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 63

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 63

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

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D. H. Thorn, of Jonesboro, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Craighead County, was born in York District, S. C., September 1, 1836. His parents, Jesse and Frances (Miller) Thorn, were both natives of South Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Hezekiah Thorn, also a native of " The Palmetto State," was a farmer by occupa- tion, and died in the State of his nativity. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Miller, also a farmer, went from South Carolina to Kentucky, in an early day and there died. Jesse Thorn went to Calloway County, Ky., about 1838, and in 1844 came to Craighead (then Poinsett) County, Ark., and located twelve miles south of the present site of Jonesboro. There he remained until 1850, when he removed to what is known as East Bot- tom, where he settled in the woods, building a lit- tle log cabin with clapboard roof and door, and puncheon floor. They were subjected to all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, using all manner of crude contrivances for making meal, wearing home-spun and home-made cloth- ing, and, with Memphis as the nearest market, hauling there all produce with wagons and ox- teams. Jesse Thorn was the first school teacher in the county, would make his crop and then teach a subscription school for the remainder of the year. He taught for several years, and died in this county in 1873, his wife having died two years previously. They were the parents of thir- teen children, only six of whom are now living: John N., Alsey S., Dawson H., Martha (wife of G. W. Hubbs), Sarah (wife of Abraham Brown), Caledonia (wife of William Guinn). One brother, William, was killed during the war. D. H. Thorn was but ten years of age when he came with his parents to Arkansas, and, until his mar- riage, remained with his father assisting in clear- ing the farm, and then settled near the old home- stead where he resided until 1869. He then moved to Jonesboro, where he is now living in his second house in Arkansas. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Craighead County, and was re-elected each successive election until 1880. He has served

four years as deputy sheriff, has been constable and justice of the peace, and has been thirteen times a candidate for minor offices, and been each time elected. He is one of the most extensive land owners in the county, and has about 2,000 acres of land with 500 under cultivation, and has also a large stock farm known as the Miller Mounds. His especial attention is now given to the raising of fine stock. For twelve years he has been en- gaged in the manufacture of lumber, owning two fine large saw-mills. He was first married in 1858 to Eliza Ford, a native of Tennessee, and they are the parents of three children, all married: Will- iam T., Dawson H. and John N. He was again married in 1876, to Cora Henson, also a native of Tennessee, a consistent Christian and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thorn is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a leading citizen of the county. Having been a pioneer citizen, he has witnessed the rapid growth and de- velopment of the county, the change from a cane brake to the thriving little city of Jonesboro. By industry, thrift and economy, he has accumulated a competency, and can now enjoy the fruits of his toil.

L. G. Thornton, a farmer of Jonesboro Town- ship, has been a resident of Craighead County for twenty-five years. He was born in Wayne County, Tenn., October 17, 1827. His parents, Hosea and Catherine (Hendrix) Thornton, were both natives of the old "Volunteer State." They were the parents of five children, four sons and one daugh- ter, L. G. being the second child. The father died of consumption when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age, and the mother was married again, to John Baker. They moved to Arkansas just before the War of the Rebellion, and located in Izard County. Mr. Baker gave his life for the Confederate cause, was taken prisoner, and died in prison at Little Rock. The mother died in Izard County, in 1881, aged seventy-nine years. L. G. Thornton was reared on a farm, grew to manhood there, and was married November 7. 1844, to Cynthia Ballard, a native of Hardin Coun- ty, Tenn. Her parents were Williford and Cath- erine (Carr) Ballard; the former died in Tennessee,

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and Mrs. Ballard subsequently removed to Izard County, where she died in 1855. They were the parents of four children, three daughters and one son. Mr. Thornton removed to this State in 1849, coming by wagon and water, and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Izard County, at that time nearly all timbered, cleared it up, and lived in that set- tlement until 1865. He served bravely as a Con- federate soldier, being a member of Col. Freeman's regiment, and Capt. Meadows' company. In December of 1864 he started for Craighead County, arriving January 1, 1865; rented for one year, then bought his present farm of 180 acres, on which he has since lived. By dint of hard work and perseverance he has cleared about 100 acres, most of which he rents, himself at present farming only forty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are the parents of ten children, four of them living: Mar- tha Ann, Henry C. (married to Amanda Garrett, and living in Jonesboro), James M. (married to Mary Travis, and lives on the old homestead), Lewis S. (married to Mary Wood, and is a prominent physi- cian of Big Bay Station). Those deceased were Mary, Sparling, William, Lucy and two daughters who died in infancy. At the time of his death, April 18, 1880, Sparling was a prominent young man of twenty-five, and at that time county clerk of Cross County. While a citizen of Izard County Mr. Thornton was justice of the peace and consta- ble. He is a Democrat, has held local positions of honor and trust, and is a practical farmer and pro- gressive citizen.

is the oldest of the family of seven children-five boys and two girls-all of whom are now living and residents of this island. He was actively em- ployed on the farm until after his father's death, and educational advantages being at that time very limited received but a meager education. He has improved several large farms and of 800 acres has about 175 cleared, and has also a good residence and out-buildings. In connection with his farm he has a cotton-gin and grist mill. In the latter part of the late war he entered the Confederate service, and surrendered at Wittsburg. Ark. April 13, 1867, he married Tennie C. Lambert, who was a native of Tennessee, but was reared in Arkansas. She died June 10, 1883, leaving the following chil- dren: Mary Ann (wife of Dawson Brooks). born January 30, 1868; William T., born January 25. 1870; Corintha J., born October 23, 1873; Tabi- tha E., born July 28, 1876, and Ava V., born Au- gust 9, 1879. Two children died in infancy. De- cember 24, 1885, he was married to Margaret Arm- strong, nee Privett, who is a native of Alabama and the widow of W. J. Armstrong. She is the daugh- ter of A. R. Privett, who was born in North Caro- lina March 19, 1806, and died in Union County, Miss., December 24, 1877. Mr. Varner is a mem- ber of the Christian Church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal.

S. A. Warner, president of the Bank of Jones- boro, is a native of Obion County, Tenn., born December 17, 1848. His father, S. A. Warner, was born in North Carolina, March 26, 1800, and in early life moved to Tennessee, where in 1828 he was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Mosley, a native of Charlotte County, Va. They then resided for several years at Dresden, Weak- ley County, Tenn., where the father was an attor- ney in early life, and was popular and successful in his profession. After retiring from his profes- sion, he engaged extensively in agricultural pur- suits. In 1859 he came to Craighead County, Ark., locating about three and one half miles from Jonesboro. Here he purchased a vast amount of land, and at his death in October. 1887, owned several hundred acres. He served with distinc-

Francis H. Varner, whose extensive farm is second to but one on Buffalo Island, was born in Dunklin County, Mo., September 6, 1842, and is the son of Thomas Varner, a native of Georgia. The father's first wife lived but a short time, and he was afterward married to Susan Moore, a na- tive of Virginia. They were married in Dunklin County and there engaged in farming for several years, but soon after the birth of Francis H. moved to Buffalo Island, in 1844. Here the father engaged in farming, besides practicing his profession as physician and surgeon until his death, July 3, 1876. His wife survived him sev- eral years, dying January 30, 1885. Francis H. tion as a soldier under Jackson, and was a major

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in his army. Mrs. Warner died January 15, 1884. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living: Martha A. (widow of Dr. J. D. Hillis), Mary S. (widow of W. A. Brevard, of Hickman, Ky.), Hulda A., (widow of T. J. Rat- cliffe), Virginia E. (wife of W. H. Cate) and Sam- uel A. One son, John Robert, a soldier in the late war, over-exerted himself during the evacua- tion of Memphis, and died while in service. Sam- uel A. was but nine years of age when his parents came to Craighead County, and here he grew to manhood, receiving a good education in the Jones- boro schools. When twenty years of age, he be- gan the study of law, attended the St. Louis law school, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar. He entered a partnership with W. H. Cate, and began the practice of his profession. This partnership continued until 1882, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Warner continued the practice alone. Though for many years a successful lawyer, he has now practically retired from his profession, and has turned his attention to commercial pursuits. He ; represents R. G. Dun & Cos.' Commercial Agen- cy of all the large cities, Wilbur Commercial Agency of Chicago, and Northwestern of New York. He was elected in 1879 to represent his county in the State legislature, serving one term. Mr. Warner is a large property holder, and has been extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now has about 300 acres of good land under cultivation. He has valuable town property. his residence, a magnificent brick, being the finest in the city. It was built at a cost of $15,000, and has all modern improvements, heated by steam, lighted by gas, furnished with hot and cold water, etc. In 1874 Miss Sarah J. Culberhouse became his wife, and two children are the fruits of this union: Samuel A. and Thomas D. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are prominent and popular members of society. Having the public interest in view, Mr. Warner is foremost in the support of charitable, progressive and praiseworthy enter- prises.

Rev. William Y. M. Wilkerson, a minister of the Christian denomination, and deputy clerk of

Craighead County, was born in Lawrence (now Sharp) County, Ark., in 1844, and is a son of Purvey Wilkerson, a native of North Carolina. The father was reared in Illinois, but came to Ar- kansas in 1836, and married while here, returning the same year to Illinois, where he remained for six years. He then returned to Arkansas, locating in what is now Sharp County, where he improved a large farm, on which he resided until 1863, when he again returned to Illinois. Three years later he started to return to his home in Arkansas, but, before reaching here. died in Perry County, Mo., November 24, 1866. He was devoted to the cause of his Master, and was a deacon in the Baptist Church. The mother is an estimable lady, and still resides in Sharp County, of which she is a native, born in 1821. Our subject and Benjamin W. are the only survivors of the family of seven children. William Y. M. has spent all but five years of his life in this State, and in his youth attended school and assisted on the farm. In the War of the Rebellion he served in the Union army. enlisting first in the Third Missouri Militia, and later in the Fourteenth Missouri Volunteers. He saw much active service, and was slightly wounded at Licking, Mo. After the surrender he went to Franklin County, Ill., and attended high school one year, when he returned to Arkansas, and fol- lowed farming and school teaching until 1884. when he was elected deputy clerk, to which office he has since been three times elected. He is a Republican in politics, but stands so high in pop- ular favor that he has been four times elected in a county where there are twenty Democrats to one Republican. Mr. Wilkerson was married in 1876 to Miss Morrilla T. Herren, a native of Alabama. and to this union have been born five children: Rebecca E., Henry M., William A. W., James B. P. and Clarkie G. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson are members of the Christian Church, and he has been an ordained minister of that denomination since November 20, 1870. He professed religion in 1860, and since that time has given twenty years to the ministry of the Gospel. He located in this county in 1880, and, through his kindness to the poor, thoughtful consideration of his fellow-meu.

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fervent piety and devotion to his Master's cause, he has won an enviable and lasting popularity.

Jacob Williams, a thrifty, self-made farmer of Buffalo Island, was born in Cumberland County, Tenn., in 1829, and is the fifth child of Caleb and Lucy (Jones) Williams, natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1797, and when a young man moved to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming for several years. His wife died about the close of the war, but he, though quite helpless, is still living. They had eleven children, and all but two lived to be grown. Jacob Williams was reared on a farm, and had but limited educational advantages, but through wide practical knowl- edge, has made himself what he is. When twen- ty-one years of age, he began farming for him- self in Cumberland County, where he remained until 1856, when he moved to West Tennessee. In 1867, he came to Arkansas, locating on Buffalo Island. From heavy woodland, he has cleared 100 acres, and now owns 200, all of which, by his own industry, thrift and economy, he has made since coming to this State. In 1849 he was united in marriage with Mary Smith, a native of Virginia, and they are the parents of two sons, Dr. Joseph M. and Clarence W. They are highly esteemed in the community in which they live for their strict piety and sterling worth. Mr. Williams and family are members of the Methodist Church.

1859. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of three children: Alvan D., Levi T. and Varina G. Mr. Wilson has a large, well-stocked farm of 140 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He is a member of both the Masonic fraternity and of the Agricultural Wheel, in both of which organiza- tions he has occupied official chairs. He manifests a great deal of pride in the county's development and progress, and is one of the kind that makes a thrifty community. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

W. J. Witt, of Jonesboro, was born in Jeffer- son County, Tenn., December 2, 1831, is a son of Joseph M. and Cynthia (Lawrence) Witt, natives of Tennessee, and is one of the prominent, pro gressive farmers of the county. Joseph M. Witt was a farmer by occupation, was successful in that pursuit, and was greatly esteemed by his many friends. About 1840 he moved to eastern Ala- bama, where both parents resided until their deaths. They had eight children, four of whom are now living: William J., James L., Nancy and Thomas H. William J. Witt was reared and edu- cated in Alabama, and in 1860 moved to Craighead County, Ark., locating on a farm about nine miles west of Jonesboro, and remained there until the close of the war. He served in the Confederate army about eighteen months, and at the close of the war moved to Jonesboro, that his children might have advantage of the Jonesboro schools. He owns eighty-five acres of land, with about one- Matilda A. Shirey, and they were the parents of four children, two now living. They are Martha C., wife of A. W. Sparks, and Cynthia J., wife of Z. T. Matthews, a leading merchant of Jonesboro. Mr. Witt was again married, in 1878, selecting Sidda Mangrum. She is the mother of three chil - dren. Mr. Witt has strong convictions of right. and is a man of sterling worth in the community. Both he and Mrs. Witt are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon.

George W. Wilson is a native of Craighead County. Ark., where he still resides, and occupies a prominent position among its farmers. His fa- half well improved. In 1849 he was married to ther, also George W. Wilson, was born in South Carolina, July 30, 1829, was educated in that State, and followed farming very successfully. November 12, 1854, he married Martha Loftis. born in South Carolina, and daughter of Morris and Priscilla (Cantrel) Loftis, who are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living in this State. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died September 7. 1859. George W. Wilson, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his education in Jonesboro, Ark., and Joel G. Wood (deceased). William H. and Elmira (Lane) Wood, both natives of Alabama. were the parents of nine children, all of whom married Sarah Stroud. a native of Tennessee, and daughter of Anderson and Sarah Stroud, na- tives of the same State, who came to Arkansas in moved to Arkansas. Two still live in Craighead

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County: Greene, on Maumelle prairie, and Fran- cis, two and a half miles north of Jonesboro. Joel G. was born in Cherokee County, Ala., October 7, 1829, and was reared on the farm, receiving a fair "district school" education. January 29, 1854, he was married to Maria Evans, daughter of Jesse and Caroline (Anderson) Evans, parents of eight living children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans met an untimely death in a destructive cyclone which passed over Northern Alabama about 1884. The father was sixty and the mother about fifty years of age. Mr. Wood farmed in Alabama for two years after his marriage, then moved to Greene County, Ark., and two years later came to Craig- head County and purchased sixty acres of land one and one-fourth mile south of Jonesboro, where he resided until the time of his death. He was a successful farmer, a grocery merchant of Jones- boro, also a butcher and did some freighting from Wittsburg, Walnut Ridge, and Memphis to Jones- boro. He served with credit one term as sheriff

of Craighead County, and filled the offices of justice of the peace and constable in Cherokee County, Ala. He was a prominent citizen and a Democrat, meriting the honors bestowed upon him. He died from an accident November 16, 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born twelve children, eight of whom are living: Alice V., wife of Napo- leon Keller, a farmer of White County, Ark .; James Buchanan, married to Elizabeth Cox, and residing in Craighead County; Mary, wife of Dr. Lewis S. Thornton, a leading physician of Big Bay Station, Ark. ; Joel G., who lives with his wife in Conway County; Albert Pike, married to Laura Rackley, and living near the old homestead; Will- iam P., Starling W., and Dora Lee, at home. The deceased are Josephine and three infants. Mrs. Wood resides on the old homestead, and con- ducts the farm in a successful and thrifty manner. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady of social and moral worth.

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CHAPTER XIX.

RANDOLPH COUNTY-THE PIONEERS-THE COUNTY FORMED AND ORGANIZED-SEAT OF JUSTICE-BUILD- INGS-LOCAL OFFICERS-ELECTIONS-NATURAL HISTORY-WATER-COURSES-MINERALS, . SOIL, ETC .- WOOD SUPPLY-VEGETABLE AND OTHER PRODUCTS-STATISTICS- TAXABLES-THE CENSUS-PUBLIC HIGHWAYS -- THE GREAT WAR- LAW AND LAWYERS-INSTRUCTION-MORALS-TOWNS AND VILLAGES-SELECTED BIOGRAPHY.

Ye pioneers, it is to you The debt of gratitude is due ; Ye builded wiser than ye knew The broad foundation On which our superstructure stands .- Pearre.

and Thomas Holderby; On Fourche Dumas River, the Fletchers, Fosters, Swezy, Jarrett and Plott; on Current River, Frank Hix, Peyton R. Pittman (the first county judge), Duckworth, Pyburn and Ingram; on Black River, Caspar Schmick chose a residence two miles below Pocahontas, and in 1828 Gov. Thomas S. Drew and R. S. Bettis located on the site of Pocahontas. James Russell, at whose

IONEER SETTLERS of any community are deserv- ing of more than ordinary mention for the important part they occupied in its earliest development. The first settler of the territory embraced within Randolph County was John Janes, a survivor of the Rev- [ house the first courts were held, made a home on the uplands eight miles north of Pocahontas on the farm now known as the Foster place. Mathias Mock was an early settler on Mud Creek. In 1815 David Black, formerly of South Carolina, the grandfather of John P., David C., Rufus H. and William A. Black, all of whom are living, settled at Black's Ferry, on Eleven Points River.

olutionary War, who was wounded in the battle of Yorktown, and who, about the year 1800, emigrated from Virginia to Missouri, and thence, in 1809, to this county, locating on Janes Creek on the farm now owned by William Bridges. Other very early comers to this creek were the Rick- The DeMunns, two or three brothers, refugees from the French Revolution, highly respected. intelligent and liberal Frenchmen, became resi- dents on Black River, some two miles below the site of Pocahontas, where they built the first water- power grist and saw mill in the county, about the mans, Bakers and Davises. On the other streams the first settlers were as follows: On Spring River, James Campbell, on the farm now owned by John Miller, Sr .; the Stubblefields and Loneys, on Eleven Point River; Samuel MeElroy, who was a natter by trade and supplied the country for fifty year 1822. Prior to this John Janes had erected miles around; Edward Mattix, Robert M. Revvel , a horse-power grist-mill at his residence. All of

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these settlers mentioned, except the DeMunns and, perhaps, one or two others, have left within the county a numerous progeny. The first immigrants were from Virginia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee; later they were mostly from the latter : State, and for a time before and up to the Civil War there was a large influx from Indiana and Kentucky. Recently the immigration has been from various States, both north and south. It is; said that when the war came those individuals from Indiana sympathized with the Southern cause, while the Kentuckians generally remained loyal and refugeed from the county.

The county of Randolph was organized in ac- cordance with an act of the legislature of Arkan- sas Territory, approved October 29, 1835. As orig- inally constituted, it included all the territory lying west of Cache. River, in what is now Clay and Greene Counties. By a subsequent legislative act, approved January 18,1861, a portion of Law- rence County, about twenty-five square miles, was cut off and attached to Randolph.

Under the act creating the county, commis- sioners were appointed to select two separate places, either of which would be suitable for the location of the county seat. It was further pro- vided that the people should decide, at an election to be held for the purpose, at which of these points the county seat should be fixed. Accordingly the commissioners selected the site of Pocahontas, and another place at some noted springs in the woods, about eight miles north. At that time Thomas S. Drew (afterward governor) and R. S. Bettis owned the present location of Pocahontas. The larger portion of the settlers had gathered in the northern part of the county, and felt confident that the people would select the place at the springs for the seat of justice. The election was held in the summer or fall of 1836, on which occasion Messrs. Drew and Bettis gave a free barbecue at the site of Pocahontas, and, as men could then vote at any vot- ing place in the county, the barbecue proved a suf- ficient inducement to draw voters enough to secure a small majority in favor of locating the seat of justice at the latter place. Here it was accord- ingly placed, and has since remained. The pro-

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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 63

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