheel.

Andrew J. Fulkerson was born in 1855, St. Francis County, Ark., claiming the advent of his birth. He is the son of John J. and Frances E. Fulkerson, natives of Arkansas and Indiana, re- spectively. Mr. Fulkerson died in 1880 and his wife in 1858. Andrew J. received but limited ad- vantages for an education, and when only nineteen years of age commenced farming on his personal re- sponsibility. He was married in 1877 to Becky J., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Casteel, and to their marriage five children have been given: Fran- ces E., John H., James Arthur, William A. and Charles. Mr. Fulkerson owns 563 acres of excel- lent land, with over ninety under cultivation, and everything on his plantation gives evidence of thrift and prosperity. He is a Democrat in his political views, and in his religious faith a Baptist. He is a member of the Wheel and the K. of L. Mrs. Fulk- erson belongs to the Methodist Church.

John Gatling, an attorney of Forrest City, is of

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Scotch descent, his ancestors coming to this coun- try many years ago. He is a son of James and Mary E. Gatling, natives of North Carolina, and was born August 2, 1851, in Perquimans County, N. C. His boyhood was spent on a farm and he attended school at an academy at Hertford until 1870, when he entered the University of Virginia, remaining there two years, and taking an academic course. After graduating he returned home, and in 1875 began the study of law in Raleigh, in the office of Moore & Gatling, where he continued about six months, then entering the Law School of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. In Janu- ary, 1877, he was examined by the supreme court of North Carolina, and admitted to the bar. He then returned to his native county and remained until 1881, when he came to St. Francis County and located at Forrest City, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession and enjoys a large practice. He was married in 1881 in Hertford, N. C., to Miss Elizabeth Gilliam. Mr. Gatling is a member of the K. of P., and a Demo- crat and now holds the position of United States commissioner. He has one of the finest libraries in this city, valued at about $1,000.

Orville J. Hall, enlisted during the Civil War, in the Confederate service, at the age of twenty- four, serving in the Sixth Kentucky Infantry, un- der Col. Lewis, who is now judge of the supreme bench of Kentucky .. He entered as a private, but was appointed a corporal, later made third ser- geant, and at the close of the war was virtually captain of his company, although he had not re- ceived his commission papers. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge (in which he was wounded), Murfreesboro, Chicka- mauga, Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and a number of minor engagements; was captured at the battle of Jonesboro and taken to Nashville, where he was held for twenty days. After his exchange he returned to his regiment, and during the latter part of the service was on detached duty, being at- tached to the provost-marshal's division. Follow- ing the war period, Mr. Hall returned to his home in West Point, Ky., and commenced farming on his father's old place, his mother living with him.

He was born in Hardin County, Ky. , on September 3, 1837, being a son of John W. Hall, also a Ken- tuckian by birth, born in 1802, who removed to West Point, Ky., a short time after his marriage, and engaged in the hotel business; he was the pro- prietor of the well-known West Point Hotel, and and also owned considerable property at the time of his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife came upon the stage of life's action at West Point, Ky., in 1805, and is still living at that place. In their family were seven children, three of whom are living. In 1867 Orville J. Hall removed to Crittenden County, and the following year came to St. Francis County, carrying on the timber business for a year and the next year rented a farm. He was married in 1872 to Miss Margaret E. Davis, daughter of Jasper N. Davis, an old settler of this county. They are the parents of ten children, eight living: Margaret, John William, Orville Jessie, Robert Young, Samuel Davis, Henry Rus- sel, Edwin Winchester and Hugh. Following his marriage Mr. Hall bought a farm of 200 acres, with fifty acres under cultivation, lying in the fertile valley of the St. Francis River. He is a good Demo- crat. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

William H. Higgins was born in St. Francis County, Ark., in 1844, a son of Jeremiah and Mar- tha Higgins, natives of Indiana and Arkansas respectively. He passed his boyhood days in much the same manner as other farmer lads, receiving such advantages for an education as could be obtained from the meager facilities of the district. His father moved to Texas in 1853, but returned after a residence there of two years. Young Will- iam began fighting life's battle at the age of twenty-three, choosing the occupation of farming, which he has since continued. He was married in 1867, to Mary E. Saratt, who died in 1879, leaving seven children: Martha A., Mary J., Melissa E., Josephine, Melinda C., Auazablin and Rosie L. Mr. Higgins was married in 1883 to Martha A. Ellis, who was also called from earth three years later, having borne one child: Elsie J. For his third and present wife, Mr. Higgins married Mar- tha J. Elliott, an estimable lady of culture and

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refinement. Mr. Higgins, enlisted in the Confed- erate army in 1861, in Company H, Fortieth Ten- nessee Regiment, participating in the battles of Island No. 10, Dalton (Ga.), Allatoona and Resaca. At the first-named engagement he was captured and removed to Springfield (Camp Butler), Ill., and at the battle of Allatoona, again taken prisoner and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, remaining in prison seven and a half months. He was exchanged at Richmond (Va.) and released on parole, but before this term expired the final surrender took place. After the war Mr. Higgins returned home, where he resumed his occupation of farming, and now owns 424 acres, with 110 cleared and im- proved. He is also successfully engaged in stock raising. He is a member of the Wheel, and Alli- ance. His views politically are Democratic, and in religious faith he is a Methodist. He is a leader, not a follower, in all public enterprises, to which he contributes liberally, and under his able and efficient management the success of any movement largely is assured. Mrs. Higgins is a member of the Baptist Church.

Cephas F. Hinton, a prominent druggist of Forrest City, has been a resident of this county all his life. His father, A. G. Hinton, a native of North Carolina, came to what was then considered the wilds of St. Francis County, in 1850, where he died in 1874, at the age of forty-seven years. He had a family of twelve children, six of whom are still living: M. D. (now Mrs. Gwynne, a resi- dent of this State), Frank M. (of this city), Lucre- tia M., Annie G., R. E. and C. F. The latter remained on the farm until his eighteenth year, when he came to Forrest City and embarked in general merchandising with T. E. Hastings, with whom he was connected as a partner until 1874. Then selling out to his associate he commenced in the drug business, but was unfortunate in having all of his stock destroyed by fire, on which there was no insurance, and later he entered the employ of Fussell, Pollack & Co. Three years afterward he went into the grocery business, and continued it about two years, when he was seized with a de- sire to alleviate the sufferings of humanity, and the study of medicine occupied his attention the fol-

lowing two years, after which he again entered into the drug business. The high water at that time stopped traffic on the railroad, and the goods which he had ordered with which to commence business, were laid over at Mariana. Mr. Hinton obtained help and loaded his stock on a handcar, which was pushed by hand to Forrest City, and thus was made his second start in the drug trade. He has by strict attention to business and honest dealing, built up a large and lucrative patronage, and now carries a stock of goods valued at $4,000. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary A. Brown, a daughter of John Brown, and a native of Mis- sissippi. They are the parents of four children: Robert Emmet, Arthur Gordon, William W. and Mary Bertha. Mr. Hinton also owns several hun- dred acres of land, and is one of the most promi- nent citizens of the county seat of St. Francis County, having held the position of mayor for seven years in succession. He is a decided Demo- crat, and a member of the K. of H.

Jesse B. Hodges, one of the prominent tillers of the soil in this section, was born in Beaufort County, N. C., in 1837, being the son of John L. and Cynthia (Rodgers) Hodges, natives of North Carolina. Jesse B. came to Arkansas with his parents in 1859, settling on a farm not far from his present residence. His educational advantages were limited, his help being needed on his father's farm, but notwithstanding this fact, he is a well- informed man, having given considerable attention to reading, which, added to keen observation, has enabled him to be conversant on all the important topics of the past and present. When twenty-two years of age he accepted a position as manager of a farm, so continuing until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted, in 1861, in the Con- federate service, in Company G, Thirteenth Ar- kansas Regiment, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Richmond, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Lib- erty Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, New Hope, Resaca, also Peach Tree Creek, Decatur, Jonesboro, Spring Hill, Franklin and Benton- ville. Subsequently, or at the close of the war, his regiment surrendered to Sherman at Greens- boro, N. C., on April 26, 1865. As this sketch

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.

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will show, Mr. Hodges participated in all of the principal engagements of the late war, in which the Tennessee army took part. After peace was declared he returned home, resuming the occupa- tion of farming, and in 1868 was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Matthews, a daughter of Lawrence and Lydia A. (Crawford) Matthews. No children have been given them. Mr. Hodges owns 400 acres of excellent land, with 275 under cultivation. He has a pleasant, comfortable place, and all the im- provements and conveniences that add so much to the happiness of home. He also is quite exten- sively occupied in stock raising, and has been very successful. His political views are Democratic. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Hiram Houston is a native of this county, and as he was reared in a locality but thinly settled, his advantages for a schooling were somewhat limited, but these were enough to lay the foundation for his success in life as a farmer, which occupation he engaged in for himself at the age of twenty-two, and now owns 223 acres of fine bottom land on the St. Francis River, seventy-five acres of which are under a fair state of cultivation. He also owns a steam grist-mill and cotton-gin. He was married November 2, 1884, to Miss Annie L. Clark, a daughter of Thomas A. and Susan A. Clark, origi- nally of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They are the parents of three children, only one of whom is living: Nannie E. (at home). Mr. and Mrs. Houston belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Alfred K. Houston, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina in 1814 and died in St. Francis County in 1879, and was a most successful farmer. He married Sarah E. Evans, a South Carolinian by birth, and who was the mother of seven children, four of whom are still living: Margaret E. (widow of Robert An- derson, of this county), William C. (a farmer of this county), Francis M. (also a farmer of St. Francis County) and Hiram (the principal of this sketch).

John J. Hughes is the son of John J. and Mary S. (Patrick) Hughes, natives of Georgia and Alabama, respectively, who were residing in the

latter State when John J. was born, his birth oc- curring in the year 1828. Twelve years after they moved to Arkansas and located in St. Francis County, where Mr. Hughes died four years later, his wife surviving him only one year. The sub- ject of this sketch was married in 1855 to Miss Margaret Ross, daughter of James F. Ross, and their union has been blessed by seven children: William S., John J., James L., Robert Lee, Leona, Bertha R. and Cora E. The boys are en- gaged in the mercantile business at Haynes Sta- tion, Lee County, Ark. Leona and Cora are de- ceased. Mrs. Hughes died in 1873, and two years later Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Fannie J. Ballout, by whom he became the father of three children: Thomas S., Walter E. and Samuel T. Thomas S. is the only child surviving. The esti- mable wife and mother departed this life in 1885. Mr. Hughes owns 1,000 acres of land, with 550 acres under cultivation, and the numerous late im- provements placed upon it indicate the owner's spirit of progress. A comfortable and pleasant home, furnished in a quiet, refined way, show that culture and good taste have not been lacking in his busy career. Mr. Hughes has a gin with a capacity of fourteen bales per day, and he is also engaged in raising stock. In his politics he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Baptist, though not a mem- ber of any church.

Elijah C. Hughes, of St. Francis County, Ark., is too well known in this vicinity to render a formal introduction necessary, but in compiling a volume of biographical sketches of prominent men here- abouts, the omission of his biography would leave the work incomplete. His farm, which is one of the finest in the county, consists of 2,000 acres of valuable land, with 900 under a successful state of cultivation. He grows from 350 to 450 bales of cotton yearly, 4,000 bushels of corn, and is extens- ively engaged in stock raising. Mr. Hughes was united in marriage, in 1857, to Miss Martha M. Reddill, and by her became the father of five chil- dren, all deceased. He enlisted in the Confeder- ate service during the war, as a member of Com- pany B, McNeil's regiment, and participated in the battle of Cotton. He afterward employed a

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substitute and remained at home, running his steam- mill for the Confederate army. Mr. Hughes is a stanch Democrat, and though not a member of any church is an adherent to the Methodist doc- trine, as is also his wife. His birth occurred in Marengo County, Ala., in 1837, he being the son of John and Susan Hughes. When only one year old his parents moved to Arkansas, which has been our subject's residence ever since, with the exception of eight years spent in Shelby County, Tenn. He has served as magistrate in this county for some time, discharging the duties of the office in a highly commendable manner. He is a mem- ber of no secret organization. Mr. Hughes lends his support to all movements of a worthy charac- ter, and is considered one of the most responsible and influential men of the county, winning by his courteous manner and honesty in all business de- tails, the respect of those who know him.

Joseph L. Ingram owes his nativity to North Carolina, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Cov- ington) Ingram, who also came originally from that State. Thomas Ingram in 1849 removed to North- ern Mississippi, where he resided until his death, reaching the age of seventy-five years. His grand- father, whose name he bears, was a Virginian by birth and a wealthy planter of the old Dominion, subsequently removing to North Carolina where he lived until his final summons in 1825, when about eighty-five years old. Joseph L. Ingram was born in North Carolina in 1830. At the age of twenty- seven he commenced business for himself, and the following year was married to Martha Young, daughter of Tandy K. Young. They were the par- ents of four children: W. C., Martha Y., Eben J. and Lady. Mr. Ingram was engaged in farming in Mississippi from 1848 to 1885. He then re- moved to Arkansas and located in St. Francis County, where he purchased a farm and is still em- ployed in planting. He joined the Confederate army in 1862 and served two years, then returning to his plantation, which he found in a bad state of delapidation, the crops and stock having been con- fiscated by both armies. He was justice of the peace for several years while in Mississippi, and also served on the board of county supervisors for

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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