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 36

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 36


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98


Hon. E. C. Gray, born in Guilford County, N. C., on the 9th of October, 1830, is a son of John Gray, a native of Randolph County, of that State, who was there reared to manhood, educated, and married, the latter event being to Miss Ver- linda Robbins, by whom he became the father of


two sons and four daughters. After following the life of a husbandman in his native State until 1850, he removed to Arkansas and settled in Independ- ence County, where he became the owner of 500 acres of land, and died in 1878. His wife had pre- viously expired in her native State, in 1844. They had been worthy members of the Methodist Protest- ant Church. E. C. Gray received an excellent ed- ucation in Trinity College, North Carolina, but it was then known by the name of the Union Insti- tute. After his removal to Arkansas with his par- ents, in 1850, he was married to Miss Ann S. Meacham, a native of Independence County, Ark., and their union resulted in the birth of eleven sons and six daughters. Of this large family fourteen are still living: Julius B., Aurelius G., Mary M., Sarah A., Dr. Christopher C., Dr. Elisa J., James E., William A., Queen E., Thornsberry A., John W., Virgil O., Aurora, and Lillie. Mr. Gray is a wealthy planter of Arkansas, being the owner of 1,300 acres of land, of which there are about 400 acres under cultivation. In 1877 he was elected to represent his county in the State legislature, and discharged the duties of this office in a manner very satisfactory to his constituents. He has also served as justice of the peace, and during the late war (in 1862) enlisted under Col. Dobbins, in a company of Arkansas cavalry. He was discharged at Jacksonport in 1865, and after his return home resumed tilling the soil. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, al- though not a member of any church, he is a liberal contributor to churches and schools.


A. G. Gray. The subject of this sketch is a native-born resident of the county, and as such is looked upon with respect and esteem by his many acquaintances. His birth occurred on the 18th of December, 1854, and he is one of fourteen surviving members of a family of seventeen children, born to E. C. Gray and Ann S. (Meacham) Gray, his wife, the former of whom was born in North Car. olina, in 1830, and was educated in Trinity Col- lege, of that State. He was a member of the Agri. cultural Wheel for about four years, but withdrew on account. as he thought, of the political senti- ments which had crept in. He is one of the leading


META


: د


T ople ito bon


Lady at nold srew tisallido govon base


AN silioll ;bal .demilk yo daQf


FoodizedHere


Bors all old Ils


audiodeo ong stiw aid Anosity bornoutes.gligidl ein pak .do .no班 udll, to son s of most modotO to dat edt no . O id$ 30 0jut6 skilled to widen Meadowdx


yo mial odt heiwason bus areatosoul uel ming vel aniddol


111


الباب "


Luggton s 3


13. our Tod angbuid : wwwingve ed ward (andlonely .i stad or hadagon


673


INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.


farmers of this locality; was elected to represent Independence County in the State legislature in 1875 to fill the term of 1876, and received the largest vote of any man who ever ran for office in this county. He served faithfully and efficiently for one year, discharging his duties in a manner which needs no additional words of compliment. He has been justice of the peace for about eight years, and in this capacity also has been a faith- ful servant of the public. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a sergeant and served as such until the final surrender, when he returned home and again engaged in farming, and has be- come one of the most substantial husbandmen of the county. His wife has long been a member of the Methodist Church. From this sterling pioneer sprang the subject of this sketch, and, like his father, he has become an honored and respected resident of the county. His education was re- ceived in Independence and Sharp Counties, and his attention, while growing, was given to farming his father's land. He was married in Independ- ence County to Miss Ella Albright, a native of the State, and a daughter of Alvis and Mary Albright, who are well-remembered pioneers of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born five chil- dren: Bertha F., G., Stella, Justin and Albert. A. G. Gray, like his father, was a member of the Agricultural Wheel, withdrawing for a like reason. He is also a member of the Masonic lodge, in which he has held the office of senior warden for about three years. He is a Methodist in faith and his wife a Presbyterian, and both are deeply con- cerned in all good works, being especially inter- ested in churches and schools.


Hon. Robert H. Griffin resides in White River Township, Independence County, Ark. He was born in Meigs County, Tenn., May 25, 1836, and is a son of William and Mary (King) Griffin, natives of Greene County, Tenn. William Griffin was a farmer by occupation, and was also a shoemaker by trade. He removed with his family to Roane Coun- ty, Tenn., when our subject was young, where they remained until 1860, in the latter year lo- cating in Independence County, Ark., which was his home until his death, that occurring Novem-


ber 25, 1863, at the age of sixty-four years. His first wife, the mother of Robert H., was a daughter of Robert King, a native of North Carolina, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Griffin died in Roane County, Tenn., a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which church Mr. Griffin was also a member. He afterward married Hannah Chauncy, who died in Texas; she was a member of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Griffin was a life-long Democrat. To the parents of the subject of this sketch, five sons were born, viz .: John S., who is a farmer in Iowa; Robert H .; Joseph W., engaged in the livery business at Whiting, Iowa; Thomas M., and William; the last two died in childhood. Robert H. received his early educa- tion in his native State, and at the age of twenty- one began for himself. He married, August 5, 1856, Margaret Chauncy, daughter of John and Hannah Chauncy, of Roane County, Tenn. She was born January 13, 1834. Mrs. Griffin died in Independence County, Ark., July 21, 1877, the mother of seven children, viz. : Mary E., who died when quite young; James A., a farmer of Inde. pendence County; Lettie J., wife of T. J. Davis, of Texas; Sarah J., wife of Odell De Vaughan, also of Texas; John R., of Texas; William H., at home, and Joseph S., at home. In 1878 Mr. Griffin married Elizabeth Rice, of Independence County. She is a daughter of William Rice, and was born August 15, 1855. Four children have been born to this union: Eva, who died at the age of two years: Robert A., Ethel and Alda. Mr. Griffin has always been engaged in farming. In the fall of 1860 he located in White River Township, In- dependence County, where in a few years he pur- chased land, which has ever since been his home. He owns 415 acres, of which 100 acres are under cultivation. In 1872 he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served eight years; he was then elected county and probate judge, serving three terms. He afterward represented the county in the General Assembly. In August, 1862, he was mustered into Company A, Col. Shaver's regi- ment, and served until the surrender at Jackson- port, Ark., June 5, 1865, as second lieutenant, participating in many battles, among them Prairie


--- -


3


Hugoo aids next Partuh aid wsignalnath , 1897 eno yof


Bad GH


Trung udt 10


analyz zelvier Landi ord listan dove


1


hx ARwe portcombo . eill ai byvien


gutwory elrdw ,noisnodde eld Abunt a'sedaat aid 01 V10000 9000 ILwoo balit 1g andenont heisdigoiney llew ers odw wie mod dand sind vand al has all of


1


fot mobsur tainer th sofia rdl hfod and od


inf) .H Hodoff noHl


visarsoda


Thusi xid dživr bovotrey ell


3


ladi altasb eid lion omod aid


1


Toadong hon (dnssoy


-


1


674


HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


Grove, Pilot Knob, Trading Post and Big Blue. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Judge Griffin is a Democrat, and is one of the most enterprising and influential citizens of the county.


McCurdy Hail, sheriff and collector of Inde- pendence County, was born in Greene County, Ark., on the 15th of September, 1851, and is the son of Dr. William P. A. Hail, a native of Tennessee, who, after growing to manhood, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Underwood, also a native of Tennessee. In 1851 the parents immigrated to Arkansas, locating in Greene County, at Greens- borough, and here the father practiced his profes- sion until 1852. He was a graduate of the Ten- nessee Medical College, and was a physician and surgeon of considerable note, having followed this business all his life. He was a surgeon in the Mexican War. At the above mentioned date he moved to Smithville, Lawrence County, where he received his final summons in 1857. The mother died in the spring of 1863, at Powhatan, the coun- ty seat of that county. They were the parents of seven children, only two now living: Stevadson A. and McCurdy. The latter passed his youth and early manhood in Lawrence County, but the only education he obtained was by self-application; and although reared in town, when old enough he engaged in agricultural pursuits, thus continuing for four years. He then embarked as clerk in a store, at Evening Shade, and remained there until 1871, when he moved to Hickory Valley, subse- quently working on the construction of the Kansas City Railroad as a carpenter. In 1873 he engaged in merchandising at Hickory Valley, Independ- ence County, but lost nearly everything by being burned out in 1879. In 1886 he was elected sher- iff and collector of this county, and was compli. mented by being re-elected in 1888. It is but a statement of the truth when it is said that no man could be found more capable to fill that position than Mr. Hail. He was postmaster at Hickory Valley from 1873 to 1884. By his marriage to Miss Mary A. Meacham, in 1873, he became the father of five children: Willie A., MeCurdy, Jr., Lizzie W., Nettie and Lena. Mrs. Hail is a mem-


ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and K. & L. of H. He is the owner of 300 acres of land, with eighty acres under cultivation, and he also has a house and lot in Batesville.


Mrs. Lou C. Hathcock (whose maiden name was Watts), the relict of Seaborn A. Hathcock, was born in Independence County, Ark., March 16, 1860, and is a daughter of Mrs. Manerva O. and William T. Watts, who were born February 24, 1812, and January 22, 1831, respectively. They moved from Perry County, Mo:, to Independ- ence County, Ark., in 1849, where the father is now making his home with his daughter. Mrs. Hathcock. Mrs. Watts died October 2. 1883, leaving one single daughter, also residing with her sister. Mrs. Hathcock was reared and educated in Independence County, Ark., and was here mar- ried, March 4, 1874, to Seaborn A. Hathcock, who was born in the State of Mississippi, November 20, 1847. He there acquired his scholastic training, and came to Arkansas May 24, 1873, here engag- ing in the mercantile business in Sulphur Rock. After a career which marked him as one of the successful and representative business men of the county, his death occurred on the 7th of January, 1888. He was always noted for his intelligence, energy and honesty, and won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had business or social re- lations. He left a wife and four interesting children to mourn his loss, the names of the latter being Minnie L., Henry C., Eddis W., Virgie O. Mr. Hathcock was a Democrat in his political views. Mrs. Hathcock is residing at her home at Sulphur Rock, where her family and the duties attendant upon domestic life engage her time and attention. She is not a member of any church, but is a be- liever in the Christian faith, and supports the cause by precept and example.


C. R. Handford & Co., manufacturers of mountain red cedar, telegraph poles, railway piling. sawed and split fence posts, cedar shingles and pickets, oak, yellow pine, sycamore, walnut, ash and cottonwood lumber, have the largest enterprise of the kind in this part of the State, and do an im- mense business in the manufacturing line. This


. def.


DI ,9G&P THar nois


A1


.73mion toda to


tusivil won owi ylao authlido dinor aid byegmy tettsl mi boodadam Prise bna Bw bentretda od ac soube vino awo3 al bosser demodifs has


H Then gradi boomers kan


velleT grosbill de galibaadorer vai


bus , pluripo atdit lo- sotosllos ban Thi .Mwst mi bedoofe y's RT81 al tuo borrand


bunol od luoo


bruOst ..... silli'77 thozblids evtl lo 9 fjal


-


et . . .


910 ,1918i8 190


difiant ao Joprattgoo


£ 00.00


675


INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.


business was established in 1884, and has been in successful operation since its organization. The firm employs a great many hands, and carries on business the year round. The senior member of this firm, Charles R. Handford, was born in Mor- gan County, Ohio, in 1842, and was partly reared in that State, and in Philadelphia, Penn. He sub- sequently moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Kansas, leaving Philadelphia in 1854. In 1856 he arrived in Wyandotte County, Kas., just as the border trouble was beginning, and there he worked at the lumber business, and at farming, se- curing such education as the time afforded. He came to Arkansas in 1872, in August, before the Iron Mountain Railroad was built, and located in Pulaski County, going then to Saline County. He was married in Iowa, to Miss Sarah Brown, who bore him six children: Myrtle, Stanley, Charles, Jack, Willie and Frances. In 1884 Mr. Hand- ford came to Batesville with his family, and in that year the present business was established. He owns a nice residence in that town, and is also in- terested as a stockholder in the Bank of Bates- ville. His parents, Joseph and Narcissa (Robert- son) Handford, were natives of Philadelphia, Penn., and Ohio, and descendants of English and Scotch ancestors, respectively. Charles R. Handford en- listed in the Federal army while living in Wyan- dotte, Kas., in 1862, Company A, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, and served until August, 1865. He par- ticipated in all the principal engagements, and was never sick a day, nor was he ever wounded or cap- tured. The junior member of the above-mentioned firm, J. S. Handford, was born in the city of Phila- delphia, in 1854, and went to Kansas with his parents. He engaged first as a clerk in a dry goods store, and was thus occupied for a number of years. In 1876 he engaged in the saw-mill business in Arkansas, and carried this on for about twelve years, being interested in it at the present. He became a member of the firm at Batesville in 1884. He was elected president of the Batesville Bank on the 1st of July, 1889, at its organization, and now holds that position. He was married in December, 1879, to Miss Abbie J. Boyer, a na- tive of Illinois, and to them were born tive chil-


dren. Mr. Handford is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the K. of P.


Anthony B. Harrelson, farmer and stock raiser, Dota, Ark. Mr. Harrelson is a native of Lawrence County, Tenn., born on the 30th of March, 1837, and when sixteen years of age, emigrated with his parents to Independence County, Ark., landing in Black River Township on Christmas day, 1853. His father, Vincent Harrelson, was a native of the Blue Grass State, born in 1800, and when a young man was wedded to Miss Mary Anthony, also a native of Kentucky, and born in 1802. After mar- riage they came to Arkansas, and there the father died in 1875, and the mother-previous to this- in 1861. The father tilled the soil successfully all his life. During his youthful days he was a play- mate of David Crockett, of pioneer fame, and they were great friends. Both the parents were church members-the father a Baptist and the mother a Methodist. The maternal and paternal grandpar- ents were natives of Kentucky, in which State they passed their last days. Anthony B. Harrelson passed his boyhood days on the farm, and not being favored with many opportunities for attending school, his educational advantages, in consequence, were quite limited. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-three, by following agricultural pursuits on his father's farm, and this continued until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army. Company A, First Arkansas Infantry, for six months' service, and was discharged at St. Louis. He then moved to Illinois. Previous to this, in 1860, he led to the matrimonial altar Miss Phoebe A. McDonald, daughter of John and Jane (Brown) McDonald, natives of Mississippi. The McDonald family emigrated to Arkansas in the 50's, and after a few years' residence in this State, returned to their native State, where the parents passed the remainder of their days. To Mr. and Mrs. Har- relson were born nine children, seven of whom are living: William F., born in 1861. is now married. and engaged in tilling the soil near his father: Mary E., wife of W. D. Bowlby, a farmer of Black River Township; Laban V., married and engaged in farming on the farm of his father; John A. Logau (deceased); Burrilla (deceased); James El-


1


A estando court eida


oldwort tobrod odd


firms , washinton serlangl bili za


parque bire Hling einh i pistanoll nor!


AUnsung will silv


in biolbank (a08


eb bas oldO bas


odft ni botell


.8021


Dass bovine bas


iq edd Hla ni betagiotd honoringu-tude add to ssdmery rosane off 1 1824 idglob 1. 00 791) & Ms JeVY Borgde 41


.. Das ist of arab end, Je tobuismix : inots not no side barries how , assondyA as assniand


adb da dr ut baw retur grunt parasy avlewy


Bolliaog dodt abled wow bos


lider end imod man medis os ine atomilli to grid


1


sia onid ered


-


girsawo? 19 48


i& amenity : Shoes on arrivant fasesousb) upgo


676


HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.


don, at home with his father, and eighteen years of age; Thomas Monroe, age sixteen, at home; Charles L., at home, and fourteen years of age; and Mattie Nora, eleven years of age. For several years after the war Mr. Harrelson rented land in Illinois, and returned to his home in Arkansas in 1867, where he has resided continuously ever since. He also rented land in Arkansas until about twelve years ago, when he traded for 136 acres of land, and on this he is now located. He has 100 acres under cultivation; has good buildings, orchards, and fences, and is doing well. In the year 1885 he erected a cotton gin, and has been very success- ful in this enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Harrelson have taken great interest in school and church mat- ters, and have given their children each a fair education. Mrs. Harrelson is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Harrelson takes an active part in politics, and he votes with the Union Labor party. He holds membership in the following so- cieties: The G. A. R., H. V. Gray Post No. 33, Sulphur Rock; A. F. & A. M., and Ladies' Chap- ter, and also the Agricultural Wheel. He came to Independence County when there were very few settlers in the County, and when wild game was plentiful. Where fine farms and growing towns are at present situated once flourished heavy tim- ber. Mr. Harrelson is one of the progressive citi- zens of the community, and has aided materially in developing this part of the county.


James W. Headstream is well known in Wash- ington Township, Independence County, as an en- terprising and successful farmer. He first located there in 1845, at which time he entered a consid- erable tract of land, and devoted his entire atten- tion to the pursuit of agriculture. He now owns 340 acres in Independence County, 150 acres of which are under cultivation, and about 200 acres in Stone County, Ark. His early experiences in the county (which has for so many years been his home) were those of the pioneer, and his present pros- perity is the result of many hardships endured and the practice of economy as well as good manage- ment and enterprise. Mr. Headstream was born in Hickman County, Tenn., about the year 1827. His parents were John P. and Harriet (Hassel) Head-


stream. John P. Headstream was a native of Sweden, and was born in 1810. When a young man he left his native country and came to Nash- ville, Tenn., afterward locating in Hickman Coun- ty, where he married. About 1835 he removed to Helena, Ark., his death occurring in 1844 in Monroe County, Ark. His wife was born in North Carolina, in 1812, and lived until 1880. Of their nine children but three are now living. In 1849 James W. married Rachel M. Ford, whose birth occurred in Tennessee in 1831. She was the daughter of James G. and Martha A. (Roland) Ford. She lived to be the mother of twelve chil- dren, of whom six survive, viz .: Harriet O., who married Claiborn Pierce; Sarah P., wife of John Olvey; James P .; Margaret, who married Robert Baird; Felix J. and Virginia L. In 1869 Mr. Headstream married Mahulda Pierce, who was also a native of Tennessee, and was born in 1837. Seven children have been born to this union, all living, viz. : David R., Anna J., Dora H., Laura A., Samuel B., Maude and William T. B. Mrs. Head- stream is a daughter of Zadock and Nancy Pierce. Mr. Headstream is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. They reside near Victor postoffice, six miles west of Batesville, and are among the earliest settlers of the township.


John A. Hinkle, of the firm of Hinkle & Co., Batesville, owes his nativity to Izard County, Ark., where his birth occurred the 20th of December, 1852. His father, John D. Hinkle, was a native of Tennessee, and after reaching manhood was united in marriage to Miss Arena Beckham, also a native of Tennessee. They emigrated to Arkansas in the 40's, locating in Izard County, and there he followed the profession of teaching, but in connec- tion carried on farming also. The father died in 1852, but the mother is still living. She was mar- ried the second time to Stephen Taylor, by whom she had five children, three living: Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Mrs. Amanda Bone and Mrs. Emeline Haley. Mr. Taylor died in 1876. The mother re- sides on the old homestead in Izard County, and enjoys fairly good health. John A. Hinkle secured a fair education in the common schools, and re-


ex.M.a.nodsonho


arrediut weld musetsummer aBlad K .O od'T .coidoio leofl' verb V. .... H


MI My ual so one d noahriaB all ized €


doidw ja Gbdi di grodd


Das panel to sound aldose


twoinya lo siuwusg odt ot aois 10 80108: (41) tatodn bas .wolseyitlus sebou euu doidw Hemos feld me vladasy-vinner on sot end doidwizjagos I


to sbitburg øds.


beali (iereall) tejvinH ban .Z. adob erow alasing


1


3 ملجم.


orry meun .Co adel


.00889039T 16 911tic


20


- did you mean to soundstong ad? howello?


677


INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.


:


mained on the farm until seventeen years of age. He then engaged as a clerk for Hinkle & Son (his uncle and cousin), at Lunenburg, where he re- mained until 1876, after which, in May of that year, he embarked in merchandising for himself at Melbourne. He carried on business at that place until 1883, when he sold out and removed to Bates- ville, where he carried on the business alone. The firm was changed in 1885 to J. A. Hinkle & Co., by adding Jeff P. Hinkle, a cousin, and thus con- tinued until H. H. Hinkle, another cousin, and brother of Jeff P., became a member of the firm, and the title was changed to Hinkle & Co. This firm carry a full line of general merchandise, valued at from $12,000 to $15,000. They are doing a good business. Jeff P. died in April, 1889. H. H. Hinkle retired from the business in 1888, and engaged in the banking business, which bank was consolidated into a stock company in July, 1889, with H. H. Hinkle as cashier. Thus John A. was left alone to run the mercantile department. Mr. Hinkle has a wide experience in merchandis- ing, having followed the business from seventeen years of age. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Talitha Kilpatrick, of Hazlehurst, Miss., and the daughter of William A. Kilpatrick. Mrs. Hinkle is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hinkle is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Batesville Telephone Company; is also vice-pres- ident of the board of directors of Batesville Tele- phone Company; is a member of the board of directors of Batesville Printing Company, and of the board of directors of the Bank of Batesville.


William D. Hodges, who is classed among the most independent and progressive farmers of Northeast Arkansas, was born August 18, 1833, and is a son of Fleming and Sarah (Kimzey) Hodges, both natives of North Carolina. The father died in the State of Alabama about the year 1843, and the mother was again married some time afterward, her second husband being David C. Whitehead of that State. They emigrated to Arkansas in 1855, where the mother died in 1878. The birthplace of William D. Hodges was in Flat Rock, N. C., and he received the greater portion of his education at Burrett College, in Spencer, Tenn.


In 1879 he was married to Mrs. Mary Hinkle, a charming widow, by whom he had one child, William D., Jr. Mr. Hodges commenced in busi- ness for himself in 1855, and continued up to 1862, accumulating in that time considerable property, and being quite a large slave-owner. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served about three years in the commissary department, and at the close of hostitilities he returned to Independ- ence County, and again commenced farming and milling. . In connection with those two branches he operates a cotton-gin, which has been one of the most successful in that section. Mr. Hodges is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and is always foremost in aiding and encouraging any- thing, which, in his judgment, will advance the interests of his county and State. He is a Demo- crat in politics and has held several offices, but has declined time and again to fill any political office for the last year or two. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church with his wife, and is always interested in educational and religious matters, and in secret orders he is a member of Jackson- port Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., as well as of Danlis Chapter of the R. A. M., at Oil Trough. Mr. Hodges is one of the largest land owners in this section, his land comprising 8,000 acres, with some 850 acres under cultivation. The balance, which is almost all bottom land, and situated in Jackson and Independence Counties, is rented by tenants, and some of it used for grazing purposes. He owns 200 head of cattle, horses and mules, and at one time kept a great many sheep, but finds the latter are not an advantage financially.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.