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. 2, Part 2

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

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. 2 > Part 2

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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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

his eldest son, Elliot H. Fletcher, a youth scarcely twenty-one years of age, and his only other son, Thomas, a mere boy of fifteen, became sergeant in the company. This company was attached to the Third Confederate regiment, commanded by Col. Marmaduke, in Hindman's legion, and after the hardships of a campaign, it was present at the battle of Shiloh, in which great battle Capt. Fletcher and his brother Thomas were killed. Capt. Fletcher was in the act of waving his sword and leading his men, when he was informed that his brother had just been killed. In another moment he fell dead, pierced with a bullet, and both were buried in the trenches opened for the reception of the dead heroes who wore the blue and the gray.

Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day, Tears and prayers for the Blue, Prayers and tears for the Gray.

After learning of the death of his boys, Col. Fletcher was seized with a settled melancholy, and was rarely known to smile or take interest in pass- ing events. He was afterward visited by both Federal and Confederate officers, and it is but simple justice to say that the Federal officers, even in the midst of the war, treated him with the greatest respect and kindness, especially those on the gun-boats. On one occasion a Federal cavalry command passed by his house, and a young officer, the surgeon of the regiment, stopped and asked if he was Col. Fletcher; on being answered in the affirmative, the officer replied that his name was Fletcher also. A little investigation proved that he was a nephew, a son of his brother. After a touching interview they bade each other adieu, never to meet again. Such was the respect in- spired by Col. Fletcher that it often happened that, while Confederate officers would be in the house, Federal gun-boats would land, officers come ashore and be entertained under the Colonel's roof, with the full knowledge that there were Confederate of- ficers in another room. The close of the war found him prostrated in mind and body, and his fortune swept away, but retaining the devoted friendship of every one who knew him. His last days were

passed in comparative peace and comfort. It quite often happened that boats would land and passen- gers come ashore to visit him. He died July 2, 1867. A very beautiful and touching sketch of his life and character was written and published by Albert Pike. His estimable wife survived him many years and died February 29, 1884. They left three daughters: Anna, wife of John W. Williams, now residing near Elmot; Frances (or Fannie), unmarried, and Susan, wife of H. M. Mcveigh, a lawyer of Osceola (whose sketch may be seen in another part of this volume). Col. Fletcher pos- sessed talents and accomplishments that would have given him a national and enduring reputation. had he lived in, or near, any of the great centers of population. But his isolated situation and the fact of his being a Whig in politics, precluded him from high official positions or achieving a reputa- tion much extended beyond the limits of his own State. He was in person tall and commanding, very dark hair, dark complexion and his eyes, deep set behind heavy eyebrows, were keen and piere- ing. His manners were gracious, deferential and easy, and he had the happy faculty of making the poorest and humblest feel the dignity of being men, and they consequently revered and respected him. He was the counselor and legal adviser of all in trouble in regard to the title of their lands. and in early times his house would be thronged with pioneers and backwoodsmen, seeking legal ad- vice in this matter, and not a cent of compensation would he receive. Fletcher township, in Missis- sippi County, is the only public memorial now re- maining of this truly great and good man.

John W. Fonville, whose name is a synonym of activity and enterprise, was born in Marshall County, Tenn., in 1848, and is the youngest of a family of three children born to Jury and Frances (Smith) Fonville, of that State. The father died the year after John W. was born, and the widowed mother again married five years afterward. her husband being John J. Hazlewood, a well-known resident of that section. Mr. Fonville's edu- cational facilities were somewhat limited in his youth; he succeeded, however, in obtaining a fair amount of learning at the schools of Tennessee.

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and was in a position to cope with the world when starting in life for himself. In 1862 the family moved to Mississippi County, Ark., where the step- father was engaged by Mr. John McGavock as overseer for his extensive plantation. In this ca- pacity he remained two years, and then moved about five miles west of the river to Shawnee Vil- lage, where he purchased 160 acres of timber land and immediately began to improve it. He cleared about thirty acres and made a good farm, living here until his death in 1973; he was followed by his wife in 1877. John W. remained with them until be had attained his majority, and then commenced farming for himself on rented land. After three years of labor, he purchased 160 acres of wild land on the river near Shawnee Village, and on this he made a great many improvements, and cleared about forty acres. He then sold out to good ad- vantage and bought 160 acres where he now re- sides, the land being some of the finest in that section. He has cleared some 100 acres, and prom- ises to soon have the entire lot under cultivation, which, with five good dwellings, an excellent barn and all the necessary adjuncts, will made one of the finest farms in Mississippi County. Mr. Fon- ville was married in 1871, to Miss Barbara Simp- son of Georgia, who moved to this State with her parents. This lady died in 1883, leaving two children: Drew and Minnie O. In 1883, he was again married, his second wife being Miss Frances Smith, and this union gave them one child, Lad- dus, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Fon- ville is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Pecan Point Lodge, in which he holds the office of S. D. He owns a large number of horses, cattle and hogs, and is said to be one of the best judges of cattle in that section.

R. W. Friend. The life-record of him whose name here appears has been one of more than usual interest, and his career has been of such benefit and influence to the people, not only of Mississippi County, but throughout the State, that a sketch of his life will be of more than passing interest; which, though brief, will convey some- thing of an idea of bis usefulness in different walks of life. He is the proprietor of Pecan

Point, one of the largest, richest and also best-kept plantations along the river from Memphis, Tenn., to Cairo, Ill., and although he has been the owner of the property only a few years he has by his tact, skill and energy converted it from almost a wilderness into well tilled fields of cotton and corn. Shortly after the close of the war he settled a few miles below his present place in the State of Tennessee, where by close economy and industry he became in a few years the owner of 160 acres of land. This land he sold in 1872, and purchased in one body 2,000 acres of his present estate, which now amounts to nearly 4,000 acres, a large portion of which is under cultivation, extending about a mile along the river and several miles inland. All the land is well fenced and laid off in well culti- vated fields of cotton, of which material Mr. Friend ships 1,000 bales annually. The village of Pecan Point, which he founded and owns, consists of one store, one blacksmith-shop, one saw-mill. a grist-mill, a cotton-gin, four churches (two of which, the Methodist and Presbyterian, are attend- ed by the white residents, and the other two by the colored population) and two schools, the white school having an attendance of twenty pupils and the colored school an attendance of 100 pupils. There are also about forty dwelling houses. all the property of Mr. Friend, with the exception of one dwelling-house, which belongs to his son-in-law. A. M. King, who is the able assistant and business manager of the mercantile establishment at Pecan Point. He is a gentleman well qualified by edu- cation and experience for the responsible position he is now filling. Mr. Friend's assistants. serv- ants and tenantry comprise a population of nearly 1,000 people, and he also owns a large estate of rich bottom-land. comprising 3,000 acres in Phil- lips County, near Helena, which is under the su- pervision of his brother, E. B. Friend. Mr. Friend is one of the few men in this section who realizes the importance of using the best tools and the la- test improved machinery on his plantation. and. as one of his men tersely puts it, "He uses nothing but the best, either in tools, mules or niggers." and the results have shown his judgment to be sound. In personal appearance he is prepossess-

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

ing and in disposition is genial and liberal, distrib- uting his wealth with an unstinted hand wherever it is essential to the pleasure or welfare of himself and family or those around him, and as a result he commands the respect and liking of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a native of Missouri, having been born near Jefferson City in 1839, but was taken shortly after his birth by his father, F. C. Friend, to Bolivar, Mo., where he grew to man- hood; and here his early scholastic advantages were enjoyed, though only such as the common schools of that day afforded. By his own individ- ual efforts, and at the expense of diligent study and hard practical experience, he has attained his present enviable position. When the war broke out his sympathies were naturally with the South, and in 1861, in company with his two brothers, Edward and Daniel, and his father, he entered the Confederate service under Sterling Price, and was on active duty until 1864, when he was cap- tured at La Mine River, his brother Daniel being killed a short time afterward on Price's last raid into Missouri. Mr. Friend was taken to Alton, Ill., where he was held a prisoner, being afterward released on taking the oath of allegiance. He re- sided for some time in Edwardsville, Ill., and af- terward went as far north as Ottumwa, Iowa, at which place he made his home for about six months, then returned to Missouri. In 1868 he settled in Tennessee, nearly opposite where he now lives, but in 1872 came to his present planta- tion, as above stated. His residence is by far the finest and most substantial in the county, and is built in the shape of a T, having a frontage of fifty feet. It is painted white, is two stories in height, with porches above and below, and covers an area of 5,000 square feet. It commands a beautiful view of the river, situated as it is on a bold point of land and only 100 yards distant, and can be plainly seen from steamers as they round the bend from the north, ten or twelve miles distant, or from Island No. 36, many miles below. The lawn surrounding this ideal home is several acres in ex- tent, and is dotted over with lovely forest trees of elm, oak, cottonwood, sycamore, pecan, magnolia, etc. ; while back of the house is a fine apple or-

chard, and near by is the residence of his son-in- law, Mr. King, which is the second best house in the county, covering an area of 4,000 square feet. All the buildings in the town are painted white, and present a lovely picture from the river. In 1860 Mr. Friend was married near Bolivar, Mo., to Miss Nancy Payne, who died in 1866, leaving two children: Miss Virginia, who is a graduate of St. Vincent Academy, at Cape Girardeau, Mo .. and is now at home, and Emma, who was educated in the same school and is now the wife of A. M. King, and the mother of three children. Mr. Friend married his present wife in Tennessee, her maiden name being Miss Melissa Carr, of Shelby County, Tenn., and a daughter of G. L. Carr. Their union has been blessed in the birth of three chil- dren: Miss Nettie, just returned from McMinn- ville, Tenn., where she had been attending school; Charley, a lad in his teens, whom Mr. Friend ex- pects to give a thorough collegiate education, and Roberta, a little girl at home. The family attend the Methodist Church, and Mr. Friend is a mem- ber of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, having joined the latter organization in 1866.

Edwin R. Freeman, whose success as a farmer is proverbial, was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1831, and is a son of James A. Freeman, of North Carolina, who was one of the pioneers of Tennessee, and was known as having built the first chimney in what is now Dyersville. After submitting to the dangers and hardships of an early settler's life, the elder Freeman moved to Arkansas in 1849, but the following year returned to Tennessee, where he died in 1850. On Sep- tember 15, 1851, Edwin R., in company with his brother James and sister Annie, moved to Missis- sippi County, Ark., and settled in Chickasawba Township, where they bought and entered some 247 acres of unimproved land. They immediately began to cultivate the soil, and make a great many improvements, and also started in the business of raising hogs. In 1854, they had a drove of 350 hogs, and from that period began to farm and raise stock on an extensive scale: they also helped to erect the first corn-mill put up in this township. In 1857, Edwin R. was married to Miss Matilda

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Hutchins, a daughter of one of the old settlers of Mississippi County, but lost his wife in 1860. Two children were born to this marriage: Susan Ann (deceased), and Thomas, who is married and re- siding in this county. Mr. Freeman contracted a second marriage, in 1861, with Miss Allina Hutch- ins, a sister of his first wife, and to this union were born five children: Nixon, married and living in Missouri; Edwin R., Jr .; Martha Jane, wife of Harry Springer, living in Missouri; Charlie and Alice. In 1862, Mr. Freeman enlisted in the Con- federate army, and was assigned to duty on the Arkansas River. He was engaged in many sharp skirmishes, but no regular battles, as his duty was principally scouting, in which he was an adept. He returned home about the time of the surrender, and as the war had stripped him of everything he possessed, he was compelled to begin life anew. He commenced farming, and with the aid of a de- termined will soon placed himself in an independ- ent position again, and now owns about seventy- one acres of fine land, all under cultivation, having given his children about as much more. Mr. Free- man brought the first cotton seed that was ever planted in this county, and after raising that plant upon a small tract of land in 1852, it became a nine days' wonder to the neighboring farmers. In 1859 he brought 100 bushels of cotton seed from Tennessee, and distributed it among the farmers of that vicinity, and the cotton now grown upon the land averages a bale to the acre. Judge Daniels, a brother-in-law of Mr. Freeman, erected the first cotton-gin in Mississippi County, and his brother James was one of the projectors of the Bar- field road in 1853.

Mrs. A. A. Gabel. There are in every com- munity some persons who, on account of their in- dustry, and practical management of the affairs which fall to their lot, deserve special credit; and such is Mrs. Gabel. She is the relict of C. C. Gabel, and the daughter of David and Lucinda (Myers) Metzger, the parents being natives of the "Buckeye State." About 1838, they removed to Mississippi County, Ark .. settling about four miles below Barfield, and in 1853, when the State built the levee through this county, Mr. Metzger

had a contract on the work, which he held until the work was finished. He then purchased 480 acres of land in Hickman Township, the property being in a wild state, and after taking possession he erected a building, cleared 160 acres of land, and put the property in excellent shape. To the superior natural abilities possessed by Mr. Metz- ger were added the wisdom and experience of a useful and well spent life; and there was a geni- ality, honesty of purpose, and broad hospitality about him that attracted and fascinated. His death, which occurred in 1881, was deeply la- mented by his friends and neighbors, whose hospi- tality they had partaken of times without number. His wife died in 1868. Mrs. Gabel was married in 1870, and has always made her home on the farm where she is now residing, which place was settled and cleared by her father. She has two children: Alexander C. and Fannie E. Her broth . er, William Metzger, the only living son of David Metzger, also occupies a part of the old home- stead, his home adjoining his sister's. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Elvira Branch, a native of the county, and to them have been born an in- teresting little family of three children: David, Eleanor Jane and John Noah.

Charles H. Gaylord, druggist, owes his nativity to Michigan, having been born in Detroit in 1838, and of the family of seven children born to his parents, Henry C. and Harriet (Parshall) Gaylord, he was the eldest. The father was originally em- ployed on the lake steamboats. He died in 1854. The mother is still living, and is a resident of Detroit. Mr. Gaylord has in his possession a com- mission given to his great great grandfather from the British Government, appointing him lieutenant in the French and Indian Wars, dated 1753. His ancestors, on the paternal side, were originally from Connecticut, and those on the mother's side were originally from New York, and trace their descent back to Roger Williams. Charles H. Gay- lord attended the public schools of Detroit until sixteen years of age, and was two years in the tel- egraph business, first as messenger-boy, and then as copyist. Later he learned the trade of pattern- maker, which he continued until he commenced

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his commercial career, in 1865. He then came to Osceola, Ark., where he engaged in general mer- chandising until 1883, after which he embarked in the drug business, and is at present one of the most reliable and well-established druggists and pharma- cists in Osceola. He was married in 1879 to Miss Clara L. Miller, a native of Georgia, and daughter of Dr. B. F. Miller, who moved to Missouri, and there passed his last days. Mrs. Gaylord died in January, 1884, and left one child, Charles H., Jr. Mr. Gaylord is quite active, politically, and in 1888 was elected county treasurer, being the pres- ent incumbent of that office. He is also very active in educational matters. Mr. Gaylord is a Royal Arch Mason, and at present is secretary of Chapter No. 57. He has held all the offices in the Blue Lodge except Master. He is also a member of Hugh De Payen Commandery No. 1, K. T., of Lit- tle Rock; is secretary of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and reporter of the K. of H. of Osceola, Ark. Aside from his practical education in the public schools of Detroit, Mr. Gaylord took a two- years' course in the literary department of Greg- ory's Commercial College of that place.

John B. Gilles. From the biography of every man there may be gleaned some lessons of genuine worth; for here we discover the secret of success or failure. In the history of John B. Gilles, one of Mississippi County's active and progressive planters, is found much to commend. He was born in Dyer County, Tenn., in 1854, being the youngest of twelve children born to William Allen and Sallie (Boone) Gilles, who were also Tennes- seeans, the former a farmer and blacksmith by oc- cupation, and a mail route agent. He died in 1855, followed by his wife in 1860. John B. Gilles spent his youth on a farm, and at the time of his mother's death removed to Woodruff County, Ark., where he remained five years, then went back to Tennessee. In 1873 he returned to Arkansas and located in Mississippi County, in Chickasawba Township, where he engaged in farming on the old Cook plantation. In 1879 his marriage with Miss Josephine Thompson was consummated, and he soon after purchased 160 acres of wild land four miles southeast of Blythesville, which he be-

gan immediately to improve, and now has twenty- three acres under cultivation; has erected good buildings, and has a good orchard of choice varie- ties of fruits. Mrs. Gilles is a native of Missis- sippi County, and is a daughter of James Olliver Thompson, a very early resident of that county. She and Mr. Gilles are the parents of three children: Carrie R., Samuel Jones and one un- named.

T. F. Glasgow. There is in the development of every successful life a principle which is a lesson to to every man following in its footsteps-a lesson leading to higher and more honorable position than the ordinary. Let a man be industriously ambi- tious, and honorable in his ambitions, and he will rise whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of poverty. We are led to these reflec- tions by a study of the life of the subject of this sketch, Mr. T. F. Glasgow, who was born in At- i lanta, Ga., in 1856. His father, A. J. Glasgow, left the State of Georgia, just prior to Gen. Sher- man's invasion in 1863, and went to the eastern part of Texas, near Mt. Vernon, where he died shortly afterward, leaving his wife with a family of three children. T. F. Glasgow was the eldest of these children, and was about eight years of age at the time of his father's death. His mother was married again, and moved to Lake County, West Tenn., where she died in 1869. The little brother then died, and T. F. and his sister Mina, were the only ones left. At the age of twelve years the former hired out, worked a year, and when in his thirteenth year took a farm on shares, hired three boys and raised about 4,000 bushels of corn. The next year he rented land, raising a crop, and this he continued the following year, making enough money to send his sister to school at Memphis. She was married at the age of fifteen to Mr. G. W. Marr, Jr., and is now living in the northern part of the Lone Star State. In 1S73 Mr. Glasgow accepted a position with Capt. Nall. who was then running a steam ferry at Point Pleasant, and acted as pilot and collector until in June, 1874. He then came to Mississippi County, Ark., and engaged with Mr. J. W. Will- iams, with whom he remained about eighteen

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months, after which he took a trip to Texas to visit his sister. He remained with her about eighteen months, and then received a letter from Mr. Williams requesting him to return, which he did in about 1876, and remained with that gentle- man as overseer until 1882. One year later he rented about 100 acres of land from the above mentioned gentleman, and worked at agricultural pursuits for one year, after which he went to Pecan Point, where he worked for R. W. Friend until July 1, 1884. In 1886 he rented a farm of W. P. Hale, just west of Osceola, where he has con- tinued since, and is now in partnership with Mr. N. L. Avery, under the firm name of Glasgow & Avery. They have over 500 acres of cotton, and Mr. Glasgow has some of the best crops in the county, having picked ten acres of cotton that averaged one and a fourth bales to the acre. They employ from forty to 150 hands, and have about 100 people on the place the principal part of the time. The firm has recently bought 825 acres of land on Sandy Bayou, of which they expect to open up 100 acres this fall. Mr. Glasgow has onions as large as breakfast plates, and has shipped 400. barrels of potatoes from six acres of land, leaving fully one-third of them for the hands. He was married on the 20th of May, 1888, to Miss Ger- trude Ashburn, a native of Mississippi County, and the daughter of George Ashburn who came to Mississippi County, Ark., with his father when a boy (1829). Mr. Glasgow is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 27, Osceola.

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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. 2, Part 2

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044