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 77
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a term of years. Mrs. Ingram died in 1888 at the age of fifty. Mr. Ingram is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South, and of the A. F. & A. M. and also the Knights of Honor.
M. W. Izard & Co. are the owners and opera- tors of the largest saw and grist mills and cotton - gin in St. Francis County, located near Colt Sta- tion. The firm is composed of M. W. Izard and John N. Cotton, both representative, active young business men, and thoroughly worthy of the posi- tion to which they have attained. Mr. Izard was born in Fayette County, Tenn., on March 3, 1855, being a son of F. J. and Sarah E. (Whittaker) Izard. Reared in this county, he attended public and private schools and received a good education, and at the age of seventeen was employed as a clerk, which occupation received his attention for about ten years. Subsequently he went into busi- ness for himself as a butcher, and two years after- ward entered in the saw-mill business, later form- ing a partnership with his father-in-law, John N. Cotton, in the grist-mill and cotton-gin business. He also owns a large farm of 190 acres of land, with sixty-five acres under cultivation, having good improvements, a small orchard, etc. Mr. Izard was married June 12, 1879, to Miss Emma Cotton, daughter of J. N. Cotton, his partner in business. They are the parents of two boys: John and Mark W. Mr. Izard is an outspoken Democrat, and he and wife are members of the K. & L. of H. John N. Cotton owes his nativity to Western Tennes- see, where his birth occurred March 2, 1834. His parents, John and Easter (Nelson) Cotton, were na- tives of Virginia and of English descent, their ancestors coming to this country in colonial days and taking part in the great struggle for liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton moved from Virginia to Ken- tucky, and in 1834 to Arkansas, settling on a farm in this county, where they both died within two years after their arrival. John N. worked on a farm, and attended school three months during the first seventeen years of his life, improving his spare moments and finding opportunity to prosecute his studies for a few terms after reaching that age. Thus he acquired a good common-school education. He was then engaged in clerking in a grocery at
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Taylor's Creek, now Colt, until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry and served as first lieutenant until the close of hostilities. After peace was restored he embarked in the general mercantile business in Forrest City, followed it for ten or twelve years, and then entered into the tie and timber business in company with his son-in-law, M. W. Izard. Mr. Cotton was married on June 20, 1861, to Miss Taylor, who died in 1865, leav- ing one daughter, Emma, the wife of Mr. Izard. He was married the second time, September 2, 1867, to Mrs. Gullett. They are the parents of three children: Edna, Guy and Willie. Mr. Cot- ton has held several important offices since living in Forrest City, among them chief magistrate of the city, and deputy sheriff of the county. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities and of the County Wheel, be- longing, too, to the K. & L. of H. He is also a thorough Knight of Labor.
Col. V. B. Izard, whose name is identified with only that which is good and noble, and who has attained an enviable position in the hearts of the citizens of Eastern Arkansas, owes his nativity to St. Francis County, Ark., where he was born in 1837, being the son of Mark N. and Permelia (Sharkelford) Izard. The genealogy of the Izard family is traced to Scotland, whence at an early day the great-grandfather of our subject emigrated to the New England States. Three of his sons afterward settled in South Carolina, and some time subsequent the grandfather of Col. V. B. Izard separated from his two brothers, and located per- manently in Lexington, Ky. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Gov. Mark W., was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1800, removing from his native State to St. Francis County, Ark., in 1824. Here he was successfully engaged in mer- cantile pursuits for some years, and also opened one of the first farms or plantations in the county. Mark N. Izard was not a man who attained high intellectuality as the result of a collegiate educa- tion, for he had scarcely more than ordinary liter-
ary attainments. Something besides scholarly ac- complishments drew around him hosts of friends in the pioneer days of Eastern Arkansas, it may have been his inborn worth, and intuitive genius. He entered the political field with no other qualifi- cations to recommend, or guide him, than his own broad sense, untiring energy and clear judgment. First elected to the Territorial legislature, he served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion, distinguishing himself in both cases, and to the credit of his county. He afterward served in both branches of the Arkansas State legislature (two or more times each), assisting first as speaker of the house, and later as president of the senate. While still actively engaged in the affairs of his own State, a candidate for another term in the State senate, an incident occurred which changed the field of his political labors from the State of Arkansas to the then Territory of Nebraska. This was his appointment as United States marshal of the Territory mentioned, by President Franklin Pierce, the first to hold that office. The demise of Gov. Burt, the incumbent of that position when Gov. Izard was serving as marshal, made it neces- sary that another Governor should be appointed. There were, of course, many aspirants for the place, but Gov. Izard with his usual characteristic origin- ality of method, carried the official news of Gov. Burt's death to the President, and solicited the in- fluence of the then two senators of Arkansas, W. K. Sebastan and R. M. Johnson, to have him made Governor, but they thought action on their part useless. This rebuff, however, did not daunt him. Going in person to President Pierce, after a clear statement of his ideas, he received the appoint- ment to the coveted office. Upon leaving the president he again sought the senators to learn if they had used their influence in his behalf; they responded in the negative, whereupon he produced his commission before their astonished gaze, with the remark that he was glad to succeed without their help. He then started on his perilous trip to Nebraska, though the mild winter greatly modi- fied the exposure incident to the journey. On February 20, 1854, he reached Omaha, his arrival being formally announced to both houses. The
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house appointed a committee of reception to wait upon him, and with the council proceeded in a body to the house, Acting-Gov. Cunning present- ing him to the legislature in a brief address. Gov. Izard responded in his usual courtly and en- tertaining way, and on the 23d took the oath of office, entering at once on the discharge of his manifold duties, his son James Izard acting as secretary. On February 27, 1855, Gov. Izard was duly inaugurated, and delivered his first formal message. The house being assembled in joint session, it was arranged that his colored servant should announce his presence at the door. That dignitary received his instructions to say, "Mr. Speaker, the Governor is now approaching," but he changed the phraseology to a vernacular pecu- liar to himself, saying, "Mr. Speaker, the Gubner done come." Greeted by shouts of applause the " Gubner" proceeded to deliver his annual address, after which, the citizens in order to celebrate the event in a suitable manner gave a brilliant ball or reception, in which His Excellency and son James were cordially welcomed, the only ball of the kind ever given in Omaha. On the 28th of the same month the legislature proceeded with its duties, and for a period extending over the most eventful era in history, Gov. Izard presided over the Terri- tory of Nebraska. He met the perplexing ques- tions of the times, face to face, always displaying an executive ability, equal to the emergency. He was in sympathy with the South at time of secession, but believed the rights of the people could best be obtained under the constitution. Gov. Izard was also in favor of popular sover- eignty, and gave his opinion on this subject in a clear, concise way, in his introductory address of February 22, where he said: "The enemies of the law for organization of this Territory, the enemies of popular sovereignty are looking with anxiety for an opportunity to taunt us with breaking up in a row. Let wisdom and moderation govern all your actions. I feel that there is wisdom and integrity enough here to lay the founda- tion for a government, the blessings of which are soon to be enjoyed by a population unparalleled in the settlement of any country; a population which
will vie in point of numbers and intelligence with any country, new or old. We have the experience of those who have gone before us-let us profit by their example. Let us show the world we adhere to and adopt the principles of popular sovereignty." The second Territorial legislature met Tuesday, December 18, 1885, and when all was in readiness, a committee waited on the Governor stating their desire to receive any communications. Gov. Izard appeared and proceeded to deliver his annual speech. His personal appearance was command- ing, and his popularity unquestioned, the people knowing that their confidence was not misplaced. He had the interests of the new settlement at heart, and his message of that date was devoted princi- pally to the improvements of the Territory and the protection of the people. Under his governorship the State prospered, in spite of the times. Vast public improvements were made, among which was the building of the State capitol, under his per- sonal direction, and his career as Governor was one which reflected honor upon Nebraska, and redound- ed with credit to himself. He was once requested to go to Kansas and quiet the troubles there, after- ward receiving a request from President Buchanan to receive the governorship of Kansas. His answer was that his Territory was in good condition, and at peace with all the world, and that he did not care for further gubernatorial honors. He resigned the governorship of Nebraska in 1858, his resigna- tion being at first repealed, but his desire to return to his family despite the strongest solicitations, secured at last his release from an office in the State which undoubtedly owes its present prosper- ity largely to his earnest efforts of long ago. His return to St. Francis County was more than cor- dially welcomed by all, and here among his friends and in the association of his early pioneer compan- ions, he spent his declining years, closing his eyes to worldly scenes in 1866, leaving a name and memory that will never fade from his descendants, or the world at large, whose appreciation of the works of a good man can not decrease. The son of Gov. Izard, Col. V. B. Izard, has been a life-long resident of St. Francis County, with the exception of the period of his father's office in Nebraska,
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where he was employed as teller in the Western Exchange Bank, and afterward in the land agency business. He was married in Oxford, Miss., Jan- uary 28, 1848, to Miss Mary T. Fondren, and by her is the father of four children: Lena P., Rich- ard J., Katie and V. B., Jr. After his marriage Col. Izard engaged in farming on a large planta- tion which is part of the present site of Forrest City. He entered the Confederate service in 1862, in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and served until the close of the war, when returning home he resumed agricultural pursuits, and subsequently embarked in merchandising, his avocation since that time. Col. Izard has always held a promi- nent place among the citizens of the county, and while never having made politics a profession-as did his father-he has frequently been sent as del- egate to various conventions, for the purpose of soliciting candidates for State affairs. He is a member in high standing of the Baptist Church, to which he lends his liberal support, and is also a Royal Arch Mason.
R. J. Izard, one of Forrest City's most prom- inent attorneys at law, was born in St. Francis County in 1865, being the son of Col. V. B. and Mary T. (Fondren) Izard. [See sketch of Col. Izard. ] R. J. was educated at Jackson, Tenn., and after being prepared at that school for the study of law (which had been the ambition of his youth) he entered the office of R. J. Williams, of Forrest City. Subsequently he attended the Law Department of the University at Lebanon, Tenn., and was graduated with honors from that institu- tion in June, 1887, at once returning to the office of Mr. Williams, where his career has been a cred- itable one. He is now city attorney, having been elected to that position in April, 1889. In August, 1889, Mr. Izard was united in matrimony to Miss Effie Howell, a daughter of Capt. J. L. Howell, in whose honor the town of Howell, Ark., was named. Although young in years, Mr. Izard has attained a prominence that would compare favorably with others of maturer years and wider experience. He is loyal to his profession and clients, and numer- ous personal characteristics of worth have endeared him in the hearts of many friends and acquaint-
ances, a confidence and respect which he will not do aught to misplace.
William Jolly was born in Beaufort County, N. C., in 1844, being the son of Isaiah and Senia (Williams) Jolly, natives of the same State. He came to Arkansas with his parents in 1852, locat- ing in the eastern part of St. Francis County. His schooling was limited to a few months in the district school, as he was obliged to assist his father on the farm, and when twenty-two years old he purchased a farm near the home place in 1867, being married to Miss Mattie Cummings, a daugh- ter of Sam and Martha Cummings, of Tennessee. Mr. Cummings was among the early settlers of the county. To Mr. Jolly's marriage five children were born: Samuel E., Katie Sliza, Lee A., Geor- gia Beulah and Julius H. He enlisted in 1862 in Company A, McNeil's regiment, of the Confed- erate army, participating in the engagements of Jenkins' Ferry, Helena, Little Rock, Mansfield and Prairie Grove. At the battle of Helena he received a wound, but which did not prove serious. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., and returned to his home, resuming his occupation of farming, and accepting the results of the war, as a final adjust- ment of the difficulties between the North and South, Mr. Jolly cheerfully turned his attention to the recovery of his lost fortune, though his entire stock in trade consisted of $1.25, which he obtained from a Yankee in exchange for Confederate money. His success was swift and sure, and in 1868 he located on his present farm, numbering 125 acres, cleared and in a fine state of cultivation. A beautiful residence with all the modern improve- ments, gives evidence of his spirit of progress and prosperity. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight of Honor, a Democrat in his political views, and with his wife a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jolly contributes most gen- erously to all public movements, and is one of the representative men of the county, commanding the respect of the entire community.
Nathaniel M. Jones came to St. Francis County with his father in 1832, when nine years of age, the country at that time being a comparative wilderness. He remained with his father until
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his death, which occurred in 1851, and in 1856 was married to Martha A. Agerton, who has borne five children: Mary C., Nancy, James P., Cleopatra and Senoth. Mr. Jones was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1823, to the union of Branch and and Nancy Jones, natives of Virginia and Tennes- see, respectively. Mr. N. M. Jones owns a farm of 146 acres, with sixty acres under cultivation, and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He is a Democrat in politics, and was a firm adherent to the Southern cause during the late war, serving in the Confederate army throughout that conflict. He is a member of the Baptist Church (as are also all of his family, with the exception of one of the chil- dren), in which he has been an active worker. Few men have led a more honorable life or con- tributed more liberally to the support of religious and educational enterprises than Mr. Jones.
Philander Littell, attorney at law of Forrest City, first saw the light of day in Chicot County, Ark., being the son of Philander and Martha Lit- tell. He received his literary education in the schools of Arkansas, and in the Lebanon University of Tennessee, and commenced the study of law at Helena, Ark., under the prominent and able Supreme Judge Hanty. At the breaking out of the war he joined the First Arkansas Regiment, serving until the final surrender. He was aid-de- camp to Gen. Walker after the battle of Shiloh, in which battle he was badly wounded, and at the time of his duel with Marmaduke was sent by Gen. Sterling Price around the Federal army to carry the news of the wounding of Gen. Walker to his family, also to bring his wife to see him. This he did, but Walker had died of his wounds before her arrival. Mr. Littell being financially embarrassed by the war, read privately and taught school for sev- eral years, and began the practice of his profession in this city, receiving the license to practice law in any State in the year 1869. He followed farming here from the time of his admission till entering up- on the prosecution of his chosen profession in For- rest City, owning several considerable plantations, and is now opening a large stock farm. His father was a native of Kentucky, and an attorney for many years, afterward practicing medicine. He
died in this county in 1864. The name Littell, as would be imagined, is decidedly French. Philan- der Littell is a Democrat in his political views, and a man noted for his thorough knowledge of law, and is perhaps better versed in land matters and titles than any other man in this part of the State. While he has a vast amount of land devoted to the growing of cotton, he takes decided interest in stock raising, in which he has been quite success- ful. Mr. Littell is conservative on all questions, and a man whose judgment is seldom biased. He believes that the race question could be solved without difficulty if it were not for local politicians, whose zeal for county offices rushes them into the perpetration of many blunders, irrespective of party. Mr. Littell was united in marriage with Miss Annie Seaborn, of this county, their marriage being solemnized in 1883.
George W. Littlefield is the son of Andrew J. and Betsy Littlefield, his birth occurring in Gib- son County, Tenn., in 1844. His boyhood years were passed in Panola County, Miss., and in 1861 he came to St. Francis County, and purchased a farm of 120 acres, fifty acres of which are in a good state of cultivation. He is also engaged in raising stock, and at this occupation has been quite successful. Mr. Littlefield enlisted in 1861, in Company C, Twenty-third Arkansas Regiment, participating in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Rip- ley and Port Hudson, La., and served until the final surrender. He was married in 1866, to Miss Druecillar Halbert, and by her is the father of three children: John, Maggie and George. In his political views he is a Democrat, and socially is identified with the Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield are members of the Baptist Church, and while not wealthy in the possession of this world's goods, they have that which is more to be desired -an unsullied name, and the love of a host of friends.
John F. Lynch first saw the light of day in St. Francis County, Ark., August 7, 1828, being the son of John and Pollie (Barnes) Lynch, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father moved to Arkansas in 1817, some time be- fore it was made a State, and saw it rise from an
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insignificant territory to a community of wealth and affluence in the sisterhood of the Union. His father, a native of North Carolina, was a resident here for many years, dying in his sixty-eighth year; he was the first man buried in the county. John F. (the subject of this sketch) began farming for himself at the age of eighteen, but at the breaking out of the war, laid aside the inoffensive imple- ments of the farm, to take up those that robbed the country of so many of her sons. He enlisted in Company B, Capt. McNeil's regiment, and re- ceived his discharge just before the final surrender. Upon his return home he found he had suffered serious losses, in fact everything being gone but his land. Mr. Lynch was married in 1853 to Miss Lizzie Davis, a daughter of Cornelius and Eliza Davis, who came to Arkansas from their na- tive State (Kentucky) in 1828. To his marriage with Miss Davis three children were born: Albert Sidney, Kate and Bessie. Albert is residing with his father; Kate was married in 1882 to Perry Minor, living at Phoenix, Ariz., engaged in the manufacture of ice, and Bessie, the youngest, is at- tending school at Lebanon, Tenn. Mr. Lynch owns 220 acres, with 150 carefully cultivated, and is also engaged in stock raising. He has amassed quite a large fortune, and is considered one of the representative men of the county, his success not having made him penurious, as is so often the case. He is always ready to assist in worthy enterprises, aiding in many movements having for their aim the growth of the country. The needy ever find in him a sympathetic listener, and many of his acts of charity never reach the ears of the outside world. He has passed his sixty-second year, and his whole life has been one of upright and honor- able principles. The respect and esteem accorded him is as wide as his acquaintance.
William H. McDaniel. The father of this re- spected citizen, John McDaniel, of Scotch origin, was born near Lexington, Ky., January 25, 1799, but grew to manhood in Virginia, where he mar- ried Miss Nancy Calvert, of Welsh descent. Soon after that event they decided to move, the tales related of the rich valley beyond the "Father of Waters," inspiring them to seek a home in the
then new territory of Arkansas, coming of ances- tors who were used to conflicts with the Indians, and the hardships of pioneer life, they did not hesitate to start for this new land of promise. Their trip was made by boat to a point several miles above the mouth of L'Anguille River, where they landed in 1824, and set ashore their worldly goods, consisting of one pony, two cows, and what household goods the pony could haul on a sled, and 123 cents in money. With his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children, and with no guide but the compass, Mr. DcDaniel struck out through the forest and staked off the farm now owned and occupied by the principal of this sketch. At that time there were not more than twelve families within the limits of the pres- ent St. Francis County. Upon the breaking out of the war, Mr. McDaniel was worth over $75,000 in lands, negroes and stock, all accumulated in a little over thirty years, in a wild and unsettled country, and upon a start of only one shilling; such a record is marvelous, and shows the latent force and energy, which was lying dormant in the character of John McDaniel when coming to this locality. Mr. McDaniel lived to a ripe old age, and died October 31, 1869, his wife surviving him only four years. She died September 15, 1873, aged seventy-four years and six months. Ten years after their arrival here, January 17, 1834, was born William H. McDaniel, who, together with his brother, John L., are the only survivors of this pioneer family. The early life of William H. was spent on the farm, helping his father clear up the land which he had settled when coming to Ar- kansas; the outbreak of the war found him still on the old homestead, but with the enthusiasm of a patriot, and the love of his native State burning in his breast, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry. Entering as a private, his bravery and good conduct were soon rewarded by his being promoted, first to the position of orderly- sergeant, then first lieutenant, and after the battle of Shiloh to the rank of captain. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh, Richmond and Murfreesboro (where he was wounded and disabled for a short time, also being wounded at Chicka-
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mauga) then at Missionary Ridge, and a number of other hard-fought battles, among which was the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. In August, 1864, the Captain was sent west of the Mississippi, to gather up recruits for the service, and while on duty, in October of that year, was captured and taken to Chicago, and then to Johnson's Island, where he was held until the close of the war. Then returning home, he has since been engaged in farming in this county, with substantial success, and now owns 1,480 acres in one tract, having 900 under cultivation. His principal crop is cotton, and he owns his own cotton-gin and saw-mill, and a supply store to furnish goods for his tenants. On January 24, 1867, Mr. McDaniel married Miss Mollie E. Fondrew, of Tennessee They are the parents of three daughters: Willie, Nannie and Ada. Several years ago Mr. McDaniel moved his family to Forrest City, where he has since lived, and has been a member of the city council for a number of years; also a member of the school board, and at one time was coroner of the county.
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