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 40
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Daniel W. McPherson, who is recognized as one of the county's best citizens, was born March 25, 1853, in Lee County, Miss., and received a good practical education in the common schools. At the age of about seventeen, he began working
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on his own responsibility as clerk in a grocery store, and this continued until coming to Clay County, Ark., in 1879. After reaching this county he had $2.75 in ready cash, and as soon as possible he began clerking for G. W. Spraygins, remaining with him and Capt. John J. Allen, for about fifteen months. He then engaged in mercan- tile pursuits on a limited scale, having but $77 in cash, and doing business on a cash basis, as his cap- ital would indicate. He thus continued for about five years, meeting with merited success from the beginning. He is now conducting a general mer- cantile business, and is also engaged in the liquor trade. Mr. McPherson is the son of William B. and Fidelia W. (Ringo) McPherson. The father was born in 1797, in Blount County, Ala., was of Scotch parentage, and after growing up followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1849 he moved to Lee County, Miss., where he died in 1881. His wife was a native of Kentucky, and to them were born ten children: Frank, Lot W., Wallace W., Charles, James M., Daniel W., Mary, Josephine, Ellen and Catherine. Daniel W. Mc- Pherson was married in October, 1881, to Miss Lura Johnson, a native of Middle Tennessee (where she received her education), and the daugh- ter of John R. Johnson. She came to Arkansas when grown, and by her union to Mr. McPherson, three children were born, two now living: Ella and Lena. Mr. McPherson is one of the pro- gressive young men of Arkansas, and is doing well at his adopted calling. He is a Democrat in politics.
John S. Magee was born in Pope County, Ill., September 19, 1833, being a son of Thomas and Nancy Magee, who were born respectively in Ten- nessee and Kentucky. John S. Magee began work- ing for himself at the age of eighteen years, first as a farm hand, and was married in that State to Miss Abbie, a daughter of Austin and Louisa Williams, who were farmers of Illinois. They were married March 21, 1850, and about a year later the mother and an infant died. Mr. Magee remained single three years, then moved to Clay County, Ark., and was again married. September 17, 1854, his wife's maiden name being Luvina
Watson, of Kentucky. She bore him four chil- dren, two of whom are living: W. R., born August 7, 1855, and Nancy J., who was born April 16, 1861, and is the wife of Robert Hasten, a farmer of Louisville, Tex. Eliza A. was born June 28. 1859, and died January 1, 1883. May 19, 1881, Mr. Magee wedded his present wife, Elisabeth Tittle, a daughter of Peter and Rachel Tittle of Missouri. The last marriage has been blessed in the birth of one son and one daughter: John H., who was born March 13, 1882, and Mary E., born August 6, 1885. Mr. Magee has made the fol- lowing changes of residence: From Kentucky to Arkansas, in 1854; to Illinois, in 1863; to Kansas, in 1867; to Illinois, in 1868; to Clay County, Ark., in 1869; to Boone County, Ark., in 1875, and back to Clay County, Ark., in 1877, where he has since made his home, being the owner of 120 acres of land, forty-five of which are under cultivation, the rest being heavily timbered. He has good build- ings, orchards, and fences, and is considered one of the prosperous farmers of the county. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Republican in his political views. Dur. ing the late war he served the cause of the Con- federacy in the Home Guards.
J. F. Mahan is one of Clay County's worthy tillers of the soil, residing near Vidette. He was born in Ozark County, Mo., on the 30th of May, 1841, and is the eldest of eight children, five now living, of the family of Noah and Orinda Mahan, who were born in Tennessee and Missouri, respect- ively. The father emigrated with his parents to Missouri in 1840, locating in Ozark County, where he and his wife died, as did also his parents. They were among the early settlers, and experienced many hardships and privations in their endeavors to obtain a home. Noah Mahan cleared several farms, and became quite wealthy. His children who are living are: James F., William, Cynthia. Mary, Hansen. James F., the eldest child, was reared on a farm in Ozark County, but owing to poor school facilities at that day, received a some- what limited education. In 1882 he enlisted in Company F, Greene's regiment. and served a little over two years, participating in the battles of Hele.
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na, Little Rock, Camden, Shreveport, Gaines' Fer- ry and several skirmishes. In the fall of 1864 he stopped on furlough in Clay County. Ark., having but $10 in Confederate money, and without a whole garment on his back. He fell into the hands of strangers, but was kindly cared for by his future wife's father. After recovering, he worked out for some time, and in 1869 bought a farm in Richwoods, on which he lived until 1884, when he sold out and bought the place where he now resides, consisting of 160 acres, about 100 of which are under cultiva- tion and finely improved. He has put over $1,000 worth of improvements on his farm in the last five years, and it is now one of the finest places in the county. He usually devotes about thirty acres to cotton, and raises about one bale to the acre. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Susan J. Cleveland, a native of North Missouri, and by her has five children: William T., Don, Mary, Hugh and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic order. He has been a resident of Clay County for twenty three years, and is considered one of its best residents.
W. S. Malone is an agriculturist of prominence, who, notwithstanding many reverses and discour- agements, has ever come boldly to the front, and, with the push and energy characteristic of him, sur- mounted all difficulties. He is a native Tennes- seean, moving with his parents to Mississippi when nine years of age, or in 1841. They settled in Yalobusha County, and here W. S. Malone remained until twenty years of age, after which he went to Panola County. He continued in this county until 1859, subsequently locating in Texas, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the late war. Then he came to Oak Bluff, in what is now Clay Coun- ty, and enlisted in the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, Col. Cross commanding. and was elected lieutenant of the company. He served in that capacity until the winter of 1862, when he was discharged at Bowling Green, Ky., but re-enlisted in Capt. Allen's company, of which Mr. Malone was first lieutenant. Later he was put into Col. Hart's regi- ment, and took part and commanded the company during the battle of Helena, Ark. He was with
Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, and took part in all the fights that occurred, always having command of the company. At one time he was shot in the mouth, and lost two teeth. He was dis- banded at Cane Hill, and was paroled at Vicks- burg. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss M. A. C. Daniels, daughter of John Daniels, of Clay County. They settled on a farm of 120 acres, where they have remained ever since. Shortly after marriage they were burned out, losing all their possessions and the first crop they had, and for a time had nothing but dry corn bread as food, and straw, with a limited amount of covering. for a bed. Now they are very nicely fixed, having a comforta- ble house and good outbuildings, and are prepared to enjoy life. In their family were seven children, two having died in early youth. Those now living are: Fannie L., married Andrew Langley, and is the mother of three children; she now resides near the home of her father; Margaret L., married Wade Thomas, a farmer who lives in Clay County, and is the mother of two children; Willie Genoa, a daughter, is now deceased; Lucy Ila, at home; H. Eddie, at home, and Bob L., an infant. Mr. Malone is a member of the Masonic fraternity; is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics. He is now fifty- nine years of age, and never sued nor was he ever sued. He has not been in a fight since the war, but at the battle of Jonesboro, Ark., was shot in the mouth. During the entire time he has been en- gaged in farming Mr. Malone has never bought a pound of bacon, nor has he ever bought corn to eat, always raising sufficient for his family. Mrs. Malone, who is a daughter of Louisa and John Daniel, was born near Cottage Grove, Henry County, Tenn., and remained there until 1859, coming then to Arkansas. Three of the children which she has borne, as well as herself, are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church : Maggie, Fannie and Ila. The two sons. still small children, are being trained in the right way, the hope of their parents being to see them embrace religion before they enter their teens. Mrs. Malone carries them to Sunday-school each Sunday, where she has a class of fifteen scholars. Her father is
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deceased. Her mother, seventy-eight years of age, but still quite active, resides with the oldest daugh- ter, Nancy. Mrs. Malone has three sisters and one brother.
Patrick Martin's name is well known through- out Northeast Arkansas by the traveling public, for since September 10, 1885, he has been the proprietor of the City Hotel at Corning, which establishment, situated opposite the depot, is one of the best of its kind in Clay County, and is quite commodious, consisting of thirty good-sized rooms, with a large sample room. In addition to managing the hotel, he keeps a fine stock of liquors and cigars, having been engaged in this business since coming to the county, in the fall of 1883. He was born at Donegal, in the North of Ireland, March 17, 1858, his parents, Francis and Ann (Monday) Martin, being also natives of that coun- try, where they are still living. In 1880 Patrick Martin emigrated to the United States, and landed at New York City in the month of May, but went directly from there to Philadelphia, where he re- mained three years, acting as clerk in a wholesale and retail liquor store, also serving part of the time as manager. Since coming to Clay County. Ark., in 1883, he has made his home at Corning. but September 7, 1885, was married, at Pocahon- tas, Ark., to Miss Nannie B. Lansdell, a native of Virginia, as were also her parents. Her father was a teacher of high standing in his native State. and there spent his life. After the war her mother came to Randolph County, Ark. After his mar- riage Mr. Martin opened his present hotel, which he has since very ably conducted. He possesses that feeling of kindly hospitality which characterizes the people of Arkansas, and has rendered the City Hotel a comfortable and desirable hostelry. He has always been quite active in politics. and has cast his vote with the Democratic party. He and his wife are the parents of one child. Andrew, and are rearing another child by the name of Hattie Lans- dell. They are members of the Catholic Church.
Robert I. Masterson (deceased) was born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo .. June 25, 1836, be- ing a son of Samuel Masterson, who was a farmer by occupation. Robert I. served a short time in
the late war, and in 1866 removed to Clay County, Ark., locating where his widow and children are now living. At that time there was only a small portion of the farm under cultivation, and but few improvements made, but previous to his death. which occurred May 19, 1873. he did much to bet- ter the condition of his farm. He was married. about 1857, in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., to Miss Mary Collins, by whom he became the father of eight children, four of whom are living: Sarah I., Mary L., Robert F. and John H. After his death his widow, in 1878, married Elias Cunning. ham, who was shot December 2, 1878, by outlaws. while sitting by a window in his home, and died on the 8th of that month. The widow and family now live on the old homestead, which consists of 160 acres, about eighty of which are under culti- vation. Robert F. and John manage the farm, and are experienced and intelligent young men. They give the most of their attention to raising corn and cotton, their annual yield being very large. It is one of the best farms in the northern part of Clay County, and the house, which is on a high elevation, is surrounded by natural shade trees.
Joseph Mellert, hotel proprietor and farmer of Knobel. Clay County, Ark., was born in Germany, in 1836, and is the fifth (with a twin brother) in a family of twelve. born to F. and Mary Mellert. Joseph was reared on a farm and attended school until fourteen years of age, when he began learn- ing the cigar maker's trade, and in 1859 came to the United States and settled in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for about ten years, six years of that time being engaged in business on his own account. In 1870 he moved to Illinois, remaining there for six years: then moved to Randolph County, of the same State, where he remained six years more. He then located in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and after working at his trade there for three years, went to Pilot Knob for about one year, and in 1SS1 came to Knobel. Ark., and opened his present hotel. He farms about twenty-five acres of land and keeps quite a number of cattle and hogs. In 1861 he married Miss Wilhelmina Branica, a native of
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St. Louis, and by her has two children: August and Louisa. Mr. Mellert is not very active in politics, but usually votes with the Democratic party. Although he has only resided in the county a short time, he has seen many improvements made, and has aided materially in advancing all enterprises for the good of his section.
Stephen C. Michell was born in Obion County, Tenn., September 21. 1860, and is the third of nine children. four now living, born to the mar- riage of Stephen Michell and Emeline Watts, who were born in Tennessee and Indiana, in 1829 and 1844, respectively. Their marriage took place in 1857, and they removed from Tennessee to what is now Clay County, Ark., at an early day, and be- came the owners of a good farm comprising 160 acres of land, eighty of which they succeeded in putting under cultivation, and greatly improved their property by good buildings, fences and or- chards. During the Rebellion, Mr. Michell served for about six months in the Confederate army, and after the surrender returned home. where he re- sumed farming. He was a member of the Grangers, the Masons, and the I. O. O. F., and he and wife were first members of the Methodist Church, but afterward became connected with the Christian Church. His death occurred on the 1st of Novem- ber, 1884. The following are his children: Docia (Deckard), who died at the age of twenty years; Wapallan, who died in Arkansas when fifteen years of age; James D., who was accidentally killed by a pistol shot when twelve years old; Margaret E., who died at the age of eight; Will- iam, who is now twenty years of age and resides in Clay County: Mary T. (Moran); Elizabeth, who died when five months old; Robert Theo., who lives at home, and Stephen C. The latter owns a farm of 120 acres in Clay County, on which he has resided for the past fifteen years, and has fifty acres under cultivation, and devotes much of his time to raising cattle and hogs. He is a member of the Christian Church, a Mason, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and in his political views is a Democrat, having been elected on this ticket to the office of justice of the peace, on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1888. He has also been constable of the
same district a number of terms. April 10, 1887. he married Miss Alice Dennison, a native of Ar- kansas.
J. T. Miller is a substantial farmer of Clay County, who has become well known for his hon- esty, energy and intelligence. His birth occurred in Hardin County, Tenn., in September, 1844. his parents. James and Jane (Black) Miller, being also natives of that State. In 1850 they emigrated to what is now Clay County. Ark., coming through in wagons, and located on the Little Black River, and here the father died in the fall of 1866, his wife's death occurring in Tennessee. They were the parents of two children, John T. being the only one now living. He grew to manhood on a farm. and received such education as could be obtained in private schools. In 1882 he purchased the farm where he now lives, consisting of 160 acres, about seventy of which are under cultivation. He has made a great many improvements since locating. and devotes the most of his land to corn and cotton, but also gives much attention to stock raising, being extensively engaged in this business at times. He is intelligent and enterprising, and is counted one of the influential and prosperous farmers of his locality. He was married, in 1866. to Miss Amanda Mulhullen, who bore him three children: Pauline I., Lewis A. and Vandella, who is deceased. In 1877 Mr. Miller wedded Miss Sarah M. Mulhullen, and by her is the father of six children, five of whom are living: Lucy I. (deceased), John R., Leoter, Rosa M., Gertie C. and Thomas J. Mrs. Miller is a member in good standing of the Christian Church.
Harvey W. Moore. Among the prominent and numerous attorneys of Clay County may be men- tioned Mr. Moore, who was born in Fulton Conu- ty, Ind., May 27, 1864, his parents being Miltou M. and Mary A. J. (Stone) Moore, natives, respect- ively, of .Indiana and Ohio. They were married in Montgomery County. Ind, in 1855, and in 1863 located in Fulton County, where they made their home until 1881. removing in January, of that year. to Randolph County, and in the fall of the same year to Clay County. Ark. For five years young Moore was here engaged with his
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father in changing a dense forest into a farm, and during this time all of his spare moments were spent in the study of those branches that were re- quired to be taught in the common schools. After having taught school successfully he entered the Corning high school, where he took a course in the higher branches of study, commencing the study of law in February, 1888, with F. G. Taylor, the leading attorney of Clay County, and after reading until August, 1888, he was admitted to the Clay County bar. He located in Greenway, in the fall of 1888, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession and is doing well, giving fair promise of becoming one of the lead- ing lawyers of Northeast Arkansas. He is well versed on all of the general topics of the day. is a hard student, and is a young man of exemplary habits and character.
John H. Mowls, Jr., a farmer of Clay County, Ark., was born in Roanoke County, Va., March 29, 1853, and is a son of Henry and Polly Mowls, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of Dutch- English ancestry. The father was a colonel in the Confederate army during the Rebellion, and acted as recruiting officer, and throughout life has fol- lowed the occupations of farming, distilling, mer- chandising and mechanics, he and wife being now residents of California. John H. Mowls began fighting the battle of life for himself at the age of eighteen years, working as a teamster at the Can- nelton Coal Mines of West Virginia for one year, after which he moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he was engaged in engineering a tug-boat. He next moved to St. Louis, thence to Kansas City, and from there to Topeka, where he joined a trad- ing expedition, being thus connected for eighteen months. The following two years he spent as a cow-boy at Galveston. Tex., and then returned to St. Louis and made three trips on the Mississippi River as engineer on the tow-boat " Elliott." He next operated a shingle-yard and farmed in Missis. sippi, spending one year at each occupation, but was inundated by the great overflow of 1873, which compelled him to move. He went first to Cape Girardeau, Mo., then to Union County, Ill., and was engaged in farming four years. He was
married there on the 13th of February, 1876, to Miss M. A., a daughter of Daniel and Ann Cook, natives of North Carolina and Australia, respect- ively. On the 10th of August, 1877, Mr. Mowls left Illinois and located in Nevada City, Mo., where he worked as a painter and mechanic until February 27, 1878, when his wife died, leaving him with an infant only two months old to rear. He took the child to his mother, who cared for it until its death at the age of six months. Mr. Mowis next went to Chicago, and from there to Waterloo, Ill., where he was occupied in engineer- ing three months. He next began railroading, con- tinuing this three years. The nuptials of his sec- ond marriage were celebrated on the 25th of De- cember, 1879, his wife's maiden name being Miss Emma A. Griffith, of Union County, Ill., a daughter of W. T. and Jane Griffith, who are natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Illinois. In 1880 Mr. Mowls removed to Butler County, Mo., and in 1881 came to Clay County. Ark., and is the owner of a saw, grist and cotton-mill in Kil- gore Township. He has been engaged in man- aging various mills ever since removing to Mis- souri in 1880, and has also been interested in farming some of the time, and is at present fol- lowing this occupation, his principal crops being cotton and corn. He is a Mason, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, is independent in politics, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The following are their children: Elmer R., born February 11, 1882; Lily M., born February 3, 1887, and Joseph J., born July 13, 1887. Mr. Mowls was educated in the common subscription schools, and expects to give his chil- dren good educational advantages.
J. M. Myers, mayor of St. Francis, and one of the most enterprising men of the town, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and is the son of Mich- ael Myers, who came with his father from Penn- sylvania, settling in Ohio, and was there married to Miss Susan McClane, a native of Ohio. J. M. Myers remained in Sandusky until 1SS6, when he came to St. Francis, where he engaged in the lum- ber business and has continued this calling since. He is the owner of 380 acres of land in his na-
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tive State, and 8,000 acres of timber and coal land in Morgan County, Ky. After arriving in Clay County, Ark., Mr. Myers joined the firm of Juvenall, Myers & Co., operating Mr. Rosen- grant's mill. Afterward in company with W. S. Bryon, of St. Louis, he built a mill and opened under the firm name of J. M. Myers & Co. This he still continues and has now completed one of the largest and best equipped mills in the county or State. When the town of St. Francis was or- ganized in 1888 Mr. Myers was elected to the office of mayor to fill the interim until the first mu- nicipal election, when he was re-elected, and is now holding that position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has built, in addition to the two mills, the finest residence in the county. Al- though not a member of any church he has assisted materially in the building of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, to which he contributed very liberally. He was married in Ohio to Miss Ella Bair, who came from Pennsylvania with her pa- rents, Jacob and Amy (Uber) Bair, a number of years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born five children: Edith Floy, Sadie Grace, Gail Roena, Grover C. and an infant unnamed. Mr. Myers is a Democrat in politics.
Bertrand Nicolas, farmer and stockman of Clay County, Ark., was born in France in 1844. being the second of a family of eight children born to Ber- trand and Catherine (Johnson) Nicolas, who were also born in France and came to the United States in 1847, landing at New Orleans, and afterward set- tling at St. Louis, Mo., where the father engaged in weaving. In 1858 they moved to the country about twelve miles from the city, where they lived ten years, and afterward located about six miles north of Kirkwood, where both parents died. Bertrand Nicolas, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to a farm life and attended the schools of St. Louis, receiving a good education. At the age of twenty-eight years he began working for himself, and was married at the age of thirty-two to Miss Rebecca Towe, a native of Missouri, by whom he became the father of two children, and at the birth of the second child Mrs. Nicolas died. George, the elder, is attending school in St.
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