Biographical and historical memoirs of northeast Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state biographies of distinguished citizens a brief descriptive history of the counties, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. V. 1, Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1026

USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of northeast Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state biographies of distinguished citizens a brief descriptive history of the counties, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. V. 1 > Part 37

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Edward B. Earle, druggist at Rector postoffice, was born in Obion County, Tenn., February 28. 1858, but was reared at Arlington, Ky. He re- mained on the farm until nineteen years of age, receiving a common school education, and worked : in a drug store for some time. October 25, 1886, he made his advent in the State of Arkansas with $2.85 in cash and worked at the carpenter's trade until February 27, 1887, when he began working for Mr. Outlaw, with whom he continued for 389 days without losing any time. Afterward he was occupied at odd jobs. He then bought out the drug store which he now owns and later purchased other property. He is now the most successful ;

druggist in Rector, carrying a stock of drugs valued at $1,000, and is also a much esteemed citizen. September 15, 1887, he married Miss Clemmie Trantham, a native of Clay County, Ark. Both he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Democrat in polities, but not a radical one. Mr. Earle's parents. J. H. and Elvira (Ghalson) Earle, were natives of Ken- tucky. The father was reared near Barlow, a short distance from Cairo, and was quite an exten- sive stock- man. He was a soldier in the late war and is now living in Illinois, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Earle remained in her native State until grown, and was married there. To this union were born eight children: Sallie, John. Lee, Charles, Arthur, Edward B., Mollie and Leana. Dr. Charles Earle, brother of the subject of this sketch, came to Rector in 1883, and is a graduate of Bellevue College, New York.

Frederick Ermert is an excellent example of the success attending hard work and faithful and persistent endeavor, and is now one of the wealthy planters of Clay County, Ark., having been a resi- dent of this region since 1856. He is a native of Germany, born in 1847, and is the eldest of five children born to John and Caroline Ermert, who were also natives of that country, and came to the State of Missouri in 1850, settling in Madison County, where the father engaged in lead mining. The following year he took the overland route to California, the journey occupying five months, and remained in that State for three years. He then returned to Madison County, Mo., but shortly after moved to Randolph County, and in 1856 he settled in what is now Clay County, where he followed the occupation of agriculture until his death in 1864. being still survived by his ex. cellent wife. Frederick Ermert received good training in growing up, became familiar with the details of farm life, and entered actively upon life's duties as a farmer after the close of the war, pur. chasing a piece of raw land, which has since, by honest and continued effort on his part. become one of the valuable places of the county. This pro- perty he sold in 1885, and since March, 1889, has

CLAY COUNTY.

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resided on his present farm of 120 acres, sixty of which are under cultivation, thirty being devoted to the culture of cotton. He has always supported the Republican ticket, considering its views as sound and well suited to any man. He has been married thrice, his first union taking place in Clay County, in 1867, to Miss Mary Ann Whitehead, a native of that county, whose parents were early settlers of the locality. He lost his wife in 1875. she having borne him one child: Amanda, now the wife of William M. Williams, residing in Texas. His second marriage took place in Clay County, in 1878, to Mildred Rhodes, of Mississippi, who died in 1879, also leaving one child, William, who is residing with his father. His present wife was a Miss Sarah Elizabeth Calhoun, of Tennessee, her parents, Dunklin and Penelope Calhoun. being deceased. To the last union the following chil- dren were born: James, Lewis and Fred. Many are the changes which have occurred since Mr. Er- mert first located here, and he has lived to witness the growth of what was almost a wilderness to one of the most prosperous counties of the State.

Watson Forrest, better known as "Patter" Forrest, is one of the oldest settlers in Clay County at the present time. He left Gibson County, Tenn., in October, 1832, with his brother, Abraham Forrest, and Elisha Fly and their wives, all in one wagon drawn by cattle, and they soon fell in with James Kennedy, who, with his wife and four children, were in a wagon drawn by horses. They all settled on Slavin's Creek, in what is Greene County now, and there they re- mained for three years. During this time Watson Forrest was married to Miss Sarah Crafton, of Gib- son County, Tenn., and the daughter of John B. Crafton, of Tennessee. Mr. Forrest had returned to Tennessee to assist his father, Mark Forrest, to move to the farm picked out for him by his son, on Slavin's Creek, and here married Miss Crafton, and with her and his father he returned to Greene County about December 10. 1833. In 1835 he and wife moved to what is known as Clay County at the present day, settling about one mile from where he now lives, and there remained some five years. He then moved to Barry County, Mo.,

continued there but three months and then returned and bought a log cabin, where his present resi- dence is standing. He paid $250 for the log cabin and the improvements, and $2.50 per acre for forty acres of land. To this he has since added 220 acres. The old log house he uses for a stable. When Mr. Forrest first came to this State there was no market for anything; neither was there any law, nor officers -- neither squire, sheriff nor constable. and Mr. Forrest assisted in electing the first sheriff, Charley Robinson. A man by the name of Tucker was the first representative of Greene County, and there were only forty votes cast in the whole county. Stock had to be driven on foot to Memphis, Tenn., 125 miles away, but as there was but very little stock in the county, these trips were seldom made until about 1845, Pre- vious to that time the only way of obtaining money was by selling the pelts of animals, deer, elk, bear, wildcat, panther, raccoon, mink and otter being plentiful at that time. Deer skins were the most sought after, and at Cape Girardeau were worth from about $1.00 to $2.00 each: coon skins from twenty-five to fifty cents each; elks, from $1.50 to $2.00 each; bear, from $1.00 to $3.00; wildcat, about twenty-five cents; panther, from $1.00 to $1.50; mink, from $1.50 to $3.00. and otter, from $4.00 to $6.00. Buffalo, in rather limited numbers, were in the State also. With the exception of the buffalo and elk, all the above mentioned animals are still represented in the woods, coon and deer being very plentiful. The next nearest trading-point was Pocahontas, on the Black River, which offered a market for the first time about 1835. This was twenty miles dis- tant from where Mr. Forrest lived. The first rail- road market to which Mr. Forrest went was Dexter, on the Iron Mountain road, in Missouri, and about forty miles from his residence. The first church built in what is now Clay County was at Salem, in about 1842, and was of the Baptist denomina- tion. It was constructed by two men, William Nutt and Mr. Winingham, the latter preaching the first sermon. He was also the first Baptist preacher. The first preacher of any kind that Mr. Forrest heard was Rev. Fountain Brown, a Meth-

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odist circuit rider. The first school house in the county was built within a mile of where Mr. For. rest now lives, and a man by the name of Cyrus Owens taught the first session as near as can be remembered. Mr. Forrest has in his possession a stone which he took from the maw of a spotted deer killed by him thirty years ago, and which he believes to be a veritable mad stone. It is about the size and shape of a chicken's heart, of a dull, yellowish or brown color, and resembles a well worn molar. On one side is a decayed place which appears to be porous in its nature, while the stone has a smooth, polished appearance. Three people bitten by mad dogs have been cured by this stone. In each case, animals had been bitten by the same dog, and in every case went mad. It will also cure rattlesnake bites. In case of the lat- ter, or that of a mad dog, the stone adheres to the wound until saturated with the poison, when it falls, and by placing the stone in warm water or milk it will cleanse itself. When there is no poi- son in the wound the stone will not take hold.

John C. Frew. Prominent among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Haywood Township stands the name of the above-mentioned gentleman, who was born in Weakley County, Tenn., June 15, 1843, and is the son of A. and Sarah (Hattler) Frew, the former a native of North Carolina and his wife of Tennessee. A. Frew went to Tennes- see when a young man, was married there and afterwards engaged in farming, which he con- tinued all his life. He died in November, 1885, and his wife died in June of the same year. Their family consisted of three sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years. One sister has since died, but the others are all residents of Arkansas. John C., the eldest of this family, re- mained with his parents until after his marriage, which occurred in Obion County, November 11, : 1866, to Miss Eda Tennessee Rucker. a native of Middle Tennessee, and the daughter of Samuel W. Rucker. After marriage Mr. Frew raised one crop on the old home place, and then moved to Obion County, where he farmed for five years. He moved to Arkansas in the fall of 1872, and located in what is now Clay County, and on the place where he ;

at present resides. The place at that time had a few acres cleared and on it was a log cabin. Since then Mr. Frew has cleared the farm, erected build- ings and has greatly improved it. He owns 120 acres, sixty fenced and under cultivation, and has a fine young apple and peach orchard. To his marriage were born two children: Laura Victoria, wife of J. I. Williams, and Geneva, a miss of ten years. Mr. Frew is a member of the Agricultural Wheel and served as president of the same one term.

Pierce Galvin. The life of this well known farmer and stockman affords an example that might well be imitated by the young men of to- day, for at the early age of fourteen years he left the home place, without means, to battle his own way in the world, and his endeavors have been re- sultful of good, and he is now a well-to-do farmer of Clay County. He possesses an excellent place of 240 acres, 100 being under cultivation. and con- ducts his farm in an intelligent manner and has it well stocked. He was born in Ireland, December 24, 1834, and on coming to the United States. in 1845, landed at New York City, but moved on im- mediately to Philadelphia, where he had a sister living, and there he made his home until grown. He then traveled for some time and was engaged in railroading in Ohio for seven or eight months. later going to Pittsburgh, Penn., and in 1852 he com- menced braking on a train on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, remaining with this company until 1873. The following year he came to Arkansas and again became an employe of the above named road. and continued the occupation of railroading until 1884. since which time he has resided on his present farm. He was first married to Miss Mary Malony. who was born in Ireland, but was brought to the United States when a child, being reared in the State of Missouri. She died in August. 1579. having borne a family of five children: Mary, Mag- gie, Katie, James and Statia, who died at the age of two years. The living children are residing with their father and he is doing all in his power to give then good educational advantages. He was next married to a sister of his first wife, Kate Malony, by whom he became the father of two

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children: Frank, who died at the age of five years, and Agnes. Mr. and Mrs. Galvin are members of the Catholic Church, but he contributes liberally to all enterprises he deems worthy of support. During the war he served in the Twenty-third Missouri Volunteers and did railroad work under Col. Crowley. He is now a Democrat in politics.

John T. Gilchrist, merchant at Knobel, Ark., was born in 1861 in St. Charles County. Mo., being the eldest of nine children born to Richard and Fannie (Coleman) Gilchrist, who were born in Ohio and Illinois, respectively. The former was a hotel keeper, and in 1860 removed to East St. Louis, Ill., there following that occupation until 1876, when he moved to Knobel and engaged in the stock raising and saw mill business for a few years; then he retired from the saw mill business and settled on his farm, where he died in 1888. He had about 160 acres of farming land, with some eighty acres under cultivation, and had 420 acres in a stock ranch. His wife died in 1882. John T. Gilchrist attended the schools of St. Louis until seventeen years of age, then began clerking for the Consolidated Steamboat Company, continu- ... ing one year, and in 1879 came to Knobel, Ark., and secured the agency at this place of the Iron Mountain Railroad Company, and had charge of the office for five years. In 1884 he erected a fine building and started a saloon and billiard hall, and in 1887 built a large store-house and engaged in general merchandising, his stock of goods being valued at $6,000, and he has a large and rapidly increasing trade. He is a member of the K. of P., the K. of H., and the K. and L. of H. He is particularly active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. His brother, Richard F., is associated with him in business. The latter came to Knobel with his father in 1876, and worked on the farm until 1886, when he formed his present partnership.

A. W. Gills, one of the most thorough going. wide-awake business men of this section of the county, and a genial, pleasant gentleman. is a native of Fulton County, Ky., and came with his parents, who were natives of Virginia, to what is now Clay County, Ark., at the age of nineteen

years. They settled near his present residence, where the mother died in 1870, and the father two years later. Later A. W. Gills purchased this farm. In addition to his agricultural interests he also erected a cotton-gin, and about the 1st of Octo- ber, 1886, commenced ginning cotton. with a capae- ity of nine bales per day. In September of the same year he started a stave factory and corn mill. all of which he now runs with steam under the same roof, the stave business being the principal industry, the factory having a capacity of 8,000 staves per day. He regularly employs from thirty to thirty five men and ten teams. This has been the means of building at least half a dozen houses in his neighborhood. He still carries on his farm of 180 acres, which he has well supplied with good stock. Mr. Gills was married in 1882 to Miss Claude Gwin, whom he met in Missouri, and whose parents are now living there. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being attached to the Eastern Star Lodge, and is also a member of Chalk Bluff Lodge No. 72, I. O. O. F., and of the K of H. In politics he votes with the Democratic party.

Marion C. Glasgow, a prominent agricultur- ist and stock raiser of Oak Bluff Township, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., August 25, 1842, and is the son of Elijah Glasgow, a native of North Carolina, where he was reared and where he married Miss Jane Jones, a native of Tennessee. He and family moved from Tennessee to Arkansas, in October, 1854, locating in Clay County, and here Mr. Glasgow followed farming until his death which occurred in 1875. Mrs. Glasgow died sev- eral years previous. In their family were six sous and three daughters who grew to mature years, but one brother and one sister are deceased. Mar- ion C. Glasgow came to this State and county with his parents, and here he attained his growth. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army. and served about eight months, when he was wounded and returned home. In 1864 he re-en- tered the service, remaining until the close of the war. He participated in the following battles: Pilot Knob, Independence. Sedalia, and many minor en- , gagements. He was paroled at Wittsburg, Ark., and

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then came home and engaged in farming. He was married in Clay County, Ark., in September, 1863, to Mrs. F. S. Stephens, daughter of James Nettles, one of the pioneer settlers. Mrs. Glas- gow was born in Tennessee. Mr. Glasgow located on his present property in 1873, bought raw land and has cleared and made a valuable farm of the same. He has 160 acres, with over 100 acres under cultivation, all bottom land situated one and a half miles from Rector. He has a good house, good out-buildings and a fine young orchard, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Glasgow had a family of eleven children, named as follows: Luella, James M., Dora J., Levana, Thomas E., Benjamin F., George H., Viora and Columbus L. Three chil- dren died in early youth. Mr. Glasgow lost his wife October 2, 1884, and later he married Mrs. Emma A. Walker, who bore him one child, Colum- bus L. Mr. Glasgow is a Master Mason, is also a . member of the I. O. O. F., and is Noble Grand of his lodge. His first wife was a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church.

John M. Gleghorn was born in Independence County, Ark., near Batesville, December 10, 1843, being a son of John and Sisley (Coleman) Gleg- horn, who were both natives of South Carolina, the mother being principally reared in Alabama. John Gleghorn removed to Tennessee when a young man and there remained until 1842, when he emigrated with his family to Independence County, Ark., coming on the first steamer that sailed up the White River. He entered land in that county, on which he remained until 1859, subsequently coming to Greene County, Ark., and residing on a farm near Gainesville until his death, which occurred in April, 1866. His widow is yet living and resides in Marion County, in her eightieth year. The paternal grandfather was born in Scotland and emigrated to America at an early day, when only twelve years old, locating first in South Carolina, then in Middle Tennessee, where he spent the remainder of his days. The maternal grandfather was born and raised in South Carolina, and later spent some time in Alabama, dying in Limestone County of that State. John M. Gleghorn is one of seven surviv-

ing members of a family of twelve children, their names being as follows: Rhoda E., wife of Samuel Pool; Stephen C., Lucretia, widow of William Jones: Melissa, wife of J. A. Pool; John M., James K., and Marietta, wife of David Gouch. John M. Gleghorn was reared and educated in In- dependence County, and was in his sixteenth year when he went to Greene County with his parents. From early boyhood he has been familiar with farm life, and when the war broke out he left the plow to engage in that struggle, enlisting in No- vember, 1861, in Capt. Morgan's company, in which he served until 1863, then being discharged on account of disability, at Readyville, Tenn. He returned home but afterward enlisted in Mar- maduke's brigade, and served until the war closed, having taken an active part in the battles of Corinth, Fort Pillow, Murfreesboro, Bragg's raid through Kentucky, Harrisburg, and a num- ber of other hard fights. He was wounded by a pistol shot while with Price at Big Blue. He surrendered at Shreveport, La., June 8, 1865. and returned to Greene County, Ark., and was engaged in farming there until February, 1571, when he came to Clay County, Ark., and located near Knobel, where he farmed on rented land until January, 1881, then purchasing his present farm of 325 acres, about 140 of which are under cultivation. He has a good two-story frame house and has made other valuable improvements. His princi- pal crop is corn, but he also raises some cotton, and gives much attention to stock raising, both buying and selling. In November, 1865, he was married to Mary Arnold, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has bad ten children, five living: Mary J., Lindsey C., Etta, Amanda, and James R. Those deceased were: Luther L., William, Walter, John and Anna, the last two twins. Mrs. Gleghorn died in November, 1887. having been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years. Mr. Gleghorn is a Democrat. but has never been an office seeker. He has done a great deal to build up his section of the country and has been the cause of many worthy meu locat. ing here, having furnished them with land, and grain with which to make a start.

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CLAY COUNTY.

I. N. Goldsby, who is classed among the lead- ing and industrious farmers of the county, was born in Kentucky and is the son of Mentor Golds- by, and the grandson of Edward Goldsby, who took part in the War of 1812. Mentor Goldsby died in Kentucky in 1858, and in 1861 I. N. Goldsby and his mother came to Clay County, Ark., and settled on a farm near his present place of residence. He is the owner of 180 acres of land, seventy-five of which are improved, and on which he has three houses. He was married in 1865 to Miss Minerva C. Liddell, daughter of William and sister of Robert Liddell, of Clay County. Previous to this he served three years in the Confederate army, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Rector and Pilot Knob, and was all through Price's raid in Missouri. He was paroled at Vicksburg in May, 1865, after which he returned home, married, and settled down to farm- ing, which occupation he has followed ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsby were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom died in infancy. Those living are: William M. (Charley), who is now deputy county clerk under Mr. Spence, at Boydsville, and is a young man of ability and promise: Jennie, at home; Lora, Ettie, Robert, Florence and Lem- mer (a daughter). Mr. Goldsby is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has ever been a liberal contributor to all laudable public enterprises.

G. G. Green, a farmer residing near Vidette, Ark., was born on the 19th of November, 1831, in Montgomery County, N. C., his parents being James and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Green, who were also born in that State, and removed to Kentucky in 1832, locating in what was then Galloway County, where they made their home until their respective deaths. The father was a blacksmith and farmer, and he and wife were the parents of eleven children, four now living: George G., Marcus M., Frank and Henry. George G. Greene was an infant when brought to Kentucky, and he re- mained in that State until 1857, then emigrating to Butler County, Mo., where he made his home one year; coming thence to what is now Clay Coun- ty, Ark., he located on the farm of 120 acres on which he is now residing. He has about 100 acres

under fence and eighty-five acres under cultivation, which he devotes principally to raising corn and cotton, but the soil is well adapted to all cereals. He raises considerable stock during the year, and is a prosperous farmer, and has shown his enter- prise and industry by putting his farm, which was heavily covered with timber when he settled, in its present admirable condition. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Hyatt, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had three children, only one of whom is living at the present time: Delia. wife of Albert Rhodenback. His second marriage took place in 1863, to Miss Sarah J. Gilbert, by whom he has the following family: William, Robert, Elizabeth, Vernon E., Ida M. and Rosa L. Mr. and Mrs. Green have long been members of the Methodist Church.

John J. Griffin was born in Greene County, N. C., June 1, 1826, being a son of William and Sa- rah Griffin, who were members of the Old-School Baptist Church and were born in North Carolina, the former's birth occurring in 1784 and his death in 1859. Of their seventeen children, John J. Griffin is the only one now living. He became the architect of his own fortune at the age of twenty- one years, and for a number of years was engaged in farming and rafting. On the 25th of July, 1846, he was married to Miss Theresa L. Hicks, a daughter of Thomas S. and Jane Hicks, who were Tennesseeans, the former being engaged in tilling the soil. To this union eleven children were born. only four of whom are living at the present time: Sarah E. (Winningham), James M. (farmer, of Clay County, Ark. ), John J. (a farmer of Dunk- lin County, Mo.), and T. J., also a farmer of Dunklin County. Mr. Griffin took for his sec- ond wife Miss Sarah E. Spikes, their marriage taking place on the 22d of June, 1875. Four of the seven children born to their marriage are living: Sanford and Adaline (twins), born Sep- tember 22, 1875; Lee, born February 27, 1850. and Rosa, born September 12, 1887. Mr. Grif- fin owns a good farm of eighty acres, sixty un- der cultivation, and devotes his land principally to raising corn and cotton. His property was at first heavily covered with timber, but he has made

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Biographical and historical memoirs of northeast Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state biographies of distinguished citizens a brief descriptive history of the counties, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. V. 1, Part 37

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1026

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1026