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 80

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 80

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James M. Stewart, of the representative firm of Stewart & Taylor, abstract, loan and general insur- ance agents of Forrest City, was born at Collier- ville, in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1842. In 1859 he came to Arkansas, locating at the old county seat of Madison, in St. Francis County, where for two years he was engaged as clerk and book-keeper by an es- tablishment at that point. When the war between the States was declared he went to Kentucky to join the cavalry service, but the delicate condition of his health caused him to be rejected, much to his chagrin. Giving his supplies to a companion who had been more fortunate in being accepted, he returned to Arkansas and joined the Fifth Arkan- sas (Hart's) Regiment as a private of Company A; he was afterward adjutant of his regiment, and at the close of the war was commanding Company A, in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He served for four years, and participated in all the princi- pal engagements of the State. When peace had been declared Mr. Stewart accepted a position of

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trust with a firm at Memphis, Tenn., where he re- mained until 1868, leaving at that time to return to St. Francis County to fill a position as clerk and book-keeper. In 1879 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, in which capacity he served for four consecutive terms, in a manner eliciting the satisfaction and admiration of all concerned. Mr. Stewart then ceased to be an aspirant for office, and at that time was more popular with the people of the county than he had ever been before. By this prudent and all-wise step he still remains one of the most esteemed and influential men in the community. Soon after leaving the clerk's office he, in company with Mr. Taylor, formed the pres- ent real-estate firm, which is one of the most widely known and substantial establishments of this branch of business in this section of the State, they own- ing over 10,000 acres of valuable land. In socie- ties Mr. Stewart is identified with the F. & A. M., K. T., K. of H. and K. & L. of H. Washington G. and Sarah W. (Griggs) Stewart, his parents, were natives of South Carolina and Tennessee, re- spectively, he being the fourth of a family of nine children born to their union. Washington Stew- art was a millwright by trade, and enjoyed an ex- tensive business in Tennessee and Mississippi. He executed a greater part of the work on the plank road out of Memphis, Tenn., through Mississippi, on Big Creek Plank Road, and many other public highways. He was a man of prominence and in- fluence, and was one of the first mayors of Madi- son, the old county seat of St. Francis County. He died in 1868. J. M. Stewart was married, in 1866, to Miss Ollie E. Colson, of Paducah, Ky., and by her became the father of three children: James H., Elbert and Mary E. Mr. Stewart, be- sides his other interests, is a stockholder in and one of the incorporators of the Forrest City Hotel Company. He was elected secretary of that com- pany at its organization, serving as such until forced by ill health to vacate in the winter of 1888. He is also a stockholder in and one of the original incorporators of the Bank of Eastern Arkansas, located at Forrest City. A member of the city council of the town of Forrest City and chairman of the finance committee, he was also twice elected

a member of the school board of the special school district of Forrest City, and as such took an active interest in educational affairs. He served as Mas- ter of the Masonic Lodge here several terms and was Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of this State, also Dictator of the Lodge of K. of H. at same place, several consecutive terms.

J. E. Stone, M. D., has reached an eminence in his profession which renders his name almost a household word throughout Forrest City, and the surrounding locality. He received his literary ed- ucation in Tennessee, and commenced the study of medicine under a tutor in Arkansas, afterward entering the Missouri Medical College (known then as the old McDowell College, and situated in St. Louis), where he was graduated with honors. Entering the Confederate army in May, 1861, in Company B, First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, he served over four years, participating in the battles of Oak Hill (where he was severely wounded) and Pea Ridge, and was then transferred across to the Army of Tennessee, just after the battle of Corinth. He also took an active part at Jackson (Miss.), Chickamauga, Duggers' Gap, New Hope Church, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, and several other engagements of minor importance. After the war Dr. Stone located in Van Buren County, Ark., where he actively followed the practice of his chosen profession for five years, then going to Memphis, and thence to Walnut Bend, Ark. In 1883 he came to Forrest City, and still enjoys an extensive patronage, besides a large livery busi- ness, also owning considerable land, both here and in Lee County. He is one of Forrest City's most enterprising and influential citizens, and has done much in his own peculiar way toward the present advancement and prosperity of the place. The Doctor has been twice married, his first union oc- curring in Tennessee, and the second in Arkansas. He was born in Virginia in 1839, and is the son of M. G. and Martha (Stovall) Stone, also originally from the Old Dominion. Dr. Stone is a member in high standing of the various Masonic lodges of this place.

Capt. J. W. Stout enlisted in the Rebel army, in 1862, in the First Battalion, Arkansas Cavalry,

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Gen. Price commanding. He was captured at the battle of Big Black Bridge, Miss., May 17, 1863, and sent to military prison on Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie, where he was kept till February, 1865. After the collapse of the Confederacy, he returned to his family, and subsequently removed to Cross County, Ark., remaining there till 1871. Coming to St. Francis County, he purchased a home of 200 acres of land, and has since followed farming regularly and successfully, also serving the public as a mill and gin proprietor. Capt. Stout was born in McMinn County, E. Tenn., in 1829, and is of German descent, being a son of Daniel and Elisabeth Stout. His father was born in Virginia, and his mother in Kentucky. Her maiden name was Franklin. The senior Stout was a professional school-teacher in McMinn Coun- ty, E. Tenn., for a series of years, and taught ten years in succession in the same academy. J. W.'s boyhood was spent in Tennessee, in attending school, and in 1851 he moved with his father to Walker County, Ga., following farming for about one year. Then he was engaged as salesman with Parham & Lee, in the mercantile business, till December, 1854. He was married December 26, to Mrs. Elizabeth B. Brooks, daughter of Benjamin C. Hardin, who had one daughter. They have had nine children born to them, four of whom are dead, three sons and one daughter. Five children are living, two sons and three daughters: Minnie (the wife of Rev. W. W. Hendrix), Hollace W., Flora (wife of Dr. A. A. Berry), Thomas J. and Ophelia. Georgie A., the daughter of Mrs. Stout, is the wife of A. C. Shaver. Capt. Stout and wife, and all the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He also be- longs to the Masonic order and the Knights of Honor. His wife is a member of the K. & L. of H. He is Democratic politically.

George P. Taylor enjoys the friendship of, per- haps, a larger number of personal acquaintances than any man in Eastern Arkansas. Of magnifi- cent physical proportions, standing over six feet high and weighing above 195 pounds, he attracts attention in any gathering. He was born in Cooper County, Mo., October 13, 1850, and traces

his ancestry back four generations to John Taylor, of Scotch and Irish descent, who was the founder of that branch of the family on this side of the continent. He came to America before the great "Stamp Act" and "Boston Tea Party" occurred, and settled among the colonists of South Carolina. He was loyal to the country of his adoption when the great conflict began which announced the birth of the greatest nation on the face of the globe, and gave one of his sons to the cause of freedom. Early in the history of Kentucky John Taylor emigrated to this new territory, and here was born and reared his son, upon whom was con- ferred the family name of John. He grew to manhood in a locality even then thinly settled, but being lured by the tales of the new region across the Mississippi, followed the train of emigrants westward, and among the prominent names in the early history of Cooper County, Mo., appears that of John Taylor. He was there married to Miss Cochrell. After remaining in that county until the breaking out of the war he moved to St. Louis. George P. Taylor spent his early life in his native State, and attended school at Boonville, conducted by the renowned Dr. Kemper. He was fourteen years of age when his father removed to St. Louis, and in 1867 removed to Arkansas, set- tling in Lee County, on a plantation, where he re- mained until 1873. Then he came to Forrest City and died here in 1879 of yellow fever, his wife preceding him about one year. George P. Taylor located as a citizen of St. Francis County in 1870, where he was engaged in farming, being married in February, 1873, to Miss Alice Koonce, a native of this county. She is the mother of six children: Edgar P., Walter R., Alva J., Alice N., Nannie and George P., Jr. In 1874, after the reconstruc- tion act, Mr. Taylor was elected representative from St. Francis County, though at that time only twenty-four years of age; he was re-elected in 1878, and in 1880 was appointed county collector. In 1880 he entered into the real-estate business at Forrest City. In 1885 the "Forrest City Manu- facturing Company" was formed, with Mr. Tay- lor as president, but a $5,000 fire shortly after caused the dissolution of the company. In 1884-85

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he formed a partnership with Hatcher & Mann in the mercantile business, this remaining for two years. December, 1886, he was associated with James M. Stewart, as real-estate agents and brokers, then the only firm of the kind in the county. He is one of the organizers and is secre- tary of the Forrest City Hotel Company, a corpo- ration with a capital stock of $24,000, and is also a stockholder and director of the Bank of Eastern Arkansas, located at Forrest City, which has a capi- tal stock of $50,000. Both enterprises yield good returns, and their stock is quoted above par. Mr. Taylor also owns several large plantations in this county, and is conceded to be one of its most prominent citizens, especially having the esteem and confidence of the Democracy of this locality, as is shown by the fact that for eight consecutive years he has been chairman of the County Central Com- mittee, and was a delegate to the National Demo- cratic Convention of 1888. He was also a delegate to the National Farmers' Congress, held at Mont- gomery, Ala., in November, 1889. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order, in which he holds the office of Master, also belonging to the order of Knights of Pythias. Besides these he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Baptist Church. Their home in Forrest City is one of the finest here, elegantly furnished, and contains one of the largest and best-selected libraries in the county, embracing the leading authors in poetry, science, history and fiction.

Thomas L. Taylor, a prominent planter of St. Francis County, is a native of Missouri, and a son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Cockrell) Taylor, originally from Virginia. John Taylor and wife came to Arkansas in 1866, where he engaged in farming (in this county), during his life. Thomas L. received a good education at the public schools of this township, and later attended college in Clay County, Mo., supplementing this by an attendance at the Kemper School of Boonville. He left this institution in the fall of 1861 to join the Confed- erate army, in which he served until taken prison- er in 1863, being confined eight months, after which he was paroled. His health having suffered

by close confinement he went to California, but returned in 1866 by wagon train, as the cholera which was prevalent along the rivers prevented a passage by boat. Mr. Taylor was married in August, 1874, in Shelby County, Tenn., to Miss Sallie A. Jarman, but she lived only a few months. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres, with a large part of it un- der cultivation, having good improvements, etc. He is a prominent Democrat of the Jeffersonian type.

E. L. Vadakin, the popular editor of the For- rest City Times, owes his nativity to the State of Illinois, having first seen the light of day near the little town of Sullivan in 1864, as the son of H. F. and A. (Clements) Vadakin. H. F. Vadakin was born in Vermont, but when quite young immigrated to Illinois, settling near Sullivan, where he became well known to the citizens for many miles around as an efficient and courteous druggist. His business was of many years' standing, and his death in 1888 was sincerely mourned, both by his personal friends and those who knew him through reputation. Mrs. Vadakin died when E. L. was a little child. At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch en- tered a printing office and there laid the founda- tion of his future career. After a few months his brother-in-law purchased the paper, which was lo- cated at Stewardson, Ill., but soon sold it. Mr. Vadakin remained with the successor, receiving $10 per month for his services. His next move was to Tower Hill, Ill., where, as no other employment presented itself, he worked for three months on a farm. About this time a campaign paper was started in the town, and afforded work for our subject for some time, but unfortunately it was short-lived, and as it sunk into obscurity, the editor also failed to materialize, having neglected to give Mr. Vada- kin any compensation for his labor. The latter, as might be supposed, found himself in rather straight- ened circumstances, but at this juncture, a railroad advertising agent stopped in the village, and taking a fancy to Mr. Vadakin, induced him to accompany him to Cincinnati, Ohio, promising to use his ut- most endeavors to secure for him a good position in some one of the printing offices of that city. This he was unable to do, but he did furnish

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him a home for some time. Eager to become self- reliant, and not dependent on the bounty of his friends, Mr. Vadakin returned to his old home in Illinois, and accepted the position in one of the printing offices for the sum of $2 per week, and board. An uncle, who was a member of the Union Printing Company at Little Rock, then came to his assistance, and secured him work in an office in that city, where he remained for three years. At one time, while serving his apprenticeship, he had charge of the Union Job Office at Little Rock. Though his promotion was gradual, it was none the less sure, and he is to-day one of the expert printers in Arkansas. After working on the Demo- crat, at Lonoke, Ark., for some time, the propri- etor purchased the Times at Forrest City, appoint- ing Mr. Vadakin the manager, he to receive half of the net profits. The paper had almost died out, having become exceedingly unpopular from the effects of a newspaper controversy, but Mr. Vada- kin brought it to the front, and it is now one of the best county papers in the State, besides being the leading publication of St. Francis County. In May, 1886, Mr. Vadakin was united in marriage with Miss Lillie B. Landvoigh, and to their union one child has been born, Dora Annette. Mr. Vadakin and his father-in-law bought the Times, and own it in partnership. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and in politics a Democrat.

Claude H. Vann, editor and proprietor of the Forrest City Register, was born in Cross County, Ark., April 17, 1871, being the son of J. M. and Ida H. (Hare) Vann, well-known and highly es- teemed residents of Cross County. Claude H. received his education in the schools of the county, and served an apprenticeship to the newspaper business in the office of the Cross County Chronicle. Having proved an able assistant in the office, at the expiration of his time he was given an oppor- tunity to remain, but as better inducements were offered him by the Morrill Bros. Printing Com- pany of New York as a traveling salesman, he accepted that position, and demonstrated his abil- ity as a commercial traveler, being considered a valuable acquisition to the force of that house. He subsequently was occupied as solicitor of the Forrest

City Times, and in September of 1889 purchased the Register of that city. It had become consid- erably run down at the time he took it in hand, but though only a few months have intervened since then, he is making rapid strides in its up- building, and success is the sure future of his earnest endeavors. Mr. Vann is a young man, eighteen years of age, and only recently located at Forrest City, but the prominence he has attained, the esteem in which he is held, and his position in business and social circles, concede him to be a prominent factor in the county.

"Philip Van Patten, M. D." So reads the sign that noisily swings to and fro on its rusty hinges, attracting the passers-by on one of the principal streets of Forrest City. The busy little notice is given only a momentary thought by its many read- ers, but the reputation of him whom it represents, an efficient and popular physician, will survive him many years. Born in Schenectady County, N. Y., in 1827, Dr. Van Patten's boyhood days were passed in carving his name in wonderful designs on his desk and making pictures, much to the de- light of his schoolmates, but aside from all his fun, he was a good scholar, and won the approbation and affection of his teachers. When only thirteen years old he was deprived of his father's love and protection, death claiming him while on business in Michigan. Philip then moved with his mother to Iowa, the mother afterward going to Denver, Colo., where she passed away in 1885, at the age of eighty-six years. His literary education was received in Iowa, he taking a classical course, under the able instruction of Father Pelamargues, a Catholic priest, of Paris, France. His studies ex. tended to a course in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, the former being so thoroughly instilled in his mind, that he read Cæsar some four years ago without consulting his Lexicon but six times. He made it a rule to regularly demonstrate a certain number of mathematical problems every morning, and now devotes a half hour daily to the study of classics. Entering the Medical University of Iowa when twenty-one, he graduated with honors in 1853, and first announced himself competent to alleviate the sufferings to which flesh is heir, in

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De Witt, Iowa, where he practiced for one year in association with Dr. Asa Morgan. During the year 1861 he choose for the partner of his joys and sor- rows the daughter of Col. John Miller, of Bates- ville, Ark., father of the late Gov. Miller. One child, Hattie L., born to Dr. and Mrs. Van Patten alone survives. She is now a student of art in Memphis, Tenn. During the war between the States, Dr. Van Patten was surgeon of the Thir- teenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Tappen in command. He was afterward promoted to bri- gade-surgeon, and subsequently to the position of division-surgeon. For a short period he served as brigade-surgeon for Old Frank Cheatam, and was for two years in the Trans-Mississippi Department, under Gen. L. Polk, in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mis- souri and Mississippi, also being surgeon of Fort Pillow, in 1861. He was present at the battle of Shiloh, and was made division-surgeon by Gen. Polk on the battlefield, in the presence of Albert Sidney Johnston and Beauregard. He was obliged to resign before the war closed, on account of nervous prostration. In 1858 Dr. Van Patten was elected to the State senate, but was kept out of the office by fraud, perpetrated in the clerk's office in Poinsett County. In 1860 he was elected county representative from Poinsett County, and after- ward State senator of the Thirteenth district. He was also acting surgeon of the United States army, of the Sixteenth United States Infantry, at Little Rock for a short time. Upon the close of hostili- ties he resumed his practice in his old county, and then went to Little Rock, where he acted as secre- tary of the board of health, and was also physician and surgeon for the State penitentiary. In Feb- ruary of 1885, the Doctor came to Forrest City, and formed a partnership with Dr. J. B. Cum- mings. He has been United States pension agent and president of the board of health here for two years. In societies he is associated with the A. F. & A. M. and the K. & L. of H. A genial com- panion, the essential characteristics of Dr. Van Patten as a gentleman and scholar mark his de- meanor, and his numerous noble acts, though per- haps a trifle philanthropic in his way, only serve to endear him in the heart of his many friends and

acquaintances. When on the battlefield, with men more experienced and older in years, he was heard to remark to one of them, that he felt more like a son to a father, than a superior officer to his subjects. His father's (John P. Van Patten) im- mediate ancestors came direct from Holland and settled on Manhattan Island. The paternal grand- father and maternal grandfather were private sol- diers under George Washington in the Revolu- tionary War. A grand uncle was a colonel, and took charge of the prisoners at the surrender of Burgoyne. Dr. Van Patten's children have inherited his own studious propensities, and have been en- dowed by nature with unusual capabilities. Eva Lillian graduated in higher mathematics at the age of fourteen years, under Prof. D. L. Thomp- son, of Wittsburg, the course extending through Calculus. After thus having her reasoning powers developed far beyond the height attained by even some of the most brilliant women of our country, in order to give her that proficiency in language, literature and the fine arts, which she had already attained in mathematics, and understanding that a harmonious development of all the faculties is requisite to attain perfect personal and intellectual culture, Dr. Van Patten wisely sent her to Notre Dame, Ind., to the female school there, made famous the world over by the Sisters of Mercy. After having well improved the opportunities afforded her she again returned to her home an even more devoted student than be- fore. During her leisure hours she was found poring over the works of Tyndall, Huxley and Darwin, drinking in the many good things in their writings and criticising contradictory statements appearing on different pages. In mathematics, literature, language, art and every other branch, her mind searched eagerly for knowledge, and she daily meditated on many of the great questions which have from remote ages vexed and perplexed the minds of our greatest thinkers. She was the constant companion of her father, and with him discussed all questions. Her greatness of heart was unlimited, and she had charity for the faults of all. Such women are priceless gems, but her physical constitution could not stand the draft on

P. Van Patten FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS.

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her intellect, and paralysis of the brain caused her death. Such an affliction is certainly to be la- mented by more than her family, and it is to be hoped her young soul, freed from its incumbrance of clay, can see, without effort into all the myste- ries she was continually investigating here. Hat- tie L., now the wife of Eugene Parrish, of Para- gould, Ark., was on the point of graduating from Notre Dame, when the breaking out of diphtheria caused her sudden return home, and prevented her receiving a diploma. Her paintings and her music show the touch of an artist. She paints from nature with absolute perfection, and her por- trait gems, which have been examined by many, are pronounced worthy of an artist of national rep- utation. She is an excellent English scholar, and proficient in Latin, French and German. She was married November 2, 1889.

Wade Webb, a farmer by occupation, owes his nativity to the State of North Carolina, his birth occurring in Edgecombe County in 1841. John and Esther Webb, his parents, were natives of the same State. The ancestors came from England before the Revolutionary War, settling near Jones River in Virginia. Wade Webb passed his youth- ful days in the schools of North Carolina, and upon coming to St. Francis County, Ark., in 1853, began farming. He now owns 200 acres, with 120 under a successful state of cultivation. He was married in July, 1866, to Matilda V., daughter of Absalom and Matilda Barker, and to their union seven children were given, five living: John Lee, Remington P., Willie W., James R. and Elbert. Mr. Webb enlisted during the war in the Confederate army, in Company B of the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, serving until the final surrender. He participated in the battles of Mur- freesboro, Jonesboro, Stone River, Perryville, Missionary Ridge and Cumberland Gap. At the battle of Murfreesboro he received a severe wound. Mr. Webb is an enterprising, energetic farmer and citizen, and contributes liberally to those move- ments which betoken the good or growth of the county.

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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