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 41
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engaged in business with G. W. Browning, and came to Sulphur Rock, where he was engaged in merchandising until 1886, and has since been in the lumber business. He is quite well fixed finan- cially, and the father, at the time of his death, owned nearly 2,000 acres, his estate being one of the largest and richest in the county. F. B. Meri- wether is one of the leading young business men in Independence County, and, as a young man, is very popular with his associates. Unlike most persons to whom a competence is left, he has not foolishly squandered it, but has continued to add to it, and is now ranked among the wealthy resi- dents of the county. His parents, W. D. and Eleanor Meriwether, were Kentuckians, the former being a native of Shelby County, where he was born September 5, 1822. He was taken by his parents to Mississippi, thence to Independence County, Ark., where both his father and mother died. At the time of his marriage, he had very little property with which to commence life, but he opened a country store on his forty-acre farm, and at the breaking out of the war, owned an extensive tract of land, a lucrative mercantile business, and thirty-five negroes. He was a very heavy loser during the war, and during this period the most of his time was spent in St. Louis and Little Rock. After the war he again opened busi- ness on his farm, and did exceptionally well until 1871, when he and family moved to Sulphur Rock, and for the next eight years were engaged in busi- ness at this point. From that time until 1883, when the father died, they were occupied in merchandis- ing at Batesville. He was one of the shrewdest and most successful merchants of the State, and was justly called the "Cotton King of Northeast Arkansas." In his family were twelve children: Mary, who died when six years of age; Julia, the wife of G. Brown; Buck, George, Martha, Jo- hanna, wife of Dr. J. W. Hodges; William, Frank B. (our subject), Clinton, David, who died at the age of three years; Eliza, who died at the age of three and one-half years, and Thomas, who died when an infant. The maternal grandfather died at the age of one hundred and three years.
Killis J. Mills, an enterprising farmer and
stock raiser of Greenbriar Township, Independence County, was born in White County, Tenn., in 1835. His parents were James and Rachel (Pen- nington) Mills, natives, respectively, of South Caro- lina and Tennessee. At the age of five years James Mills went with his mother to White County, Tenn., his father, Lewis Mills, having been killed in the War of 1812. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and spent the greater part of his life in White County, Tenn., where he died in 1883. His wife is still living in White County, aged about seventy- four years; she is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a daughter of John Pennington, also of White County, where he died, having made his home there for many years. To James and Rachel Mills were born three sons and six daughters, of whom our subject was the third. In February, 1858, Killis J. married Lean, daugh- ter of Thomas and Deidamia Elms, who located in Independence County in 1859. Mrs. Elms is still living. Mr. Elms was a teacher by profession. and for several years served as sheriff in Putnam County, Tenn. ; he died in 1860. Mrs. Mills is a native of White County, Tenn. The year after his marriage Mr. Mills located in Van Buren County, but three years later removed to his present farm in Independence County, which was then unim- proved; he has two farms, 136 acres in all, which he now has well improved and under cultivation. During the late war he served nearly four years in the Confederate army; he first enlisted in Company D, First Arkansas Infantry, in which he served nearly three years, subsequently joining Capt. McGuffin's company of cavalry. remaining until their surrender, at Jacksonport, in June, 1865: he participated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena and Little Rock, and while serving in the cavalry was with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri. At the close of the war Mr. Mills returned to his home, and again turned his attention to farming. at which he has been very successful. He is a member of Neill Lodge No. 82. A. F. & A. M., at Jamestown. Politically, he was reared a Whig. but is now a Prohibitionist. Mrs. Mills is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. They have two children-James T. and Elizabeth.
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H. L. Miniken, a prosperous business man of Batesville, and one of its leading citizens, was born in that city on August 9, 1850, and is a son of John and Jane (Middleton) Miniken, of Washing- ton County, Penn. The Miniken family were early settlers of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors origin- ally came from England. The great-grandfather's brother was a noted Tory, who, at the outbreak of the Revolution, returned to England, where all trace of him was lost. John Miniken emigrated to Zanes- ville, Ohio, and remained at that place for a few years, when he traveled further west, making the trip by water. The boat in which he took passage contained a great number of emigrants, and one day an explosion occurred, which completely wrecked the vessel and killed a number of people. Fortunately, however, the greater portion of them were picked up out of the water, and among the sur- vivors was Mr. Miniken, who returned home, and again started west with his family, but traveling this time by wagon, and coming all the way overland. He arrived at Batesville, with his family all in good health, and immediately entered into the drug business at that place, afterwards carrying a large stock of general merchandise. Mr. Miniken rose rapidly in the estimation of the people in his new home, and after residing here some time, rep- resented Independence County in the legislature for one term, and also served as county judge. He was was a very prominent man and influential citizen up to the time of his death, in 1852. The mother is still living and enjoying fair health. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom only four are living: Julia, wife of Charles Bag- ley, a resident of California; Jane A., wife of the Rev. P. Hickerson; Helen, and Harvey L., the lat- ter being the youngest of the family. He was reared and educated in Batesville, were he was engaged for some years in the livery business. In 1879 he commenced dealing in general merchan- dise, a business he has continued ever since, meet- ing with great success, owing to his method of transacting business. Mr. Miniken has adopted certain rules for his establishment from which he never deviates. His practice is to sell the best goods at the lowest price, to be fair and square in
all of his actions, and these methods have given him a reputation and enlarged his business to such an extent that he is now looked upon as an author- ity in commercial circles. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Sarah J. Lawton, of Washington Coun- ty, Penn., by whom he has had one child-Dona- hue L. Mr. Miniken is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a stockholder in the Building and Loan Association of Batesville and St. Louis. He also has an interest in the Batesville Canning and Evaporating Company.
D. C. Montgomery is a man well remembered in Batesville, and one with whom many of the old landmarks of that city are associated. He was born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1810, and was reared and educated at that place. Upon reaching his maturity he learned the carpenter's trade, and after becoming proficient in that, moved to the State of Illinois, where he followed his avocation of carpentering for some years. He next moved to Missouri, and there formed the acquaintance of Urban E. Fort, at one time a well-known and pop- ular citizen of Independence County, and from him learned of the opportunities offered in Bates- ville. He came to that place in 1840, and, after a few years' residence, was one of its most prosper- ous and enterprising young mechanics. It was here that he met his first wife, Miss Pheamster, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy, and was shortly afterwards followed by the mother. In 1859 he was married to Miss Mary A. Rutherford, a sister of ex-State Senator Rutherford, but had no children by this wife. In time, Mr. Montgom- ery became the leading carpenter and contractor in Batesville, and many of the old buildings were erected by him and his then young associates. George Case, Samuel B. Wycough and Thomas Wamac. At the close of the war, or about 1867. he moved to his late residence, some six miles from Batesville, where he led a quiet and easy exist- ence up to the time of his death. He was one of the thirteen persons who formed the organization of the Presbyterian Church in Batesville, many years ago, all of whom have since died, and he was one of the leading spirits in all public enterprises. Mr. Montgomery was one of the few men who were
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not afraid to express their candid opinion on polit- ical or religious subjects, and in every case his views were correct and judgment good. He held a high place in the hearts of his fellow-citizens, and out of the entire community it would have been impossible to pick his enemy. During the war he was appointed postmaster at Batesville, and previous thereto was elected, through his own merits, to the legislature for five successive terms, and filled the position honorably. Mr. Montgom- ery helped to build the first house in Hughes' ad- dition to Batesville, and had no superiors in his trade. He left no children at his death, but his widow still survives him, and resides on the home farm, where she owns some 300 acres of land, with about 100 acres under cultivation, and which is creditably managed by her brother, James Ruth- erford. Many of the citizens of Batesville have passed away to their eternal sleep, but none have ever left a void in the hearts of their fellowmen as did Mr. Montgomery, who, although his form has departed forever from the gaze of loving friends, his name still lingers, and will last in their memory as long as life remains in the community.
Jesse A. Moore, a well-known and respected citizen of Independence County, is a native of Jef- ferson County, Tenn., where he was born Febru- ary 7, 1840. His father, I. W. R. Moore, was also born in the same county and State in the year 1808. It was there he met and married Miss Julia Moore, of Hawkins County, Tenn., whose parents, Hugh and Sarah Moore, of Virginia, had first set- tled in that place shortly after marriage, and some years later moved to Jefferson County. This hap- py marriage was productive of seven children, three sons and four daughters: George L., a resi- dent of New Orleans; Hugh L., who married Miss Eliza Dickson, of Hawkins County, Tenn. ; Mary, wife of John Coke, of Tennessee; Martha R., wife of Matterson Love, a native of North Carolina; Julia Ann, who married Lucian Welch, of North Carolina; Sarah, not married-now residing in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jesse A., who, like his father, married a Moore, the lady being Miss Eli- zabeth Moore, of Arkansas. This union gave Mr. Moore and his wife three boys and two girls, of
whom three children are still living: Jessamie, Mal- colm and Ernest. By industry, economy and good management Mr. Moore has accumulated quite a snug competence. He owns about 400 acres of land, and has 200 acres under cultivation, besides possessing ten town lots in a valuable portion of Moorefield. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and has held the office of Worshipful Mas- ter for four years, and was also elected a member of the legislature in 1873, but through some polit- ical chicanery Mr. Moore was not allowed to take his seat in that body that year. In 1885. how- ever, he was elected and served in the legislature, and also has charge of the postoffice at Moorefield. His wife is a regular attendant of the Methodist Church, and a devout Christian lady.
M. M. Moore, grocer at Sulphur Rock, is a son of James F. and Anna G. ( Dillingham ) Moore, both of whom were born in North Carolina, the former's birth occurring in Iredell County, and the latter's in the year 1813. They were married in Independence County, Ark., whither the father came in 1819, and the mother with her parents when a child. They reared their family in this county and here the father was engaged in black- smithing, carriage-making, farming and stock rais- ing. In these enterprises he accumulated a large fortune, and died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife when thirty five years old. He was a Whig in politics, and two of the four chil- dren born to himself and wife are now living. The paternal grandfather, John Moore, was born in Scotland and came to the United States, locating in North Carolina, where he married and spent his life, dying at the age of one hundred years. M. M. Moore grew to manhood in Independence County, but owing to the scarcity of schools in his youth, he received a limited early education. Brought up to a knowledge of farm life, he very naturally chose that as his calling at first, but when the war broke out laid down his farm work to en- list in the Confederate army. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and. accepting Lincoln's proclamation, he did not return to service, but came home and resumed farm work. continuing until 1875, when, with keen business
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foresight and realizing the advantages to be gained in conducting a grocery, he embarked in the busi- ness at Sulphur Rock. In connection with this he looks after the interests of his farm, which com- prises 240 acres. He is a member of the Metho- dist Church, and in his political views is a Repub- lican. He was first married when twenty-seven years of age to Miss Fannie Rushing, who died in 1876, having borne the following children: John, who died when six years of age; Mary, wife of Everett Murphy; Daniel, Susie, who died at the age of ten years; Rosa and Enoch. His second wife was Miss Mary Moore, and their two children are named John N. and Fannie. In his younger days Mr. Moore taught school for about ten years in Northern Alabama and some in Independence County, Ark.
Col. T. J. Morgan, farmer and stock raiser, and one of the best known men in Independence County, was born near Hamburg, S. C., in the year 1827. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Vaughn) Morgan, of Edgefield District, South Carolina, and Augusta, Ga., respectively, who were married in Abbeville District, South Caro- lina, where they resided until 1832, and then emigrated to Independence County, Ark. The parents were among the earlier settlers, and came here when Independence County was a wilderness. They bought some land and began improving it, and in time, as the country began to settle up, the father became one of its leading men. He was a successful farmer and a highly respected citizen, and for some years held the office of justice of the peace, being also associate judge of the Independ- ence County court. His father, William Morgan, was also a native of South Carolina, of Irish and Welsh descent, and fought in the War of 1812. In 1832 he moved to Texas, where he resided until his decease, his occupation during that time being that of farmer, trader and saw-mill operator. His father, Elias Morgan, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America when a young man and re- sided in South Carolina for the remainder of his life. The maternal grandfather, Thomas J. Vaughn, was a prominent contractor and builder, of Eng- lish and Welsh origin, who died when Mrs. John
Morgan was a girl. Col. Thomas J. Morgan was the oldest of four sons and seven daughters, of whom four are yet living, and all residing in Inde- pendence County. He is strictly a self-made man, having attended school but very little in his young- er days, but is possessed of a wonderful amount of knowledge and information on almost every con- ceivable subject, which his natural ability and fine intellect have enabled him to understand thorough - ly. At eighteen years of age he enlisted in Com- pany D, of Yell's Arkansas regiment, and at the battle of Buena Vista was a member of Wood's division of Gen. Taylor's army. He gave four year's service to the Confederacy, and distinguished himself in every action, winning promotion from a private up to his present title. He left the army at Corinth, Miss., and shortly afterward assisted in the organization of Company C, of Col. Robert Newton's regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and com- manded that company until the fall of 1863, when he was promoted to colonel, his regiment being known as Morgan's regiment. He never lost a day by sickness or any other cause, and was in almost every battle of note, as well as Price's raids through Missouri. After the surrender at Jacksonport he returned to his home and family to enjoy the peace he was so well entitled to. Col. Morgan was mar- ried in 1855 to Miss Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Abram and Sebilla Allen, of Alabama, who were among the early settlers of this State, first locating in the river country, and a few years afterwards moving to Independence County, where Mr. Allen became a successful and wealthy farmer. Nine children were born to Col. Morgan and his wife, of whom five sons and two daughters are still living- Eliza Jane, wife of H. F. Dwight; Andrew David. Jefferson D., Mary Ann, wife of John T. Powell: William A., Thomas E. and John A., all of them having been well educated. Col. Morgan and his family lived in different portions of Arkansas and bought land in various sections. He owns 340 acres in one tract, 640 acres in another and 150 acres in still another, besides giving each of his children a generous portion, and has about 300 acres under cultivation. In 1874-75 he represented his county in the legislature, after repeated solicita.
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tion, but since then he has had no further political aspirations. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Neill Lodge No. 285. His grandfather, Elias Morgan, was a cousin of the famous Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary fame, and it is believed that they were the only two of the Morgan family who ever came to America.
Judge Henry Neill, retired tanner of Green- briar Township, owes his nativity to Mason County, Ky., where his birth occurred in 1808, and he is a prominent citizen of this county, respected and esteemed for his sterling integrity, sober, sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal. progress- ive ideas. He is a man whose career has been above reproach. His parents, Robert and Mag- dalena (Black) Neill, were natives of Wilmington, Del., and the father's birth occurred in 1767, the same year in which Gen. Jackson was born. The mother was born some years later, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. They removed to Mason County, Ky., at an early day, and later crossed the Ohio River and settled in the Buckeye State. There the father died at the age of eighty- three, and the mother at the age of eighty-one years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The paternal grandfather of Judge Neill, Robert Neill, was a native of the Emerald Isle. Judge Neill, the sixth of nine children, five sons and four daughters, born to his parents, received a limited common school education, and began for himself at the age of seventeen by learn- ing the tanner's trade. Before reaching his twenty- first year he went to Northeast Missouri, and found a position in a tan-yard, remaining there about three years. In 1832 he came to Independence County, where he followed his trade in a tan-yard until 1834, and then established one of his own on his present farm. This he continued until his age would not permit of further work. In 1836 he married Miss Dorcas Stark, daughter of Job and Elizabeth Stark, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Stark went to Missouri when single, were married there, and there remained until 1832, when they came to Independence County, and there passed their last
days, the mother dying in 1844 and the father in 1845. Both were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years. Mr. Stark followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, and served faithfully and well in the War of 1812. Judge and Mrs. Neill reared six children: Job S., who was killed at the battle of Oak Hill, on the 10th of August, 1861, while serving in the Confederate army; Robert, Elizabeth, wife of Dr. L. A. Dick- son; Florence, wife of Captain George Rutherford; Delia, widow of M. D. Hulsey, who was murdered in 1869; Henry L., who died with consumption, aged twenty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Neill cel- ebrated their golden wedding in 1886, and were the recipients of many tokens of _affection and esteem by their numerous relatives and friends. In 1846 the Judge was elected to the legislature and served one term. He was register of the United States land office at Batesville one year, was county supervisor a few years, and, after the war, was county judge. He was a man whom all relied upon, for his decisions were not made with- out careful and painstaking study of the evidence adduced. He also discharged such duties as are in- cumbent upon the office of justice of the peace for several years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Neill Lodge being named for him; was a charter member, and Master for a number of years. He is an honorary member of Mt. Zion Lodge, Batesville, and was Master over four years. He also belongs to the Chapter at Batesville. He is Democratic in his political preferences, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, in 1836, and has voted for every Democratic candi- date since. Mrs. Neill has been a member of the Methodist Church for forty years.
Gen. Robert Neill, one of the best known law- yers of Northeast Arkansas, was born in Inde- pendence County, November 12. 1838. His par- ents were Henry and Dorcas (Stark) Neill, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. The father was principally reared in Southern Ohio, and from the town of Aberdeen in that State, he, about the time of his majority, went to New Or- leans, the trip being made on a flatboat. He next came to St. Louis, Mo., by steamboat. After re.
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