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 42
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Joseph F. Schneider, of the Arkansas Stave
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Works, was born in Clermont County, of the "Buckeye State," June 20, 1857, his parents be- ing Adam and Anna (Weindle) Schneider, both of German nativity. Joseph F. Schneider re- mained with his father in his native county until twenty-one years of age, and in 1879 moved west to St. Louis, Mo., where he continued working at the cooper business for about six years. In 1886 he came to Greenway, Ark., and engaged in the man- ufacture of staves and headings, and has been manager of an established business ever since. This enterprise gives employment to from fifteen to twenty men, and the establishment ships from eighty to 100 cars of stock annually. The Arkan- sas Stave Works pays, on an average, $1,000 per month, for help and material. Mr. Schneider was married in St. Louis, Mo., May 15, 1883, to Miss Anna Schmitz, who was born, reared and educated in St. Louis, and is the daughter of Jacob Schmitz, of Union City, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have two children: Cecelia and Clarence. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
Dr. J. H. Seegraves, a prominent physician and leading citizen of Clay County, Ark., was born in Surry County, N. C., August 1, 1832, and is the son of Gilbra and Sarah (Wilson) Seegraves. Gil- bra Seegraves was born in Virginia in 1800, of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a brick-mason and farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Macon County, Tenn., in 1839, and was one of the pio- neers of that locality. In 1874 he removed to Ar- . kansas, settling in Clay County, and there died May 27, 1887, in his seventy-seventh year. Sarah (Wil- son) Seegraves was born in Ashe County, N. C., and was reared and married in that State. The nine children born to this union are named as fol- lows: Louis, William, Maxwell, Samuel T., Henry, Gilbra, Sarah. Martha and John H. Mrs. See- graves died December 31, 1885. Dr. J. H. See- graves, the subject of this sketch, was principally reared in Tennessee, and had good school advan- tages. Later he studied for three years under I. M. Livingston, M. D., of Lafayette, Tenn., and then practiced in partnership with him for four years. About this time the war broke out, and he enlisted in the Federal army, as recruiting officer.
There being vacancies to fill, he, among others, applied as assistant acting surgeon, of the United States army, which required a man to be a grad- uate of some reputable college. There were four who applied for the position, but three failed to pass. Dr. Seegraves claimed an examination, and passed with honor, and although not a graduate. was appointed to the place. His commission was as below:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT TENN., MEDICAL DIRECT- OR'S OFFICE, NASHVILLE, TENN., September 21, 1865.
Special Order 33 :- Surgeon Thaddeus Donahue, One Hundred and Tenth United States Cavalry Troops, in charge of Post Hospital, Gallatin, Tenn., will be relieved of that charge without delay by Acting Assistant Surgeon J. H. Seegraves, United States Army, and return to duty with his regiment. He will turn over his property to his successor. By order of the Medical Director.
JOHN E. MCGUIRE, Assistant Surgeon, United States Volunteers.
Following this Dr. Seegraves was ordered to report the sale of property without reporting to superior officers, a new departure in military af- fairs. He then took charge of the hospital, after the abandonment of which he received orders to sell and turn over the proceeds, which was done, thus showing his standing. Below may be found his discharge from duty, and his standing:
PROPERTY DIVISION, SURGEON GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C .. May 1, 1866.
Sir :-- I am instructed by the Surgeon General to in- form you that your returns of public property belonging to the Medical and Hospital department of the Army, for a period commencing September 22, 1865, and ending De- cember 31, 1865, with vouchers thereto pertaining, have been examined in this office, and found to be correct, and finally settled. Relating to Gallatin, Tenn.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. C. SPENCER, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A.
Dr. Seegraves served in the medical department from 1864 until April 10. 1866. participating in the battle of Nashville, and was honorably discharged at Louisville. He then located in Illinois, began the practice of his profession, and was offered the position of chief surgeon of the West, but declined. Later he settled in Clinton County. Ill .. practiced six years, then came to Arkansas, and settled in Clay County, where he has since practiced his pro- fession. He is also engaged in the drug business.
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and is the local surgeon of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Railroad, which is an honor held by few physicians. Dr. Seegraves is also president of the Clay County Medical Examining Board. He was married, in 1859, to Miss M. A. Atkerson, a native of Macon County, Tenn., and the daughter of John W. Atkerson, now a resident of Macon Coun- ty, Tenn. To the Doctor and wife were born four children living: Lydia A., Ida L., John O. and Cora E. Those deceased were named Clara R., Ethel, J. O., and an infant. The Doctor and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., join- ing the last-named organization in Gallatin, Tenn., while surgeon of the army, and while almost a stranger, being struck by the grandeur of a proces- sion. He also belongs to the K. of H. Aside from his profession and the drug business, Dr. Seegraves is one of the prominent farmers of the county.
B. H. Sellmeyer & Bro., merchants of Knobel, Ark. This firm is composed of Bernard H. and Joseph Sellmeyer, who were born in Franklin County, Ind., in 1850 and 1862, respectively, and were the sons of John H. and Elizabeth (Brug gensmith) Sellmeyer, who were native Germans, and came to the United States, where they met and afterward married. The father is a tanner by trade, and is the owner of a tannery at Olden- burg, Ind., which is managed by his eldest son, John. Our subjects attended school in Oldenburg until a somewhat advanced age, then following clerking in their father's store. Bernard continued until about 1870, when he went to St. Louis and clerked in a store in that city for five years, later engaging in the grocery business for himself, which he continued until 1880, since which time he has resided in Knobel, Ark. He first engaged as a contractor in furnishing ties for the Knobel & Helena Branch of the Iron Mountain Railroad, in partnership with Crawford & Lintz, and in about eight months furnished 350,000, and dur- ing this time also did some grading on the White River Branch of that railroad. In the fall of 1881 he started the first store in Knobel, and it was practically the only store in the place for about
four years. In 1884 he was joined by his brother Joseph, and they formed their present partnership. and in connection with their store they are exten- sively interested in the timber business, making a specialty of piling, staves and ties, which industry gives employment to forty or fifty men. They are now about to erect a cotton-gin and saw-mill, and owing to the erection of the former, the farmers have been encouraged to increase their cotton crop at least 400 per cent, which will prove of great benefit to the county. In 1882 Bernard Sellmeyer . was appointed third postmaster of Knobel, and held the position several years, and in 1888 Joseph became postmaster, and is holding the office at the present time. Since 1884 Ber- nard H. has held the office of justice of the peace. In 1886 Joseph Sellmeyer returned to Oldenburg. Ind., and accepted the position of secretary of the St. Joseph Western Mill, of Oldenburg, in which his father is an extensive stockholder. In September, 18SS, he was married to Miss Dinah Damhus, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Bernard and Philema Damhus, who reside in that State. The Sellmeyer brothers own over 2,000 acres of land, more than half of which is excel- lent farming land and susceptible of a high state of cultivation. They have about 100 acres under cultivation. and are constantly opening up new land, and their enterprise and energy form a com- mendable example to the citizens of the county.
Edward Silverberg. M. D., a physician and farmer of Clay County, Ark., was born in Colum- bia, Marion County, Miss., in 1829, and is the second of four children of Johnson and Sarah (Jones) Silverberg, who were born in Holland and Georgia, respectively. When about sixteen years of age the father emigrated to the United States. and soon after engaged in mercantile business in Columbia, Miss., where he remained twelve years, then removing to Canton, Miss., where he resumed business in 1833, continuing until his death in 1838. He and wife were married in 1825. the latter being a daughter of one of the early pioneers of Mississippi. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. Dr. Edward Silverberg received his
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education in the common schools and the Masonic ments. He raises considerable stock and has an excellent stallion for breeding purposes. In part- nership with his son he is extensively engaged in the timber business, shipping staves, stave bolts and piling, and making cross ties. He takes an active part in politics, and has held the office of postmaster at Peach Orchard three years, and at Knobel about the same length of time. At both these places he carries on general merchandising. He is chairman of the County Democratic Conven- tion, and was a delegate to the Congressional Con- vention at Helena in 1888. He takes quite an interest in the culture of fruit, and his orchard consists of 300 peach trees, fifty pear, fifty plum. twenty-five cherry and 200 apple trees, all of which are doing well, and those that are bearing show excellent fruit. His son, Edward L., was married to Miss Annie Ratcliffe, a daughter of Hon. T. J. and Huldah A. Ratcliffe. The father was a noted lawyer and politician of this section and held the office of State senator. He died in 1881, but his widow still survives him and resides on the old homestead, one and a half miles west of Peach Orchard. College at La Grange, Ky., leaving the latter institution at the age of eighteen years. He was engaged in clerking for two years and then began the study of medicine, graduating from the Medi- cal University of Louisville, Ky., in 1855, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Jessamine County, Ky. He then spent one year in Columbus, Ky., two years in Louisiana, and came to Helena in 1858, where he was in the drug business, and from that time until 1861 resided in Helena. In May, 1862, he entered the Southern army as medical purveyor under Gen. Hindman, who had command of the Trans-Mississippi depart- ment, and later was under Gen. Holmes, and was stationed with his office at Little Rock, Ark. In 1864 he resigned this office and entered the field as adjutant of what was known as Dobbins' brigade, being in the battle of Big Creek, near Helena, and in a raid south; was with Price on his raid through Missouri, and took part in the battles at Iron Mountain, Big Blue, Kansas City and Fort Scott, then fell back to Benton County, Ark., and was in his last battle at Fayetteville, in the winter of 1864. The army was here divided and the Doctor's G. W. Simmons, M. D., whose face is familiar in the homes of the sick and afflicted of this coun- ty, was born in Halifax County, N. C., in 1827. and is the son of Jesse H. Simmons, whose father, John Simmons, was a native of Scotland. Jesse H. Simmons married Miss Nancy B. Whitaker. also a native of North Carolina, and the daugh- ter of James Whitaker. Her grandfather, John Whitaker, was a native of North Carolina and was a colonel of some note in the Revolutionary War. as was also John Bradford, Mrs. Simmons' maternal grandfather. Gov. John Branch, of North Caro- lina, who was secretary of the navy in the cabinet of President Jackson, was a cousin of Mrs. Sim- mons. The Whitaker family was one of the most illustrious in the State. G. W. Simmons moved to Wayne County, Tenn., at the age of seventeen. and later was married to Miss Martha J. Gee. daughter of Thomas Gee, of English and Welsh parentage. He then entered the office of Dr. T. command was sent to Northeast Arkansas, and in the winter of that year the command started to Mexico with Gen. Shelby. He was taken sick at San Antonio, Texas, and, after the final surrender, re- turned to Kentucky. He was married in 1856 to Miss Sallie Lockart, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he became the father of three children: Sallie L., wife of Judge J. F. Humphries, clerk of the court at Helena, Ark .; Edward, who is married and resides with his father, and Ida, who died in infancy. In the spring of 1858 the Doctor brought his family to Arkansas and settled in Helena, where he was in the drug business when the war came on. In 1873, after coming to North- east Arkansas, and practicing for a short time at Pocahontas, he went to Poplar Bluff, Mo., but re- turned to Corning, Ark., in 1876, remaining here six years, since which time he has lived at Knobel and Peach Orchard. In ISS5 he bought a tract of land one half mile south of Knobel, and on this . L. Carter, where he studied medicine, and a few farm he has since resided and made many improve- years later opened an office, but in 1856 came to
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Clay County, and formed a partnership with Thomas J. Harris, at Oak Bluff. near where Rector now stands, and was the leading physician of the county. The partnership continued for three years when Dr. Simmons opened up business for himself, as his partner had entered the Confederate army. Since that time the Doctor has had the greatest practice of any physician in the county, and says that after an experience of thirty-three years, he can truthfully say it is an error to make the statement that this is an unhealthy country. In his earlier practice, when people were very poorly housed and very little attention was paid to the laws of health, they suffered from ill health, but just in proportion to their improvement did they be- come healthier. The Doctor's own family, consist- ing of six robust children. is evidence enough of the salutary condition of the country, and nowhere is to be found a better specimen of young man- hood than William H. Simmons, who is clerking in his father's store. Dr. Simmons, by his first wife, was the father of six children, all of whom are now living: Jesse, married, has three children, and resides near his father; Alice married G. W. Webb, who is now living near Oak Bluff, is a carpenter, and they have three children; Ella married James Merriwether, son of Dr. Merri- wether, of Paragould. and has two children; William H. is at home with his father and attends the store; Charles lives with his father and attends to the farm, and Mary married W. E. Spence, now circuit clerk of the county. whose sketch appears in another part of this volume. Dr. Simmons married Miss Carrie M. Lavender, of Rector, who came from Georgia when a girl, with her sister and brother-in-law, H. B. Cox. Her father, James Lavender, was a native of Georgia, and her mother, Malinda (Ansley) Lavender, was of Irish extrac- tion. The Doctor takes an active part in politics and votes the Democratic ticket, as do his two sons who are old enough to vote. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and is a Royal Arch Mason, having passed through all the chairs in that order, and for six years was District Deputy Grand Master of the State. He has done much for the benefit of the county in which he lives, has built
several of the finest houses in the vicinity, and is now engaged in the general merchandise business, having one of the best selected stocks in the town. valued at from $1,500 to $4,000. When the Doctor first settled in the county very little atten- tion was paid to education, but whisky was con- sidered the staff of life and was sold at every cross- roads. Now a school-house takes the place at the cross-roads and the whisky seller receives a limited amount of patronage.
A. R. Simpson, M. D., physician and surgeon. was born in Lawrence County, S. C., August 25. 1860, being a son of D. D. and E. A. (Harris) Simpson, who were also born in the " Palmetto State," the father being a merchant and farmer by occupation. They are both living and reside in their native State. The following are their chil- dren: J. H., of Mississippi: Sallie R. (Blakely), T. S., R. I. (Janes), P. A. and Dr. A. R. The paternal grandparents were born in Ireland, and at an early day emigrated to America, locating in South Carolina, where they spent the rest of their days, and died when very old. Dr. A. R. Simp- son is the youngest of his parents' children, and his youth was spent in attending school and as- sisting on the home farm. At the age of sixteen years he began the study of medicine, and in September, 1879, entered the University of Balti- more, Md., in 1881 entering as a student the Lou- isville (Ky.) Medical College, from which institu- tion he was graduated in March, 1882, being one of seventeen who graduated with honors out of a class of 115. He began practicing his profession in Lawrence County, S. C., and remained until 1884. when he went to Marshall County, Miss., but only continued here one year. In April, 1885, he came to Corning. Ark., where he has since resided. and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is very public spirited and is ever ready to advance any good cause. He was married in October. 1886, to Miss Winnie D. Whitehead. of Crystal Springs, Miss., and by her has one child. Perry O. Dr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Presby. terian Church.
J. B. Smith is a planter and stockman of Kil- gore Township, Clay County. It is a remarkable
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fact that the majority of those men of Kentucky birth, who have become residents of Clay County, have been peculiarly successful in the accumula- tion of worldly goods, and are considered superior farmers, and Mr. Smith is but another example of this truth. He was born in Calloway County, Ky., September 14, 1849, his parents, Gabriel and Agnes (Shotwell) Smith, being natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. The father was an honest tiller of the soil, and remained in the State of his birth until 1861, when he removed to Randolph County, Ark. (now Clay County), and opened a farm in Cache Township, on which he resided until his death in 1881, followed by his excellent widow two years later. Jasper B. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was brought up as a farmer's boy, and has ever devoted himself to that calling, and with a perseverance and industry which could not fail of favorable results. At the age of twenty years he be- gan depending on his own resources to obtain a livelihood, and made his first purchase of land in 1875, which consisted of eighty acres near Black River. This farm he improved greatly, then sold it and bought his present farm of 160 acres, sev- enty being under cultivation, and forty of that be- ing devoted to the culture of cotton. His attractive farm is especially fitted for the raising of stock, which occupation receives a fair portion of his attention, and his out buildings are all in excellent condition. He has always voted the Democratic ticket, and socially is a member of the Orient Lodge, at Corning, and the Agricultural Wheel. He was married in Arkansas on the 14th of March, 1869, to Miss Harriet Pitcock, a native of Ten- nessee, whose parents moved to Arkansas during the war; by her he is the father of these children: Nancy Ella (Mrs. Park), William Hastings, James Caswell, Marcus Vain, Bert, Enola, Ernest and Joseph G. and Elgin Eugene, both of whom died at the age of one year. Mr. Smith received poor school advantages in his youth, but knowing the value of a good education has given his children excellent opportunities for acquiring learning. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He has been remarkably healthy, never having had to call a physician on his own account.
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William E. Spence, circuit clerk of Clay Coun- ty, also county clerk and probate court clerk. was born in Wilcox County. Ala., and is the son of Rev. Spence and wife, nee Evelyn McNiel, and the grand- son, on the mother's side, of Hector McNiel, of. Camden, who was of Scotch descent. Rev. Spence was a native of Tennessee, and moved to Alabama when a young man, where he married Miss Mc- Niel. In 1876 he settled with his family in Greene County, Ark., where he remained for about one year, and then moved to what was known as Oak Bluff, locating about a mile north of the town, where he taught school. He was also a preacher in the Presbyterian Church, having been ordained about the time he moved to Alabama. He was of English descent. William E. Spence accompanied his parents to Greene County, and always attended school to his father until he attended the Commer- cial College, at Lexington, Ky., from which insti- tution he graduated the same year. After this he took a position as book-keeper and salesman with the firm of Tatum & Bragg, of Malden, Mo., where he remained for about two years, or until the firm stopped business. He then went to work at the same occupation for I. Harris & Co., also of that place, remained about a year, and then came to Boydsville, where he is now located, and accepted a position with W. S. Blackshare & Co. He re- mained with this company for about a year, when he engaged in mercantile business for himself. thus continuing until elected to his present office. He then closed out his trade, and now devotes his whole time to his official duties. He was first married to Miss Dora Pollock. who bore him one child, which died with its mother in 1884. Mr. Spencer's second marriage was to Miss Mary Sim- mons, daughter of Dr. G. W. Simmons, of Boyds- ville, in December. 1888. Mr. Spencer is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a mem- ber of the K. of H. While modest and unassum- ing in his demeanor, he is endowed with those very rare qualities of good sense and good judgment. which, together with his genial and pleasing man- ners, not only fit him for any position to which he may be elected, but congregate around him many warm friends.
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Charles Stokes, farmer and mechanic of Hay- wood Township, Clay County, Ark., was born in Winston County, Ala., October 31, 1840, being a son of William Stokes. who was born in Georgia, and was reared in Warren County, Tenn. He was married in that State, and afterward moved to Alabama, where he farmed for a number of years and then came to Ark., locating in this State about 1877, his death occurring in February, 1884. Charles Stokes was reared in the State of Alabama, and made his home with his father until November 27, 1861, when he married Susan Smith, a native of Tennessee, who was reared in Alabama, and in August of the following year moved to Illinois, locating in Massac County. ℮ resided in this and Pope Counties until the spring of 1868, when he moved to Arkansas, arriving on the 5th of April of that year. A short time after- ward he homesteaded 120 acres, then bought 120, and has since increased his acreage to 600, all of which is in Mrs. Stokes' name. About 100 acres : are under cultivation. They have a good residence, two good barns and an excellent orchard. Mr. Stokes has served as justice of the peace for about six years, and has been a member of the school board a number of years. He has filled several of the chairs in the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Agricultural Wheel. In addition to his farming he has been doing considerable mechani- cal work, such as wagon repairing, blacksmithing. carpentering, etc. He and wife are the parents of the following children: J. R., A. J .. J. H., F. M., T. A., Queen C., Pearlie and Nancy A. Two children died in infancy.
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