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 42
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siding in Missouri a year or two he rode on horse- back from St. Louis to the then Territory of Arkan- sas, arriving at Batesville on May 1, 1832, and soon afterward settled in Greenbriar Township, on the place where he still resides. Job Stark, the ma- ternal grandfather, a native of Kentucky, arrived in Independence County, Ark., with his family, in the month of December, 1832, and purchased a farm three miles east of Batesville, where he resided until his death. He was a noted Indian fighter in his earlier days, and took part in the War of 1815. Robert Neill, the paternal grandfather, was born and reared in the State of Delaware, and emi- grated to Kentucky, near Maysville, about the year 1800, where he resided for some time, and then moved to Southern Ohio, where he remained until his death, when he was over eighty years old. Henry Neill was a tanner by trade, and soon after his arrival in Arkansas established a tannery, where he now resides, and did business in that line for forty-eight years. In 1846 he was elected a mem- ber of the legislature and served one term, and, in the years 1847-48, he held the office of register of the United States land office at Batesville. Later on he was elected judge of the county and probate court, serving from 1874 to 1576, and was, before that, a justice of the peace for several years. He was one of the most prominent citizens of In- dependence County, and a man of great influence, and though now in his eighty-second year, still en- joys much activity for his age. The mother is yet living in good health, in her seventy-third year. They were the parents of eight children. of whom four are yet living: Gen. Robert Neill, Elizabeth, wife of Dr. L. A. Dickson; Florence, wife of Maj. George W. Rutherford, and Delia, widow of Mar- ion Hulsey. Gen. Robert Neill received a fair English education in his youth, in the schools of the county, and in 1839 went to Ohio and took a course in land surveying. He followed that pro- fession until the outbreak of the war, in 1861, and then enlisted at Batesville, in Company K, First Regiment of Arkansas Mounted Rifiemen, Con- federate Army. He entered service as a private, but was soon promoted to the grade of first ser. geant, and at Corinth, Miss., in 1862, received the
rank of first lieutenant, and later that of captain of the company, on the death of his captain. His bravery was rewarded, and his gallant actions through the war won for him promotion up to his 1 present title. Gen. Neill took part in the battles at Oak Hills, Mo., Richmond, Ky., and the skir- mishing around Corinth, Miss., in 1862, and in the spring of 1864 was captured in Louisiana, while attempting to make his way back to his reg- iment. He was taken as a prisoner to Camp Chase, and from there to Fort Delaware, where he was confined for seventeen months. After the surren- der, in 1865, he returned to his home and taught school for three months, and then entered into the tanning business with his father until 1866, when . he was elected clerk of the circuit clerk, an office he held until the reconstruction of the State, in 1868. During this time he read law and in No- vember, 1868, was admitted to the bar, but entered into commercial life until 1872, when he commenced to practice his profession, which he has continued ever since. He has the reputation of being one of the ablest lawyers in Arkansas, and as a speaker has but few superiors. In 1874 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel in the State Guards, by Gov. Baxter, and gave efficient aid to the State during the Brooks-Baxter embroglio. Gen. Neill was severely wounded and disabled for many months at the battle of Oak Hills in 1861, while fighting on "Bloody Hill," by a musket ball passing through his left thigh; in the same battle his brother, Job S. Neill, a youth of twenty years. who belonged to the same company, was killed on the field, after displaying great courage and cool- ness. In 1877 he was appointed a brigadier-gen- eral in the State militia, by Gov. Miller, his for- mer law partner, and assigned to the command of the fifth military district of the State. a position which his large army experience rendered him en- tirely capable of filling with credit. In April. 1869, Gen. Neill was married to Miss Mary Adelia Byers, one of Batesville's fairest daughters and almost a native of the town. Ten children have resulted from this union, of whom seven are living: Arthur, Ernest, Hugh, Clare, Ella Byers, Esther Annie and Robert, Jr. Gen. and Mrs. Neill are
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members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; the former is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and a companion of the Royal Arch degree; has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1861, and has served for two years as a district deputy grand master of Masons of Arkansas. He is a stockholder in the Batesville Telephone Company, the Batesville Water and Electric Light Company, the Batesville Printing Company and the Batesville Building and Loan Association. for which last named corpora- tion he is attorney. He is also the Arkansas attor- ney for the St. Louis Manganese Company, a for- eign corporation, engaged in mining and shipping manganese ore from Independence County, and is the attorney for the Adler Bank, located and doing business at Batesville. In June, 1888, he attended the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, as one of the delegates from the First Congres- sional district of Arkansas, and was the vice-presi- dent of the convention from his State.
W. T. Nesbit is a young man who is rapidly and surely making his way to the front among the energetic business men of Independence County, and, although only twenty-nine years of age, he has built up a large patronage by strict attention to each minor detail of his chosen calling, and can not fail to succeed. He is a native resident of Independ- ence County, and was born May 28, 1860, being there brought up and educated; and in addition to attending the common schools, he entered the Arkansas College, at Batesville, in which institu- tion he finished his education. His attention dur- ing his early youth was given to assisting his father on the farm, but in 1884 he gave this up to engage in the mercantile business in Sulphur Rock, where he does an annual business of about $30,000. He has recently built a business house, 60x24 feet, which is the only two-story business house in the town. His average stock amounts to nearly $4.500, and his credit business amounts to $12,000. He employs two clerks. On commencing business for himself, in 1883, his capital amounted to about $2.50, but as mentioned in the beginning of this sketch, his success is owing to his energy, excel- lent business qualifications and attention to details.
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Mr. Nesbit's wife, whom he married in 1885, was formerly Miss Mollie Carter, also a native of Inde- pendence County, Ark. They have one child. William E. Mr. Nesbit is a son of W. H. and Catherine (Herrington) Nesbit, both Tennesseeans, who emigrated to Arkansas about 1850, where the father died ten years later. The mother is still living and is the worthy companion of William Wilson. To her first marriage five children were born, of whom our subject is the youngest. The great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, who emi- grated to the United States and settled in North Carolina, where the grandfather was born. He afterwards moved to Mississippi. The father was a soldier in the Mexican War. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Democrat, and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in the A. F. and A. M., also holding membership in several benevolent associations.
William B. Norvell is a prosperous agricultur- ist of this region, and successfully manages his farm of 240 acres, which lies in section 34, Gains- boro Township, and is an exceedingly fertile tract of land. In addition to this, he has devoted his attention to the profession of school-teaching, in which occupation he has met the universal ap- proval of those whom he has served. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn., on the 23d of July, 1846, and is a son of E. M. B. and Jerusha (Arnold) Norvell, who were born in Bedford County, Tenn., and North Carolina, respectively, and were married in the former State in 1837; nine of their ten children being yet living. The father was a farmer by occupation, a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife were consistent members of the Baptist Church. William B. Nor- vell first attended the common schools of Bedford County, Tenn., and then entered as a student the Cedar Grove Academy, in which well-known insti- tution he remained for some time and received an education of more than ordinary thoroughness. Miss Sarah A. Rogers became his wife. she having been born in Independence County, Ark., and their marriage has resulted in the birth of three , sons and five daughters, one daughter being a deaf mute. Mr. Norvell has held the office of justice of
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the peace for about two years, and for about six years has been a school director. While in Ten- nessee he joined the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges, and still holds his membership in that State. He belongs to the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is an ordained deacon. Mr. Norvell is an exceptionally intelligent man, and is thor- oughly posted on all the current topics of the day, and takes an active interest in all enterprises tending to benefit the county.
Robert G. Osborne, one of the leading citizens of the county of Independence, was born in Hay- wood County, North Carolina, November 27, 1853, and is a son of Enoch M., and N. E. (Howell) Osborne, also natives of Haywood County, North Carolina. Enoch M. Osborne died in Independ- ence County, Ark., in 1876, at the age of sixty- one years; his widow is now residing in Ashe- ville, N. C., having returned to her native State after her husband's death, for the purpose of educating her children. They removed in 1855 from North Carolina and bought 550 acres of land in Independence County, Ark., which they cleared and cultivated. Enoch M. Osborne was a man of great enterprise and ability, and was a very suc- cessful farmer. He and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and of their family of eight children, seven are now living, viz. : Robert G. ; William H., a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, now located at Jonesboro, Tenn. ; Thomas S., a lawyer of Ft. Smith, Ark. ; James H., a merchant of Asheville, N. C .; Fannie, wife of Thomas Drummond. land agent at Greenville, Tenn .; Joseph C. died October 21, 1888, at the age of twenty years, while attending college at Asheville, N. C .; Mary A. with her mother, and John M. also at college. Robert G., the eldest child, received his education in Independence County, Ark., and after the death of his father continued farming on the old homestead, which he now owns. He also owns 193 acres in White River Township, 160 in Black River Township, as well as town property in Sulphur Rock, all of which has become his through close application and en- terprise, that have won for him so much success
in his chosen occupation of farming. In 1880 Mr. Osborne married Amanda E. McPhearson, a daughter of Joseph McPhearson, now deceased. She was born in Alabama in 1860. Of the five children born to their marriage three are living, viz .: Fannie, Morgan and Maudie, the last two twins. _ Adolphus and Willie are deceased. Polit- ically, Mr. Osborne is a Democrat, as was also his father. The family is of English descent, and is widely known and highly respected in Independ- ence County.
Joseph Ottinger. Within the limits of Inde- pendence County, Ark., there is no man of more progressive spirit or of greater recognized worth than Mr. Ottinger. Born in Cocke County, Tenn .. June 15, 1838, he is a son of Michael and Eliz- abeth (Winter) Ottinger, also Tennesseeans, the former's birth occurring in Greene County, in 1802. He was also educated in this county, and, as he grew up, learned the lessons of industry, frugal habits and economy-lessons which he ever re- membered and which stood him in good stead in after life. He became a wealthy planter of that State, and at one time owned 1,020 acres of land. He was married in 1823, and eleven children were born to himself and wife, six of whom are yet liv- ing. He held the office of constable for some time. He and wife were members, in good standing, in the Lutheran Church. He died in 1877, followed by his wife a few years later, in 1881. Joseph Ottinger was educated near Newport, Tenn., and for a number of years has been a resident of Inde- pendence County, Ark. He owns 239 acres of average land, and, from his earliest recollections, has been familiar with farm work (a secret, doubt- less, of his success). He was married near New- port, Tenn., to Miss Sarah A. Davis, who was born and reared in that State. To them a family of nine children have been given, eight sons and one daughter, and eight of the family are still living. Mr. Ottinger is a member of the Masonic order, and has held the office of secretary and treasurer of his lodge. He is also a member of the Agri- cultural Wheel, and he and wife are connected with the Baptist Church, and are always interested in enterprises tending to benefit their adopted
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
county. The maternal grandparents were Penn- sylvanians, who were among the pioneer settlers of Tennessee.
Margaret F. Owen, widow of John M. Owen, of White River Township, Independence County, was born in Alabama in 1850. She is a daughter of Michael K. and Matilda (Dutton) Crow, both natives of Virginia. Michael K. Crow was born in 1825; he grew to manhood in Virginia and Tennes- see, and was married in Alabama, to which State his parents had removed. In 1860 he emigrated to Arkansas, locating on a farm in Independence County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Confederate soldier, and was wounded by the fall of a horse at the battle of Helena. He : died in 1883, and his wife, who was also born in 1825, died in 1881. A double monument marks their graves in the neighborhood in which the lat- ter part of their lives was spent. They were the parents of seven children, viz .: Margaret F., Mary M., Reuben M., George (who died in infancy), William C., Riddie A. and Thomas J. Though not a member of any church, Michael Owen was a great Bible student, and was exceedingly charitable. He was of German descent, while his wife was of Irish origin. Margaret F. attended the common schools of Independence County, and at the age of eighteen years married John M. Owen, who was born in Big Bottom Township, Independence Coun- ty, in 1836, being nearly fifteen years her senior. They were blessed with five children, viz. : Alfred C., Edward, Thomas, Eunice and Mabel. Mr. town council, and has also filled the position of Owen served the Confederacy four years during the late war, and lost his health while in the army. He died March 22, 1884, leaving a good farm, upon which his widow now resides. He was a member of the Christian Church, and in politics was a Democrat.
T. B. Padgett, real estate and insurance agent. Batesville. In all business communities the matter of insurance holds a prominent place. It is a means of stability to all business transactions, and a mainstay against disaster, should devastation by fire sweep property or merchandise away. Among those engaged in the insurance business in Bates- ville is Mr. T. B. Padgett, who is a native Vir-
ginian, born in Fairfax County, in September. 1839. The Padgett family comes of Virginia stock, settling there at an early day. William B. and Harriet T. (Ossmon) Padgett, parents of T. B. Padgett, were also natives of Virginia, and the father was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit he carried on for years. He died in Virginia, and the mother in Missouri. T. B. Padgett passed his youth and early manhood in the grand old State of Virginia, and there received a good com- mon education. Early in life he was apprenticed to the drug business in Washington City, D. C., and there remained until 1860, when he came to Batesville, Ark., and engaged as clerk in the drug trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Arkansas Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Shiloh, and all the principal engage- ments of the Western army. He was wounded both at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, and quite severely at the last named place, being disabled from duty for some time. He ranked as second lieutenant. After the surrender he went to Alex- andria, Va., and after remaining there a little over a year, he returned to Batesville. He again en- gaged in the drug business, and carried it on until 1875, when he commenced in his present business. He represents fifteen of the leading insurance companies, is a thorough-going, persevering and enterprising business man, and is deserving of all business success. He has been a member of the
:town treasurer, recorder, county assessor, and deputy collector for ten years. He was married in 1868 to Miss Elvena Maxfield, by whom he has four children living. He was married the second time, in 1882, to Miss Martha E. Moore, and two children were born to this union.
Robert A. Patterson is a native farmer and stock raiser of Independence County. where he has lived all his life. He was born in 1824, and is a son of Thomas and Martha (Bruce) Patterson. Thomas Patterson was born in Tennessee, where he grew to manhood and married, and soon after the War of 1812 moved to Missouri. settling on the James Fork of White River, from which location
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he was driven away by the Indians. He then re- moved to Independence County, Ark., and settled on a small improvement on Polk Bayou, where he improved a good farm, to which he devoted his at- tention the remainder of his life; he was among the pioneer settlers of White River Township, and his death occurred in 1857. Mrs. Patterson was a native of North Carolina, and survived her hus- : band until 1875. Of their large family three sons and seven daughters lived to be grown, of whom our subject was the third born. The mother was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Patter- son served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Robert A. was deprived almost entirely of any school ad- vantages, as the country was so sparsely settled, and schools were not organized. He lived at home until twenty-one years of age, when he worked one year as a mill hand, and afterward engaged in farming. In March, 1848, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Johnston and Elizabeth Clark. Mr. Clark was reared in Illinois, but was married in Missouri, in which State the parents lived until Mrs. Patterson was nine years old. They then re- moved to Independence County, Ark., where Mrs. Clark died, in November, 1862. Mr. Clark died the same month in St. Louis while serving as lieu- tenant of an Arkansas regiment, Federal army; he was a millwright by trade, and also a farmer. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson seven are living, viz. : Mary J., wife of William I. Marshall; Sarah I., wife of J. M. Patterson; Thomas S., Robert A. R., John H., George W. W. and Lauretta. After his marriage Mr. Patter- son settled on his present farm, which was then entirely unimproved; of his 283 acres he now has about sixty under cultivation. He also carries on wagon-making in connection with his farming. He is one of the oldest residents of Independence County, whose birth occurred here, and is one of the best known and most respected citizens. Mr. Patterson was formerly a Democrat, but since the war he has been a Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and he and wife are con- sistent members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Patterson's maternal grandfather. Lewis Roan, was a native of England, and when but twelve
years of age came to America, where he fought all through the Revolution for the freedom of the colonies. He reared a large family in this country, where he spent the remainder of his life. James Clark, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Patterson, was an early settler of Illinois. He afterward lived some years in Missouri and subsequently located in Independence County, Ark., where he died. It is supposed that all of the family, except himself and one sister, were killed by the Indians when he was a boy.
William C. Pearce, postmaster, justice of the peace and notary public, Oil Trough, Ark. A representative citizen of Independence County, and a man recognized and respected as such wher- ever known is Mr. Pearce. He never engaged very largely in agricultural pursuits, but is generally in business, and is also occupied in his official duties. He owes his nativity to Henderson County, Tenn., where he was born on the 13th of March, 1836, and is the son of John and Lucy (Collins) Pearce. John Pearce came to Arkansas, with his family, in 1850, located on land near Fairview, Independ- ence County, where he remained for about eight years. He cleared about twenty-five acres, erected log houses, stables, etc., but exchanged this for land nearer Fairview, and made this his home for fifteen years. The mother died in 1875, and he one year later. William C. Pearce received his education principally in the schools of Independ- ence County. In 1858 he left the parental roof to engage as clerk with Col. James H. Patterson, who carried a general line of merchandise in Jackson County, and remained there until 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Eighth Regiment, Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, in the capacity of private, hos- pital steward and druggist. He participated in all the battles in which his command engaged. but space will allow the mention only of some of the most prominent: Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, and, in fact, all the engagements of the Atlanta cam- paign, Jonesboro being the last. He was with Gen. Hood in his campaigns, during his command of the Confederate army, but left his company on a sixty days' furlough in the latter part of the war.
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