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 52
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Ashley Taylor, a prominent farmer of Rich- woods Township. is a son of J. Millidge and Hes- ter A. (Cravens) Taylor, of Missouri and Arkansas, respectively. J. Millidge Taylor moved to the State of Arkansas, with his parents, in 1819, and met the lady who became his wife in Lawrence County, where Ashley was born in 1846. The elder Taylor was a son of J. W. Taylor, one of the earliest settlers of Lawrence County, and died in 1852, his wife surviving him a good many years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Ashley was the seventh, and four of them are still living: William W. and Millidge, residents of Texas; Mary, wife of John Satfell, and Ashley.
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Ashley Taylor remained on the home place until the year 1863, when he joined the Confederate army, becoming a member of one of the Arkansas regiments, in which he did gallant service. On September 12, 1864, he was captured at Thomas- ville, Mo., and taken to the prison at St. Louis. From there he was changed to a prison at Alton, Ill., but again returned to St. Louis, where, with five others, he was sentenced to be shot. The six men awaited their doom with the greatest fortitude, realizing that what was to be was according to the fortunes of war, but shortly before the hour set for the execution a kind Providence saved them from the fate they expected, and others were chosen instead to face the executioners. He was then returned to Alton, Ill., and afterward to Rock Island, where he was held until June 22, 1865, and then released. On his return to Arkansas Mr. Taylor ran a carding machine at Evening Shade for several years, and finally commenced farming again, his occupation previous to the war. He was married in 1875, to Miss America E. Barnett, a daughter of James and Jane Barnett, of Sharp County, and by this marriage has had one son and four daughters. Mr. Taylor lost his wife on Sep- tember 21, 1887. He resided in Lawrence County until 1885, and then moved to Sharp County, but did not settle on his present place until 1887. The land comprises 200 acres, of which 120 acres are under cultivation, all of it being accumulated by Mr. Taylor himself. He is a Democrat in politics and a strong supporter of his party. Mr. Taylor is a member of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, F. &. A. M., and of Royal Arch Chapter No. 50, at Even- ing Shade. He is also a member of the Famous Life Association of Little Rock, his wife, during her life, being a member of the same association. S. Price Turner, one of the leading merchants of Ash Flat, was born in Dent County, Mo., in 1862. His parents were George W. and Leon E. (Dougherty) Turner, both natives of Tennessee, who resided in Dent County, Mo., before the war. The family moved to Baxter County, Ark., in 1864, and from there to Izard County, and, in 1866, settled in Sharp County, coming to Ash Flat one year later. The father entered into com-
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mercial life on his arrival, and was a successful business man up to the time of his death, in Janu- ary, 1885, being one of the most prominent mer- chants and leaders in mercantile affairs in that place. He was an officer in the Confederate army, and served through the war with great distinction. and was also a member of the A. F. & A. M., and Knights and Ladies of Honor. His start in Ash Flat was, similar to that of other self-made men, on almost nothing, but, being a man of energetic and determined spirit, he made a success where many others would have made a failure, and, at the time of his death, left a considerable fortune. Mr. Turner and his wife were both members of the Christian Church, and Mrs. Turner still survives her husband, at the age of fifty-four years. She is a daughter of Sakiah Dougherty, a brave officer, who met death at the battle of Wilson's Creek, in 1861. S. Price Turner has resided in Ash Flat ever since five years old, with the exception of one year at Fayetteville. He attended the State Uni- versity in his youth, and at the age of eighteen was taken into partnership with his father, and re- mained with him until the elder Turner's death. when he succeeded to the business. He has car- ried on the business in the same enterprising man- ner that characterized the father, and has upheld the reputation made by the elder Turner. Mr. Turner, in connection with other members of his family, owns over 1,200 acres of land in Sharp County, besides considerable real estate in Ash Flat, and in the State of California. He was mar- ried, February 19, 1885, to Miss Fannie David- son, a daughter of Dr. Benjamin H. and Atella J. Davidson, both deceased, the former being one of the leading physicians of this county during his life. Mr. Turner and his wife are the parents of one son and two daughters, and they comprise one of the most interesting and happiest families in Ash Flat. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1884 cast his vote for Cleveland. He is also a mem- ber of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, A. F. & A. M .. and was senior warden for two terms. Royal Arch Chapter, Evening Shade, claims him as a mem- ber, as do the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
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the peace, of Washington Township, was born in Alabama, November 15, 1837. His parents were William and Sarah (Hudson) Vance. William was born in North Carolina about 1776, and died in March, 1866, in Sharp County, Ark., when about eighty-six years of age. He emigrated from North Carolina to Tennessee in an early day, with his parents (who were born in Ireland), and from Ten- nessee to Arkansas, in 1848, and located five miles south of where the county seat now is. He was a farmer. His wife died in October, 1858, in Sharp County. She was the mother of fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, only four of whom are now living: Nancy Clark, Claring Norman, Anderson H. and Mary A. Shirley. All but Mary reside in Sharp County, and she in Independence County. The subject of this sketch, the eleventh child, was raised in Sharp County, where he re- ceived his limited education. In 1859 he married Miss Margaret C. Johnson, who was born in East Tennessee, September 2, 1840, and died June 26, 1878. She was the mother of three children, one of whom is living, William Huston. December 3, 1888, he married Sarah J. (Hardester) Douglas, a widow, who was born in Independence County, in 1851. Mr. Vance was in Evening Shade before the town was thought of. In June, 1862, he en- listed in the Confederate army, Company F, under Col. Bob Shaver, serving four years, and partici- pating in the battles of Pleasant Hill (La.) and Jenkins' Ferry (Ark.). He is, and has been since 1867, a member of the Masonic order, and once represented his lodge in the grand lodge. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace of Wash- ington Township, and served eight successive years, and was again elected to the same office in 1888, and is now serving his fifth term. He is a Demo- crat in politics. He has 174 acres of land, and cultivates seventy-five acres of it. He and his first wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, his present wife being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
the latter in Tennessee in 1806. The parents were married in Stewart County, where they resided until the year 1852, and then moved to what is now Sharp County, and lived there until the time of their death. John Walker's father was Samuel Walker, who was born in Ireland and fought in some of the early wars of this country. He was a blacksmith and wood-worker by trade, and moved to Tennessee when John was a boy, where the latter grew to manhood and was married. Samuel J. is the fourth child of a family of eight sons and four daughters. He moved to Sharp County, Ark., with his parents, and was married in that place to Miss Elizabeth Baker, a daughter of Newton and Harriet Baker, of Sharp County. Mr. Walker lost his wife in 1874, after a happy married life, and also a son. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Dun- can, a widow lady, and a daughter of Ephraim and Olive Perkins, of Missouri, and by this marriage he has three children: Minnie J., Maudee and Sam- uel. With the exception of one year's residence in Randolph County, Mr. Walker has lived on his present place ever since his arrival in Arkansas. He then had only two acres of land under cultiva- tion, which he had fenced in a very primitive man- ner, but has increased the number to 300 acres under cultivation, and owns about 1,500 acres alto- gether. He is also an extensive dealer in stock. merchandise and general trading, and is one of the most successful and energetic men in Sharp County. Mr. Walker has secured all of his prosperity by his own efforts since the war. Before that event he had considerable real estate and farms, but lost everything, and after peace had been declared he started in life without a dollar. He served three years in the Confederate army, and was a member of Wood's battalion, on Gen. Price's staff. After two years' service he was discharged on account of disability, and six months later re-enlisted in Col. Love's regiment as a private, where he remained until the close of the war. Few men served their country better than Mr. Walker did, while fighting for the Confederacy. He took part in a great many engagements, and was with Price on his mem- orable raids through Missouri. At home he was
Samuel J. Walker, general merchant and stock dealer, was born in Stewart County, Tenn., in 1829. His parents were John and Susan (Thomas) Walker, the former born in Virginia in 1801. and captured by the enemy and taken prisoner in the
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fall of 1863, and was held about two months at Pilot Knob, afterward taking the oath of allegiance. Later on he was forced into the service again, and surrendered at Jacksonport. In politics, Mr. Wal- ker was a Whig, and cast his first vote for Scott, in 1852, but since the war he has become a true Democrat. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. (now belonging to Wilson Lodge No. 132, at Hardy), for twenty years, and has in that time helped to organize two lodges, also holding all of the principal offices. He is also a member of the Knights & Ladies of Honor, and the Famous Life Association at Little Rock, having belonged to the latter for five years. Mrs. Walker is also a mem- ber of the same association. Mr. Walker is a gen- tleman of great popularity in this locality, and is also counted as one of its wealthiest men. He is full of energy and life in all enterprises, and Sharp County has in him a citizen of whom she may feel proud.
David D. Walker, a retired farmer, residing in Hardy Village, was born in Stewart County, Tenn., November 16, 1844, but came to Sharp County with his parents, who were among the early set- tlers, in the winter of 1852. His father, John Walker, died in Sharp County, and his mother, Susan (Thomas) Walker, died in the same county in 1874. Of a family of twelve children our sub- ject and a brother are the only living members, David being the eleventh. He was raised in Sharp County, but his education was very limited, he having had no opportunity of going to school. In 1866 David married Miss Permelia Webb, who was born in Tennessee, in 1844, the daughter of Thomas J. and Batharba Webb. Mr. Webb was born in Arkansas and his wife in Tennessee, both having died in Arkansas. Mr. Walker's fam- ily has consisted of eight children (two of whom are living): Sarah H. (deceased), Susan M. (de- ceased), Mary E. (deceased), Samuel J. (deceased), Lucy Ann, John W. (deceased), Margie E. (de- ceased) and Newton R. Mr. Walker has about 300 acres of land in Hardy Township, some 200 being under cultivation. In 1864 he enlisted in Capt. Adams' company, in the Confederate army, and served till the close of the war, participating in
the battles of Martin's Creek and Dardanelle. He is a member of Wilson Lodge No. 132, A. F. & A. M., at Hardy, and is a Democrat in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Seymour and Blair. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Joshua Wann, county and circuit court clerk of Sharp County, was born in Jackson County, Ala., in 1836. His parents were the Hon. Joshua and Lydia (Collins) Wann, born in North Carolina in 1796, and Virginia in 1800, respectively, who emi- grated to Kentucky with their parents, and were there married. They afterward moved to Tennes- see, and from there to Alabama, where young Joshua was born, and then came to what is now Sharp County, Ark., where the father died shortly after their arrival. The mother was a Missionary Baptist, and died in that faith in the year 1879. She was a daughter of Thomas Collins, a native of Virginia and of English descent. The elder Wann commanded a company of soldiers during the re- moval of the Indian tribes from Alabama and Georgia in the earlier days, and later in life was a representative from Jackson County, Ala., when the capital was situated at Tuscaloosa. He held the office of assessor and collector of that county for several years, and was a member of the A. F. & A. M. in good standing. He was in the battle of New Orleans, in the War of 1812, and died in Jackson County, Ala., before young Joshua was born. Joshua Wann is the seventh child of four sons and six daughters. One of his uncles, Will- iam Wann, was at one time a member of the Ten- nessee legislature, and died in Lawrence County. Mo. His brother, Landen A., fought in the Mex- ican War, and died at Tampico during the cam. paign. Joshua Wann received his education at the common schools, and early in life, the father being deceased as well as the elder brothers, the support of the family devolved upon him. In 1860 he was married to Miss Zilpha J., daughter of Dr. Burwell and Edith Dawson, of North Caro- lina. Dr. Dawson located in Independence County. Ark., about the year 1857, and wrote for his family to join him there, but upon their arrival they found that death had been before them, and the husband
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and father had passed away. Mrs. Dawson sur- vived her husband until after the war, and died in Sharp County. Mr. and Mrs. Wann have one daughter, Laura A., wife of G. S. Jernigan. The family resided on a farm in Scott Township until 1886, when Mr. Wann was elected to his present office, and then removed to Evening Shade. He was re-elected in 1888, and has filled the office in a highly creditable manner. He gave three years' service to the Confederate cause, and held the rank of captain of Company B, Thirty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, for three years, performing heroic work in Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. He was at the battles of Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Saline River, Jenkins' Ferry, and many others, and later on joined Gen. Price's army, and commanded a com- pany of cavalry in Col. M. D. Baber's regiment. He was present in all the raids through Missouri and Kansas, and was actively engaged until the sur- render at Jacksonport, in 1865. In politics, Mr. Wann has been a Democrat all his life; in 1874-75 he represented Sharp County in the legislature, and was present during the first session after the adoption of the new constitution. He is a charter . member of Reed's Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and has been master, warden and secretary. He also belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor and Eastern Star at Evening Shade. Mrs. Wann has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since her youth, and is a devout Christian. Mr. Wann's success has been due entirely to his own shrewdness and ability, and he is one of the most popular and influential citizens of Sharp County. He has an interest in a small farm in Scott Township, and is an enterprising and pro- gressive man.
Capt. John M. Wasson, a prominent citizen of Sharp County, Ark., is the eldest of a family of six children, and was born in Lawrence County, Tenu., in 1835. He is a son of William Lee and Jane (Matthews) Wasson, born in 1810 and 1813, re- spectively, in the State of Tennessee, where they resided until 1841 and then moved to Searcy County, Ark., but soon afterward came to Lawrence County, Ark. The elder Wasson was one of the pioneers of that section, and settled on a large
farm, which he made one of the most successful in Lawrence County, and in connection with which he ran a blacksmith shop until his death, in 1867. His father, John Wasson, of Scotch-Irish descent, died in Lawrence County, Tenn. Capt. Wasson's grandfather, Thomas Matthews, was a successful farmer during his life. and is also buried in Law- rence County, Tenn. The Captain received a "log cabin " education in his youth, and studied one term in Smithville. Upon reaching his ma- turity he was offered a position in one of the firms at Smithville, and remained with them for several years, afterward going into partnership in the grocery business at Evening Shade with L. S. Bobo, under the firm name of Wasson & Bobo. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company B, of the Twenty-first Arkansas Infantry, and commanded that company as captain until the fall of Vicksburg, where he was captured and paroled and then came home. He was again captured at home in 1863 and imprisoned for a short time at St. Louis, and from there taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, and then again transferred to Johnson's Island, Ohio, where he was held until May, 1865, and then pa- roled and returned to his home. Altogether he was kept a prisoner for one year and a half, and soon after his release he surrendered in June, 1865, at Jacksonport. Capt. Wasson fought well for the cause he undertook, and received many words of praise for his gallant actions during the war. His operations extended through Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi, and he took part in the battles at Corinth, Baker's Creek, Black River, siege of Vicks- burg and many others. While-at the first-named battle he received a gun-shot wound in the right leg and left arm, and in his career through the war had many thrilling escapes from death. In 1866 he was married to Amanda, a daughter of William and Frances French, born in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1820 and 1824, respectively, who immediately after their marriage moved to Arkansas and settled in Lawrence County, where the father died when Mrs. Wasson was a little girl. The mother was afterward married to Col. James H. McCaleb, who died in May, 1885. Mrs. Wasson was born in that portion of Lawrence County which is now
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
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Allen Weaver, one of the first settlers of North Township, resides at what is known as Indian Camp Spring, located near Martin's Creek. His great-grandfather, William Weaver's father, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and fought by the side of Gen. Washington. The grandfather was also William Weaver. His wife was Kesiah Weaver, who died in Tennessee at an advanced old age. The father of our subject, James Weaver, was born in 1812, in North Carolina, but came to Tennessee with his parents when two years old. He was there married to Jane Whitted, in 1836. She was a native of North Carolina, and died Jan- uary 29, 1875, in Sharp County. In 1851 James Weaver came to Polk County, Mo. : in 1852 went to Crawford County; the next year to Oregon, and in 1857 to where our subject now lives, where he died June 18, 1889. On coming to this place he purchased from the government 240 acres of land, at 12} cents per acre; there are now eighty acres under fence. The subject of this sketch is the only child of James and Jane Weaver, with whom he resided until their deaths. His education was limited, and mostly received at home. September 7, 1865, he married Miss Josephine Hollinay, of Knox County, Tenn., born in 1840, a daughter of Zachariah and Eliza Hollinay, her father born in North Carolina, and her mother in Tennessee. Mr. Allan Weaver's family consists of six living chil- dren, two having died: Eliza J. (deceased), born
September 15, 1866; William A., born September 7, 1867; Margaret E., born October 3, 1862 (de- ceased); Joseph L., born August 15, 1870; Delila D., born March 21, 1873; Joseph N., born April 14, 1876; John W., born December 12, 1877, and Orlean S., born November 26, 1881. died Novem- ber 28, 1883. Mr. Weaver enlisted, on the 12th of September, 1863, on the Federal side, in Com- pany D, Tennessee Regiment of Light Artillery, and was discharged July 20, 1865. at Nashville. He was in the battle of Nashville, and numerous skirmishes. September 2, 1878, he was elected justice of the peace for North Township, and re- elected in 1880 for another term. having been an able and efficient officer. In politics he is a Re- publican, but was formerly a Democrat. He owns 200 acres of land, having given forty to his son, William, who was recently married. Winsted post- office was established at Mr. Weaver's house July 1, 1888, he being appointed postmaster. When he first located here the nearest postoffice was ten miles on Martin's Creek, called Red Bank, and his nearest neighbor two miles away. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. On this farm are traces of an ancient silver mine, supposed to have been worked by the Spaniards.
J. M. Williams, proprietor and owner of Even- ing Shade carding factory and saw and corn-mills, was born in Sharp County, in 1858. His parents were John W. and Margaret (Worley) Williams, of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. who were married in Tennessee, and came to what is now Sharp County, about the year 1854. where they resided until the demise of the father, in 1871, and his wife, in 1888. Both were members of the Baptist faith for many years. The elder Williams fought in the Confederate army almost from the beginning to the end of the war, and had many a narrow escape from both death and the enemy, although on one occasion he was severely wounded, and at another time was captured. He was a son of Joseph Williams, of North Carolina: he was a member of the A. F. & A. M .. Evening Shade Lodge. Michael Worley Deitch, the grand- father of J. M. Williams, died in Tennessee, and was a well known resident of that State. J. M.
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