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 30

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 30

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Not because I think you ought not to whip the rebel- lious, but because I feel that I, who am Southern born and raised, ought not to take arms against my neighbors and friends.

He did not get to see or hear from his family for almost a year, and in the spring of 1863 he was captured by a squad of Southern cavalry com- manded by Col. Newton. On arriving at head- quarters he received such courtesy from Col. New- ton, and discovered in him such military genius, that afterward, when he became governor, and felt it his duty to appoint a major general for active operations in the field, he did not hesitate to be- stow the commission on Col. Newton, who had paroled him at Fredericktown, Mo., with an escort of two men, and required him to report to Gen. Holmes at Little Rock. He had scarcely left New- ton's camp when he came in full view of the Fed- eral army, in which one of his friends urged him to join them, but he replied that he had given his pledge of honor to report at Little Rock, which he did, and Gen. Holmes unceremoniously turned him over to the civil authorities, who assigned him to the Pulaski County jail to await an indictment for treason against the Confederate States. In due time the indictment was found, and he was ar- raigned before Judge Ringold, William M. Ran- dolph acting as district attorney. The case was continued until the next term of court, and through the agency of some friends he managed to escape from jail, and after concealing himself for eighteen days near Little Rock, without any shelter and barely enough food to live, he succeeded in making | a majority of 3,242 votes over his competitor.

his way into the Federal army, then at Little Rock. Gen. Steele having captured and occupied that place on September 10, 1863. In all this time he was abused, verbally and through the press, being branded as a coward by the True Democrat, of Lit- tle Rock, citing his refusal to take command of the First Arkansas Federal Regiment, when tendered him by Gen. Curtis, as a proof. Stung by these reflections, he made haste to apply to Gen. Steele for authority to recruit a regiment for the Federal service: Armed with such authority, he proceeded to Jacksonport and recruited the Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry, and reported to Gen. R. R. Livingston, at Batesville, where he commanded the post until the spring of 1864, when, under the organization of the Murphy or war government. he was elected a member of the supreme court. Under the constitution of 1864 he could not hold two offices at one time, so, after much hesitation, he resigned his command of the regiment, which de- volved upon his brother as senior captain, as well as by order of Gen. Steele. Fourteen days after becoming a member of the supreme court of the State, he was elected, over his protest, to the sen- ate of the United States for the long term. He repaired to Washington, taking his family with him for safety as far as Illinois, and presented his credentials, under the State government then ex- isting in Arkansas, but was not permitted to qual- ify as senator. After the war was over he returned with his family to Batesville, and resumed the practice of law. In 1868, upon the suggestion of the Hon. H. C. Caldwell, he was appointed reg- ister in bankruptcy for the First Congressional dis- trict of Arkansas, by the Hon. Salmon P. Chase. then chief justice of the United States. During the same year he was appointed judge of the Third judicial circuit for four years, by Gov. Clayton. In 1872 he was nominated by the Republican party for governor, upon a platform pledging him to do what he could to enfranchise all such persons as had been disfranchised on account of their partici- pation in the rebellion. He accepted the nomina- tion, and, after the most laborious and extensive canvass ever made in the State, he was elected by

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Joseph Brooks, perhaps the most able debater ever known in Arkansas. His election was duly de- clared by the senate of the State, the only tribunal that had any authority to count, or in any manner control the returns. He was qualified as governor early in 1873, and undertook to redeem his pledges to the people and give them an honest government. His administration was certainly the most eventful and fruitful of any State government in the United States. This remarkable epoch in the history of Arkansas, known as the Brooks-Baxter war, is too long for narration in this sketch, and indeed per- tains more to the history of the State than to these two individuals. In 1878 at the earnest solicita- tion of people from all parts of the State, he be- came a candidate for United States senator, but was defeated by the Hon. J. D. Walker, a Demo- crat. He was called to fill the office of governor of Arkansas, at the most trying period in the his- tory of that State. The conflict that culminated during his administration, was not the question as to which of two contestants should be governor of the State for a single term; but in reality it was a representative struggle between principles of the utmost importance to the welfare of the State, and Gov. Baxter held firm to his pledges and principles throughout the entire struggle. During the trouble, when President Grant suggested that both he and Brooks act as governor jointly, Mr. Baxter replied:

I am either governor or I am not governor, and I will consent to nothing that will, in whole or in part, recog- nize Mr. Brooks as governor.

In his profession of the law, Gov. Baxter has achieved a splendid reputation, although not en- tering it until his maturer years, and being subject to many interruptions. He is a man possessing a strong natural moral disposition, and has a dread of violence and bloodshed, as was manifest throughout his administration. Gov. Baxter and wife are the parents of six children: Millard P., Edward A., Catherine M., wife of N. M. Alexan- der; George E. and Hattie O .. and Fannie E., who died in childhood. The Governor has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1844, and, by act of their separation, has become a member of the Southern branch.

Dr. William J. Bell is a prominent medical practitioner of Independence County, and was born in the State of Alabama, February 17, 1835. He was the second born in the family of six children of Wesley and Elizabeth (Bell) Bell. Wesley Bell, who was a native of South Carolina, was born in 1808; he was of English descent, and was a mechanic and farmer. When a young man he re- moved from South Carolina to Alabama, where he married and resided until about 1840, when he located in the western part of Tennessee, subse- quently, on account of ill health, removing to Arkansas, where he died in 1857. His wife, who was also a native of South Carolina, was born in 1812, and died about 1847. The paternal grand- father of our subject was John Bell, who served during the Revolutionary War, and died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, his wife living to be eighty-five years of age. William J. received the advantages of a common school education in Lawrence County, Ark., and in 1857 began the study of medicine; in 1858 he attended a course of medical lectures in Memphis, Tenn., and the fol- lowing year entered upon the active practice of his chosen profession in the neighborhood where he now resides. He is now one of the leading physi- cians of Independence County, and has built up an extensive practice, answering calls at a distance of thirty or forty miles. Dr. Bell owns 305 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation; sixty- five acres lie on the White River bottom, and the balance, where he resides, about eleven miles west of the county seat. June 16, 1868, he married Miss Christina McFarland, who was born in Inde- pendence County, in 1846, being a daughter of Alexander G. and Sarah J. McFarland, early set- tlers of the county. Dr. and Mrs. Bell have six children, viz. : Clete A., James E., Ida V., Ver- tula A., William E. and Ross A. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. Dr. Bell has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1859, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., both of which orders he has at various times represented in the Grand Lodge. In poli- ties he is in sympathy with the Democratic party. William C. Best. Dota, Ark. There are many

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incidents of peculiar interest presented in the life of Mr. Best which cannot be given in the brief space allotted to this sketch. He is known over a large region of the country tributary to Dota, his reputation being that of a man honorable and re- liable in every walk of life, and it may be said, without the least arrogance, that he is a self-made man. His birth occurred in Georgia, on the 9th of April, 1826, his parents, Thomas and Nancy Best, also being natives of the same State. The father was born in Lincoln County, and the mother in Wilkes County, in 1797 ; he was a tiller of the soil for many years, of quiet demeanor, and universally respected by all who knew him. The mother died in Alabama, in 1862, and the father survived her until 1880, when his death occurred at the home of his son, William C. Best, in Arkansas. Both par- ents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the mother having belonged for forty years, and the father for sixty years. The paternal grandparents were natives of North Carolina. Will- iam C. Best grew up on the farm with his father and mother, and received his education in the schools of Alabama, having moved to this State in the year 1840, at the age of fourteen. When twenty-one years old he began his own career, and for three years worked on the farm. On the 5th of December, 1850, he was married to Miss Mary J. Pope, in Macon County, Ala., and the fruits of their marriage are ten children, five sons and five daughters. James S. Best, the oldest son, was born on the 17th of December, 1851, in Macon County, Ala., and is now a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South. He was married to Miss Mattie J. McDonald on the 6th day of Octo- ber, 1873. Sarah J. Best was born in Macon County, Ala., on the 19th of March, 1834; was married to Joseph G. McDonald on the 28th day of March, 1871, and died September 13, 1875, leav- ing two children, a boy and girl. Mary E. Best was born in Macon County, Ala., April 27, 1836; was married to Angus C. Baker September 6, 1878, and died on the 19th of November, 1887, leaving four boys. Emma J. Best was born in Macon County, Ala., April 16, 1858, and departed this life September 13, 1885. Andrew Thomas Best was;

born in Macon County, Ala., July 27, 1861; was married to Miss Etter Sorrells, January 22, 1885. and is now living on a farm adjoining his father. William C. Best, Jr., was born in Macon County, Ala., on the 21st of November, 1862, and is well educated, having attended some of the best normal institutions of learning in the State of Mississippi. He is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of his own county. Lovda Best was born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., August 18, 1866, and died March 25, 1882. John W. Best was born in Lee County. Miss., on the 30th of August, 1869, and is now liv. ing with his parents. He is a bright and studious young man. Burrilla A. Best was born in Inde- pendence County, Ark., on the 22d of March, 1872 ; was married to Angus C. Baker December 20, 1888, and is now residing at Sulphur Rock, Ark. Alonzo Best, born in Independence County, Ark., Febru- ary 23, 1875, is the youngest of the family, and consequently is a great pet. When the war broke out Mr. Best was engaged in farming in Macon County, Ala. In 1862 he was occupied in making salt at the Central Salt Works, in Clark County, Ala., and about the middle of December returned home. Immediately following this he was em- ployed by the government to go to Mobile, Ala., with a company of hands to help to fortify the town. Remaining there something over three months, he reached home about the 1st of April. 1863, and at once joined the Sixty first Alabama regiment, Company A, under Col. W. G. Swan- son, Clanton's brigade. They were then ordered to Montgomery, and later to Pollard, being sta- tioned there until 1864, when they were sent to Virginia and attached to Gen. Battle's brigade, Rhodes' division and Early's corps. The following engagements were participated in: Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864; Spottsylvania, on the 12th of same month, and Winchester, September 19, 1864-made famous by Gen. Sheridan's ride. Here he was severely wounded by a gun-shot, and was captured, made prisoner of war, and held at Win- chester until the 10th of December, when he was sent to Baltimore, remaining there until January S. 1865. Upon being sent to Point Lookout he was held there until June 5, 1865, when he was dis.

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charged, and again joined his family, whom he found living in Tallapoosa County, Ala. He re- mained there until the fall of 1867, when he moved to Lee County, Miss., but not being satisfied here, moved to Independence County, Ark. He found - himself in possession of $180, a team of horses and wagon, a few household goods, and eight children. He rented for two years the same farm which he purchased in 1871, giving his note for the amount. By the closest economy and industry he succeeded in paying for it. To the original 160 acres he added from time to time, until he is now owner of 360 acres, nearly 200 of which are under cultivation, and about seventy of it he has cleared himself. When he first settled on the farm the only build- ings on the same were two unfinished log rooms. Now he has a well-completed house of six rooms, good barns and out-buildings, a fine orchard; raises his own stock, and has some of the best of work horses and mules. His principal crops are cotton, corn, oats, wheat, etc., and he is known as a fine melon raiser, having this fruit early and late. In 1878 he erected a large gin house, which he has conducted ever since, with unusual success. He spends the autumn months engaged in ginning, and has averaged 250 bales each year for eight years. He votes with the Democratic party, and finds much of interest in local politics. He takes a great interest in conventions, and has once been a dele- gate to the Democratic State Convention. He has been a member of the Temperance Council Grange and Agricultural Wheel. Mr. Best and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a steward and trustee of the same.

Judge William C. Bevens (deceased). From an early period in the county's history Judge Bevens gave to Independence the very best en- ergies of his life, as one of its most worthy and respected citizens; and to the community and all among whom he lived the example of a life well and usefully spent, and the influence of a charac- ter without stain. His birth occurred in Charles- ton, S. C., on the 21st of December, 1806, where he studied law and afterward practiced his pro- fession in Greenville, in the northern part of his native State. He removed to the Lone Star State

in 1840, settling at Austin, and there practiced his profession until 1846. He then moved to Bates- ville, Ark., where he joined a number of his rela- tives who had moved there from North Carolina. Here he was elected to the legislature of Arkan- sas, and served with great acceptability in the sessions of 1852-53. So great was his popularity and prominence, that he was elected judge of the circuit court of the Third judicial circuit in 1856, and was much esteemed for his sterling integrity, sober, sound judgment, broad intelligence and lib- eral, progressive ideas. His decisions were not made without careful and painstaking study of the evidence adduced, and all felt that his judgment could be relied upon. During the late war he took his family south, where he remained a quiet citizen until the cessation of hostilities. He died at Little Rock, in September, 1865, while on his way home to Batesville. Judge Bevens had three beautiful daughters, the belles of the country in their youth. One of them married ex-Gov. Will- iam R. Miller, another became the wife of Maj. William E. Gibbs, and a third is the wife of Hon. James W. Butler, the present judge of the Third judicial circuit of Arkansas.

John C. Bone, dealer in furniture, sash and doors, coffins and undertakers' supplies, Batesville. The business men of Batesville are a pushing, ac- tive, persevering and enterprising set, and "the weakest must go to the wall." Certainly Mr. Bone is not one of the latter class, for, to all in- tents and purposes, he is an ideal business man. He is a native of Izard County, Ark., born Octo- ber 20, 1849, and after remaining on the farm un- til twenty years of age engaged in the mercantile business as clerk, following it for a number of years. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1877, at Batesville, but never practiced. He again returned to mercantile pursuits, which he followed two years, and then took charge of his present business, which was run by his father in- law, Charles L. Gorsuch, who was killed by hav- ing a house fall on him during a fire. Mr. Bone has since continued the business, has erected a planing-mill, and now carries it on in connection with his other interests, employing several hands.

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He is self-educated and self-made in every respect. He was married on the 12th of December, 1877, to Miss Nettie M. Gorsuch, and they have two children living: Charles E. and Harry C. Mr. Bone is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Chap- ter and Council. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are esteemed and respected citizens. His parents, Elihu C. and Charlotte J. (Jeffrey) Bone, are natives of Wilson County, Tenn., and Izard County, Ark., respect- ively. The father immigrated to Izard County, in 1841, locating near Barren Fork one year, entered land at Mount Olive, Izard County, and there fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He was also a Cum- berland Presbyterian minister. By his marriage, which occurred in 1844, he became the father of seven children, four living: Miles N., John C., Levisa J. and Henry F. The remainder of the children died when young. The parents died when the children were quite young, and they were obliged to look out for themselves. The maternal grandfather, Jehoiada Jeffery, and his wife Mary, settled at what is now Mount Olive, in Izard Coun- ty, in 1816. They were originally from North Carolina and Tennessee, and after living in Jones- boro, Ill., for some time, they moved to Arkansas, coming through by land on pack-horses. They were the first settlers of Izard County, their near- est neighbors being about thirty-five miles distant. He was a member of the Territorial legislature of Arkansas, about 1824, from Independence County, and afterward from Izard County, when he intro- duced the bill creating Fulton County.

Gabriel J. Bradley is one of the industrious farmers of Greenbriar Township, Independence County. He is a native of Randolph County, Ill., and was born July 13, 1831. His parents were Isaac A. and Mary T. (Jones) Bradley, of whom the former was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1806, and the latter was a native of Adair County, Ky., born about 1813. They were married in Randolph County, Ill., but removed to Perry Coun- ty in 1834, where Mrs. Bradley died about 1854 and her husband about 1883, both having been members of the Baptist Church. Isaac A. Brad- ley was one of the commissioners of Perry County

seven years; he was a son of Joshua Bradley, a na- tive of North Carolina, who lived some years in Sumner County, Tenn., and then moved to Jackson County, Ill., where he died: he was of Irish descent. Col. Gabriel Jones, the maternal grandfather of Gabriel J. Bradley, was born in Virginia, from which State he went to Kentucky, and when Mrs. Bradley was about seven years old removed to Randolph County, Ill. Mr. Jones was killed at Chester, Ill., in a storm during the war; he represented Randolph County in the legisla- ture in an early day, and was a colonel in the Black Hawk War. Gabriel J. Bradley was the eldest of the family of five sons and one daughter. He re- mained at home, and most of the time until nine- teen years of age attended the common schools. In 1857 he married Mrs. Malinda Wilson, daughter of William Osburn. She died in 1883, leaving five children, viz. : James, Ada, Ann, Emma and Zoe. In August, 1885, Mr. Bradley married Edie E. James, of Independence County. She is a daugh- ter of Henry B. and Eveline James, of Coffey Coun- ty, Tenn., who removed to Independence County. Ark., before the war, where Mr. James died; his widow is still living. One child has been born to the last marriage of Mr. Bradley-Ethel. Mr. Brad- ley removed from Perry County, Ill., to Independ- ence County, Ark., in 1866, and has since lived in Greenbriar township. He has a good farm of 168 acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation. He is an enterprising farmer, and devotes his entire attention to his occupation. His political sympa- thies are with the Democratic party. Mrs. Bradley is a member of the Methodist Church.

William L. Brewer has been familiar with the duties of farm life from early boyhood, and has now an excellent farm of 160 acres in Independence County, Ark., of which about fifty acres are under cultivation. Having been born in this county, on the 30th of March, 1831, he is well known by many here, and the utmost confidence is placed in his honor and integrity. His parents, Willis and Isabella (West) Brewer, were born in North Caro- lina and Tennessee, the former's birth occurring iu 1796, and their union resulted in the birth of ten children, seven of whom are living at the present

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time. Willis Brewer was a farmer, but gave much of his attention to stock raising, in which enterprise he was quite successful. His views on the subject of religion coincided with the Baptist faith, but he was not a member of any church, although his wife had for many years been a member of the Metho- dist Church. She died in full communion with this denomination March 9, 1861, and was fol- lowed to her long home by her husband in 1864. Their son, William L. Brewer, was educated in Independence County, near Batesville, and after reaching manhood was married to Mrs. Meacham, whose birth occurred in North Carolina on the 24th of February, 1829. One child has been born to them. He is a Mason and was junior warden of his lodge for one year, and he and Mrs. Brewer have been worthy members of the Methodist Church for some time.

J. R. Bullington, merchant and druggist, Sul- pbur Rock, Ark. Among the important mercan- tile establishments which contribute not a little to the growth and prosperity of the town of Sulphur Rock, that of Mr. Bullington takes a prominent place. He was born in Spartanburg County, S. C., December 24, 1847, and was the son of John J. and Julia (Tinsley) Bullington, and grandson of Samuel Bullington, who was a farm- er by occupation and an early settler of South Carolina. John J. Bullington was born in 1812, and died in 1877. He was also a tiller of the soil and came to Independence County, in 1857. He settled on new land in the forest, and improved a large tract. He was not active in politics, and until the war was a Democrat. After that he affil- iated with the Republican party. He was a zeal- ous member of and an active worker in the Centre Grove Baptist Church. His wife was born in South Carolina, in 1818, and was married to Mr. Bullington in that State about 1837. Her death occurred in Independence County, Ark., in 1868. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. J. R. Bullington was the fifth of eight children-only two now living-born to his parents. The chil- dren are named as follows: Ona E., born in South Carolina, in 1848, and is the widow of William Bishop-she now lives in Charlotte: J. R.

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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 30

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