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 38

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 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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valuable improvements, and has now a good and confortable home. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Demo- crat, and a member of the Agricultural Wheel. For about fifteen years after first coming west he spent the fall and winter months in hunting and trapping, and has killed at least fifty bear and hundreds of deer, and in some of his hunting ex- peditions met with many thrilling adventures and narrow escapes from death. He was also engaged in rafting on Black River. His parents moved from North Carolina to Tennessee in 1826, and two years later located in Posey County, Ind., and in 1840 in Randolph County, Ark.

W. T. Griffith, lumberman and postmaster at Thurman, Ark., was born on Kentucky soil (Mont- gomery County) June 11, 1835, his parents being Jefferson and Lydia (Brothers) Griffith, who came from the "Old Dominion " at an early day with their parents; David Griffith, the grandfather, be- ing one of the first settlers of Montgomery County, Ky. He located near Mt. Sterling, the county seat, and became a very wealthy farmer, but died in Fleming County, of that State. Jefferson Grif- fith died in Kentucky in 1882, at the age of seven ty years, having been a mechanic by trade, and a prominent man, serving as sheriff of Nicholas County for some time. His wife also died in Ken- tucky. Five of their seven children are now liv- ing: Samuel, John, Sarah J., William T. and Martha. William T. Griffith, our subject, was reared in Kentucky until fifteen years of age, and there received the greater part of his education. In 1853 he went to Union County, Ill., and located on a farm near Jonesborough, the country at that time being in a very wild and unsettled condition, and here made his home until 1877, when he came to Clay County, Ark., and began logging in H. H. Williams' large mills, remaining thus employed for five years, then locating on his present excellent farm in Kilgore Township. The most of his at- tention, however, is given to lumbering and cotton- ginning. He owns a saw-mill and employs several hands to operate it. In July, 1888, the post-office at Thurman was established and he became the first postmaster, and is now holding that position.

He has held the office of justice of the peace for two years, and is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and the Agricultural Wheel. In 1855 he wedded Miss Barbara I. Lipe, a native of Illinois, and by her became the father of twelve children, six now living: Walter, Emma A., Elsie J., Anna, John and Lillie. His wife died in October, 1880, and in 1881 he married Louisa Carter, who was born in Adams County, Ind., and by her had one child, Rosa P. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is also clerk.

Robert L. Hancock, agent for the "Cotton Belt" Railroad and the Southern Express Company, is a native of Prentiss County, Miss., where he was born on the 15th of March, 1852, being the son of Benjamin Hancock, who was born in Tennessee and reared in Virginia. When a young man he went to Tennessee, where he met and married Matilda Rowsy of that State, and afterward moved to Mississippi, residing on a plantation in Pren- tiss County until his death in 1854, followed by his wife in 1867. After coming to years of ma- turity, Robert L. Hancock attended school in Boonville, Miss., receiving a good education, and then clerked for four years. In 1874 he went to Tennessee, and was married there on the 4th of April, 1884, to Miss Delilah Matheny, who was born, reared and educated in Hardin County of that State, being a daughter of James and Eliza Matheny. After their marriage they located in Williamsville, Wayne County, Mo., and for two years he was engaged in teaching school, and the next two years occupied in farming and teach- ing in Hardin County, Tenn. In 1879 he came to Clay County, Ark .. locating on a farm near Green- way, and devoted himself to tilling the soil and pedagoguing up to 1884, when he moved to Green- way and was appointed telegraph operator. depot and express agent, which position he is now fill- ing. He was also engaged in mercantile business for one year, and has served as a member of the town board. He is an active worker for the cause of temperance, and organized the Hancock Tem- perance Club at Greenway, of which he is presi- dent. Mr. Hancock commenced life in Clay

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County with little or no capital, but is now one of the substantial men of the community, and is the owner of considerable town property and a good ; farm near Greenway.

J. W. Harb, a merchant of Corning, Ark., was born in Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, on the 27th of July, 1859, and is the son of W. B. and Caroline (Harper) Harb, who were born in Franklin and Richland Counties, Ohio, respectively. In 1873 they removed to Blackford County, Ind., locating in Hartford City, where Mr. Harb en- gaged in merchandising and manufacturing head- ings and staves. In 1876 he removed his family to Corning, Ark., where he continued his manufac- turing business until 1878, in the meantime con- ducting a drug store, which in 1885 he enlarged, adding general merchandise, and thus being oc- cupied until his death. In 1887 he went back to died in West Milton, Ohio, September 11, 1887. His remains were brought to Corning and buried. He was one of the founders of the town, and being a physician by profession. practiced considerably in the county. Although not a graduate of any college, he was one of the most intelligent pupils in the Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. His wife died December 24, 1886. J. W. Harb, whose name heads this sketch, resided in Ohio and Indiana until sixteen years of age, and since 1876 has lived in Arkansas, being first engaged in the drug business with his brother (who is now de- ceased) at Walnut Ridge, Ark., continuing until 1884. At the death of his father he and his brother, O. C. Harb, began managing the business at Corning, but since January 12, 1889, J. W. Harb has had entire control of the establishment.

John H. Hardin deserves to be classed among the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Clay County, Ark. He was born in McNairy County, Tenn., January 26, 1853, and is a son of B. J. Hardin and Nancy Bennet, who were also born in that State. After their marriage they settled in McNairy County, where the father was engaged in husbandry until the opening of the late Civil War, when he joined the Federal army and served four years, contracting in his service chronic diarrhoea,

which afterward caused his death, in October, 1881. His wife died here in September, 1884. In the summer of 1865 he moved to Clay County, Ark., and engaged in farming. John H. Hardin re- mained with his father until he attained mature years, and was married here, December 25, 1873. to Miss Sarah I. Mayes, who was born in Tennes- see August 25, 1854, though reared in Clay Coun- ty, Ark. After their marriage they rented land one year, when Mr. Hardin purchased a tract, which he began clearing and improving. He has opened up about eighty acres, and has 100 acres under cultivation, besides twenty acres of timber land. He has a comfortable frame residence, two fair barns, and an apple and peach orchard con- sisting of three acres. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are meinbers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the

! Ohio to take a rest and regain his health, and : parents of five children: Lucy Ann, born Septem-

ber 9, 1876; Dury J., born November 4, 1878; Owen D., born August 4, 1881, and died Febru- ary 4, 1888; Henry L., born April 18, 1884, and an infant, born and died December 12, 1887.

Robert A. Hawthorne, farmer, and postmaster at Don, Clay County, Ark., was born on the 12th of August, 1849, in Benton County, Tenn., his parents, Robert H. and Elizabeth (Baker) Haw- thorne, being born in Ohio and Virginia, respect- ively. The paternal grandfather was born in Ire- land, locating in Ohio after coming to America, and afterward moved to Illinois, where he died. The maternal grandfather was born in Virginia, and removed from there to Tennessee, in which State he died, being engaged in farming. Robert A. Hawthorne was reared and educated in Ohio, and removed with his father to Illinois, where he made his home until about twenty-two years of age, when he went to Tennessee and began the study of law, being admitted to the bar shortly after. He prac- ticed his profession for a number of years, and was also engaged in farming. At the age of about fifty years he gave up his law practice, and turned his attention to obtaining pensions for claimants. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Forrest's cavalry, and was shortly after transferred to the infantry and was sent south, participating in many

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battles, and holding the rank of provost mar- shal. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He died January 1, 1866, his death being deeply regretted by his many friends and acquaintances. His widow is still living, being in her seventy- ninth year, and resides with her children: Robert A. and John C. The former obtained his educa- tion and rearing in Tennessee, remaining on a farm in that State until twenty-one years old, when he came to Clay County, Ark., and located at Corn- ing, where he was engaged in the sale of liquors for six years. He then turned his attention to farming, and in 1882 bought the farm of 262 acres where he now lives; 110 acres are under cultivation and fairly improved. He raises corn and cotton, principally, and some clover. The land is well adapted for raising all the cereals, and makes an excellent stock farm, which industry receives much of his attention. October 12, 1888, the postoffice was established at his house, and he was made postmaster, the office taking the name of Don. In 1871 he was married to Miss Alice Polk, by whom he has two children: Ethel and Mary E. (who is deceased). Mrs. Hawthorne is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Hon. G. B. Holifield, who stands at the head of the legal profession in the Eastern district of Clay County, is a native of Graves County, Ky., 1 and the son of T. M. Holifield, who came to Clay County, Ark., with his wife and four children, No- vember 15, 1855, and settled two miles northeast of Boydsville. Here G. B. Holifield was reared and here he received the meager schooling afforded by the then few subscription schools of the county. Later he finished his education by attending six months at Gainesville, Ark., and later, after study- ing law for some time, was admitted to the bar in August, 1881, in the Western district of Clay County. He has been in constant practice since. In 1878 he was elected to the legislature, but pre- vious to this he had filled the position of justice of the peace for three terms. He has always been quite active in politics, though as there is nomi- nally only the one party, he has made but few speeches. His first marriage was to Miss Mary

Cummings in 1871, and the fruits of this union were two children who survive their mother, she dying February 4, 1878. They are named as fol- lows: William Stanford and Martha J. For his second wife Mr. Holifield chose Miss Verdilla P. Perrian, of Clay County, and three children, Etta Lee, Mary Susan and Otis Oscar, are the result of this union. Mr. Holifield is one of the prominent legal lights of the county, and is thoroughly apace with the times in every respect. He and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

James R. Hollis is a Tennesseean, born in Wayne County, January 16, 1837, and is a son of W. B. and Susan (Meredith) Hollis, both of whom were born in Wayne County, Tenn. In 1839 they moved to Arkansas and settled in what was then Greene County (now Clay), where they made a farm and resided until their respective deaths, the former's demise occurring in 1873. James R. Hollis remained with his father until he attained his majority and in June, 1861, enlisted in the Con- federate service, Fifth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the final surrender, participating in some of the most important engagements of the war, among which were Murfreesboro, Shiloh, siege and surrender of Atlanta, Jonesboro, where he was taken prisoner, but was exchanged soon af- ter, Nashville, where he was also taken prisoner, and Franklin, where he was captured and held un- til June 21, 1865. After being parolel he re- turned home and engaged in farming. He was married in what is now Clay County, August 19. 1858, to Elizabeth Payne, a daughter of Boswell B. :Payne, whose sketch appears in this work. Mrs. Hollis was born in Adair County, Tenn., and was reared in Arkansas. Soon after his marriage be located on his present farm, consisting of some 220 acres, about 120 acres of which are fenced and mostly under cultivation, well improved with good residence and barns. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis are the parents of the following family: William Thomas. Jane B., wife of G. W. Pickens, Joseph E .. Ada E., Mary Alice, Albert Harvey and John Royal. Three infants are deceased. Susan was the wife of Francis Davis, and died about 1578. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis are members of the Baptist Church.

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and he is a Mason and a member of the Agricultu- ral Wheel.

G. H. Hovey, one of the successful and enter- prising "sons of the soil." residing near Pitman, Ark., was born in the State of New York, September 15, 1851, being a son of A. G. Hovey, who was also born in that State February 4, 1814. The latter was a well-known resident of his county, and while residing there held a number of offices, such as justice of the peace and postmaster. He removed to Newton County, Mo., in 1877, and in 1884 located in Howell County, where he is still residing, being a carpenter by trade. He was married in 1841 to Miss Maria Brewer, a native of New York State, and by her became the father of three chil- dren, two of whom are living: F. A., a farmer re- siding in Howell County, the owner of 160 acres of land, and George H., our subject, who is also a farmer and owns 200 acres of land, 135 being under cultivation, of which 105 have been cleared by him in the last three years. He removed to this farm from Howell County, Mo., in 1885, and here has since made his home, and has one of the finest young orchards in the country. He gives considerable attention to stock raising and has some excellent Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. In his youth he acquired a superior edu- cation, and in addition to attending the common schools was a student in the Tenbroeck Free Academy in Cattaraugus County for three years. He was then engaged in teaching for twelve terms, one term in Pennsylvania. two in New York, and nine terms in the public and private schools of Missouri. He removed from New York to Penn- sylvania in August, 1874, thence to Newton County, Mo., in 1876; in the spring of 1883 to Howell County, Mo., and from there to Clay County, Ark. On the 31st of December. 1871, he was married in his native State to Miss Sarah Burns, of New York, a daughter of John and Julia (Collins) Burns, who were farmers of that State. They have one daughter. born May 8, 1881. Mrs. Hovey is a member of the Christian Church, and he is an earnest worker for education, exhibiting that intelligence and enterprise necessary for the successful development of the community.

A. Hudgens was born in Robertson County, Tenn., in 1834, and is the son of John and Nancy (Durham) Hudgens, and the grandson of James Hudgens, a native of Virginia. John Hudgens was also a native Virginian, but later moved to Tennessee, where he married Miss Durham. He had limited opportunities for an education, but made up for this to some extent by studying at home. Besides his work on the farm he conducted a store in Marion, Ill., and at one time was in quite comfortable circumstances, but was obliging enough to place his name on a friend's bond, in consequence of which he was compelled to pay a large sum of money. Thus he was badly harassed for some time. A. Hudgens attained his growth in Tennes- see, learning the carpenter's trade, and went with his father to Illinois in 1852. He was married in that State to Miss Harriet McIntosh, a native of Williamson County, Ill., and the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Mason) McIntosh, who came from Robertson County, Tenn. After living in Illinois until 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Hudgens moved to St. Francis, there being but one dwelling there at that time, and put up the third house in the village. Here they now live and have a very nice residence. He has followed his trade and has built more than half the houses since he came. He has followed contracting and building, and is now holding the office of justice of the peace in the county. To his marriage were born seven children, all in Illinois. They are named as fol- lows: Emma, received her education in the high school at Marion, Ill., and after teaching in that State for some time is now teaching in Arkansas; Sula, at present finishing her education at Carbon- dale, and is studying stenography, having taken one course in St. Louis: Minnie, is attending school at the State University at Fayetteville, Ark., and will graduate in the class of 1889; Oscar, is also attending the same school and will graduate in 1889; Frank is at home; Gertrude is also at home, and Bessie, an infant. Mr. Hudgens is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at St. Francis, as is also bis wife, and he affiliates with the Democratic party in his political views.

Dr. Samuel W. Huston, physician and surgeon

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of Piggott, Clay County, Ark., was born in Ripley County, Mo., February 15, 1847, being a son of Dr. William A. Huston, a Missourian, who was reared and studied his profession at Troy. He was married in Randolph County, Ark., to Miss Vernetta Pittman, a daughter of Dr. Pittman, of Pittman's Ferry, one of the pioneer physicians of Arkansas. After his marriage Dr. Huston settled in Ripley County, where he practiced a few years and afterward moved to Charleston, Mo., and died in Perry County, of that State, in 1850. While in Arkansas he represented Randolph County in the State legislature. Dr. Samuel W. Huston grew to manhood in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., making his home with his uncle, M. J. Himes, and remained with him until he attained his majority. He studied medicine under Dr. Henderson, one of the leading physicians of Jackson, and took his first course of lectures at the McDowell Medical College, of St. Louis, about 1S6S. He continued the study of his profession in Cape Girardeau County, and did his first practicing in Greene County, Ark., in 1874, remaining there about eighteen months, when he moved to his present location, where he has built up an excellent prac- tice. He was married in the village of Piggott, September 23, 1877, to Miss Susan Jane Low- rance, a native of Carroll County, but reared in Clay County, Ark. She is a daughter of David G. Lowrance (deceased), and she and Dr. Huston are the parents of six children: Lenora M., Myrtle C., Edna S., Sam, Oran and Carl. The Doctor and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (in which he is an elder), and are highly respected citizens of the community in which they reside.

N. A. Keller, another successful business man of St. Francis, was born in Tennessee, but grew to manhood in Union County, Ill., where he went with his father, Rev. Francis F. Keller, when but a child. The father was a minister in the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church and followed that calling for many years. The mother, Elizabeth Keller, was a member of that church for nearly sixty years. She recently died at the age of sev- enty-eight years. N. A. Keller attended the district

schools in Union County until twenty-one years of age, after which he spent a year at Gravel Hill, Mo., and then taught school for several years in Missouri and Arkansas. After this he went with Gregory, Lasswell & Co., of Malden, Mo., where he remained for about two years engaged in the general merchandise business, and then came to St. Francis, and after embarking in business for some eighteen months, accepted a position on the road for Kelley, Goodfellow & Co., boot and shoe dealers of St. Louis, with whom he remained for about two years, traveling in Southern Illinois and West Tennessee. He then returned to St. Francis and took a position with Clemson & Calvin, : with whom he continued until July 1, 1SS9, when he purchased the entire stock of that firm. He was married January 20, 1886, to Miss Mattie Calvin, daughter of Robert T. Calvin, of Pulaski County, Ill., and the sister of Mr. Hiram Calvin of the firm of which Mr. Keller was the trusted employe. Two children were born to this union: Tell and Pearl. Mr. Keller has been reasonably successful since coming to St. Francis, and is the owner of three houses and lots in the village. He is a mem- ber of Evergreen Lodge No. 581, I. O. O. F., of Illinois, and belongs to the Triple Alliance, in which he carries $1,000 insurance, and also $1,000 in the Globe, of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Keller is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

G. W. Kelley, of Corning, Ark., is now serving his second term as justice of the peace of Kilgore Township, and no man has ever held the position who was better fitted to discharge the duties con- nected with it than he. He was born in St. Louis County, Mo., in 1813, being the eldest of six chil- dren born to the marriage of William Kelley and Nancy Lancaster, who were Virginians, and early emigrants to Missouri, where they opened and im- proved a farm. In 1837 William Kelley removed to West Tennessee, where his death occurred in 1843, and his wife's in 1858. G. W. Kelley as- sisted on the home farm until twelve years of age, and was then apprenticed to the machinist's trade, which occupation received his attention for a num- ber of years. While a resident of Tennessee he was married, in 1556, to Miss S. E. Andrews, a native

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of West Tennessee, and a daughter of Edmond and Lanina Andrews, who were born in the "Old North State," and there lived, afterward moving to Tennessee, where they died. They were en- gaged in tilling the soil. After his marriage Mr. Kelley settled in Tennessee, and in 1846 enlisted from Adairsburg, of that State, in Company E, Second Tennessee, under Gen. Taylor, and was in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Monterey, Cherubusco, City of Mexico, and other engagements. After the war he returned to Tennessee, and in 1867 moved to Hickman, Fulton County, Ky., where he worked at his trade, moving from there, in 1874, to Clay County, Ark., where he purchased and began im- proving a farm in Bradshaw Township. In 1884 he moved to Corning, and although he still owns his farm, is living retired from the active duties of life. In 1885 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, of which party he is a member, to the office of justice of the peace, which position he is now fill- ing. He has aided very materially in building up Corning and vicinity, and has given liberally of his means in supporting worthy enterprises. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and the names of their children are as follows: Ed- ward A., who is married and resides at Tiptonville, Tenn. ; A. M., Julia (Mrs. Gills), residing at Buf- fington, Mo .; Ula, Willie, Anton and Kirby. During his term of service Mr. Kelley has come in contact with many criminals, and has dealt with them in a manner highly satisfactory to lovers of good law.

State, which occupation he followed there until 1877, then coming to Clay County, Ark., where he resumed farming near Peach Orchard. In 1887 he bought property in the village of Knobel and opened a hotel, but still continues his agricultural pursuits in the vicinity. He has about fifty acres devoted to raising such crops as are intended for feeding stock, his hogs amounting to about 100 head and his cattle to thirty. In his political views he is conservative, and always votes for whom he considers the best man. In 1873 he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Jane Fozzard, a native of Illi- nois and a daughter of Edward Fozzard, who was captain of Company G, Eighty-first Illinois Cav- alry. He was a well known farmer of Williamson County and died in 1876. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum two children have been born: Minnie and Lebert Otto. Mr. Ketchum is an en- terprising citizen and is rapidly becoming identi- fied with the growth and prosperity of his section.

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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 38

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