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 48
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
the State, collected into the treasury, and distrib- uted pro rata to the scholastic population of the State. This would give to each and all an equal share of the school fund, and dispense with all contention and quarreling in school districts about the levy of taxes. The amount expended in Sharp County for the support of the public schools for the year referred to was $7,499.75.
The religious denominations of Sharp County are the Methodist Episcopal, South, Baptist, Chris- tian, Cumberland Presbyterian and one or two organizations of the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant Churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Evening Shade belongs to the Evening Shade Circuit, the other appointments all being in Izard County, where proper men- tion is made. Ash Flat Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Rev. F. M. Smith, pas- tor, has eight appointments: Ash Flat, Shiloh, Liberty Hill, Bethlehem, Pleasant Hill, Pleas- ant Ridge, Stacy Church and Hickory Flat- the latter two being in Izard County-with an aggregate membership of 320. The Mammoth Spring Circuit, composed of Mammoth Spring, in Fulton County, and Hardy and Williford, in Sharp County, Rev. J. F. Troy, pastor, has a membership of forty-five, as given in the last conference minutes. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Maxville, in this county, be- longs to Bethesda Circuit, in Independence Coun- ty. All these belong to the Batesville District. An organization of this denomination at Cala- mine, another at Cross Roads and another in that vicinity belong to the Calamine Circuit, of Newport District. Other appointments outside of the county belong to this circuit. Rev. S. W. Register is the pastor, and the aggregate mem- bership is 231.
The Baptist Church organizations within the county are Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Bethlehem, Pleasant Hill, George's Camp Ground, and Big Creek. Rev. J. L. Foard is pastor of all except the latter, of which Rev. William Johnson has charge.
Of the Christian Church the following organi- zations are well known: Ash Flat, Evening Shade,
Y
£
1
llos e bna
12 av Short Sult tost sild will. Irionsbieg rot zrt loodos thout's betov
zídinóż wygrał T
ofao in continaimonsh eut lo bodastoryto be
simonis Fint of poled, rautos ady to
uni niche spobasinsgro dawido delquel out al quilared
viao bis'sdidw adt to 1999 lowder' wildug out -bebaet
.00.488
735
SHARP COUNTY.
Center, Blannville, Poughkeepsie, and one in the Higginbottom neighborhood, in the northeast part of the county, none of which have a regular pas- tor at this writing.
The Cumberland Presbyterians have a congre- gation at Mt. Carmel, one near Calamine, and one near Highland. Rev. A. C. Evans is pastor at Mt. Carmel.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has an organ- ization at Powell's Chapel, six miles east, and one at Pine Hill, four miles northwest of Evening Shade. The Methodist Protestants have an organ- ization at Liberty Hill.
The following is a list of the names of the county officers of Sharp County, together with the date of terms served by each from the organi- zation of the county to the present time:
Judges: Solomon Yeager, 1868-72; commis- sioners, 1872-74; C. G. Wilson, 1874-76; C. G. Hunn, 1876-78; A. J. Porter, 1878-80; W. G. Matheny, 1880-86; J. M. Montgomery, 1886-88; A. J. Porter, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Clerks: N. McLeod, from August, 1868, until after election; W. T. Cunningham, 1868-72; J. P. Cochran, 1872-76; J. M. Wasson, 1876-78; T. J. Davidson, 1878-80; J. M. Wasson, 1880-82; R. E. Huddleston, 1882-86; Joshua Waim, present incumbent, first elected in 1886.
Sheriffs: James K. Jones, 1868-72; T. Y. Huddleston, 1872-80; A. C. Higginbottom, 1880- 83; George R. Hall, present incumbent, appointed in 1883, elected in 1884, and served continuously since.
Treasurers: D. C. Wolfe, 1868-72; Robert Gray, 1872-78; T. J. Spurlock, 1878-80; W. G. Horton, 1880-82; E. G. Henderson, 1882-84; C. W. Shaver, present incumbent, first elected in : 1884, and served continuously since.
Coroners: J. G. Wolfe, 1868-72; J. T. Mc- Cord, 1872-74; A. R. Hipp, 1874-80; J. D. Hankins, -; A. T. Porter, 1884-86; Charles Horn, 1886-88; B. H. Couch, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Surveyors: W. B. Leverton, 1872-76; T. A. Carolina to Tennessee seventy-four years ago. McGea, 1876-78; W. W. Hill, 1878-80; T. J. Gay, 1880-82; W. W. Hill, 1882-86; D. D. Spur-
lock, 1886-88; Horace Hill, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
Assessors: T. Cunningham, 1868-71; F. Goss, 1871-72; J. R. Metcalf, 1872-74; J. J. T. Mc- Adams, 1874-76; J. W. Bristow, 1876-78; R. B. Bellany, 1878-84; A. C. Higginbottom, 1884-86; John Norman, 1886-88; A. C. Higginbottom, present incumbent, elected in 1888.
The political aspect of the county is shown by the number of votes cast for candidates as follows: At the September election in 1888, for governor, James P. Eagle (Dem.), 983; C. M. Norwood (combined opposition), 711. At the November election for president, Cleveland (Dem.), 913; Harrison (Rep.), 115; Streeter (U. L.), 407; Fiske (Pro.), 2.
Mr. J. L. Abernethy of Evening Shade, Sharp County, Ark., was born at Morganton, on the Little Tennessee River, in Loudon County, East Tenn., on the 3d of March, 1835. He is the young- est son of Rev. Berry and Myra (Cobb) Aber- nethy, formerly of Lincoln County, N. C. The Abernethy family are purely Scotch-Irish blood. As early as the sixteenth century, Rev. John Aber- nethy, a dissenting minister of the Presbyterian faith, in the Highlands of Scotland, attained great distinction as a theologian and author. Later, Dr. John Abernethy, another member of the family, who emigrated to London, was greatly renowned as a physiologist and surgeon. He was a pupil of Sir Astley Cooper, and gave medical lectures for thirty-five years at St. Bartholomew Hospital. He wrote and published many books on medical and kindred topics. MeIlwain, in 1835, published a book entitled " Memoirs of Abernethy," which was re-published in America by the Harpers, and is ex- tensively read. Mr. Abernethy's ancestors came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, set- tling first in Virginia and then in North Carolina. To a man they stood for the colonies, and against the British. His parents emigrated from North 1 Rev. Berry Abernethy was licensed to exhort by Bishop Asbury, and to preach by Bishop Roberts,
D a'llewo
ent to toodeephole as ured, an
Book dansI dor
laiş
Strtab ato lesita a'ydiepredA :16 bror vloviedol dulozeH end of going women
Juodoodmigift .D.L. : 08-9781
Das 4881 at
mye . G .T : BT-STUL .781 0mg. D 2 :28-0
.C .6 :08-4781 eufundo :08-08BE T jeaid null
.8881 01
&:T :87-278L
lze of bransoil
736
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the Methodist Church. In his day, he was a minister and revivalist, and well known in the Holston conference. In 1844 he went with the Church South, and fully maintained his Christian character as a minister and a citizen for about sixty years, and died at Rhea Springs, Rhea County, East Tenn., in 1871, aged eighty-eight years. Mr. Abernethy's mother is still living, at the age of eighty-nine years, and is a hale, hearty and active old lady-a woman remarkable for her strong na- tive intellect, and is thoroughly posted in the great events which have transpired during her long and pleasant life. The parents had eight children: Eliza D., Susan R., Martha M. and Artie A. ; John C., A. Sylvester, James T. and Joseph L. Eliza D. and Sylvester are dead; balance, except the subject of this sketch, now living in East Tennessee. Dr. John C. Abernethy is an eminent physician and surgeon. He was surgeon of the Sixty-second Ten- nessee Confederate Regiment and Brigade, sur- geon of Gen. Vaughan's brigade at Vicksburg. James T., who was residing in Missouri at the be- ginning of the war, adhered to the Union side of the controversy, and became colonel of the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry. The subject of this memoir was educated at the Morganton Academy, under the Rev. T. K. Munsey, and Hiawassee College, under Profs. Doak, Bruner and Duncan. He first studied medicine with Dr. Bickwell, at Madison- ville, Tenn., and attended lectures in 1855-56 at the University of Nashville. Subsequently, in 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service. He enlisted as a private in Capt. Cawood's company, Forty-third Tennessee Regiment, commanded by Col. J. W. Gillespie and Lient. - Col. D. M. Key, now United States judge, residing at Chattanooga. He was soon transferred to the medical service, and was assigned to duty at Loudon Post, in charge of the sick and wounded, where he remained until the spring of 1863. He then resigned for the pur- pose of aiding Col. John A. Rowan in raising the Sixty-second Tennessee Regiment. with a view of be- ing surgeon in the field. After the formation of the regiment, he was, on account of domestic afflictions, compelled to decline the position, and his place was filled by his brother. Mr. Abernethy retired
1
to Khea Springs, and had no further connection whatever with the war of the States. He began the study of law in August, 1863, and gave it unremit- ting attention for more than two years, when he was licensed to practice by Judge E. T. Hall, of Knox- ville, Tenn., and Chancellor D. C. Trewhitt, of Chattanooga, Tenn. He was first admitted to the bar at Washington, Rhea County, Tenn. Subse- quently, he removed to Knoxville, and practiced there until 1870, when, having professional busi- ness in Arkansas, he visited that State, and was so well pleased with the country, and especially with his prospective wife, that he removed to the State of Arkansas, and located at Evening Shade, the county seat of Sharp County, where he has since remained, engaged in the practice of the law, and in farming. In 1880 Mr. Abernethy was the Democratic elector on the Hancock and English ticket, for the Fourth Congressional district of Ar- kansas, and made a thorough canvass of the same. He is now serving his third term as State's attor- ney for the Third judicial circuit of Arkansas, and is faithfully discharging the duties of the office to the best of his ability. In 1858 he was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Johnston, a daughter of James H. Johnston, a leading citizen of Monroe County, Tenn. By her he had three children. One, Joseph L., is dead; the others, Allie and Effie, their mother having died July 9, 1863, he brought to Arkansas in 1871. They are accomplished young ladies. John B. McCaleb, an attorney of good promise, married Miss Allie, and they have three children. Robert E. Huddleston married Miss Effie. They reside at Ash Flat, and have charge of the high school at that place. Mrs. Huddle- ston is an accomplished music teacher, and now has charge of a large class of pupils. In the fall ' of 1871, Mr. Abernethy married the widow of James S. Shaver, on Reed's Creek, Sharp County. She was the daughter of James P. Monger, de. ceased, and is a native of Roane County, East Tenn. The Shaver and Shelby families are closely connected, and were noted people in Southwestern Virginia, and Upper East Tennessee many years ago. Mrs. Abernethy had one son by Mr. Shaver. James R. Shaver, who is now engaged in the study
T
o yh 201080 353
3.00
www film ,aste buds buti-is 美 dj @800.
Theybeof bug . T Aomme b ly 0 lo wal ady be ans eny ed
Strike will In eager dro dyhotody s ofBut his
noffic edf to guirts oflt wilightadarify allandtest at & to shia nounty.
patidid al: 16:3886 000 01
1000
IT81 Diasangli kan raoT
A
bas .3
2.W .1 .100
boiling wou NODE HRW 9H.
our lo sesfor aword R 3784 10 în wubiw edt . 0aim M igrade demo e boodl uo ao7ade
Inous maninaust wd ed bel bris dole odd 10 "J1 20 Job gibis 10
Teilfondi eld yd bofla
deartdodi st bugarhud won al ofw jyoved
planorth AmbodiaM ant ic dallaviven ben codafoiEt xtzi
10.4
ad究 :mad
frest evad doidy
The wispia has anemigel vistabelnoo buate
bolor
38 J plorT yobori
. outothem boibuta -iioAl
Team to viamyinU oill sdthi bodeilne ed .1881 di elsvitq 8 88
737
SHARP COUNTY.
of law in his step-father's law office. Mr. and Mrs. Abernethy had three children: Artie and John Loudon living, and Elsie Pearl, who is dead. Mr. Abernethy owns a farm of about 400 acres, situated on Piney Fork of Strawberry River, one and a half miles from town. On this he has two neat and substantial residences, and about 110 acres in cul- tivation. His home residence is in the suburbs of Evening Shade, surrounded by shrubbery, flowers, forest trees and orchards of the different kinds of fruits. He calls it "Forest Home." Evening Shade is
" The loveliest village of the plain,
Where health and plenty cheer the laboring swain." At the beginning of the National troubles in 1860- 61, Mr. Abernethy doubted the expediency and right of separate State action, and was in favor of remaining in the Union, but after the disruption was an accomplished fact, and the tragedy of war began, he allied himself to the cause of the South, and remained faithful thereto. He believes in maintaining the supremacy of Federal States and individual rights under the laws, and in a revenue tariff, and in a strict construction of the constitu- tion in every article and section thereof. Whilst he is a Democrat from principle and choice, he is conservative, and is neither loud nor illiberal in the expression of his political opinions. He is not a member of any church, but believes all denomina- tions of Christians are meritorious and doing good, more or less. In matters of faith, he is attached to the old-fashioned Methodist doctrines and polity, and thinks the best religion is to live well, die poor, and go to Heaven.
William Jasper Adams, a farmer of North Township, one mile south of Armstrong postoffice, was born in Pulaski County, Mo., May 16, 1836, being the fourth child of a family of nine chil- dren. He was raised in Missouri, receiving his limited education in the common schools. Septem- ber 2, 1859, he married Miss Sarah M. Lee, who was born in Phelps County, Mo., September 2, 1842, and died January 13, 1878. She was the mother of seven children (five of whom are living): William M., John H. (deceased), Elizabeth (de- ceased), Halcoyn (wife of Alex. Smittle), Orlena,
Bethelda and Thomas S. Mr. Adams married his second wife, the widow Gardner, in February, 1879; she was a daughter of Wiley and Matilda Jones, of Tennessee, who were among the early settlers of Phelps County. They have had two children: James M. and Nettie M. Our subject worked three years in Public Iron Works, was two years in the livery stable business, and has been a farmer. In 1887 he came to Sharp County, Ark., where he now resides. He has about 120 acres of land, some eighty-five under cultivation. May 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Confederate army, and served about four years, having been wounded in the right arm by a gunshot. He was in the battle of Lexington. He is a member of the Knights of Honor; in politics is a Democrat, hav- ing cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject's parents were William and Charlotte (Ma- lone) Adams, who were born and raised in Wash- ington County, Ky., he having been born in 1808 and she in 1811. Mr. Adams was a farmer, and came to Pulaski County, in 1833, his nearest neighbor being twenty miles away. He returned to Kentucky in 1840, remaining till 1843, when he returned to Pulaski County, his father coming with him, and settling on the Merrimac, in Dent County. He died August 18, 1885. He was a son of Coonrod and Rebecca (Hawk) Adams, who died in 1846 and 1848, respectively. They were about the first settlers of Dent County, and were of Dutch descent.
Jeremiah Pitt Baird, one of the early settlers and leading farmers of Union Township, residing one and one-half miles east of Williford postoffice, was born in Smith County, Tenn., October 10. 1824, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Pennington) Baird. His father, of Scotch descent, was born in Rowan County, N. C., about 1785, and died in Law- rence County, Ark., in 1857. He married in North Carolina. emigrated from that State to Kentucky in 1817, resided there for one year, when he moved to Smith County, Tenn., and from there to Lawrence County, Ark., in 1841. Mrs. Baird was born in Montgomery County, N. C., near 1791, and died in Lawrence County, Ark., about 1851. Our subject.
1
wot caort sulist e: Isi Jondedra
to abril sentrifiest do aboutpro has caash dassot
r
Bt ebada
,18
gd3 In runs out of Zleamid heilis ed , naged
bản
di VENT
Thứ 200
£
LA SOURCE ouff to 0
al-bforedi od
Hab Allow ovil of er ariadigre de
sulfateog groftamiA to stuos alisteno yukawor agin do vlisest a lo blido Midruot odt quied eid gårvinder iwroteile gi besin saw all aloodes nomsusion edt sinoijaopbe bei mail buib bas Ster om wrzu/fw Jo eviti astblido seres fo iedior (Apesaroh) .H adol , ME metliW. Edit"folhainit zelA 10 oliw) aquelaHl tbeusos
problemy war per
HOWGH
I ir Porsiel lardbolt Jo wasmeans edt yalaintoista s ni bos wist odt sebois aldpis Jan biribil add to poisodraob doista-x ai Eos firmas toguest noites Las slotts viove ui nord
2
738
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the only child living of a family of nine, received most of his education after arriving at maturity, his parents being poor, and he being obliged to work instead of attending school. After coming to Ar- kansas he lived with his parents till their death. In 1859 he married Miss Susan A. More, who was born in Tennessee about 1830, and died October 8, 1884, in Lawrence County. In 1888 he married Isabelle (Wassen) Crawford, a widow. Mr. Baird enlisted in 1863, in the Union Army, in Company C, First Missouri Cavalry, participating in the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, and was discharged in 1865. He has resided on Spring River since 1841, and has about 200 acres of land, eighty-five under cultivation. He has held the office of justice of the peace several terms in Lawrence County, and was one of the assistants of the county court, when it consisted of the judge and two justices. He is a Republican, voting first for Zachary Taylor. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, as was his first wife. Mr. Baird is an influential citizen, well-to-do and highly respected.
James P. Cochran, of the firm of J. P. Cochran & Son, general merchants and dealers in farming implements, was born in De Kalb County, Tenn., in 1832. His parents were William T. and Jane K. (Duncan) Cochran, of Smith and DeKalb Coun- ties, Tenn., respectively, being married in the lat- ter place. The parents moved to Dresden, Weak- ley County, Tenn., when James was very young, and resided there until their decease, Mr. Cochran dying in 1862, and his wife several years after their arrival. The elder Cochran was a tailor and clothier, and, later in life, established a general merchandise store. He built up a large trade, and was one of the most popular merchants of that. section in his day, bearing a reputation for honesty and enterprise that has been well guarded by his son. He fought in one of the Indian Wars, and was a member of the I.O.O.F. His father, Henry Cochran, of Scotch-Irish descent, died in Smith County, Tenn., where he had resided for a great number of years. The mother of James P. Coch-
where he died. James P. Cochran is the eldest of two sons and three daughters. He was educated at the Dresden (Tenn.) Academy and schools in the vicinity, receiving a good English education and business training. At thirteen years of age he held a position of trust with a firm in Dresden, and remained with them eight years. The experi- ence gained in commercial life during that time made him one of the shrewdest business men in his section, although just attaining his manhood, and shortly afterward he entered into partnership with his father, in the same place, and continued with him until an excellent opportunity was pre- sented at Hickman, Ky., to which place he re- moved and established a livery business. Mr. Cochran's marriage occurred at Dresden, in 1857, to Julia, daughter of David and Harriet Shaver, natives of Tennessee, where Mr. Shaver died, when his daughter was very young. The mother afterward moved to Sharp County, where she died a few years later. Mrs. Cochran's death occurred on the 27th of December, 1866; she was the moth- er of one son and one daughter. Mr. Cochran was again married on January 10, 1870, his second wife being Miss Martha M. Shaver, a sister of his first wife, this lady dying March 23, 1886. In 1861 he moved to Salem, and established himself in business, but was compelled to close up on ac- count of the war. In 1865 he was appointed clerk of Fulton County, and in 1866 was re-elected, and held the office for three years. He moved to Sharp County, in 1869, and in 1872 was elected clerk of Sharp County, holding that office for four years. He next occupied the present building and commenced a commercial career, and since then has been one of the most successful business in Sharp County. The firm have a fine stock of goods valued at $5,000. Besides this, Mr. Cochran owns several good farms and some 2,000 acres of land in Sharp County. He is a representative merchant, a shrewd and fair-dealing business man. and one of the most progressive citizens of this section. He has in his possession the first dollar the early days when he had nothing in the world
: ran was a member of the Christian Church, and ; he ever earned, and has kept it as a memento of died in that faith. Her father, Josiah Duncan, was an old resident of De Kalb County, Tenn., , but his own pluck and determination to succeed.
٠ ٠
٢٠
n. to baeteni
.688₺
03 lo bataingos maldugol
letit wist uBv 88
adı ajuomolcati .$881 m
Tortevea sliw aid bra 908I gi
lo elundorout malugoq jaom edt to 400 anw
bas ,era if reibaf ods to gno al fdgrol off Ados vrouH odfint eff . I.O.O.I edt to asdorim & How ariel helfen hed ad windw .asol ytopod root) . T'avaisb to medyour sull' Lasse to rodtuin alint Jadi at boib 1
ni Beating sento
0
1 (bal aids wiw/ -
.1877. 581.30 36003
Lately on sta ande E ai-bas midno) medli'l to
G
739
SHARP COUNTY.
In politics Mr. Cochran is a Democrat, and in re- Vligious faith a Methodist, as also were his two wives.
David Collins, a farmer of North Township, nine miles northeast of Afton postoffice, Fulton County, was born in Indiana, June 2, 1835. His grandfather, Aaron Collins, who was born in North Carolina and married there, moving to Morgan County, Ind., and afterward coming to Missouri about 1834, where he died. David's father, Stephen Collins, was born in Kentucky about 1800, but came to Indiana with his parents when quite young; there he married Mary Lang, moving to Missouri in 1837, and in 1863 went to Lawrence County, and died there in 1864. Our subject's mother was born in Ohio about 1801, and died in Fulton County, Ark., in 1881. She was the mother of five children, David being the third; he was raised in Douglas County, Mo., his schooling being lim- ited to three months .. He lived at home till after his father died, and in 1867 married Miss Martha Hopper, who was born in Indiana in 1841. They have a family of twelve children: Lee, Aaron T., Rosa T., Daniel N., David (infant), now living. Mr. Collins was a resident of Lawrence County for six years, and has resided in Sharp County since 1869. He has 160 acres of land, twenty-five acres of which are under cultivation. In 1862 he en- listed in the Confederate army, and served about two years. In politics he is a Democrat, his first presidential vote being for Cleveland. He is a good citizen and highly respected.
Sam H. Davidson, of Sharp County, was born near Camden, Benton County, Tenn., January 29, 1846. He is a son of John Wallace and Susan L. (Prance) Davidson, born in Huntsville, Ala., in 1814, and Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1818, respectively. The parents were married in Hum- phreys County, Tenn., in 1836, and lived in that State, at Camden, until 1865, when they moved to Graves County, Ky. In 1866 they lived a short time at Jackson, Mo., but during that year changed their residence to Randolph County, Ark., and in 1867 to Doniphan, Ripley County, Mo., thence to Evening Shade, Ark., in 1869, where the father died in October, 1870. Previous to 1852, the
elder Davidson was clerk of the circuit court of Benton County, Tenn., and after that year he practiced law up to the time of his death. In 1859-60 he was a member of the Tennessee legis- lature, representing Benton and Humphreys Coun- ties in the house, and was present at the extra session that paved the way for the secession of Tennessee, giving earnest support to the vigorous war measures of the governor, Isham G. Harris. For many years he was a zealous Mason, and was a member of the Methodist Church from 1865 un- til his death. His father, John Davidson, was born in Virginia or North Carolina during the lat- ter half of the eighteenth century, removed to and was an inn-keeper in Huntsville, Ala., and died there in 1815. His mother was Mary Wallace, of Scottish ancestry, noted for her beauty and culture among the early settlers of North Alabama. The father of John Davidson was Abraham Davidson, a native Pennsylvanian, a soldier of the Revolution, who settled in North Carolina, and afterward in Montgomery County, Tenn., and who died in Ben- ton County, Tenn., in 1838. The father or grand- father of Abraham, James Davidson, was a native of Scotland, who came with his family, and settled near the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, and claimed to be the first Davidson to settle in North America. The mother of Sam H. Davidson is still living, a devout Christian, and has been a member of the Methodist Church for more than forty years. She is a daughter of John Prance, of Scotch and Irish descent, who died in Montgomery County, Tenn. His wife, Mary Cooper, was born in Mont- gomery County, Tenn., and died in McCracken County, Ky. Sam H. Davidson is the seventh child of five sons and five daughters, of whom seven are still living. He attended the Camden (Tenn. ) Acad- emy until 1861, when the Civil War closed up the schools of West Tennessee, after which he pursued his studies at home until the latter part of the war, when he enlisted, serving first in the Tenth and afterward in the Nineteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and taking part in many sharp engagements and brilliant dashes, under Gen. N. B. Forrest, during his operations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missis- sippi. In 1866 he began the study of law with his
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.