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 3

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 3

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J. P. Goodin, a well-known and popular young citizen of Golden Lake, was born in Fulton County, Ky., in 1866, and is the eldest of two children born to Ephraim and Elizabeth Goodin. The father was a native of Kentucky, and was for a long time owner of the celebrated Nowlin farm in that State, and also a breeder of fine stock, his reputation for thoroughbred horses becoming known to turf-goers from Maine to California. He died in 1868; his widow still survives him, and is a resident of Dallas, Texas. J. P. Goodin was reared on the parental farm in Kentucky, and upon reaching his eighteenth year removed to Tennessee, where he remained two years. He then went to Texas, but

not finding the advantages and prospects as bright as he anticipated, he remained only a few months and retraced his steps northward. On reaching the State of Arkansas he stopped in Mississippi County, and finding the climate and people suit- able to his tastes he determined to locate at that place, where he immediately engaged in overseeing. In 1887 he bought a tract of 160 acres of land on Tyronza Bayou, which was all wild, but he has now cleared and put four acres under cultivation, all the result of his own industry, besides acting as foreman of the tramway for Mr. Lee Wilson. His brother, J. E. Goodin, is also employed by Mr. Wilson, and Mississippi County certainly has : no more energetic and industrious young men than these two. They are slowly but surely paving the way to future wealth, and before the hand of time has passed over many years, these two brothers will be among the leading men of Mississippi County.

Alexander Goodrich, merchant and postmaster. Osceola. The public services of Mr. Goodrich. during his residence in the county, have been char- acterized by a noticeable devotion to the welfare of this county, and his ability and fidelity in all positions of trust have made a lasting impression : upon the sphere of public duty. For many years his name has not only been connected with the official affairs of the county, but he has also be- come prominent as a much esteemed citizen and a successful business man. His birth occurred in White County, Ill., November 2, 1838, and he pursued the arduous duties of the farm and at- tended the public schools of Illinois until twenty years of age. Afterward he worked in a saw mill owned by his father, for two years, and then. in 1862, abandoned all work to enlist in Company K. Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, United States Army. He went to Memphis, Tenn., in May, 1863. was ordered to report to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. and was there through the siege of that city. On July 5, the day after the surrender of that city. Mr. Goodrich went on the campaign to Jackson. Miss., and on the fall of that city. he returned to Vicksburg, but immediately left for Natchez and New Orleans. Late in September, 1563. he went

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on a campaign to Southwest Louisiana, and in December of the same year was ordered to report . to the adjutant-general of Illinois, being then assigned to recruiting duty. In April, 1864, Mr. Goodrich joined his regiment in Louisiana, and in November of the same year, marched to White River, Ark. In January of the following year, he was ordered to Helena, Ark., where the regiment remained until ordered home. He was mustered out in July, 1865. In 1866 he returned to Helena, Ark., where he remained two years engaged in the planting business, and then came to Osceola, where he commenced mercantile pursuits. He served the city seven years as its mayor, four years as post- master, and represented Missouri County in the State Republican conventions of 1884 and 1888. He was married on the 8th of May, 1872, to Miss Marjory McDonald Conway, of Scotland, and six children were born to this union: Margaret L., who died at the age of two years; Leon A., born September 15, 1875; Mary E., born May 10, 1878; Abaishai D., born December 29, 1879; Charles C., born August 23, 1882, and James M., born June 13, 1884. Mr. Goodrich, aside from his stock of gen- eral merchandise, carries a stock of furniture, also undertaking supplies, and is engaged in planting, also in buying and shipping cotton. He received his commission as postmaster at Osceola about May 1, and is now filling that position for the second time. He is a member of the K. of H., Monroe Lodge No. 2167, at Osceola, and represented this lodge at the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Hot Springs, in September. 1888. He is at present presiding officer of the lodge. He takes a decided interest in educational matters, and has held the position of director for a number of terms. He was the seventh of ten children born to Abaishai and Margaret (Smith) Goodrich, the father a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and the mother a native of Scotland. The former was a successful tiller of the soil in Illinois, and died in that State in 1865. He was a descendant of William Goodrich, who came to America in about 1840, and the subject of this sketch is of the seventh generation. The great- grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother died in 1871.

Charles Goodrich, jeweler, of Osceola, Ark .. was born in Carroll County, Ill., in 1848, and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to Joseph and Louisa (Derouse) Goodrich, natives of Missouri and Illinois, respectively. The father follows the occupation of farming, and is at pres- ent residing in Iowa. Charles spent his youth in Iowa, till about fifteen years of age, when he at- tended the public schools, later going to Carroll County, Ill., when he soon engaged with a jeweler and watch-maker to learn that trade in Galena. He remained at Galena four years, and during that time completed his trade; subsequent- ly removed to Iowa, where he worked at this call - ing in various localities till 1863. Returning to Illinois he enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and was assigned to duty with Sherman, being wounded at the battle of Fort McAlister. He was in the hospital at Savannah, and at Beaufort, S. C., till June, 1865; then went to Washington City, and participated in the grand review, June 15, 1865, receiving his discharge at Louisville, Ky., in October, same year. Soon after he again visited Iowa, working at his trade, and shortly after went to Canada, where he worked in Montreal for a time. He later became located at Chester, Ill., remaining there till the fall of 1868, when he returned to Iowa, and was married at Red Oak Junction, in the fall of 1868. Then he went to Missouri, settling at Bethany, Harrison County, for two years; thence to Savanna, Ill .. remaining till the fall of 1871, and then to Sedalia. Mo., for one year. Going back to Chester, Ill .. he stopped about one year, and then lived at Cairo for three years, moving finally to Gayoso, Mo. Here he engaged in business for himself. One year after he became a citizen of New Madrid, con- tinuing there till 1879. At this time his wife died. There had been six children born to this union, of whom three had preceded their mother to their heavenly rest: Maud died while at school at Bardstown, Ky., at the age of sixteen years; Lester died in Illinois; Frederick died in Osceola, in 188S, at the age of ten years; Birtell died in 1872 at about three years of age; Eugene died at the age of four- teen months, in 1872; Mabel died in Osceola at four

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MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.

years of age, in 1882. After his wife's death in ; 1879,, Mr. Goodrich engaged in the sewing ma- chine business in Pemiscot and New Madrid Counties, Mo., and Mississippi County, Ark., fol- lowing this business for three years. In 1881 he married Cornelia Dowd, a native of Illinois, soon after which he settled in Osceola, where he has continued in business ever since. He commenced his career here in the sewing machine business, but after a year started a jewelry store, princi- pally repairing. From year to year he has been increasing his stock which is now very complete, and he enjoys a good trade. He carries a stock of about $3,000, comprising jewelry, watches, clocks and sewing machines. To his second marriage three children were born: Lena, Lillian and Char- ley. Mr. Goodrich is a member of Samaritan Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Osceola. His first wife was Mattie E. Conquest, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Richard Conquest, who was an officer in the Mexican War, and quite a traveler. In the Civil War he was a lieutenant in the Second Colorado Cavalry. He died at Hastings, Neb., in 1887.

Laurence W. Goshorn, a successful and popu- lar farmer of Canadian Township, is the second child of a family of seven children born to Russell B. and Kittie (Ward) Goshorn, of Ohio and Ten- nessee, respectively, and was born in Mississippi County, Ark., June 17, 1857. His grandfather was an eminent physician and druggist of Cincin- nati in the earlier days, and died in 1872, at the mature age of ninety-two years; and his father, Russell B., was one of the first physicians who settled in Mississippi County, having commenced to practice medicine in Osceola in 1846, where he was very successful. The elder Goshorn bought considerable land in Chickasawba, where he lived for some time and then moved to the river at Bar- field. From there he went to Hale's Point, Tenn., and January 1, 1869, transferred his home to Dy_ ersburg in the same State. In 1875 he returned to Mississippi County, Ark., settling at Hickman's Bend, and from there moved to Missouri, where he remained one year. He made a short visit to Ar- kansas again, and in November, 1878, went to

Florida, where he died at Live Oak, December 31. 1881. Laurence remained at home with his par- ents until the year 1874, and then moved with his uncle, William W. Ward, to Mississippi County. where he has since resided. In 1881 he bought eighty acres of land, and commenced cultivating a farm. On January 8, 1882, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Wetsel, a granddaughter of "Cedar" James Williams, a celebrated character and pioneer of that county, but in the same year Mr. Goshorn lost his wife. He is principally en- gaged on his farm, but is interested to some ex- tent in land and timber speculation, in which direction he is well known for his shrewdness and good business ability. Mr. Goshorn does not take an active part in politics, and is independent in his belief, preferring to see the man who is best fitted to look after the interests of the country occupy the presidential chair than to side with any particular party.

L. W. Gosnell. The life and character of this public-spirited citizen of Mississippi County will bear a much more detailed history and analysis than are presented on this page. Though a young man, he has wielded a remarkable influence, and to-day a review of his career since locating here, without a dollar, rising to a position of worth and affluence, demonstrates him to be an individual above the ordinary. Young Gosnell attended school at Jonesboro, Tenn., until eighteen years of age, always applying himself diligently to his studies. After clerking two years for an uncle he went to Middle Tennessee, and was occupied in work on railroad construction for about two years. In March, 1876, he concluded to seek his fortune farther west, and came to Arkansas, engaging as clerk in the store of Mr. Williams, at Barfield, for one year, after which he settled in Chickasawba. where he was interested in wielding the ferule for about one year. This occupation not being entirely suited to his tastes, he resumed clerking, being in the employ of J. B. Tisserand, who had estab- lished the first permanent store in what is now Blythesville; and after one year spent in discharg- ing the duties of that position, he was admitted as a partner, the firm taking the name of J. B. Tis.

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serand & Co. Subsequently it was changed to L. W. Gosnell & Co., under which title it still con- tinues. This house carries a stock of goods valued at $6,000, and every transaction being thoroughly honest and reliable, the members draw to their establishment a large and lucrative custom. The building in which they are now located was erect- ed in 1876. They also own extensive tracts of land in the county, 900 acres comprising what is known as the Cook farm, one and one-half miles west of Blythesville, 400 of which are under culti- vation. This place was the home of the old Ind- ian Chief Chickasawba, who had a hut on one of the mounds there, and where he died many years ago. Besides this tract, they have 400 acres under cultivation in various sections, and last year they shipped 970 bales of cotton. The entire amount of their superior land aggregates about 3,000 acres, Mr. Gosnell owning a half interest and also an interest in another general store. He was married in 1879 to Miss Bettie Hill, an esti- mable lady, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of J. W. Hill. They have three children: Mervin, Kate and Laura. The pleasant residence of Mr. and Mrs. Gosnell which was erected in 1882, in the village of Blythesville, is a home indeed, and at once a monument and a reward of patient con- tinuance in well-doing, hard toil and sober living. Mrs. Gosnell is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Gosnell ranks as a noticeable illustration of that indomitable push and energy which charac- terize men of determination and will. His success is unusual, but due largely to his excellent judg- ment, and strict honesty and upright dealings, and the proud position he now occupies as a rep- resentative citizen is a just tribute to his worth.

W. P. Greene, a prominent farmer of Missis- sippi County, is the fifth in a family of eleven chil- dren born to Abraham and Elizabeth (Lathrage) Greene, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. The father was a well-known and extensive farmer, who died January 15, 1872, the mother surviving him until the year 1882. Mr. Greene was born in Georgia, in the year 1839, and remained in that State until he reached the age of seven years, when he moved to the State of Mis-

sissippi, which he made his home until 1882. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Fourth Mississippi Infantry, and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson and Port Gibson, was through the siege of Vicksburg, at Chickasaw, and in all the battles through the celebrated cam- paign in Georgia, with Johnston and later on with Hood. He also took part in the battle at Franklin. Tenn., and finally surrendered in South Carolina, on May 6, 1865, returning to his home in Mis- sissippi, after the war was over. On December 4. 1864, he was married to Miss Anna Ray, of Ala- bama, and resided with his bride in Mississippi until 1882. He was engaged in government work for three years at Plum Point, and during this time lost his wife and three of their five children. The names of the children are Charles Henry (de- ceased), John Wesley (deceased), Harvey Calhoun (deceased), Mary Ella, wife of Mr. Andrews, a resident of Mississippi, and Kate Elizabeth, who makes her home with the married sister. On Sep- tember 5, 1884, Mr. Greene was married a second time, his next wife being Mrs. Bettie Biales, a widow lady of Alabama, and this union has given them one child, a boy named Walter. His present home is a few miles south of Osceola, in Mississippi County, and during his five years' residence in Arkansas, he has never failed to make a good crop. During the summer of 1889, he bought and entered 320 acres of land in the northern part of this coun- ty, intending to take possession of it in the fail, and to improve it on an extensive scale. Mr. Greene has been in the best of health during his five years' stay in Mississippi County, and speaks in the highest terms of this section and its produc- tions. In addition to his farms, he owns a small herd of very fine cattle, and a magnificent team, and his present prosperity has sprung from almost nothing, his first start in life finding him compara- tively poor. Mrs. Greene has one child by her previous marriage. Lee B., and the entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

W. H. Grider, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jackson County, Ark., in the year 1855. and, with the exception of an occasional trip to

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Memphis, Tenn., and other river towns, he has spent his life within its borders. His paternal an- cestry can be traced back to the landing of the

Mayflower on the American coast. The first maternal ancestor of which he has record enrolled his name on the Declaration of Independence. His grand-unele, Henry Grider, of Kentucky, repre- sented the Bowling Green district in Congress for several terms, and while serving in this capacity won great distinction for his able statesmanship; he was contemporary with Clay, Calhoun, and other eminent men. An uncle, Jesse Grider, served in the Confederate army, and for gallant service on the battle field was promoted to the rank of colonel. Frank Grider, the grandfather, came to Arkansas, about the time it was made a State, with his family, from Bowling Green, Ky., first to Tennessee near Moscow, and thence to Jackson County, Ark. At this time his son, John H. Grider, was but eight- een years of age. The latter married Miss Maria L. Morris, a native of that county, about the year 1846. He settled down to tilling the soil in Jaek- son County, but afterward moved to Phillips County, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1871, having lived a useful and honor- able life. At this time W. H. Grider was attend- ing school in Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated about a year later; and after the death of his mother, who lived until 1875, he made his home with his uncle, Col. Jesse Grider, of Crittenden County, with whom he remained until the latter's death some five years later. During this time he was engaged in studying law with the firm of Adams & Dixon, of Memphis, Tenn., and in 1880 was married to Miss Sue J. McGavock, one of the wealthiest and most refined and cultivated young ladies of Mississippi County, Ark., she being a daughter of John Harding and Georgia (Moore) McGavock. The former (now deceased) was a member of a family of that name who be- came illustrious in the annals of Virginia. having come from Scotland to this country in the early part of the last century. After his marriage Mr. Grider took charge of the estate and at once identi- fied himself with the more advanced farming and stock raising interests of the county, a position

which he has continued to occupy since that time. and to what extent may be inferred when the fact is mentioned that he now has 1,300 acres of land under cultivation, the most of which was cleared under his supervision. He rents out a large portion. He also owns several thousand acres of land heav- ily covered with timber, a portion of which he manages each year to bring under the plow, and when reduced yielding at least a bale of cotton to the acre. In addition to conducting his plantation he is also interested in merchandising. having a well stocked store, and operates a cotton gin and saw- mill, and in his different occupations employs from fifty to 100 men. His residence faces and is about one-half mile from the river. It was built in 1855 and is a building 54x74 feet, two stories in height, with a porch twelve feet wide running the whole length and breadth of the house, and at the time of its erection was considered a marvel of beauty and convenience, as all the timber was hand-sawed and the work well done. It was erected by Mr. McGavock's slaves, of whom he had a great many. and each room was finished in a certain, distinct kind of wood, one being in black walnut, one in sassafras, another in red gum, and one in ash, each room being designated by these names. The house is approached by a handsome undulating lawn, 200 yards in extent, over which are scattered some magnificent forest oaks, elms, walnut, maple and box elder trees, that are thoroughly appreciated by the family. They have also a handsome flower garden near the house, and ornamental shrubbery assists in making their home all that the heart of man could desire, or that a refined and educated taste could wish. With a wife whose womanly graces and virtues are well known, and his two bright little daughters, Georgie and Josephine, Mr. Grider is happy and contented. He is assisted on his plantation by C. L. Moore, who is the maternal uncle of Mrs. Grider. He is a gentleman of fine attainments, being a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and ever since the war has been identitied with the interests of Mississippi County, in which he has filled many offices of public trust. such as county and probate judge. He is at present postmaster of Sans Souci. the name of

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Mr. Grider's plantation. During the war he did good service for the Confederacy.

In -1875 he erected a fine residence in Osceola. at a cost of $4,000, and it is still one of the William P. Hale. It cannot be expected, in a work of this kind, where but brief biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county are presented, that a lengthy laudatory article should be written of each one, and yet at times there are met with some who have been so intimately and closely identified with the county, and whose names are so familiar to all, that it is only just to dwell upon what they have done, and the influence of their career on others, not as empty words of praise, but the plain statement of a still plainer truth. Mr. Hale was born in Maury County, Tenn., on the 30th of July, 1839, and is the fourth in a family of eleven children born to Bird S. and Martha Ann (Dyer) Hale. The father died in his fortieth year, and left this large family of small children. In 1855, three years after his death, Mrs. Hale, being desirous of keeping the family together, came to Mississippi County, and settled in Osceola, on the 20th of November. Directly upon their arrival William P. Hale began gathering corn, and the next year rented fifty-four acres, on which he raised a large crop. From this time on, until reaching his majority, he continued to farm on rented land, and succeeded in keeping the family to- gether. When twenty-one years of age (1860) he selected Miss Orlean J. McKinney as his wife. Her father, Judge L. H. Mckinney, is an old settler of this county, and one of its most prominent citizens. After his marriage Mr. Hale bought 160 acres of land, but the war breaking out about this time, agricultural pursuits were almost wholly suspend- best residences in the town. One year later Mr. Hale, in partnership with his brother, F. B., bought a large tract of land of 1,200 acres, 250 of which were cleared. The brother moved upon this place, and in four years time he had cleared up a large tract, all of which was yielding extensive and profitable crops. During eight years of this farm- ing they made enough to pay for the entire plan- tation, and, in 1884, Mr. Hale bought his brother's interest for $13,000, all of which was made on the place. He has since added 600 acres, making his plantation now about 1,700 acres, and he has in this tract nearly 1,000 acres under cultivation. This extensive place is located two and a half miles above Osceola. and it is one of the finest in Mississippi County. He is also the owner of other tracts, in all of which he has about 1,150 acres under cultivation. He manages all the land himself, and estimates that it brings him in an in- come of at least $12 per acre net. In 1872 he leased a building in Osceola, which he converted into a steam gin, and at the expiration of the lease bought the property, and soon built a large and good gin. This was destroyed by fire two years later, and, as Mr. Hale had bought a large tract in the upper part of the town, on which there was a large gin, he did not rebuild. From this tract he has sold most of the lots on which the upper part of Osceola is built. He has erected at least ten buildings in the town, and has been active in contributing to its prosperity. Since living in town Mr. Hale has always been an active man in ed, although they farmed enough to supply the * the affairs that promised to promote the interests of wants of the family. In 1866 Mr. Hale bought the locality. He has held the office of alderman, and served several times as school director. To his marriage were born fifteen children (six of whom are living): Bland William, married Miss Tee Driver, and lives in Tennessee; Martha E .. died in infancy; Edward J., married Miss Carrie Bost- wick. and resides on his father's farm; Ida Mand. wife of S. M. Jackson, of Dyersburg, Teun. : James H., at present attending school: Maggie Lee, died at the age of three years; Franklin Bird, died in infancy; Harry Joplin, aged seven years; Beulah 100 acres for $5,000, with twenty-five acres under cultivation, and here he lived for nine years. He had built a number of cabins, an ice-house, and : soon a cotton-gin. which brought him in a large income, in addition to his own crops. He also cleared up all his farm, which is now wholly under cultivation. In 1870 he erected a store building in Osceola, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and thus continued in that place until 1879, when he sold the goods and has since rented the store.

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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 3

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