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 65

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 65

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).

Peru has a postoffice and store in the southeast part.

Pocahontas, the county seat, situated on the right bank of Black River, a little southeast of the center, had its origin with the organization of the county in 1836, when it was selected as the site for the seat of justice. The first merchant of the place was W. R. Hunter. The business increased and the town prospered until it was known as the lead- ing trading point in Northeast Arkansas. Being about the head of navigation, it became the whole- sale distributing point for a large tract of country hereabouts, even to Southeast Missouri, and reached its highest success from 1850 to 1860. Just before the Civil War its commercial business was indeed extensive. Natural prostration resulted during this period, but it partially recovered afterward, and continued excellent until 1872-73, when towns sprang up along the Kansas City & Memphis Rail- road, then being completed, and Pocahontas lost its former prosperity. It now contains the county buildings, postoffice, five general stores, three gro- ceries, two drug stores, two saloons, one livery sta- ble, three hotels, two newspapers, a saw-mill, three cotton-gins, a number of shops, three churches- Methodist, African Methodist and Roman Catholic -a public school-house, a Roman Catholic institute, a complement of professional men and agents, two Masonic lodges-white and colored-a lodge of Odd Fellows, and two lodges of Knights of Honor, one being composed of Catholics only. The pop- ulation is about 500. The press includes the Randolph Herald, now in its eighth volume, pub- lished by J. N. Bolen, and the Pocahontas Free Press (first volume), published by B. B. Morton. Both of the papers are ably edited, and advocate Democratic principles. They are published week- ly, and are bright, spicy and full of promise.

Ravenden Springs, a summer resort in the west- ern part of the county, contains a postoffice, two general stores, one drug store, a first-class hotel, a church and a school house.

Reyno, in the eastern extremity, contains a postoffice, four general stores, one drug store, two saloons, one millinery store, one livery stable, one hotel, a saw- and grist-mill, a church and school- house.

Supply, northeast of the center, consists of a postoffice, a general store and a cotton-gin.

Warm Springs, in the northern part of the county, contains noted springs, a postoffice, two general stores, one drug store, two cotton- gins, and a school house and church combined.

Water Valley is a postoffice on Eleven Points, northwest of Pocahontas.

H. W. Ball, farmer and stock raiser, Dalton, Ark. In reviewing the contents of this volume no adequate idea of the agricultural affairs of Davidson Township, or of its substantial citizens could be obtained which failed to make mention of Mr. Ball or the excellent estate which he owns. He was born in Independence County, Ark., on the 15th of December, 1840, and is the son of Benja- min F. and Elizabeth (Dillard) Ball, both natives of Virginia. Benjamin F. Ball came to Arkansas about 1825, and settled in Independence County. He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Dil- lard, who bore him thirteen children, those now living being C. M., in Independence County ; W. G., also in that county; H. W .; W. S., in Independ- ence County; Elizabeth, and Arvilla, widow of Rob- ert Wann. Mrs. Ball died in 1848. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ball's second marriage was with Mrs. Minerva Baker, nee Muskgrove, and by her he became the father of four children, only one now living, G. B., who lives in Independence County. The second Mrs. Ball died in 1876, and Mr. Ball died on the 24th of June, 1889. He was born. in 1800: had : been justice of the peace of his township for a number of terms, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, and was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity for thirty-six years. In his politics he affiliated with the Republican party, and was a man universally respected for his honesty, integrity and liberality. He was among

Medw 8881 di T

est

2.3110

d ơi neve

39 att

sdf sdf guofs qu 100 gored no - (

.90ilo380g

2 frivil

0001

Ndfw-aogbo 00

ows bom avro 0 1.220001091

af wod .Fila

,0081 af mod anw y11

372

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

the first settlers of his county, and his first crop ried; first, to Miss Mildred K. Baker, daughter of Harrison Baker, who represented Independence County in the legislature two terms, and by her became the father of nine children, six now living: Ulysses R., wife of J. H. Moore, living in Ran- dolph County; Harriet A., a teacher; James C., Eunice A., Franklin H. and Callie R. Mr. Ball served two terms as justice of the peace in Sharp County, Ark., and was elected to the third term, but did not serve. After coming to this county he was elected justice one term, and has also been school director a number of terms. His first wife died on the 6th of April, 1881. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and East- ern Star Chapter, and was an excellent woman. Mr. Ball was married, the second time, to Miss Cynthia J. Jones, of Sharp County, who is a mem- : ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in the same. Mr. Ball is a member was put in with a wooden plow, as no iron had been shipped into that country at that time. At the end of his second year's residence there, a small keel- boat was pulled by hand up to Batesville, and brought some iron. The first few years of his life were spent in opening his farm. He was, up to the late war, a great stock raiser. The greater part of the first two years his meat was obtained in the for- est by killing bears, deer and wild turkey. Mr. Ball had very little property when he went to Arkan- sas, but at the time of his death he owned about 500 acres of land, and was one of the leading farmers of that part of the county. He was the owner of the first threshing machine brought to that section of country (old fashioned ground-hog thresher). H. W. Ball received but a limited edu- cation, attending only the subscription schools of his section, and at the age of eighteen engaged in driving a hack from Batesville to Smithville. He of the Masonic fraternity, is treasurer of his lodge, only followed this business a short time when he has also served as Worshipful Master, and has engaged in boating on the Black River, from filled all the principal stations in the lodge. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Jackson Port to Pocahontas. Subsequently he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and this continued until 1862, when he joined the Confederate army under Col. McCarver, and served twelve months. He then returned home, and there remained until 1864, when he assisted in raising a company for the Unites States forces, and served for eleven months. After being disbanded Mr. Ball moved to Illinois (Union County), and after a residence there of two years came back to Arkansas, where he again engaged in farming, in Black River Bottom. The first crop he made was with a steer, but the second year he bought a yoke of steers, with which he made his second crop. He cleared twenty acres of land, and all his hauling was done with the oxen. For a wagon he used wooden trucks. He first purchased eighty acres, but at the end of four years sold this for $800, and moved to Sharp County, where he purchased a farm for $900, and there remained for ten years. He then sold out for the same amount, and moved on his present property in 1880. There were 240 acres in this, and he paid $750 for it. Since then he has added eighty acres. He has been twice mar-

John W. Bennett, one of Randolph County's substantial and enterprising citizens, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., December 16, 1865, being a son of Thomas S. and Elmira E. Bennett. His father was born in Tennessee in 1834 and his mother in St. Francois County, Mo., and they were married in Ripley County, that State. They afterward located in St. Francois County and moved from there to the State of Illinois near Rome, Jefferson County, coming thence to Ran- dolph County, Ark., in 1868, where, after farming for some time, Mr. Bennett became collecting agent for Hecht & Co., of Pocahontas. He served as treasurer of Randolph County two terms, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He was a Democrat in his political views, and while in Missouri he enlisted in the Southern service, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He participated, with credit to himself. in many a hard-fought battle. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and died December 25. 1885, at the age of fifty-one years. His widow still survives him and remains in Randolph County.

812 เมตรใช้ได้นะบุตร์ที่

oft in Isterine ed numazile at offew bas avoir [og alnimm odl of hijomong yaind porvise afval))

Mix wolus ail

Ciami a Tourfor

dagds Jail edd ]

nost dond & g aide bowrollo i isod ui boga

.ho boy

nogów .0820 01 bevous

il gerst

16 1

Ton

A mim!A bon ad exactly to top

of bspwgutta

373

RANDOLPH COUNTY.

Of the nine children born to their union, six are now living: Wesley C., a farmer of the county; John W., J. S., Mary C., Thomas S. and Emily. The early scholastic training of John W. Bennett was received in the common schools near his home, and he afterward finished his education in the schools of Pocahontas. He remained with his mother until 1887, then entered the employ of William T. McIlroy at Dalton, with whom he remained as salesman for eight months, after which he sold goods in Pocahontas for Snowtree, remain- ing in this place for eight months also. Since that time he has devoted his attention to agriculture, and is a farmer of this county, having 400 acres of land. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Annie Foster, and whom he married February 14, 1889, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 3, 1867, his wife was born. She was reared in Randolph County, Ark., and is a daughter of Thomas Foster, who was a very prominent resident of the county, and here spent his life, dying January 22, 1889, at the age of sixty-six years. He was one of the most extensive real estate holders in the county, and owned 2,200 acres of land. His name will long be remembered by the residents of the coun- ty, for he was public spirited and enterprising, and was ever the friend of the poor. During his long residence in the county he held some responsible positions. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

William R. Bigger is a native resident of Ran- dolph County, Ark., and was born on the farm where he now lives January 1, 1850, and was the eleventh of thirteen children, three now living, born to the marriage of James N. Bigger and Lu- cretia Parrish, who were born in the State of Mis- souri in 1810 and 1812, and died in Randolph County, Ark., in 1872 and 1874, respectively. Their marriage was consummated in Missouri, and they afterward came to this State and settled on the farm on which their son, William R., is now living, which they made their home until their death. They were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, and were well-to-do residents of the county. Their children who are living are

Chesterfield, who is a farmer of the county; Caro- line, wife of Arthur Barm, also a farmer of the county, and William R. The latter remained with his parents until their demise, and at that time he and his brother took charge of the home farm, which then consisted of 400 acres of land, and by industry and good management have added considerable more land to the original amount. Laura McKee, who was born in North Carolina in 1855, a daughter of John McKee, became his wife in 1879. She is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a stanch Democrat in politics. He is an energetic and successful agriculturist, and has vastly im- proved the property left him by his parents.

B. F. Bigger has been the proprietor of the Bigger's House, one of the first-class hotels of the county, ever since 1881, but previous to that time, his attention had been given to directing the plow and in attending to the duties of farm life. He is a native-born resident of Randolph County, Ark .. his birth occurring in 1851, and he is principally self-educated, his knowledge of business affairs being acquired mainly by contact with the world. At the age of twenty-two years, he was married to Miss Ida Simington, who was also born in Ran- dolph County, and of the seven children born to their union, four are living: Thomas, Lute, Kate and George. The other children died in infancy. From the date of his marriage up to 1881, he was engaged in farming for himself, but since that time he has been keeping a hotel in Pocahontas, and by good management, hospitality and fair dealing, he has succeeded in gaining an excellent patronage, and his earnest endeavors to see that the wants and needs of his patrons are satisfied, have tended to make his establishment a favorite resort for the traveling public. He also manages a livery stable, the only one in the place, and has : some excellent vehicles and animals ready for use. He owns two excellent farms, one comprising 600 acres and the other 400 acres, and although one place is rented to tenants, it is under his super- : vision, and he manages the other farm himself, de- voting it to the raising of stock, grain and hay. He owns his hotel and stable, and is one of the

megy Se marang sloot moltord vid broke out with

dalába

At gtanno dulobas?] Jo thelavet diod

bas

Idag unilevertt edf

od! ni ano alno gda

bultige ban

374

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

wealthy citizens of the county. His parents, J. G. and Catherine (Lewis) Bigger, were born and reared in Randolph County, the father being engaged in farming. J. G. was a soldier in the Confederate army, and died in 1863. His father was a Ken- tuckian, who emigrated to Randolph County, Ark., with his parents when a child, the country at that time being a Territory. Mr. Bigger is a Democrat and a member of the A. F. & A. M.

W. T. Bispham, circuit clerk, Pocahontas, Ark. The subject of this sketch needs no introduction to the people of Randolph County, for a long resi- dence, and, above all, a career of usefulness and prominence, have given him an acquaintance which . shall last for many years. He is a native of West- moreland County, Va., born in 1841, and is the son of John F. and Martha C. (Templeman) Bispham, both of whom were born in the same county in Virginia. The paternal grandfather, William Bispham, was a native of Lancaster, England, and came to America with an older brother, when a child. He was a successful agriculturist, and died in Richmond County, Va., about 1852. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Templeman, was a native of Virginia, a minister in the Baptist Church, and was in the Home Guards during the War of 1812. He was one of the early settlers of Vir- ginia. John F. Bispham was a successful agricultur- ist and followed this occupation until his death in 1872 at the age of fifty-two years. The mother died in 1870, at about fifty-four years of age. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was for many years a deacon in the same. Both took a great interest in church work. They reared to maturity a family of five children, W. T. Bispham being the eldest. John H. was a soldier in the Ninth Virginia, Confederate army, and was killed at the battle of Hatch's Run; Robert A. is a carpenter in Washington, D. C .: Samuel T. is a coach maker by trade, and resides in the District of Columbia; Emma died in 1875, and Lou H. mar- ried James May, and resides in Washington, D. C. W. T. Bispham remained on the farm until sixteen years of age, and received his education in the private schools. At that age his father engaged in merchandising and W. T. acted in the capacity

of clerk, continuing as such until the breaking out of the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany C, Montrose Guards, attached to the Forty- seventh Virginia Regiment, Confederate Army. and served until the close of the war. He partic- ipated in the battle of Seven Oaks, and was in the entire Richmond Campaign, at Cedar Run, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville. and was appointed commissary of his regiment after the last mentioned battle. After the war he returned to merchandis- ing in Virginia. His father was at that time sher- iff of Westmoreland County, which office he held a number of terms, and W. T. was made deputy sheriff, filling this position for about a year. In March, 1867, he moved to Brownsville, Tenn., and entered the employ of Yancey, Wilder & Co., merchants, as salesman. In January, 1868, he ac- cepted the agency of the Carolina Life Insurance Company, and finally located in Randolph County. Ark., and engaged in teaching school, after which he became salesman in a store for Levi Hecht, of Pocahontas and continued in this capacity for a few months, when he engaged as book-keeper for E. B. Burr & Co. This position he held until July, 1869, when he again resumed the position as local agent for the insurance business, and continued that about a year. He then engaged as book-keeper for J. P. Black & Co. In 1872 he went to Walnut Ridge, Ark., and kept books until the fall of 1873, when he returned to his native State and remained there and taught in the public schools until the fall of 1877; then returning to Pocahontas. he kept books for R. N. Hamil, merchant, until 1885. when he en- gaged with L. E. Imboden in the same capacity. and remained in that position until 1886. He was then elected clerk and recorder of Randolph Coun- ty, Ark., and has held that office ever since, being re-elected without opposition by the people of his county in 1888. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Royal Arch Mason and member of the Knights of Honor. He is unmarried.

John P. Black, attorney at law, Pocahontas, Ark. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous ef-

fute

mundo

.doun 16.4.7

uff født BBW 9H

1.08 07

YOI HAW 101 TeN'T

007

joi

を

hings bha bogincues omof

of sind Hold amugy Debuted ythissen

gaie 181

zł-

18 88W

8HW

bewolfe? 99 8年地 ,0781 ui 21 38

8班

375

RANDOLPH COUNTY.

fort, are essential elements to success in any call- five sons and two daughters, all of whom are ing, and their possession is sure to accomplish the aims hoped for in the days of our youth. The jurisprudence of a commonwealth is the most necessary factor toward its growth and permanence, for without a thorough knowledge and administra- tion of the law, no form of popular government could long exist. Mr. Black was born at Black's Ferry, Randolph County, Ark., on the 1st of Oc- tober, 1822. He is the son of William Black the grandson of David Black, and the great-grand- son of David Black. who was a native of Amster- dam, Holland. The elder David Black came to America when a boy, settling at Charleston, S. C., and there learned the blacksmith trade. He died in that State. David Black, Jr., was a native of South Carolina, and was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to Kentucky at a very early day, settling near Hopkinsville, where he lived many years, and in 1815 moved to Randolph County, Ark. He settled at Black's Ferry, and lived there many years, but died at Davidsonville, Lawrence County, Ark., at the age of sixty years. The father of the subject of this sketch, William Black, passed his youth on his father's farm in Kentucky, and moved to Randolph County, Ark., with his par- ents, in 1815. After reaching manhood he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Jones (who became the mother of John P. Black), in 1820, and lived at Black's Ferry until his death in February, 1852, at the age of fifty-four years. The mother died in July, 1851, at the age of forty-nine years. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a leading and prominent man in this part of the State: was the first sheriff of Randolph County, served in that office two terms, and in 1840 was elected to the State Senate of Arkansas. He served in that body two terms, and during that time acquired a State reputation as a general worker, and an influential man in that august body. He was noted far and near for his liberality and hospitality, especially to new settlers. He was ever public spirited and always ready and willing to do all he could to promote any and all enterprises for the good of the county and State. He and his wife reared a family of seven children,

highly respected men and women. The maternal grandfather of John P. Black, John Janes, was a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and was wounded at the battle of Yorktown. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Arming, was also a native of Virginia. and in 1800 they came down the Ohio River in ca- noes, settled on Merrimac River, near St. Louis, and there remained until 1809, on a Spanish grant of land. They then emigrated to Randolph County, Ark., settled on Janes' Creek, and there remained until the death of the father in 1826, at the age of eighty-two years. John P. Black as- sisted his father on the farm in Randolph County, and received his education in the county schools, that is, a part of his education, for the most of it was obtained by his own application at home. He began managing a farm at the age of eighteen years, and this continued until twenty-two, when he went to work for a New Orleans house at Powhat- an, where he remained until 1849, after which he came to Pocahontas. He there engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, which he carried on until 1873. excepting a period during the war, when he served two years in Fagan's command, Confederate army. He returned to the farm in 1872, remained there a few years and then came again to Poca- hontas, where he entered the law office of Thomas Ratliff, as a student. He was admitted to the bar in 1875, and has been actively engaged in the practice ever since. He was first married in 1855, to Miss Isabella Waddel, a native of Arkansas. In 1859 he was again married, taking for his second wife Miss Claude Inman, a native of In- diana. In 1868 he married Miss Lottie Inman, and in 1875 was united in marriage with Miss Flora Kebler, a native of Arkansas, who bore him six children: Charley, Guy, Hattie, Irene, Lulu and Blanche.

R. H. Black, attorney, Pocahontas, Ark. As a leading citizen of Pocahontas in its profes- sional, business and social life, lending eminent strength to her bar, tone to her finance and grace to her society, Mr. Black commands attention from the pen of the historian who would wish to do this

...

98 detafinall of Interviews

bivaCL 24

$ todyr orl Lonisol 16

of beiss

otb: did

nob aid

i betb

ot lo aga

owi sotto

den

a odid: 101 bosses oliv

. 1

doviton gep

0773

- He diew ogsitems ni Boling now GTRI ni bos

376

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

city justice. He owes his nativity to Randolph County, Ark., and is a son of William Black, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He grew to manhood on his father's farm at Black's Ferry, in Randolph County, securing his education in the private schools of the county and at Shelbyville, Ky. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and has been actively engaged in the practice ever since. He has been for two terms presiding attorney of the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, and in 1879 he represented Randolph County in the Gen- eral Assembly, one term. In 1861, when the war- cloud hung heavy over the United States, Mr. Black enlisted in the First Arkansas Cavalry, C. S. A., commanded by ex.Gov. Churchill, as private, and was made lieutenant after the second year. He served until May 14, 1864, when, at the bat- tle of Resaca, Ga., he had the misfortune to lose his right arm by a gun-shot wound, which dis- abled him from further service. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and Richmond, Ky. and numerous other battles. After being discharged he came back to Pocahontas, be- gan the study of law, was afterward admitted to the bar and opened office here. His marriage with Miss Virginia L. Criddle, a native of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Mo., occurred on Novem- ber 14, 1867, and to them were born five chil- dren: Edward, Marvin, Waldo, Blanche and Ina. Mrs. Black died on the 26th of December, 1880, in full faith with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Black is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is not only a pleasant gentleman in the social walks of life, but is also among the first in his pro- fession. He and his children are the owners of about 1,000 acres of land.

William F. Blackwell. Among the business men of Randolph County, Ark., who have won dis- tinction as successful merchants, and who have, by personal industry and genuine business ability, succeeded in establishing a desirable trade, may be mentioned Mr. Blackwell, whose name heads this brief biography. He was born in Lawrence County, Ark., December 20, 1851, and is a son of James and Parnesia Jane (Smith) Blackwell, the for- mer being a native of Virginia. He died while

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 65

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