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 51

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 51

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lives, the mother dying since the war, at the age of ninety-seven years. She was a member of the Baptist Church for many years. The father was a good farmer. They were the parents of eleven children. Matt McGlasson, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Scot. land, and came to America when quite young. He enlisted in the Revolutionary War when only eighteen years of age, and was in service during the entire war. He located first in Virginia, but later moved to Kentucky, where he passed his last days. He was one of the first settlers. His wife, Elizabeth Cunningham, was born in France. Mathew MeGlasson, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, spent his entire life in Scot- land. The maternal grandfather, Francis Harley, was of Dutch descent, and died in Virginia.

Azriah W. Mckenzie. The career of Mr. Mc- Kenzie presents an example of industry, persever- ance and good management, rewarded by substan. tial results, well worthy the imitation of all who start out in life as he did with no capital except a good constitution and liberal supply of pluck and energy. He is numbered among those of Georgia nativity now in Fulton County, having been born in that State on the 7th of November, 1831. John McKenzie, his father, was a Georgian, born about 1800, and first settled in the wilds of Law- rence County, Ark., in 1848. He pursued the oc- cupation of farming until his death at the age of sixty-five years. After residing in Lawrence County a few years he moved to Madison County. thence to Missouri, and finally returned to his son's (Azriah) home in 1862. He was a soldier in the Florida and Indian War. His father was born in Scotland, and came to the United States at the time of the Revolutionary War. Our subject's mother was a Miss Jane Canady, who was born in Georgia, about 1801, and died in Lawrence County, Ark. (now Sharp County), in 1851. She was the mother of seven sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to mature years, and two of whom are now living: Azriah and a sister, both of whom live in Fulton County. The former was the sixth of the family, and remained with his parents until about eighteen years of age, when he started

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for California, which State he reached in the sum- mer of 1852. He remained there engaged in mining until December, 1857, then returned to Arkansas, where he continued until the spring of 1859, when he again crossed the plains, and for two years was occupied in cattle dealing in Cali- fornia. In the last named year he again returned home, and in July of that year enlisted in the Confederate army, being under Capt. Wyatt. and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Big Blue while with Price on his raid, and was retained at Alton, Ill., for four months, after which he was paroled. He then rejoined his company in the south part of Arkansas, and at the close of hostilities returned home and re- sumed his farming operations. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, with 185 under cultivation, which he has acquired by hard work and good management. His first vote for the presidency was cast for Frank- lin Pierce, and he has always been a Democrat. He is unmarried.

Dr. Joel McLemore. a physician of acknowl- edged merit in Fulton County, was born in Hali- fax County, N. C., June 12, 1835, and there re- mained until ten years of age, when he was taken by his mother to Tennessee, receiving his liter- ary education in Waynesboro, of that State. Dur- ing this time he formed a strong desire to study medicine and made the investigation of this science his chief business for a number of years. He has been practicing since 1865, and has been a successful practitioner of Fulton County ever since 1878. In October, 1855, he was mar- ried in Tennessee to Miss Harriet G. McClearen, who was born and reared in Hickman County, Middle Tenn. Her parents, John and Elzada (Adams) McClearen, were born in Northern Ala- bama and Bedford County, Tenn., respectively. To Dr. and Mrs. McLemore nine children have been given, seven of whom are living: John B., Joel H. (deceased), James F., William B .. Albert A., Sterling P., Samuel G., an infant deceased, and Allie. During the late war the Doctor served four years in the Confederate army as major of a battalion. He is a Master Mason, a member of the Democratic party, and he and wife belong to

the Methodist Protestant Church. He owns a farm of 240 acres on English Creek, about seven- ty-five acres of which are under cultivation. His parents, Joel and Mrs. Elizabeth (Pullen) McLe- more, were born in Virginia and North Carolina in May, 1773, and 1803, respectively. The father re- moved to North Carolina when a young man and was married there. He was a tailor by trade, and also followed the occupation of farming, and on his extensive plantation in Halifax County employed 100 hands. He was twice married, Miss Pullen being his second wife, and by her he became the father of two sons: Joel, and James H., who lives in Wayne County., Tenn. After his demise his widow married John Whittaker, and moved to Perry County, Tenn., where she died in April, 1859. The paternal grandparents of our subject were born near London, England, and a short time prior to the Revolutionary War they emigrated to the United States and settled near Richmond, Va., where they afterward died. The grandfather served as major in the Continental army during that war.

Jesse Matthews is a newspaper man of long ex- perience, his connection with his present paper dating from January 8, 1879. Under his able management it has become recognized as a journal of decided merit, its editorials being written with a clearness and force which indicate a writer of ability, while it has become very popular for its bold and fearless advocacy of measures which it deems will prove of benefit to this section. His parents, Jesse and Mary (Houston) Matthews, were born in Baltimore, Md., and Paris, Bourbon County, Ky., respectively, the former being reared to manhood in his native town; then he came west and settled at Glasgow, Mo., in which place he en - gaged in merchant tailoring, and followed this oc- cupation for some time. In 1849 he went to Cali- fornia, where he spent eight years in gold digging, accumulating considerable money. After his re- turn to Missouri he located at Huntsville, where his worthy wife departed this life. after which he re- moved to the northwest county in Missouri, where he is spending his declining years with a son. The paternal grandfather was an early emigrant to

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

America, and was of Scotch ancestry although born in the . Emerald Isle." Jesse Matthews, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared at Huntsville, Randolph County, Mo., but was fav- ored with only poor advantages for obtaining an education, which he improved by entering a print- ing office when fourteen years of age, only going to school two ten months' sessions. In 1874 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Rider, who was born in Pulaski County, Mo., in 1856, and six children blessed their union: Maggie A., Edgar M., Elmer H., Mattie, Jessie P., Earnest L. and Emmett G. Mr. Matthews learned the printer's trade in his youth at Huntsville, Mo., commencing his appren- ticeship in July, 1864, and serving five years. He then went to Kansas City, and worked on the "Kansas City Times " as a compositor for one year, and the following year worked on the "Oswego (Kansas) Register." He next made a ,short stay in Arkansas, after which he went back to Missouri, and for four years worked at Salem on "The Success," as foreman. He next went to Pulaski County where he bought a printer's out- fit, and moved to Gainesville, establishing the "Gainesville Gazette," afterward removing to Licking, where he established the "Ledger," which he conducted one year, then starting the "Spirit," at Salem, Mo. Since January 8, 1879, he has been a resident of Salem, Ark., establish- ing the "Salem Informer" at the above date, which he has continuously published up to the present time. Mr. Matthews is a conservative Democrat, and his paper is independent. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and also a mem- ber of the Kansas City Typographical Union.

R. B. Maxey is an attorney of Salem, Ark., who has steadily and surely made his way to the front in the practice of his chosen profession, and as a prominent and useful citizen. He was born in Giles County, Tenn., October 11, 1846, and re- ceived his education in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tenn., and while there formed habits of applica- tion and industry so essential to any successful career through life, and which stood him in good service when entering upon his legal studies, which he did after wielding the ferule for three

years. His legal preceptor was W. F. Hender- son, the present supreme judge of New Mexico, who was then attorney general of Arkansas. He was admitted to the bar of Randolph County, Ark., in March, 1872, and the two following years were spent in practicing his profession at Pocahontas, Mo. From that time until 1878 he resided in Corning, Clay County, Ark., and then on account of ill health, came to Salem, where he has since been engaged in regular practice and the real estate business. He owns considerable land in the county, and some valuable town property. Miss Minnie Jones, who was born in Pocahontas, Randolph County, Mo., became his wife in 1874, and by her he has an interesting family of four children: Ollie, Soula, Kittie and Harry. Mr. Maxey holds a membership in the I. O. O. F. lodge at Poca- hontas, and he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Maxey's parents, J. H. and Elizabeth (Black) Maxey, were born in the State of Virginia, the former's birth occurring in 1812. He was reared to a farm life in Tennessee, and there married and spent his life, his death occurring in 1871. His wife, who died in 1850, bore him five children. Grandfather Maxey was a Virginian, who emigrated to Tennes- see at an early day, and there spent the rest of his days.

Daniel W. Mitchell, farmer, merchant, and postmaster of Mitchell postoffice, which was estab- lished in 1SS1, through his efforts, owes his birth to Marion County, Tenn., where he was born in 1828. His father, Warren W. Mitchell, was a na- tive of North Carolina, born in 1782, and was mar ried in Tennessee to Mrs. Elender Lewis, also a native of North Carolina, and born in the year 1792. The father died in Tennessee in 1842. He was a successful tiller of the soil. His father. John Mitchell, was born and reared in Ireland, but on coming to the United States, settled in North Carolina, and there died. He served all through the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Elender (Lewis) Mitchell was married the first time in North Caro- lina. After the death of Mr. Mitchell, she re- moved to North Mississippi, and there died in April, 1857. Her father, Harbored Lewis, was a Welsh-

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FULTON COUNTY.

man, and his wife was Dutch. They came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, settling in Chatham County, N. C., and there passed the remainder of their lives. Daniel W., the second of three sons and four daughters born to his parents, received a very limited education, and remained with his mother until grown, taking charge of the family at the age of seventeen. His marriage oc- curred in 1856 to Miss P. A. Walker, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of John and Mary Walker, who were natives of Tennessee, but who passed the last of their days in Mississippi. Mr. Mitchell lived in Mississippi until during the war, when he moved to Perry County, Ill .. after which he returned to Mississippi. In 1870 he came to Fulton County, rented land until 1872, and then settled in the dense woods on his present farm, now of about 600 acres, with 100 acres under cultivation. all the result of his own energy, never having inherited anything. He is at present a prominent farmer, and a successful business man. In 1883 he es- : tablished a store on his farm, and has carried this on nearly ever since. He was justice of the peace for some years in Mississippi, and also filled that posi- tion for about two years in Fulton County. In politics he was reared a Whig, but is now a Re- publican. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been steward in the same for many years.

Edward S. Nesbit is manager of the Nesbit Lumber Company, of Mammoth Spring, Ark., dealers in dressed and rough lumber, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, lime, cement, laths, hair, etc. This business was established in March, 1889. Mr. Nesbit was born in De Soto County, Miss., in 1838, and is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Driver) Nesbit, natives of South Carolina and Alabama, re- spectively. When a boy, Thomas Nesbit went to Alabama, where he grew to manhood, married, and soon after removed to Mississippi, being one of the pioneers of that State. He was a wealthy farmer, and died in the last mentioned State in 1885, at the age of seventy three years. He was the founder of the town of Nesbit, on the Illinois Central Railroad, and one of the most prominent

citizens of the locality in which he lived. He and wife were for many years members in good stand- ing in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Thomas Nesbit, grandfather of Edward S. Nesbit, was of Irish parentage, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Nesbit died about 1881; she was the daughter of Lewis Driver, who was a wealthy agriculturist, and who died in Alabama. Of the nine children born to his parents, Edward S. Nesbit was the third. He secured a fair education in the common schools until nearly grown, and when nineteen years of age graduated from Wes- leyan University at Florence, Ala. He then en gaged in the lumber and saw-mill business on Tallahatchee River, where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil War. He then joined Company K, Ninth Mississippi Volunteer Infantry. and nine months later was appointed lieutenant of a battalion of sharp shooters, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He was cap- tured in West Mississippi in October. 1862, and -was held a prisoner at Fort Pickering for about three months. At the close of the strife he en- gaged in farming and merchandising, which he carried on for some time. On the 1st of March, 1861, he married Miss Maggie Bradford, a native of Arkansas, and who died in 1866. Her father. Thomas Bradford, was one of the organizers of the Mississippi and Tennessee, now Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was a director and leading factor in that road until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Nesbit were born four children, two sons and two daughters, all living. Mr. Nesbit's second marriage occurred about 1881, to Mrs. Nancy E. Nesbit, daughter of J. R. Jefferys, a native of Virginia, who died about 1884, in De Soto County, Miss. Mrs. Nesbit was also born in Virginia. Mr. Nesbit lived in his native county until 1884, when he removed to Imboden, and in 1889 to Mammoth Spring. He was in company with his father in the milling, ginning and lumber business, and this continued extensively until he came to Arkansas, and was then connected with the Imboden Milling Company, until 1889. He was mayor of Nesbit, Miss., for a number of years. Politically, he was a Whig until the war, since which time he has

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

been a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Bell in 1860. He is a Master Mason and Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the K. of H. and K. of L. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Mission- ary Baptist. Their children are named as follows: Mary E., wife of W. J. Johnson, farmer of De Soto County, Miss. : Edward S., Jr., was educated at Nesbit, Miss., and is a telegraph operator at Imbo- den; Milton W. received his education at the same place, and is also a telegraph operator at Portia; Maggie E. was educated principally at Pulaski, Tenn. The children received good school advant- ages.

H. F. Northcutt, one of the most efficient cir- cuit and county clerks Fulton County has ever had, is a young man well known in the community, and has been an incumbent of his present office since the fall of 1886, serving by re-election. In the year 1863 he first saw the light of day in Warren County, Tenn., but was reared in this county, and although he attended the free schools for some time, he is mainly self-educated. After following the monotonous duties of farm life for some time, he abandoned this work to enter the county clerk's office as deputy, continuing as such until he was elected to the office of county assessor, as soon as he was eligible for office, when twenty one years of age. He continued to discharge the duties of this office in a very satisfactory manner until 1886, at which time he was elected to his present posi- tion. In social as well as public life he is kind, courteous and affable in his demeanor to all classes, and is a young man who attracts the regard of all who approach him. He is Democratic in politics. and has shown his approval of secret societies by becoming a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife was formerly Miss Mattie L. Wainwright. whom he married in September, 1885, she having been born in Fulton County. Ark. Mr. Northcutt is a son of J. M. and Mary E. (Doughty) Northcutt, who were born in Warren and Wilson Counties, Tenn., respectively. They were reared, educated and married in their native State, and there made their home until 1868, when they came to Arkan- sas, locating in Fulton County, at Salem. Mr.

Northcutt established a general mercantile store, and did a prosperous business for a number of years, being also quite extensively engaged in stock dealing. At one time he left home to dispose of some stock and was never afterward heard from. but all his baggage was traced to Louisville, Ky., and the supposition is that he was murdered for his money. His widow and two children survive him (two other children having died), the former being a resident of Salem. The paternal grand- father, J. M. Northcutt, was a native German.

Dr. William B. Phillips is a leading physician and surgeon of Fulton County, Ark., and pos- sesses those sterling qualities which are character- istic of people of Scotch descent, as well as of those who claim Ohio as the State of their birth. He was born in Morgan County, July 24, 1836, and there received good educational advantages, which he did not fail to improve. He removed with his parents from Ohio to Missouri in 1859, and having formed the desire to pursue the study of medicine with a view to making it a profession, he entered the St. Louis Medical College (then called Pope's College), where he acquired an excellent knowledge of that calling. When the mutterings of war re- sounded through the land he entered the service as hospital steward, but afterward became hospital surgeon, and acted in this capacity until the close of the war. After residing in Missouri until 1876 he came to Izard County, Ark., and in 18$2 to where he now lives, where his efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the sick have been attended with most pleasing results. His name has become well known throughout the length and breadth of the county as an able practitioner, and his success fully justifies the large and lucrative patronage he has always received. In 1838 he was married to Miss Louisa Valaivies, who was born in Belmont County. Ohio, in 1839, but her death occurred the follow- ing year. Miss Elizabeth M. Hamilton became his second wife in 1864. She was born in Pulaski County, Mo., in 1842, and she and the Doctor have become the parents of the following children: William S., born August 3, 1865: Livie L .. born January 24, 1867; Hugh H., born April 7. IS68: Viola M., born May 5, 1870; Ernest A .. born

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December 23, 1871: Ansel B., born December 21, 1873: Arthur L., born February 10, 1876: Alexan- der B., born July 17, 1878; Anna P .. born May 16, 1880, and Myrtle L., born January 29, 1883. Dr. Phillips resides on a good farm of 200 acres. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas, for the Presidency. He is a member of Vidette Lodge No. 94. of the I. O. O. F., at Vina postoffice, and is Deputy Grand Master of his district, and secretary of his lodge. He is a consistent member of the General Baptist Church. He was the eldest of five chil- dren, two now living, of Zadock and Phoebe (Brown) Phillips, who were born in Athens County. Ohio, in 1813 and 1818, respectively. The father is yet living, and is engaged in farming in Doug- las County, Mo., to which county he moved in 1859. His wife died in this county in March, 1889. The grandfather was born in North Caro- lina, and the great grandfather was of Scotland nativity.

J. M. Pickren, one of the most extensive and prominent farmers of Fulton County, Ark., is a native of the county, born November 15, 1848. His father, John Pickren, was a native of Italy, born in 1798, and when only nine years of age took passage in a vessel and worked his way to Amer- ica. He landed in New York, remained there for a short time, and then went to Pennsylvania, whence. after a stay of five or six years, he journeyed to North Carolina, continuing there until about 1840, when he came to Fulton County, Ark. Previous to his advent into North Carolina he had followed various occupations, but while in that State he had charge and superintended the hands working in the gold mines of that State. After coming to Arkansas he settled on the tract of land owned by his son J. M., and followed agricultural pursuits successfully for a number of years. He was killed in 1863 by the Jayhawkers. who claimed to be United States soldiers. He was married in 1841, and was sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. He was married in North Carolina to Miss Mary Stoop, a native of North Carolina. and of German origin. Five children were the fruits of this union, two of whom died when small and

one was killed at the same time as the father, when sixteen years of age. Those living are: Mary, wife of H. Tracey, and is now living in North Carolina, and J. M., the subject of this sketch. The latter commenced work for himself as a farmer in 1872, and cultivated the old home- stead, which consisted of 510 acres. 150 under improvement. He was married November 7 of the same year to Miss Nancy Farril, a native of Mis- souri, and seven children have been the result of this union: Maud, born August 4, 1874; John. born January 4, 1876; Harry, born April 21, 1878: Minnie. born February 12, 1879; Luther, born April 15, 1881; Myrtie, born June 7. 1885, and Cuthbert, born May 20, 1887. Mrs. Pickren is the daughter of Wilson and Mary (Grubb) Farril, and one of ten children, six now living: George, John, Mary, Nancy and Hardie. besides one in Ozark County. Mr. Pickren is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the I. O. O F. ; and in his political views he is with the Democrats.

Dr. G. W. Ray, a prominent medical practi- tioner of Fulton County, Ark., was born in David- son County, Tenn., May 8. 1831, being a son of Henry D. and Lamora (Glasgow) Ray, who were born in Brunswick County. Va., and Davidson County, Tenn., January 9, 1800, and 1808, and died in the latter State in 1865 and 1873, respect- ively. The father removed with his parents to Tennessee when fourteen years of age, his father being Patrick Henry Ray, a native of either Scot- land or Ireland-not definitely known which. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died in Virginia. The maternal grandparents, Jesse and Catherine Glasgow, were of Scotch descent. and were born in North Carolina. Jesse was also a Revolutionary soldier and was an officer in the Continental army. Dr. G. W. Ray is the eldest of seven children. two sons and one daughter now living. After receiving his early education in the academic schools of Tennessee he adopted medi- cine as his profession and entered upon its prac- tice in his native State in 1856. At the same time he was in the wholesale liquor business, follow- ing other occupations at various times until 1877. when he left Tennessee, and moved to Stoddard

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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 51

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