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 32

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 32

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J. N. Churchill, farmer and merchant, of Black River Township, and postmaster at Charlotte, Ark.,

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is one of the representative citizens of Independ- ence County, and is a recognized leader in the public affairs of his locality. He was originally from North Carolina, born in Iredell County, in January, 1835, and the son of Charles C. and Ma- tilda (Johnson) Churchill, natives, respectively, of Connecticut and North Carolina. The former was a relative of the three Churchill brothers, who came to one of the early colonies of Connecticut. Charles C. Churchill was born in 1791, and emigrated to North Carolina in 1829, where he met and mar- ried Miss Johnson. His principal vocation was tilling the soil, but he was well educated, and his true worth was soon appreciated. He was elected sheriff of his county, and served with credit in that capacity for some time. In 1842, he removed to Tennessee, bought a plantation, and successfully tilled the soil until his death, which occurred in 1845. He was an old-line Whig, and exerted quite an influence in the politics of his county. He was a Mason, and a man universally respected. His excellent wife survived him until in April, 1887, and then died at the ripe old age of seventy- four years. She was for sixty years a devoted Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. N. Churchill is the third of a family of seven children (five of whom are living): Samuel B., died at the age of fifty-four years (1SS5), and was a farmer and stock raiser of Texas; Harriet J., consort of one Grady Pickens, who was killed in Hood's retreat from Nashville: J. N. (subject of our sketch); W. P., a farmer, married, and is liv- ing in Independence County; Curtis J., died on the 7th of April, 1877, at the age of forty-five years, a farmer and justice of the peace; Mary A., widow of William Hammond, who was a farmer of Black River Township; Marcia M. V .. wife of W. H. Walden, a merchant and farmer of Black River Township and postmaster of Hazel Grove. J. N. Churchill was reared from early boyhood to the arduous duties of the farm, and secured his edu- cation in the common schools of North Carolina and Tennessee. At the age of nineteen, or in 1852. he came to Independence County and joined his brother, who had made his appearance in that county the year previous. In 1854 J. N. returned

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to Tennessee, and spent one year in Oak Grove Academy (Fayette County), having earned the money in Arkansas which enabled him to obtain that part of his education. Having completed the year at school, he returned to Arkansas in 1855, and spent the ensuing four years in wielding the ferrule, conducting private schools in that State. On May 12, 1858, he wedded Miss Charlotta T. Hogan, daughter of Elijah Hogan, one of the first settlers of Arkansas. Heaven blessed this union with four children, all of whom are living: Charles D., born August 1, 1859, is a merchant of Charlotte, but contemplates merchandising in con- junction with his brother, Curtia J. (who was born in 1860), under the firm name of Churchill Bros., in Sulphur Rock; Mary M. was born on the 11th of March, 1861, and is the wife of W. H. Ward, a school teacher and farmer of Black River Township; and Lucy, wife of Dr. Robert C. Door, a successful physician of Black River Township. Mrs. Churchill departed this life on the 23d of March, 1889. She was a model mother and wife, and had long been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since his marriage. Mr. Churchill has followed the different avocations of teaching, cotton-gin- ning, threshing grain, and has also been engaged in merchandising. He built the first steam gin in Independence County, reduced the toll of ginning, and brought the second separating thresher into the county. In 1872, he embarked in the mercan- tile business on his farm, the present site of Char- lotte postoffice, and established a branch store at Sulphur Rock, which he conducted for five years. At present he is erecting a large store building in Sulphur Rock, in which to do a general mercantile business. The first land Mr. Churchill ever se. cured was from land bought with wages received in compensation for teaching his first school in Arkan- sas ($80 in gold), with which he purchased eighty acres of land. This policy he followed for several years, or until 1859, when he bought 320 acres, and lived on the same for fifteen years, clearing about seventy-five acres. He then bought 160 acres, cleared forty acres of the same, and in 1873 moved to that place (Charlotte), where he has ever since lived. He now owns about 3,000 acres of

land, and has cleared over 200 acres. He served in the late war about six months, but having been elected justice of the peace, and being a teacher, he was allowed to remain at home unmolested. However, he lost most of his personal property, and so, like a number of the old citizens of this county, had to begin anew when the war was over. In addition to his own family, Mr. Churchill has reared, and given the same opportunities in the common schools as his own children, ten orphan children. He votes with the Democratic party, and has a great deal of influence, politically. He holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also belongs to the Masonic frater- nity. He was W. M. of Bayou Dota Lodge No. 126 for twenty years, and is the only charter member left of that lodge. He is a member of the Chapter and Council at Sulphur Rock. Mr. Churchill has always taken an active interest in and given his support to all public enterprises for the good of the county, and is now chairman of the executive committee on removal of county site from Batesville to Sulphur Rock.

Churchill Bros., general merchants, Sulphur Rock, Ark. The above mercantile firm, successors of J. N. Churchill & Sons, consists of these brothers, C. D. and J. C. Churchill, who succeeded their father in the business at Charlotte, Black River Township, Independence County, on the 15th of February, 1889. C. D., the senior mem- ber of the firm, is a native of Independence Coun- : ty, Ark., and was born on the 1st of August, 1859. He is the eldest child born to J. N. Churchill. whose sketch may be seen preceding this, and was reared to the duties on a farm. He was edu- cated in Bayou Dota Academy, and later spent one year at Mountain Home Male and Female Academy, at Mountain Home, Baxter County, Ark. During the winter seasons, when not attending school, he spent his time in his father's store as salesman, there learning the principles of the busi- ness which have since made him a successful merchant. He was married, on the 16th of December, 1880, to Miss Callie Linn, daughter of J. H. Linn (deceased), who was a farmer, and also filled the position of county judge of Baxter

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County, Ark. By this union two children were born: Daisy P., eight years of age, and is now living with her grandmother Linn, and attending school at Mountain Home, and Oscar Linn, who is six years of age, lives with his father, and attends school at home. Mrs. Churchill's death occurred on the 31st of October, 1887. The early training of Mr. Churchill fitted him for a commercial life, and his future prospects are indeed bright. J. C. Churchill, the junior member of the same firm, was born in this county on the 11th of September, 1863, and he, like his brother, was reared to farm life, and was educated in Bayou Dota Academy, where he spent ten months in the study of den- tistry, under the tutelage of Dr. W. G. Rosebor- ough, of Batesville. He was obliged to abandon the study of dentistry from the fact that one of his eyes was injured from the accidental discharge of a gun. Since then his entire time has been directed to commercial pursuits. On the 22d of January, 1885, his marriage to Miss Amanda Sor- rells was consummated. She was the daughter of R. L. Sorrells, a native of Illinois, and a farmer of Black River Township. C. D. Churchill first engaged in business at Sulphur Rock, in the spring of 1879, under the name of Churchill & Son, and in the spring of 1880 the title was changed to C. D. Churchill. In September of the last men- tioned year he removed to Hazel Grove, where he continued until the summer of 1887, when he removed to Charlotte; then, in January, 1888, -he became a member of the firm of Churchill & Sons, composed of J. N. Churchill and the subjects of this sketch. Under this name they continued busi- ness until the 15th of February, 1889, when the present firm. was formed. They recently erected a large store-building at Sulphur Rock, 32x60 feet, consisting of three large commodious rooms, in which they became located about the 1st of September, and now carry on a general mercan- tile business. Both are members of Bayou Dota Lodge No. 126, A. F. & A. M., and also hold membership in Council U. D. and Danley R. A. Chapter No. 59, at Sulphur Rock. C. D. Church- ill is a member of Walnut Grove Church, Meth- odist Episcopal, South. They vote with the

Democratic party, and exert quite an influence in local politics. J. C. Churchill is notary public for Independence County. They take an interest in all improvements for the public good, and con- tribute liberally to their support.

J. C. Cobb, an honored ex-Federal soldier of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, was born in Fulton County, Ky., in 1838, and grew to manhood on Blue Grass soil, but his educational advantages in his youth were of the most meager description. He was left an orphan when a small lad, and was reared by strangers, but left the family with whom he made his home. before he attained his majority. on account of ill treatment, and started out to seek his own fortune. He first went to Mississippi County, Mo., where he found a home with Dr. Snuzer, near Charleston, and remained with him until the war became an assured fact, when he joined the Federal forces at Indianapolis, Ind., being a member of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, and served honorably and well throughout the war, and was mustered out of service at Bull's Gap, in East Tennessee. He participated in the engagements at Elizabeth (Ky.), Franklin, Harts- ville, Galena, Clarksville, Knoxville, Jonesboro. and Bull's Gap, Tenn. At the latter engagement he was quite severely wounded, being shot from his horse and having his jaw broken. He served in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. In 1883 his application for a pension was recognized, and he received back pay to the amount of $1,233. He returned to Kentucky at the close of the war, and was married four months afterward, to Miss Nancy Whitlock. who was born in Kentucky, in 1841, and by her has a family of three living children: Martha A .. wife of Walker Dunnagan; Mary L., and Myrtle May. Those deceased are John J., who died when eight years of age; Elizabeth, at the age of six months, and Emma J., when ten months old. About one year after the war Mr. Cobb removed with his wife to Arkansas. but only remained a short time; then they returned to Kentucky, and remained six years. Since that time they have been residents of Arkansas, and up to January 1. 1889, resided five miles from Sulphur Rock, but at

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that date moved to the town, where they have since made their home. They are quite well-to-do, and each of their children owns forty acres of land, which was deeded to them by their parents. Mr. Cobb is a son of Amsy and Lettie (Ryan) Cobb, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina, and at an early day became a citizen of Kentucky, and lived and died in that State. The mother was born in Newcastle, Ky., and of their five children, four are still living: J. C., Anna, wife of A. Mc- Nutt; Elizabeth, wife of Bert Watton, and

The maternal grandparents were John and Alsie (Smith) Whitlock. John was born in North Caro- lina, but was left an orphan in his youth, and ran away to Kentucky. He lived in Monroe and Phil- lips Counties, but died in Crittenden County, at the age of seventy-six years, followed by his wife, who was of Kentucky stock, at the age of sixty-six years.

William L. Coble, a highly-respected and well- known farmer and stock raiser of Independence County, is a son of Anthony and Nancy (Burris) Coble, of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, whose marriage occurred in the latter State. The parents emigrated to Indiana about the year 1820, where their children were born, and in 1849 moved to the State of Arkansas, locating near the town of Sulphur Rock, in Independence County, where the father purchased a small tract of land and com- menced farming in connection with his trade as a carpenter. He remained here until 1860, con- tracting for and building a great many houses in that time, and then sold his farm and moved to Jackson County, where he rented some land. He resided in Jackson County for three years, but finding the desire to return to Independence County too strong to resist, he moved back to that place 1 and purchased 160 acres of land, upon which he erected a dwelling, barns and all necessary ad- juncts to a well-regulated farm, and resided there until his death, January 8, 1881, at the age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Coble died in 1866, and was buried in what was then McGuire's cemetery, while her husband lies in Surrounded Hill ceme- tery. His son, William L. Coble, was educated at private schools in Sulphur Rock, and in connec-

tion with his brother, F. A. J. Coble, cleared, im- proved and put the farm on a paying basis long before the father's death. In 1864 he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, Col. Baber's regiment, and served as a courier for al- most the entire time. After peace had been es- tablished, in 1865, he returned to his home, and was shortly afterward married to Miss Mary J. Hinkel, a daughter of Selsor and Sarah E. (Hop- kins) Hinkel, of Missouri. Nine children were born to this union, which was a very happy one in every way, and four are still living: Laura, born March 2, 1875; Cordelelia, born September 4, 1879; Edna Asia, born July 13, 1883; William L., born November 7, 1888; all of whom are bright children, and Mr. Coble intends to give them the best edu- cation obtainable. At the time Mr. Coble came in possession of his farm, it consisted of 320 acres, with 160 acres under cultivation. He now owns 480 acres, with 200 acres cleared, and under good cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and a strong supporter of that party and its men, and in religious and educational matters he is one of the county's most liberal contributors, as also one of its most progressive. Mr. and Mrs. Coble are both members of the Christian Church.

George Cook, farmer, Independence County, Ark. Mr. Cook's birth occurred in Tennessee, on the 28th of August, 1826, and he was reared and educated in his native State. He was also married there, on the 26th of November, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Haskins, who was also born, reared and educated in Tennessee. His parents, John D. and Mary (Montgomery) Cook, were both natives of Tennessee, in which State they were married. George Cook came to Arkansas in 1849, locating near Sulphur Rock, Independence County, where he farmed for one season. He then moved to a farm west of Batesville, where he entered forty acres of land, and cleared about five acres, erected a single log house, etc., but in 1854 sold this. He then moved to a farm on White River, Washington Township, where he has resided for the past twelve years. His children were all born in Arkansas, except John D. Cook, his eldest son, who was born in Tennessee. The latter was married in Arkan-

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sas, and is now living on a farm in Oil Trough Bottom, where he rents a farm and carries on the business of general merchandising in connection with farming. Another son, William Thomas Cook, is deceased; Mary Ann Cook married Mr. John Morgan, and now resides in Oil Trough Bottom; J. H. Cook married Miss Mattie Glover, who is now deceased (J. H. resides on the farm with his father); B. A. Cook married Miss Rebecca Holloway, and now resides in Oil Trough Bottom; Jane M. Cook married Mr. G. F. Mannz, and now resides in Christian Township, Independence Coun- ty; Martha Price Cook married Mr. Thomas Glover (deceased), and is now residing with her father; George M. Cook resides at home with his parents. Our subject's education was obtained in the sub- scription and public schools of this county. When he first came to Arkansas all was wild and unset- tled, wild animals abounded, and all the hardships necessary in a new country were experienced by this pioneer. He is a Wheeler in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, as are also their daughters, Martha and Jane, and their son, J. D. Mr. Cook takes an active interest in religious and social progress, and has always been a liberal contributor to all such causes.

Virgil Y. Cook, one of Independence County's most enterprising merchants and farmers, and also one of its wealthiest men, is a son of William D. and Pernecia (Dodds) Cook, the father a Kentuckian, and a son of John Cook, one of the pioneer mer- chants of that State. Mr. Cook was born in Boyds- ville, Graves County, Ky., on the 14th day of No- vember, 1848, and received his education in the ad- joining county, at what was then known as Spring Hill Academy, but previous to that he had attended the subscription schools of Boydsville. His life was uneventful until the outbreak of the war be- tween the States, when he joined the command of Gen. N. B. Forrest. He enlisted in the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and served twelve months, and at the end of that time was transferred to the Seventh Kentucky Cavalry, formerly Seventh Ken- tucky Infantry, where he was in the capacity of a private soldier. Mr. Cook took part in the battles

at Okolona (Miss.), Paducah (Ky.), Tishimingo Creek, Harrisburg (Miss.) and a great many other engagements, and was in Gen. Forrest's Pulaski campaign, in the fall of 1864, after which that general was transferred to Gen. Hood's command, for the purpose of making the raid on Nashville, in the winter of 1864. He also took part in the battles at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and later, in the spring of 1865, was with Gen. Forrest on his Alabama campaign, which termi- nated at Selma, on the 2d of April, 1865, and then surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., on May 16, 1865. Though serving as a private, Mr. Cook's record through the war would put to blush the actions of many men who held superior rank. He has in his possession yet the parole record received at Gaines- ville, on the occasion of his surrender, and values it highly, simply as a relic of those days. The brigade to which he belonged was the famous Kentucky brigade organized and commanded by Gen. Abe Buford, who afterward commanded the second division of Gen. Forrest's cavalry corps. After the surrender Mr. Cook returned to his home in Kentucky, where he remained until the year 1866, and then moved to Grand Glaize, Ark., where his father, previous to the war, had carried on business in partnership with Mr. M. F. Thoma- son, under the firm name of Cook & Thomason. Upon his arrival Mr. Cook, in company with Mr. Thomason, re-organized the firm and did business until the year 1874, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Cook went to the town of Olyphant, on the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Rail- road, where he conducted a large business, with fair success, until 1884. He then came to Oil Trough Bottom, and located on his Midland farm, about one mile and a half west of Elmo, where he estab- lished himself in business, and still remains. He is one of the most successful merchants and plant- ers in that section, and his actions have always been characterized by an energy and enterprise that could not end otherwise. He owns 2,300 acres of land in Oil Trough Bottom, of which 1.600 acres are under cultivation, which he leases annu- ally for a stipulated sum. Altogether Mr. Cook owns about 8,000 acres in Independence, Jackson.

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Clay and Greene Counties, and the total amount that he has under cultivation is 2,000 acres. He was united in marriage to Miss Ophelia Lamb, a daughter of Enos and Frances (Parish) Lamb, of Tennessee, his wedding taking place at Jackson- port, Ark., on June 29, 1871. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook: Neva, Whitfield, May, Jennie, a baby who died in infancy, and Varina. In business Mr. Cook carries a large line of general merchandise, in fact everything that is to be found in a first-class establishment, besides dealing in lands and having an interest in one of the finest ranches in Texas. He has erected a splendid dwelling and several buildings on his Midland farm, and owns a cotton-gin on the same farm that has no equal in Arkansas. His brother, Barnett M. Cook, is associated with him, but gives his attention, specially, to dealing in stock, cattle and horses, of which he has quite a herd. Barnett M. was also in the Confederate army, serving as a private soldier in the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and took an active part in all the engagements and campaigns in which his regiment participated. He is a bachelor of forty three years of age, having been born on the 18th of September, 1846, at Boydsville, Graves County, Ky. The maternal grandfather, Capt. John C. Dodds, commanded a company of soldiers in a Kentucky regiment un- der Gen. Jackson, in 1814-15, and participated in the battle of New Orleans, on the 8th of Janu- ary, 1815. His father took an active part in the Revolutionary War, serving with the South Caro- lina troops, of which State he was a native, and died after that war on his way with his family from South Carolina to Kentucky, whither his widow with his children proceeded, settling in Caldwell County, near Princeton.

A. J. Craig, probate and county court judge of Independence County, was born on the farm upon which he now lives, one mile east of James- town, in 1844. He is a son of John L. and Mar- garet A. (Hardin) Craig, the former of whom was born in Alabama, in 1801, and the latter in Law- rence County, Ark., about 1817. When a young man Mr. Craig removed to Independence County, Ark., where he married, and spent the remainder of his

life, his death occurring in 1864; he was one of the earliest settlers of the county, locating in the dense woods, where he cleared a farm and reared his family. Mr. Craig was a member of the Metho- dist Church, of which church his widow, who is still living, is also a member. The latter is a daughter of Joseph Hardin, who was one of the pioneers of what is now Lawrence County. A. J. Craig was the fourth child in a family of five sons and three daughters. He received a common- school education, and during the last two years of the late war, served in the Confederate army, in Company C, Morgan's regiment, Price's cavalry troops; he was at the battles of Cape Girardeau, Helena, Pilot Knob, and many skirmishes, oper- ating in Missouri, Kansas and Indian Territory, until the surrender at Jacksonport, in June, 1565, when he returned home. In 1867 Mr. Craig mar- ried Louisa, daughter of Cary and Margaret Simms, who came to Independence County, when she was a little girl. Mrs. Craig, who was a native of South Carolina, died in 1878, leaving one son and two daughters. In 1879 Mr. Craig married Dorcas Engles, of Independence County. She is a daugh- ter of William D. and Margaret Engles, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Missouri, who re- moved to Independence County, Ark., when young. Mr. Engles died in 1845; he was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Engles is still living, aged seventy-one years; she is a daughter of Job and Elizabeth Stark, who both died in Independ- ence County, as did the parents of Mr. Engles. One son and one daughter have blessed the second marriage of our subject. Judge Craig has spent his entire life on the farm of his birth, which con- tains 127 acres, about eighty acres of which are under cultivation; forty acres he inherited from his father, and the balance he has earned. From 1878 to 1886 he served as justice of the peace. being elected to the office of county and probate judge in 1886, serving in that capacity with much ability, and was re-elected to the same office in 1SS8. He is a Democrat politically, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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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 32

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