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 57

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 57

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George W. Cook, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Big Creek Township. is the son of James and Elizabeth Cook, natives of Tennessee. The father was for many years a farmer of that State. which occupation he followed until his death. in 1857. The mother was a member of the Method-

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ist Church, and both she and her husband were worthy of the respect shown them. Eight children were born to this union, only three of whom are now living. George W. is accounted by all one of the prominent farmers of Craighead County, having a large, well-cultivated farm, splendidly stocked with horses, cattle and fine hogs. His marriage to Miss Sarah J. Kitchens was consum- mated in 1865, and to their union have been born twelve children, seven of whom are living. One daughter is married to James Coward, and the youngest is two years old. Mr. Cook is a man of sterling worth in the community. He belongs to both the Masonic order and the Eastern Star, is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and gives freely of his means for the promotion of progressive movements.

James F. Cross is a substantial and public- spirited citizen of Craighead County, and has a large, well improved farm of 120 acres, about three miles from Jonesboro. He was born in Shelby County, Tenn., July 29, 1840, and is the son of B. F. Cross, a native of Giles County, Tenn., and a substantial farmer of that State. In 1844 the father came to Craighead County (then Poinsett), and located near Greensboro, where he bought eighty acres of land, and engaged in farm- ing for several years. Ten or twelve years later he came to Jonesboro Township, where he rented land until his death, in 1877. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance at an early day, and was honored by local offices in Powell Township. His wife, Mary (Hannah) Cross, was a native of North Carolina, and six children blessed their union, five sons and one daughter. Of these, James F., J. H. and Benjamin R. are the only survivors. The mother died in this township in December, 1887, aged about sixty-seven years. All his life James F. Cross has been a resident of the same settlement in Craighead County, except- ing the four years of the late war. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Com- pany I, Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry, and served four years and seventeen days. After the war he bought eighty acres of his farm, and has since added forty. April 23, 1869, he married Mary J.

Higginbotham, a native of Poinsett County, Ark., and daughter of Franklin and Nancy (Edwards) Higginbotham, residents of this township. Five children have been born to this union: William Thomas (deceased), John Franklin, Mary Melvina, Stephen Lafayette and Jodella. Mr. Cross has all his life been an energetic and industrious man, and though he received no education in his childhood, has been a successful farmer, and ac- cumulated a valuable property. He has been a member of the Masonic order, and is a Democrat.

Hon. Thomas D. Culberhouse, farmer, mer- chant and lumber manufacturer, was born in Bed- ford County, Tenn., March 10, 1836, and is a son of Moses Culberhouse, a native of North Carolina, and a grandson of Thomas Culberhouse, who was born in Berkshire, England. Moses Culberhouse was an extensive farmer and stock dealer in his na- tive State, and there married Parthenia Roberts, a native of North Carolina, and in 1834, emigrated to Tennessee. Eighteen years later they came to Greene (now Craighead) County, and here Moses Culberhouse died in 1871 or 1872. His wife is still living, and resides with her son, George, of Jones- boro. She is now seventy-four years of age. They were the parents of nine children, four now living: Thomas D., Nancy J. (wife of William Puryear), Angeline (wife of James Haynes), and George W. Thomas D. was reared in Tennessee, and received but a common-school education. In 1852 he came with his parents to this county, and until 1859 fol- lowed farming: he then engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until the spring of 1862. In February of that year he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, served two months as a private, and was then sent home on furlough. He came home and raised a company with Capt. Adair, and was made first lieutenant of Col. Hart's regiment, McCray's brigade. He served with them until about November, 1563, after the battles of Helena, Little Rock and Prairie Grove, when, retreating toward Arkadelphia, he was sent home on recruiting service. He raised another company, which became Company I, Twen- ty-third Arkansas Cavalry. Mr. Culberhouse was made a scout, and served as such until the surren-

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der at Wittsburg. After the war he returned home and made crops in 1865 and 1866, and then en gaged in mercantile pursuits, and has since been engaged in merchandising, farming, saw-milling and stock-raising. About 1886 he located the town of Culberhouse, on the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad, and now has a general store there, also has a saw-mill, cotton-mill and shingle- machine. The postoffice was established in 1887, and named in honor of our subject. Mr. Culber- house is a large landholder, owning about 6,000 acres of combined farm and timber-land, and has almost 1,000 under cultivation. He also gives a great deal of attention to raising fine breeds of stock-Norman horses, Poland China and Berk- shire hogs and Durham cattle. He imported his cattle from Kentucky, and in 1879 bought an im- ported Norman horse, pure breed, which has about 800 descendants in Craighead and adjoining coun- ties. He has taken the premium at each fair where exhibited, and some of his horses are quite speedy, having taken premiums at the last Paragould fair. July 6, 1854, he was united in marriage with Sarah Elizabeth Coleman, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Chastine A. Coleman. There are six survivors of the ten children born to this union: Sarah Jane (wife of Sam. A. Warner, Jr., president of the Bank of Jonesboro), W. D. (farmer and merchant), Virginia A. (wife of Thomas Elder, of Jonesboro), R. S. (merchant of Jonesboro, who married Mrs. Willie Wooten, of Mississippi), Katie (wife of Mr. Pace, a merchant of Jonesboro), and Thomas (at home). Mrs. Culberhouse was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, and died in that faith in 1882. Mr. Culberhouse was again mar- ried June 10, 1884, this time selecting Miss Pattie Wooten, of Mississippi. Mrs. Culberhouse is a member of the Baptist Church, and possesses social qualities of a high order. Mr. Culberhouse is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and is also connected with the Knights of Honor. He is a Democrat in politics, and in the session of 1885-86 represented Craighead County in the State legislature.

John H. Darr, a prominent farmer of Jones- boro Township, is a native of the county in which

he resides, his birth occurring January 1, 1849. His parents, Hiram and Elizabeth (McGown) Darr, were natives of Tennessee, although their mar- riage occurred in Arkansas, and a portion of their youth was spent there. Mr. Darr was a prominent Democrat, and a zealous member of the Masonic fraternity. He held local positions of honor and trust, and had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. To him and wife were born the following family of children: A. J., a resident of Jonesboro Township; Sarah, wife of T. H. Porter; Elizabeth E., wife of G. W. Wilkerson (both resi- dents of Craighead County); Stephen S., and the subject of this sketch. Hiram Darr died February 11, 1860, and his wife October 11, 1872. John H. Darr was reared upon a farm and has always been engaged in farming and stock raising, being measurably successful at both. He received but a meager education, as his services were required at home on the plantation. He owns 100 acres of land, sixty of which are under a good state of cul- tivation. November 22, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Abraham and Mar- tha J. (Cary) McDaniel, early and favorably known citizens of Craighead County. To this union have been born eight children: Martha E., Mary A., Sallie J., John W., Abraham and James G., liv- ing; Hiram S. and William D., deceased. In national politics Mr. Darr votes with the Republi- can party, but in State and local elections he sup- ports men and measures and not party. He is a reader of current literature, is well informed, but has never aspired to any political preferment. He is Past Master and a member of Jonesboro Lodge No. 129, A. F. & A. M., and liberally contributes to all worthy enterprises.

William A. Davis, a prominent merchant of Bay Siding, is a native of Georgia, born Septem- ber 7, 1843, and is a son of John and Margaret (Lewis) Davis, natives of South Carolina. The parents passed their youth in their native State, and soon after their marriage moved to Georgia, and there reared their family. The father engaged very successfully in farming until his death. in 1857. His wife died about eighteen months later. W. A. Davis, the immediate subject of this sketch.

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attained his majority in Georgia, and became famil- iar in his boyhood home with intelligent farming. In 1873 he came to Craighead County, Ark., and located on Crowley's Ridge, where he engaged in farming until 18SS. He then moved to Bay Sid- ing, purchased a lot, erected a building and en- gaged in merchandising. He keeps a good stock of general merchandise, and by polite attention, energy and fair dealing, has established a good custom, doing an annual business of about $12, - 000. In the fall of 1888 he was married in this county to Miss Jane Tyler, born and reared in this State. She died eighteen months later leaving one child, Henry, now a lad of seven years. In 1884 he selected as his second wife, Laura Martin, a native of Arkansas, and this union has been blessed by two children: Josephine and Lura. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Baptist Church, and is active and zealous in all church work.

Nathan A. Davis is a native of Craighead Coun- ty, and is one of its younger and more progressive farmers. His parents, James and Nellie (Lowery) Davis, were natives of Alabama, and about 1851 came to Craighead County, locating on Crowley's Ridge; but some time later moved to the western portion of the State, where they remained only a short time, then returning to Craighead County, and both died soon after. To them were born the following family of children: John, Jacob, and Nathan A., living; and Jefferson, Nancy, Mary and Taylor, deceased. The death of the parents left the family in somewhat straitened circum- stances, and young Nathan, as a boy, had but few advantages and underwent many hardships. He has always been energetic and frugal, and by his thrift and industry, is now the possessor of eighty acres of well improved land, and a larger tract un- improved. He married Miss Lizzie Gatlin, a na- tive of Craighead County, who was the daughter of Lee Gatlin, now deceased, but at one time a well known citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Nancy Ellen. Mr. Davis has held the offices of magistrate and constable, acquitting himself with honor, and with benefit to those for whom he labored. He is one of the county's useful and progressive citizens.

Joseph Dixon, farmer, stock dealer and lum- berman, was born in England, October 26, 1842, and is a son of John and Eliza Dixon, of English birth, who came to America in 1842, and located in New York City, where they both died in 1849. John Dixon was a butcher by occupation, and he and wife were parents of two children. Joseph Dixon was left an orphan when seven years of age, and until fourteen years old. worked for his board and clothes. He received such education as he could afford. He learned the trade of a machin- ist, and for some time fired an engine on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad. Coming to Chicago in 1858, he was soon made an engineer, and for nine years followed that occupation. He then went to Freeport, and later to Pecatonica, Ill., in both of which places he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits. He came in 1882 to Jonesboro, and engaged in saw-milling, which he has since fol- lowed. In 1883 he built a large three-story hotel, of which he was proprietor until the disastrous fire of 1889, when it was entirely lost, with all his household effects-total loss. $5, 000, without insur- ance. Mr. Dixon is a large land owner, owning a great deal of property in Jonesboro, and about 340 acres of farm land, with 200 acres under cultiva- tion. Miss Jane A. Clark became his wife in 1866, and they have one child, Carrie, wife of J. M. Bennett, of Pine Bluff, Ark. Mr. Dixon began life a poor boy, but by industry, economy and thrift, he has conquered adversity, and has made himself one of the leading and influential citizens of the community in which he lives. He is a prom- inent member of the Masonic order, and is a Knight Templar.

Allen Dodds was born in Georgia, in 1827. His father, James Dodds, also a native of that State, was born in Elbert County, in 1785, and there grew to manhood and married Sarah Thom- ason, who lived but a short time after her mar. riage. He chose for his second wife Winnie Ber- den, also a Georgian, whose grandfather Penn was an officer in the Revolutionary army. James Dodds gave his entire time to agricultural pursuits. Both he and wife were members of the Baptist Church, and they reared a family of twelve chil-

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dren, six boys and six girls. Allen Dodds was reared on his father's farm. receiving his educa- tion at the county schools. He married Julia Saye, who was born in Georgia in 1826, and moved to Arkansas in 1855. Of this union six children have been the issue. Mr. Dodds entered the Confederate service in 1861, his first engage- ment, which lasted almost a day, being at Belmont, Mo. There he was slightly wounded in the left arm, and afterward in the right shoulder. He was discharged from Jacksonport, in 1865, and then returned home and began teaching school. Later he turned his attention to farming, at which he has made a decided success. He owns about 318 acres of land, and 100 acres are in a good state of cultivation. He has also, in connection with his farm, a grist-mill and a cotton gin. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and fraternally a Mason. Both he and his wife are members of the Method- ist Church, of which denomination he is also a minister.

Francis Marion Douglas was born in Hender- son County, Tenn., December 7, 1847, and is a son of Thomas Logan Douglas, a native of the same State, who went to Missouri in 1857, and, after the surrender, came to Craighead County, and located in Big Creek Township. He is still a res- ident of the State. His wife's maiden name was Catherine Ignite, and she was also a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of five children, and of the four living three reside in this county. The mother died in January, 1875, and was about forty-two years of age. Francis M. was ten years old when he removed with his father to Missouri, and at the beginning of the late war enlisted in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, under Gen. Forrest, and served as a private under him until the surrender. A year later he came to Craighead County, where he rented property for some time, but has for many years cultivated his own farm, now con- sisting of forty acres, most of which is well im- proved and bears many evidences of prosperity. His marriage with Fannie Wade, a daughter of Noah J. Wade, of this township, was consum- mated September 19, 1872, and four children have been born to this union: Blanche, Noah, Inez and

Hazel. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Forest Home Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, politically, is a Democrat. He is a director of school district No. 25, and belongs to both the Agricultural Wheel and the Farmer's Alliance.

James T. Dudley, a prosperous merchant. and postmaster at Bay, also interested in agricultural pursuits, is a native of Madison County, Ga., born December 25, 1852. His parents were Lemuel and Nancy S. (House) Dudley, both na- tives of Georgia. After his marriage, Lemuel Dudley engaged in farming. blacksmithing and wagon building in Madison County, and left his farm to enlist in the Confederate service. He served throughout the entire war, and in 1865 died of small-pox in Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Dudley moved with her family to Arkansas, and in Octo- ber of 1867, located in Craighead County, where she died October 14, 1883. James T. grew to man- hood in this county and is mainly self-educated, having devoted much time to study since arriving at years of maturity. January 11, 1873, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Bryant, a native of Georgia, but reared and educated in Craighead County. She is a charitable lady and is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Dudley followed farming until 1882, when he began merchandising eight miles west of the Bay. He there sold dry goods, groceries and general merchandise for two years, and in 1844 moved to Big Bay, where he has since continued in business, with the exception of seven months, while running a saloon in Mem. phis in 1887. He owns a fine farm adjoining the town, and has thirty-five acres of it in a fine state of cultivation and the same amount in timbered land. He has four fair residences on the place which bears evidence of thrift and industry. He has built and owns four business houses in Bay, and as a merchant has a good trade. In 1884 he was appointed postmaster, which position he has held since that time.

Robert Y. Duncan, an active and progressive farmer. and proprietor of a cotton-gin and grist- mill, was born in Perry County, Ala., July 23. 1844. His father was Samuel A. Duncan, a native of South Carolina, who located in Alabama when

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about eighteen years of age. He was a planter until thirty-five years old, when he began contracting and building railroad bridges and houses. In December, of 1880, he was working on a dwelling in Birmingham, Ala., and fell from a scaffold, liv- ing only three hours afterward. He was married to Mary Ann Roberts, also a native of South Carolina, and they were the parents of fourteen children. Nine of them are still living, but only Robert Y. is in Arkansas. The mother is sixty-seven years of age, and still resides in Alabama. Rob- ert Y. was reared in his native State, and coming to Arkansas with some friends when twenty-four years of age, arrived at Jonesboro November 17, 1868. In the spring, he rented a farm and worked it for one year. In August, 1869, he was mar- ried to Matilda R. Lynch, daughter of Aden and Susan Lynch. In the fall of 1871 he bought eighty acres of his present farm and built his home. He subsequently bought forty acres of adjoining land, making a farm of 120 acres, forty of which are cultivated. In 1879 he built a good cotton- gin, and in 1886 opened a grist-mill in connec- tion, and these have proved successful. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born nine children: Ruby A. J. (deceased), Samuel A., John J., Thomas M., Essie B., Effie Y., Robert M., Taylor A. and Rufus Elbert. Mr. Duncan is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Jonesboro Lodge No. 129, and has been president of Pine View Wheel No. 881, since its organization in 1886. He was in Company A, Fifty-third Regiment, Twenty- fourth Alabama Battalion, and during his eighteen months' service was mostly in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He and his wife, oldest daughter and two oldest sons are active members of the New Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.

also sheriff of that county for a number of years. He died at the early age of forty years, October 3. 1843, honored and respected by his countrymen. Mrs. Francis (Davis) Echols died at the old home- stead on September 8, 1869. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and a true Chris- tian woman. An older brother of M. V. Echols (the subject of this sketch), L. M. Echols, was a private in the Fifty-second Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, and died a prisoner of war at Rock Island, Ill. Two younger brothers were in the Confederate service. Jackson L. was killed at the battle of Resaca, Ga. Jabal D. Echols died of sickness at Vicksburg during the siege of that place. M. V. Echols. the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in Wharton's Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army. He saw hard service and went through some of the bloodiest. battles of the war. He was taken prisoner at Dalton, Ga., and from there sent to Johnson's Island, where he was kept till the end of the war. Of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living, Martin is the only one residing in Craighead County. He was reared on a farm in Georgia and received a very fair education. He farmed for several years in his native State, and in 1869 came to Craighead County, Ark., and studied photography with George Cooper, of Jonesboro, subsequently removing to Paris, Tex., where he followed that art for several years. When he returned to Jonesboro he bought eighty acres of land, and has forty of it well improved. November 30, 1876, he married Miss Mattie Bird, whose parents were John and Barbara (McCarty) Bird. Mr. and Mrs. Echols are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, viz. : Frances Cora, Lawrence Stanley, Lulu May, The- ora Myrtle and Lena Jewell. Mr. Echols and wife are active members of the Methodist Episco- ; pal Church, South.

Martin V. Echols, a successful farmer of Jones- boro Township, was born in Georgia, December 1, 1838, and is the son of Jabal and Frances (Davis) Echols. Jabal Echols was born February 15. 1803, George W. Evans, a prominent citizen of Craighead County, was born in Gibson County, Tenn., January 4, 1849. His parents were Mal- achi, and Sarah (Scarberry) Evans, natives of Alabama. The mother died in Tennessee in 1859. and Frances (Davis) Echols was born May 20, 1807, both in Franklin County, Ga., where they were married, subsequently removing from that county to Habersham County, of the same State. Jabal Echols was a farmer and school teacher. He was ; aged about forty-two years, and in 1867 the father

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removed to Craighead County, Ark. Several years later he went to Izard County, where he died when about sixty-five years of age. He was a farmer by occupation, and much respected by all who knew him. There were twelve children, eight of whom are living, and two, George W. and Harriet McGavock, are residents of Jonesboro Township. George W. was reared on a farm; and the war breaking out when he was but a boy, he had meager school advantages. He came with his father to this State, locating near Harrisburg, in Poinsett County. He afterward came to Craig- head County, and was for one year in the employ of Dr. Wadkins, and after his death, remained in the employ of his widow for three years. Decem- ber 23, 1873, he was married to Nancy Stotts, a daughter of John and Melinda (Darr) Stotts, old residents of the county. To them seven chil- dren were born: Sarah Virginia, Mary Jane (de- ceased), Lucy Belle, William Thomas, Cassie, Effie and Cleo. After his marriage, Mr. Evans located on the farm on which he now resides, which then con- tained but thirty acres. He now owns 178 acres. Seventy-five acres are under splendid cultivation, and two acres were sold to the Hope school. He is greatly interested in education. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Christian Church, and the family attend the Hope Church of that denomination.

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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 57

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