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 78

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 78

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James P. McDonald was born in Kingston, Canada, in the year 1830, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. When quite a young man he left the parental roof, engaging in the lumber business, some little distance from home, and afterward worked on the Erie Canal, in 1854 going to sea. He next went to New Orleans, and having com- menced boating on the Mississippi, followed that occupation until 1857, only discontinuing to ac- company Albert S. Johnston to Salt Lake City. After sojourning in the land of the "Mormons " for a while the spring of 1859 found him in Cali- fornia. Later he went to Leavenworth, Kas., and from there to Hagerstown, Md., where he accepted the position of wagon master in the Federal serv- ice, gaining the approbation of his superior offi- cers for his faithful attention to every detail of his business. In 1864 Mr. McDonald moved to Memphis, Tenn., and remained until 1866, leaving to take up his permanent abode in St. Francis County, Ark. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Williams, who died two years later. In 1874 Miss Lucy Halbert became his wife, and by her he had two children, who have

since died: Rosie A. and Sallie Baker. Mrs. Mc- Donald closed her eyes to the scenes of this world in 1876, and in 1881 Mr. McDonald was united in matrimony with Mrs. Lane, his present wife. Mrs. McDonald is a very estimable lady, and enjoys the respect of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. In secret organizations Mr. McDonald is identified with the Masonic order, and is also a member of the Wheel. In politics he votes the union labor ticket, and with his wife attends the Baptist Church, in which they have been members of many years standing.

Joseph McGowen, a native of North Carolina, was left an orphan at the age of seven years, his mother having died in 1836 and his father four years later. He was then bound out to a Mr. Turnage, with whom he remained until his seven- teenth year, when he commenced working for him- self at common farm labor in Shelby County, Tenn., and in 1852 purchased a farm in Tipton County. He was married November 19, 1854, to Cordelia A. Joyce, a native of Tennessee. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are still living: William Oliver (born Janu- ary 15, 1856), Eugenia H. (born September 6, 1857) and Thomas Martin (born April 26, 1862), who are married; Edward G. (born October 1, 1860), Annie Eliza (born January 10, 1867), Mary Frances (born December 25, 1868) and James Tay- lor (born June 28, 1872). Eugenia H. was married to William Williams March 4, 1875; William Oliver was married to M. J. English December 28, 1881; Thomas Martin was married to Gertrude Tennant December 21, 1887. Mr. McGowen re- mained in Tipton County until 1878 when he re- moved to Lee County, Ark., but after one year there, came to St. Francis County, where he still resides. He owns a quarter section of land with all but twenty acres under cultivation. Mr. Mc- Gowen has always been an active Democrat, and is a strong advocate of the public school system.

Jesse W. Mahaffey, though a native of Georgia, was brought to Arkansas by his parents when nine years of age, and was reared on a farm in St. Francis County, growing up here when there were but few settlers, with schools and churches few and

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far between, and no society or companions except- ing his family, consequently he had but a limited advantage for receiving an education, starting out in life as a common farm laborer at the age of sixteen. In the fall of 1849 he went into the tim- ber business and has been engaged in getting out timber from the forest and rafting it down the St. Francis River since that time in connection with farming. He owns a fine farm on the river bot- toms of 520 acres, well adapted to the growing of corn and cotton, and has ninety acres under culti- vation, the remainder being timber. This land lies partly in this county, and in Cross and the balance in Crittenden County. Mr. Mahaffey was born in Georgia on March 15, 1831, being a son of John and Lucinda (Wright) Mahaffey, na- tives of Eastern Tennessee. John Mahaffey was born near Knoxville in 1804, and was married on January 9, 1825, soon after which he removed to Georgia, and in 1840 came to St. Francis County, Ark., living here until his death in 1859. He was a member of the Christian Church in his latter days and took an active interest in all religious matters, his chief object being to train his children in the fear of God. He was the father of seven children: Jesse Woods (the principal of this ar- ticle), Elizabeth P., William R., Lutishia, Belinda, Winnie and David R. The subject of this sketch is the only one of the family living. He has been twice married; first to Sarah Duncan, in 1854, a native of Tennessee, who died the following year, leaving one daughter. The latter also died when five years old. He married his second wife on May 19, 1857; she was formerly America E. Dixon, a daughter of Thomas Dixon, and a native of Ten- nessee. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: James W., Jesse W., Thomas F., Lucinda and Mary E. Mr. Mahaffey is a Democrat in politics, though formerly an old line Whig. He is an upright Christian gentleman and a liberal donator to all charitable objects.

John W. Mallory was born in Petersburg, Va., in the vicinity of which he resided with his mother until the year 1842, when she moved to Fayette County, Tenn. Leaving home in 1843, when fif- teen years old, John went to Memphis, Tenn., and

became engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store, continuing at that business until 1849. During his stay in Memphis he enlisted in a company fit- ting out for service in Mexico, but as their services were not needed it was soon disbanded. In the winter of 1848 he returned to Fayette County and in the January following was married. In 1852, moving to St. Francis County, Ark., he engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Vernon, at that time the county seat. To Mr. Mallory's marriage nine children were born : Etta, Cora, Emmett, Bessie, Eddie, John, Roger, Robert and Neeley. He now resides on his farm where he has made his home for thirty-seven years. He is a Mason, having passed the Blue Lodge to the Chapter, and thence to the Knight Templar degree. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. Mr. Mallory's father was a native of Louisa County, Va. He was of Scotch descent and his mother of French, descended from the Huguenots who fled to America on account of religious persecution. At an early age he moved to Petersburg, Va., and en- gaged in business, subsequently enlisting in the War of 1812 as a member of the Petersburg Blues, and served in Canada under Gen. William Henry Harrison. He was present at the principal en- gagements of that war, among others the battle of the Thames, in which the celebrated chief, Tecum- seh, was slain, and he was only a short distance from him when he fell. He secured his tomahawk, which is still in the possession of the family. It is a piece of wonderfully unique and grotesquely finished workmanship. After the close of the war he was elected high sheriff of Petersburg, which office he held until his death in 1830. In com- memoration of his untiring energy and devotion to his office the city council presented him with a silver cup, bearing the date of his birth, March 10, 1790. It is now in the possession of his son, the subject of this sketch.

Lowry Mallory is a native of Alabama, and grew to manhood in his native State, supplement- ing his primary education by an attendance at Ox- ford College. Upon leaving school he came to Arkansas, locating on White River, in Jackson County, where he opened up a farm and remained

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for twelve years, improving his land; but overwork impaired his health, and he was obliged to travel for a few years. Thus were spent all the savings which he had made during that time in seeking restoration to his former condition, and he had only about $50 remaining. He then went to West Point, and was engaged in the real-estate business until 1884, when he entered the employ of the Little Rock Oil Company, and for four years was occupied as general purchasing agent of the com- pany, employed in buying cotton seed. Mr. Mal- lory's marriage was to Miss Bessie Mallay, who was born in St. Francis County. She died in 1886, leaving three children: Walter E., J. W. and Bes- sie. William Mallory, the father of our subject, is a Virginian by birth, and moved to Alabama at an early date, being one of the pioneers of that part of the State. He was there married to Miss E. J. Blackwood. He was a son of a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was of Irish descent.

William Manning was born near the city of Cork, Ireland, on August 12, 1835. In 1844 his father and mother emigrated to the United States, and located in Dutchess County, N. Y., the subject of this sketch, with the other children, fol- lowing in 1845. The family remained in New York, engaged in the nursery business and farming, until 1856, when all moved to Will County, Ill., 'and settled on a farm. There our subject con- tinued till 1866, the time of his removal to. Jasper County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the nursery business until 1874. Selling his nursery, he returned to Illinois, and remained on the home- stead until 1876, when he moved to his present lo- cation in St. Francis County, Ark. He was mar- ried on April 8, 1863, to Miss A. D. Harrah, a native of Pennsylvania. In September, 1861, Mr. Manning enlisted in the band of the Thirty- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was dis- charged in June, 1862, when the band was mustered out of service. While in Illinois he served one term as commissioner of highways, and one year as collector of taxes. In 1888 he was elected repre- sentative from St. Francis County on the Fusion ticket. He is a Democrat in politics, but not of the ballot-box stuffing variety. In the legislature

he upheld every measure that was in the interest of progress and development, and supported every local temperance measure, and was largely instru- mental in securing the passage of the native wine bill. His family consists of seven boys and one girl, ranging in age from four to twenty-five years. Since coming to Arkansas Mr. Manning has been engaged in farming and stock raising, and has been fairly successful.

W. J. Matthews, M. D., a popular physician of Forrest City and a credit to the medical fraternity, was born in Maury County, Tenn., May 28, 1831, being one of eight children born to James W. and S. K. (Dooley) Matthews, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. James W. Matthews was a pioneer of Tennessee, a farmer by occupa- tion, and surveyor of Maury County for many years. He died in his eighty-third year, his wife having gone before in her sixty-fourth year. The paternal grandfather was born in North Carolina, and came to Tennessee when James W. was a small boy, dying in Tennessee at a very old age. The maternal grandfather also owed his nativity to Tennessee, and served in some of the Indian wars, and was given the euphonious title of "Old Capt. Dooley." The great-grandmother was killed by Indians while holding the grandmother (a baby at the time), and engaged in spinning flax. W. J. Matthews passed his early life in the schools of Maury County, Tenn., afterward becoming en- rolled as a pupil of Erskine College, South Carolina, remaining away from home for three years. On the completion of his literary education he re- turned home and began the study of medicine under A. T. Boyd and J. M. Buldridge of Maury County, Tenn., and after having graduated from the Medical Department of the College at Nashville, Tenn., 1860, went immediately to Taylor's Creek, St. Francis County, Ark. In June, 1861, he en- tered the Confederate army as a private, this company being commanded by Hon. Poindexter Dunn. After three months Dr. Matthews was pro- moted to the position of surgeon of the Third Con- federate Regiment, and served in that company in the same capacity till the close of the war. Of a company of 100 men from this neighborhood, all

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were unmarried, with the exception of the captain. They were in the Army of the Tennessee, and par- ticipated in the hard-fought battles of Shiloh, Mur- freesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Ken- esaw Mountain, Ringgold Gap, Golgotha Church, Jonesboro, Franklin and Perryville. Pat. Cle- burne was the major-general, and Dr. Matthews was on the field when he met his death. Twenty-one men of the original number (100) returned home, and nine of them are now living. At the close of the war Dr. Matthews resumed his former practice, which he had established a year previous to the war at Taylor's Creek, and though he voted against secession, he went with his State when it seceded. Coming to Forrest City, in 1871, he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and has attained an enviable position, both in social circles and as a competent physician. Dr. Mat- thews was married in 1866 to Miss Ella Eastham, of Summerville, Tenn., but death claimed her in 1871, she having borne two children, now deceased. His second wife was Mrs. Carrie Prewitt, of Sauls- bury, Tenn., and to them one child was born, Leta B. Mrs. Matthews died, and his third and present wife was Miss C. M. Gray. Dr. Matthews is a member of the State Medical Association, secre- tary of St. Francis County Medical Society, and a member of the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of H., and K. & L. of H. He is also an earnest worker in the Presbyterian Church.

Archibald S. May, a well-known farmer of St. Francis County and numbered among its younger citizens, was born in that county in 1854, being the son of R. A. and L. C. May, natives of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively. With the ex- ception of a few months spent in Texas he has passed his entire life in Arkansas. Mr. May was not fortunate in receiving a liberal education, the advantages at the period of his boyhood being far from satisfactory, but by constant and close appli- cation to study of late years he is conversant with many topics of importance of the past and present. He was married in December, 1888, to Miss Mollie Taylor, a daughter of James H. and Lucinda C. Taylor of Arkansas. Mr. May is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and also of

the Wheel. His principal business is that of stock raising, and he is a man who stands high in his community-possessing true worth and in- tegrity and being a liberal supporter of all public enterprises.

Thomas I. Mohler, M. D., who occupies a posi- tion of prominence in the medical affairs of Eastern Arkansas, was ushered into the world on March 10, 1844, in the State of North Carolina, but was reared in Kentucky, spending his boyhood in a tobacco factory. At the age of eighteen he went to Illinois and the following January enlisted in the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry as a private, before the close of the war being promoted to the position of second lieutenant. He served in Sherman's "march to the sea," and participated in all of the battles in that campaign. After the war going to Johnstown, Mr. Mohler bought a farm, and in April, 1866, was married to Miss Judy S. Lawrence, who died in January, 1878, leaving six children. He was engaged in farming for four years, after which he went into partnership with his brother in the manufacture of tobacco and cigars. Following the death of his wife he commenced the study of medicine and attended lectures at the St. Joe Medical College, subsequently traveling over Mis- souri, Iowa, Utah, California and all of the West- ern States. In 1887 he located at Palestine, Ark., and commenced the practice of medicine, and has built up an extensive patronage. He is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the K. of P.

Irving R. Nail owns one of the carefully culti- vated farms of St. Francis County, Ark., it con- sisting of 120 acres, a greater portion of it being under the plow, and the general impression of the observer, is that thrift and prosperity prevail. He owes his success to no one, being thrown on his own resources at the age of thirteen, and though the prospect was not one to encourage one, he never grew despondent, but kept bravely on, with what success is already known. He was born in Tennessee in the year 1825, being the son of Andrew and Lucy, natives of Virginia and Ken- tucky, respectively. Mr. Nail came to St. Francis County in 1838 where he breathed his last a few years later. Irving R. Nail enlisted in the Confed-

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erate army in 1861 in Johnston's Company, Thir- teenth Arkansas Regiment, participating in the bat- tle of Belmont. He was shortly after discharged on account of illness, this ending his war career. He was married in 1863 to Amanda Raney, a daughter of Thomas and Jane Raney. The result of this union was four children: Martha J., William R., Dorinda and John C. Mrs. Nail died in August, 1877, and Mr. Nail remained a widower until January, 1881, when he took for his second wife Miss Nancy Cobb, whose father, W. M. Cobb, immi- grated from South Carolina to Arkansas in 1855, having been born in 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Nail are members in high standing of the Baptist Church, to which the former lends his hearty support and influence. He is a Democrat politically.

John M. Parrott, a retired lawyer of Forrest City, is native of Tennessee. His father, John Parrott, moved to that State at a very early day in its history, where he engaged in the saddlery busi- ness, serving as a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1845, his wife surviving him twenty years. They were the parents of a large family, of whom John M., our subject, who was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in October, 1814, is the only surviv- or. He lived at his native town, Dandridge, attend- ing the academy at that place, until seventeen years of age, when his father moved upon a farm in the vicinity. In 1836 he commenced life for himself at Blountsville, Ala., going into the mercantile busi- ness, and three years later came to St. Francis County, continuing the same business at Madison. In 1840 he was appointed deputy clerk by Isaac Mitchel, then clerk of the St. Francis circuit court, and in 1842 was elected circuit clerk, which office he filled with such satisfaction to the citizens that he was made his own successor for fourteen years in succession; during this time he applied himself closely to the study of law, and in 1856 he was ad- mitted to the bar and commenced practicing, which he followed until within a few years, when he re- tired from active professional life. In 1864 Mr. Parrott was elected to the legislature, but did not serve the term, owing to the fact of there being no session that year. In 1874 he was a delegate to the constitutional convention. He was a candi-

date for nomination for the office of auditor of State in 1876, but was beaten by John Crawford. During the war he entered the Confederate service and acted as assistant adjutant, though being in no engagements. Mr. Parrott has been twice mar- ried; first, in 1841, to Rhoda Johnson, who died in 1858. His second union, in 1859, was to Mrs. Johnson (nee Witter). They are the parents of six children, three of whom are still living: Kate C. (now Mrs. Martin), Ida Lee (now Mrs. Miller) and Mattie A., all residing in this county. Mr. Parrott has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the past forty-five years. He is also connected with the Masonic order.

Rev. W. H. Paslay, prominently associated with the Baptist Church of Forrest City, first saw the light of day in South Carolina, December 18, 1831, being the son of H. W. and Mary (Wright) Paslay, born in South Carolina, in 1803 and 1802, respectively. H. W. Paslay was a graduate from the Medical Institute of Charleston, and also a min- ister of the Baptist Church. He was recognized as a gentleman of unusual attainments, both in his prac- tice of medicine, and as a minister of the Gospel. He immigrated to Arkansas in 1857, where his death occurred in 1872. To himself and wife a family of eight children were born. The mother of Mr. Paslay closed her eyes to the scenes of this world in 1873. W. H. Paslay received his educa- tion in the schools of his native State, afterward taking a full course in the well-known Furman University of South Carolina, graduating there- from in the year 1855. He then taught school for several years, and was ordained in Alabama, where for fifteen years he was engaged in preaching and teaching. Coming to Arkansas in the fall of 1872, he located in Monroe County, and has endeared himself to many friends and acquaintances by his conscientious and faithful work in the church, as well as by his efficient discharge of the manifold duties of teacher in the schools. He has been occu- pied in preaching (as at present) in St. Francis, Lee, Monroe and Phillips Counties, his work covering a period of over thirty-one years. During the Civil War he was prevailed upon by many soldiers, who went into active service, to remain at home to look

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after their families, they feeling that his watchful care would keep them from all harm, so his work in the war covered only a short time. Mr. Paslay was first married to Miss Geraldine Rupum, of Ala- bama, who left four daughters, viz .: Mary Tula, Ora Lana, Alna Mona and Etta Leta. He was next married to Miss Julia Prince of Alabama, who died leaving one child, Estelle. His third and present wife was formerly Miss Ann Dozier of Jasper County, Ga., and by her he became the father of three sons: W. H., Woode D. and Rob E. Mr. Paslay in connection with his many other duties, carefully cultivates a farm of 320 acres of valuable land. He is a Mason in the Blue Lodge and Chap- ter, and also a Knight of Honor.

G. W. Pearson, deputy circuit and county clerk of St. Francis County, was born in Mississippi December 25, 1830, being the third in a family of nine children born to John A. and Nancy (Nichols) Pearson. They were natives of North Carolina (near Fair Bluff), and married there, moving to Southern Mississippi in 1829. At the date of their deaths they lived near Brandon, Miss. John A. Pearson was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and had preached from the earliest recollections of his son until his death, in 1842. Of their large fam - ily of children, G. W. is the only one now living. Everett died at Nashville, Tenn., in the Confeder- ate army, in the Sixth Mississippi Regiment; John was waylaid and shot by a negro; the sisters married and all died after the war. G. W. has in his possession a cane which was made by his grandfather (a native of North Carolina) when a young man. He was a carpenter and natural me- chanic, and died in his seventy-third year. G. W. Pearson received his education in the schools of Mississippi, and selected farming as his occupa- tion, in which he was actively engaged until com- ing to Arkansas, in 1872. He was married in Mississippi to M. A. Taylor, and their union was blessed by two children: William Atkins and Annie Everett. Mr. Pearson owns a residence in town. He was agent for the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad for nine years, subsequently being appointed magistrate, and has been filling the po- sition of deputy county clerk since May, 1889, dis-

charging the duties of his office in a highly credit- able manner. The grandfather of Mr. Pearson and two brothers were taken captives by Indians and carried far back into the interior of the coun- try, after which the savages held a council to de- termine the best way to dispose of their captives. The brothers were lashed to the ground to await their terrible death, but an Indian maiden became enamored of one of them-a very handsome man- and went to his relief, cutting the lashes that bound him, and telling him at the same time to flee for . his life, which injunction he was not slow to fol- low. He released his brothers, and after running nearly all night, they crawled into a large log, whose capacity was sufficient to hold them all. The Indians followed in hot pursuit, and were close upon them when a herd of deer crossed their path, thereby destroying the trail. The redskins gave up the chase, and actually seated themselves on the log in which the brothers were secreted, and in which they remained until night. They had been without food for three days, and when an opossum crossed their path they killed and de- voured it without waiting to have it broiled, their intense hunger making them forget that it was raw. They made their way to a white settlement, and then on to their old home, where they were welcomed by their relatives and friends, who had despaired of ever seeing them again. Mr. Pear- son has not been particularly fortunate in amassing property, but he and his honored wife enjoy that which is of far more consequence-an unsullied name and the sincere love of a host of friends. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, his wife also being con- nected with the same church.

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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