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 66
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our subject was two years old, while on his way home from New Orleans, whither he had been on business, he having been a merchant and stock dealer at the time of his death. After removing from his native State, he first came to Tennessee, and afterward to Arkansas. His wife was born in Lawrence County, this State, in 1828, and after his death she married a Mr. Ellison, who left her again a widow some time after, and she next wedded Bennett Holder, who is also dead. She is : a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; she became the mother of four children, two being now dead. Those living are Isabella, wife of Frank M. Baker, and William F., who was educated in the schools of Lawrence County, and from boyhood up has been familiar with mer- cantile life, having acted in the capacity of sales- man at Powhatan, Smithville, Walnut Ridge, Delaplaine, Lauratown, and then in his present location. One year after coming to Randolph County, he engaged in business for himself, form- ing a partnership with W. W. Tanner, the firm be- ing known as Tanner & Blackwell. This part- nership lasted until 1883, and since that time Mr. Blackwell has been in business alone. The first money he earned for himself was at picking cotton, and in all the enterprises in which he has been en- gaged, his labors have been attended with good re- sults. He was so unfortunate as to be burned out in February, 1888, but he has since retrieved his for- tunes to some extent, and, in connection with his business, is engaged in farming. He received his last appointment as postmaster in 1888. February 10, 1878, he was married to Miss Mollie F. Tanner, daughter of W. W. Tanner, and by her he is the father of four children: Jennie May, Pearl Grace and William Harry. James Marvin, the eldest child. died in his third year. Mrs. Blackwell was born in Obion County, Tenn., and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and her bus- band belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. He is a Democrat. His career has placed him before the public as a successful financier. and his reputation has been obtained by tireless industry, a keen foresight of events, and a judicious use of his means.
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Capt. J. N. Bolen, editor of the Herald, Po- cahontas, Ark. The enviable position which the town of Pocahontas occupies to-day as an industrial and mercantile center is due to the energy, enter- prise and ability of the inhabitants, and to the wise and judicious government of the local authori- ties. Prominent among those who have made an impress on the history of the town, in more re. spects than one, is Capt. J. N. Bolen, editor and publisher of the Herald. Mr. Bolen owes his na- tivity to Fayette County, Penn., where his birth oc- curred in the year 1831, and he is the son of Reuben and Nancy (Walters) Bolen, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in Powhatan County, Va., in the year 1790, was a soldier in the War of 1812-14, removed to the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1820, and soon thereafter. was married to Miss Nancy Wal- ters, only daughter of Abraham Walters, and there he continued to reside until his death, which oc- curred in the year 1840, the mother surviving the father until 1876, in which year she died at the home of her son, J. N. Bolen, at Murray, Callo- way County, Ky., in the seventy-sixth year of her age. They were members of the old School Pres- byterian and Methodist Church, respectively. The father was active in political affairs, always voting the Democratic ticket, having been three times elected sheriff of his county as the nominee of that party. The paternal grandfather of J. N. Bolen, Powhatan Bolen, was a native of Powhat- an County, Va., and was a Revolutionary soldier. The maternal grandfather, Abraham Walters, was a native of Fayette County, Penn., and also a sol- dier of the Revolutionary War. J. N. Bolen was early trained to the arduous duties of the farm and this continued until eighteen years of age when he left the parental roof and served an ap- prenticeship at the tailor's trade at Brownsville, continuing at this for ten years. He then learned dentistry, located at Murray, Ky., where he estab- lished the Murray Gazette, and ran the same for six years as a Democratic paper. He then came to Randolph County, Ark., and bought the Her- ald, of Pocahontas, which he has ably edited ever since. In June, 1861. he enlisted in the war and
armed and equipped, at his own expense, a com- pany of cavalry which was attached to the Seventh Kentucky Regiment, Col. Forrest com. manding, and served until the close of the war with the command of captain, until the last two years, when he was promoted to the rank of major and commanded the battalion until the close of the war. He participated in the following battles: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Jackson, Raymond, Baker's Creek. Paducah, and in numerous skir- inishes. By his marriage, which occurred in 1858 with Miss Carrie Allbutton, a native of Calloway County, Ky .. one child was born, Ella, wife of Jacob Schoonover, of Pocahontas.
William B. Bridges (deceased) was a man well known to the early settlers of Randolph County, Ark., and was respected for his straightforward course through life, and for his noble, Christian qualities of mind and heart. He was born in North Carolina in 1810, and was a son of Benjamin Bridges, who was also born in that State, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a black- smith by trade, and William B., like the majority of sons, followed in his father's footsteps and became a blacksmith also. He was the eldest of sixteen chil- dren, and in his youth was taken by his parents to Tennessee, where he grew to manhood. When eight- een years of age he was married to Miss Rebecca Sherrel, a native of Wilson County, that State, and after residing there the eight years following his marriage he emigrated to Arkansas, locating at Pittman's Ferry, but one year later removed to Poca- hontas, having been identified with the interests of this place for many years. His death, however, occurred in Gainesville, Greene County, Ark., in 1868. at the age of fifty-eight years, his widow dy- ing June 9, 1882. Both were members of many years' standing of the Baptist Church, and were earnest and devoted Christians. Mr. Bridges was a well-posted man, and was a leader in the church of which he was a member, as well as in public af- fairs, and was an eloquent and fluent speaker. He was very popular in the community in which he resided, and for many years held the office of jus- tice of the peace, and socially was a member of the A. F. & A. M. Of his large family of children six
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
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grew to maturity, the only surviving member being A. M. Bridges, who is a leading farmer of Wiley Township. At the age of nine years he accom- panied his father to Randolph County, Ark., and his youth was spent in learning the intricacies of farm work and blacksmithing, he also acquiring a fair education in the common schools of his adopted county. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861 he joined the Seventh Arkansas Cavalry, Confederate States Army, took a stirring part in the battle of Corinth, and was in numerous skirmishes. At the second battle of Corinth he was one out of eight of his company to escape un- hurt, and at the close of the war he went to the city of St. Louis, and served a three-years' apprentice- ship at the machinist's trade under G. H. Timons; then came to Randolph County and purchased 160 acres of land, on which he now lives. The prop- erty at that time was raw timber land, but he has made valuable improvements in the way of build- ing, fences and clearing, and has added to his original purchase until he now has a fine tract of land embracing 400 acres, of which 175 are under cultivation. He has been married four times and has four living children: Susan, wife of Paul S. Leonard, of Randolph County; Martha, wife of John Ball, also of this county; W. B., at home, and one other. Mr. Bridges has been the architect of his own fortune, and through his own exertions has ac- quired his present property which is one of the finest farms in the county. For the last few years in connection with his farm work he has also con- ducted a blacksmith shop on his farm, and is con- sidered a skillful mechanic.
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William Bridges. In any worthy history of the county the name that heads this sketch will always be given an enviable place among the lead- ing citizens of the county, and its self made agri- culturists. Mr. Bridges is a native of Randolph County, having been born here November 18, 1827, and is the seventh of ten children, three of whom are now living, the other two being Martha, wife of William Fry, a farmer of this county, and Nancy, born to the marriage of John Bridges and Cynthia Spivey. Both parents were born in the "Old North State," and the father died in Ran-
dolph County, Ark., when about forty-four years of age, the mother dying in Fulton, while on a visit several years after the war. After their marriage, which occurred in their native State, they came to this part of Arkansas, it being then a Territory. and engaged in farming, which occupation proved quite successful. Game of all kinds was quite plentiful at that time, and Indians were also numerous, but they never molested the Bridges family, although many of the other settlers suffered severely at their hands. Mr. Bridges was a life- long Democrat, and he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. William Bridges re- mained with his parents until their deaths, and has been a farmer all his life. In 1861 his farming operations being interrupted by the opening of the Rebellion, he laid down his farming imple- ments to take up the weapons of warfare, and en- listed in Capt. Wright's company, Col. William Patterson's infantry, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of the war, his regiment be- ing the first to cross the Mississippi River. He was at the battles of Shiloh and Perryville, and also participated in a number of skirmishes. Since returning home from the army he has been en- gaged in farming and stock raising, and from starting in life with not so much as a good suit of clothes, he has become one of the heaviest tax payers in the county, and now owns 773 acres of some of the best land of which the county can boast. He has long been a Democrat, and is one of the enter- prising citizens of the county. His marriage with Elizabeth Wells took place July 21, 1864, she hav- ing been born in Randolph County, Ark., a daugh- ter of Hugh Wells. To them were born five chil- dren, now living: Elizabeth, William W., Margaret, Hugh and Nevada. John died March 10, 1889, at the age of twenty-one years; George died De- cember 30, 1888, in his seventeenth year: Emily died December 15, 1888, when twenty-four years of age, the wife of George Wells; Hugh died when thirteen years old; Samuel when three years of age, and two infant daughters are deceased. Mr. Bridges, like his father, is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
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RANDOLPH COUNTY.
A. W. W. Brooks, one of the most extensive land owners and cotton growers of Randolph County, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in the year 1832. His parents were Richard P. and Mary N. Brooks, the former a prominent citizen of that portion of Tennessee, and for several years sheriff of Jackson County. Richard P. Brooks was a member of the legislature for a great many years, and at the age of seventy-four was elected a "floater," or in other words, a repre- sentative from more than one county. He died at the age of seventy-five years, after an honorable and brilliant career. His son, A. W. W. Brooks, was reared and received his education in Jackson County, Tenn. He seemed to be imbued with the spirit that characterized his father, and fol- lowed closely in his footsteps early in life. When war was announced between the North and South, he occupied the clerkship of Jackson County cir- cuit court, and at the outset of the National excite . ment he was the first to organize a company in Jackson County. He held the rank of lieutenant, and, when the conscript act was enforced, returned to that county and organized another company, of which he was lieutenant. During an engagement with an overwhelming force the captain was killed and the company disorganized, many of the men being captured. Lieut. Brooks was among the prisoners, and after fifteen months' confinement he returned and collected the shattered fragments of his company, of which he was the captain until
the spring of 1865, the time of the surrender. At the close of the war he returned to Jackson County, in the same State, like many a chivalrous spirit who had cast his fortune with the Confederacy- penniless. He soon started, however, at the task of regaining at least a portion of what he had lost, and, leaving the old home behind him, traveled further west. He settled in Lawrence County, Ark., and remained there two years, but thinking that Randolph County would be a more desirable location, he moved to that place. On his arrival there, all his worldly possessions consisted of a pair of steers and a very meager outfit, but if his riches were small his heart was large, and accom- panied by a spirit too proud to be cast down by
the prospects before him. In the first year of his arrival he succeeded in getting some one to rent him a portion of land. upon which he began farm- ing, paying them with a portion of the crop he raised. He finally became the owner of a piece of land, which his ingenuity and foresight put him in possession of, and from that time to the present he has been successful in his financial enterprises. His wealth has grown to massive proportions, and at one time he was the owner of 8,000 acres of land, but donated some 4,000 acres to his children. Mr. Brooks is widely known for his shrewdness in commercial transactions, and many people, not thor- oughly acquainted with him, would perhaps think he was a man of very stern principles, but to see him once in the family circle away from the cares and perplexities of his busy life, that impression would be quickly dispelled. He is generous, almost to a fault; ready to give aid wherever it is really needed, and is a man whose word will carry weight whenever it comes from his mouth. He has never practiced as a regular attorney, but his knowledge of the law is considerable, and that fact alone has given him a greater advantage than the average man, especially in some of his extensive land deals. Like almost all other successful and prominent men, Mr. Brooks' accumulation of great wealth has gained for him many enemies, people who started with him in the race through life and were outstripped long before the three-quarter stretch was reached; but his friends, and their name is legion, knowing how to appreciate the true man, are filled with admiration at his wonderful success. Mr. Brooks was first married in 1855, in the State of Tennessee, to Miss Julia J. Richmond. The result of this happy union was four children: Ellen, wife of J. P. Rogers; William P. Brooks, whose sketch immediately follows this one; Alice. widow of Robert Surridge; and Maggie, wife of David Feneter. This, his first wife, and the companion of his earlier manhood, after having proven herself a kindly and faithful wife and worthy mother, was called to eternity and away from her family in 1874. Some years after this Mr. Brooks contracted a second marriage with Mrs. McIlroy, a charming widow of Randolph County,
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
by whom he has had one child, Fannie A. This last marriage, unlike most second marriages, was a happy one. Whether this was due to the qualities of the lady or to the tact of Mr. Brooks in turning all things to good account, is a matter of conjec- ture, but judging from results, each one must be entitled to an equal amount of credit. Mrs. Brooks was almost the equal of her husband in moved back to his native county, and during the business transactions, and during her lifetime was his only counselor. This faithful woman has : also been called away by the hand of death.
W. P. Brooks is a successful young farmer of Randolph County, Ark .. and it is, perhaps, not to be wondered at that he should devote himself to agricultural pursuits, for, in looking back over the careers of his ancestors, we find that the majority of them were honest tillers of the soil. He is a native-born resident of the county, his birth oc- curring in 1858, and in his youth he succeeded in acquiring a good, practical education, and from the very first was taught the rudiments of farm labor by his father, a shrewd, practical agriculturist. He has made that his chief calling throughout life, and although a young man is well fixed financially, being the owner of 546 acres of land, of which 264 are in Lawrence County. At the present time he is residing on his father's extensive estate of which he is general manager and overseer, and also acts as book-keeper for his father. His marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-two years of age, was with Miss Birdie Surridge, who was born and reared in the State of Arkansas. They have two bright and interesting children named James A. and Essie P. In his political views Mr. Brooks has always been a Democrat, and being a young man of pluck and energy he is bound to succeed in whatever calling he may undertake. [For parents' history see sketch of A. W. W. Brooks. ]
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Richard D. Brown is a member of the law firm of Brown & Black, one of the leading and most influential at the bar of Pocahontas and is a native of Calloway County, Ky., born in the year 1832. He has that ease of manner and force of character which make the sons of the Blue Grass State influ- ential wherever they go. Reared to the mysteries of farm life from early youth, he began for himself
in this pursuit at the age of seventeen years, and continued until twenty-seven years of age, when he entered the office of Lem Boyd, and there studied law. He was admitted to the bar in October. 1859, at Murray, Ky., and in 1860 went to Metropolis City, Ill., where he located and practiced law for one year. At the breaking out of hostilities he war was engaged in contraband trade. When peace was declared he settled in Murray, Ky., and practiced his profession until 1876. when he moved to Randolph County, Ark. Here he has been suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. He was first married in 1850 to Miss America Foster, a native of Kentucky (Christian County), and one child was born to this union, Almedia, who is the wife of C. C. Marshal, of Murray, Ky. Mrs. Brown died in April. 1859, at the age of twenty-one years. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brown was married the second time, in 1860, to Miss Anna E. Trill. a native of Montgomery County, Tenn., and this union was blessed by the birth of three chil- dren: Sallie S., Mary E. and Ruth. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and both are much esteemed citizens. Mr. Brown owns about 4,500 acres of land, and is largely interested in the lum- ber business. He employs from twenty to fifty men, and is doing well at this. He is a Democrat, a leading lawyer and a first-class business man. His parents, Edward S. and Sallie (Card) Brown. were natives of Culpeper County, Va. The father was educated for a surveyor, but finding agri- cultural pursuits more suited to his tastes. he fol- lowed that occupation the principal part of his life. He was reared in Hopkinsville, Ky., and in 1831 emigrated to Western Kentucky. where he settled in Calloway County. There he received his final summons in 1850, at the age of fifty years. The mother died in 1886, at the age of seventy-five years. Both were esteemed members of the Bap- tist Church. The father was a Whig in politics. and was considered a leader of his party in West- ern Kentucky. He was a very prominent man. They were the parents of twelve children, six now
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living: Edmond, a farmer, now living in Callo- way County, Ky. ; Mary J., wife of Cyrus Owen, also in Calloway County; Fannie, wife of W. S. Sled, of the same county; Richard D .; Jane, wife of William H. Daily, of Calloway County, and Sophronia, wife of W. C. Clements, also of that county. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Brown, was a native of Culpeper County, Va., and was a successful tiller of the soil. He settled in Ken- tucky later in life, and founded the town of Hop- kinsville, Ky., in 1812. The maternal grandfather was Edmond Card, who was also a native of Cul- peper County, Va. He was a wealthy farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812; was quite active in politics, and was receiver of the land office of Western Kentucky for a number of years. He was also a minister in the Baptist Church.
W. M. Burrow, merchant, Warm Springs, Ark. This enterprising and thorough-going business- man was born on the 21st of December, 1827, in Tennessee, and his father, Philip Burrow, was a native of the same State. The elder Burrow was a farmer by occupation, and when a young man was united in marriage to Miss Minta Lacy, also a native of Tennessee. They moved to Arkansas in 1843, and settled in Randolph County, where the father tilled the soil, on rented land, until his death, which occurred in 1844. He was thrown from a wagon and -killed. After his death Mrs. Burrow purchased land, and reared the nine chil- dren born to her union with Mr. Burrow (seven of whom are now living): Jeremiah (deceased); William M., G. W. (deceased), James W., living in Fulton County; Villa, widow of George Ivoty, in Fulton County, Ark .; Jane, also in Fulton County; Josiah, Robert and Tindrel. In 1879 Mrs. Burrow sold her farm and moved to Fulton County, Ark. In 1846 she married for her second husband Tindrel Burrow, a distant relative of her first husband. Mr. Burrow died in 1876, but his widow still survives him, and resides in Fulton County. She was born in 1814, is now in her sev- enty-fifth year, does her own housework, and is enjoying very good health. In his early youth W. M. Burrow had a poor chance for an education, but since, by close application and study, he has
acquired a good business education, and is a man well informed on the current topics of the day. At the age of twenty-six he wedded Miss Luvina Baily, of Missouri, and then began his career as a farmer. He first purchased 160 acres of land, im- proved the same and cultivated the soil until 1877, when he engaged in merchandising at Warm Springs, and has continued successfully ever since. His annual business amounts to about $10,000 or $12,000. In 1885 he erected a fine flouring-mill, with cotton-gin combined, which cost him about $5,000, and with which he does a good business. He furnishes considerable flour to the surrounding merchants and all the farmers of the northern part of the county, also a portion of Oregon and Ripley Counties, Mo. Aside from this he is the owner of about fifty acres of land close to town. His mar- riage occurred in 1853, and he and wife have reared a family of seven children (tive now living): Moses, Jane (wife of P. Carter), Jerry, Nancy (wife of James Jarrett), Martha (deceased), Mary T. (de- ceased), and Alice (wife of Lee Jarrett). On com- mencing for himself Mr. Burrow had no help, and has made all by the sweat of his brow. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army, under Capt. Bry- ant, and served three years and eight months in the Trans - Mississippi department. He partici- pated in the battles of Cane Hill, Richmond, Helena and Red River, was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, in 1864, and participated in all the battles of importance during that raid. He was slightly wounded at Ash Station, while un- der Gen. Joe Shelby, and surrendered at Jackson- port, Ark., on the 5th of June, 1865. He then came home and engaged in tilling the soil. He has never held an office in his life; was elected at one time school director, but paid a fine of $10 and saved himself from filling that office. Mr. and Mrs. Burrow are members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, and he in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. He is public spirited, is in favor of all enterprises for the good of the county, is an earnest advocate of schools, and a liberal donor to all enterprises of a beneficial character. The paternal grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and served during the entire
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