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 6

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of northeast Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state biographies of distinguished citizens a brief descriptive history of the counties, and numerous biographical sketches of the prominent citizens of such counties. V. 2 > Part 6

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ence in the pulpit. Such endowments, when com- bined with the earnest and entreating expression of the eye, and the ringing tones of eloquence as he expounds the truths of the Divine Story, contrib- ute materially to the success which follows every meeting. He also strives to have the congregation see that what he says is not the labored production, studied for oratorical effect, but that each word springs from the sincere heart, and that he feels with all an enthusiast's power, the truth and passion of the Holy Law. His preaching, at proper inter- vals, is often enlivened by an appropriate anec- dote, containing a moral, clothed in a few pleas- ing and often humorous sentences, which relaxes the tension of the hearer's mind, as it also points more directly to the open door of truth. In con- versation with various members of the different churches in Mr. Jernigan's charge, it is found that his efforts are justly appreciated, for, from no one are heard words of censure or unkind criticism, but from all, terms of the highest praise.

R. L. Joiner. It can not be denied that a man who lives according to the highest principles of what he conceives to be right, helping others and in a word, keeping as his aim the Golden Rule, will receive the most sincere esteem of his fellow creatures. Such a one is the subject of this sketch. Born in Shelby County, Tenn., he is the son of R. S. Joiner, and the grandson of Jack Joiner, who emigrated from North Carolina when R. S. Joiner was a small boy. The latter was also a native of Shelby County, Tenn. R. L. Joiner was born on the corner of Poplar and Second Streets, Memphis, Tenn., and there re- mained until eighteen years of age, receiving a good practical education in the schools of that city. At the above-mentioned age he left the State of his nativity and journeyed to Crittenden County, Ark., where he remained for about five years. In 1868 he came to Mississippi County. Ark., and in the year 1880 settled on what is known as the Parker place, west of Frenchman's Bayou, where he has cleared by contract about forty acres sinee coming to the county. Mr. Joiner is a wide-awake. stirring farmer. and his improve- ments about the place are all of a superior order.

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In 1880 he was united in marriage with Miss M. L. Price, daughter of Mrs. Mary E. Price, of Lee County, Miss., and the fruits of this union have been three children: Ada Mary, Anna Ruth and Emma Blanche, all at home. Aside from his own farm, Mr. Joiner rents about sixty-two acres, and is engaged in cotton planting on the same, averaging about three-fourths of a bale of cotton to the acre. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel.

Dr. Walter D. Jones, Osceola. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowl- edges as successful more worthy of honorable men- tion, or whose history affords a better illustration of what may be accomplished by a determined will and perseverance, than Dr. W. D. Jones. He was born in Newburg, N. Y., in 1842, and was the fifth of eight children born to Dr. William and Charlotte M. (Wheeler) Jones, the father a native of Shoreham, Vt., and the mother of New York. The paternal ancestors were of Welsh descent, and the maternal of German. Dr. William Jones be- gan the study of medicine at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in his youth, secured his diploma, and has been a practicing physician for over fifty years. During that time he has risen to the position of one of the leading practitioners among the Eclectic school of physicians, and is well known in the profession throughout the length and breadth of the United States. He has held the office of president, treas- urer, and has been one of the board of censors of the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York. He is now living in retirement at his fine home in Newburg, N. Y. Dr. Walter D. Jones passed his youth as a student in the public schools of Newburg, and naturally, perhaps, he evinced at quite an early age, a strong desire for the study of medicine, and a precocious ability for the practice of that profession. His greatest desire seemed to be to reach a proud position in the ranks of emi- nent medical men, with whom he has always been associated. He was solicited, in 1872, by the late Prof. R. S. Newton, Sr., professor of surgery in the Eclectic Medical College of New York City, to accept the chair of professor of anatomy. In 1878 he was proffered and solicited by Prof. Frank-

lin, professor of surgery in the Homeopathic Col- lege of St. Louis, Mo., to occupy the chair of surgery in that institution, but having a few days previous closed his contract with the A. L. Clum Medicine Company, declined. At the age of seven- teen he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, remaining there one year, after which he entered the Jefferson Medical College, where he spent but one year, and then re- turned to the University. In 1861, after one year in the last mentioned institution, he enlisted as a private in the Third New York Infantry, and was de- tailed to the Hygeia Hotel Hospital, at Fortress Mon- roe. He was in the battle of Little Bethel, was then detailed to the Adams House Hospital, at Balti- more, Md., and later mustered out at Albany, N. Y. At the end of one month he enlisted in the Fifteenth New York Cavalry, and was soon sent to Virginia, where he was in all the fighting of the Shenandoah Valley; was in the battle of Port Royal, Lynchburg, Winchester, Sheridan's raid from Winchester, Va., to the White House, Waynesboro, Dinwiddie Courthouse, Five Forks, Appomattox Courthouse, Clover Hill, and was present at Gen. Lee's surrender, on April 9, 1865. He took part in the grand review at Washington, on the 23d of May, of that year, and was mustered out at Cloud's Mills, Va., in July. That year he returned to Philadelphia, entered the University, resumed his studies and graduated in 1866. He subsequently returned to Newburg and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession with his father, continu- ing there two years. After this he was in Brook- lyn two years, then in St. Louis four years, and then, in 1879, he came to Osceola, Ark. He discon- tinued the practice of his profession while in St. Louis, to accept a position with the A. L. Clum Medicine Company, of Red Wing, Minu., and came to Osceola in the interest of that company. Seeing a favorable opening, he located, and has remained here since, devoting his time entirely to the relief of suffering humanity. He has built up an exten- sive practice, and is one of the leading physicians of the county. He is of pleasing address and most agreeable manners, possessed of a mind clear, pen- etrating and comprehensive, thoroughly posted in

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his profession, and a practitioner of decided talent. He has bought a farm of 210 acres, fifty of which are under cultivation, and he is clearing up the remainder. The Doctor was married in 1868, to Mrs. Mary E. Wines, a native of Brooklyn, L. I. (at that time), and of English descent. She died in 1870, leaving one child, Edith Helen, who died in infancy. Dr. Jones took for his second wife Mrs. Frances Carrie Goff, a native of Georgia, and the daughter of William A. Goff, who followed the occupation of an architect. Mrs. Jones was a widow with one child, Jessie, when married to the Doctor. Dr. Jones is the only Eclectic practitioner in Mississippi County. He was chairman of the Republican executive committee for eight years, was president of the board of health for four years, was alderman four years, and has been United States deputy marshal. He affiliates with the Republicans in his political preferences, and is the leading member of his party in Mississippi County.

Benjamin F. Jones, one of the most influential men in Mississippi County, and a man who, during his residence here has not only become one of the largest and wealthiest landholders, but is also con- nected with the well-known and prosperous mer- cantile firm of Ward & Jones, is a native of Illi- nois. His parents, James and Elvira (Henderson) Jones, were natives of Kentucky, and some time before the war the father, with his family, consist- ing of his wife and small children, moved to Illi- nois. There both parents died, the father in 1860 and the mother in 1868. In 1866 Benjamin F. Jones came to Mississippi County, Ark., and at the age of seventeen years commenced working on a farm, where he continued for several years. In 1869 he embarked in mercantile pursuits in Osce- ola, which he continued for about seven years, when, owing to financial difficulties, he sold out to his partner, the latter agreeing to pay all indebt- edness, which he did in full. After this, for a number of years, he was engaged in planting cot- ton, at which he was very successful. About 1885 he bought the interest of L. Ward, of the firm of L. Ward & Son, located on Frenchman's Bayou, and formed a partnership under the firm name of

Ward & Jones. Since that time the firm has been very prosperous, their annual sales running from $40,000 to $50,000, and in connection they also carry on cotton planting quite extensively, the firm being the owners of over 2,000 acres of the rich land about Frenchman's Bayou, which ranks among the most fertile tracts on the continent. They have about 300 acres under the plow, the remainder yet in timber, but each year they add greatly to their cleared land., Mr. Jones is the owner of over 1,000 acres in his own right, and stands among the fore- most young business men in the county. He is al- ways ready with open hand to encourage any legit- imate enterprise, and is a benefit and an honor to any community in which his lot is cast. He is a member of MeGavock Lodge No. 2754, Knights of Honor, located at Frenchman's Bayou. He wedded Miss Nannie Ashburn, daughter of Jack Ashburn, one of the pioneers of the county, who came with his father from Kentucky when a boy, or in the year 1829. He died when his daughter Nannie was but a child. His wife was Mary Ball. Mr. and Mrs. Jones' union was blessed by the birth of six children, all living, and the eldest about fourteen years of age. They are named as follows: Harry, Cora, Maud, Pearl, Annie, and Francis, an infant four months old. In all his ideas and tend- encies Mr. Jones is progressive and enterprising, a useful member of society, personally and in busi- ness circles.

T. B. Jones, a successful planter and a promi- nent merchant of Frenchman's Bayou, is a native of Illinois, and the son of James Jones, who died in Illinois. T. B. Jones obtained a good practical education in the schools of his native State, and afterward went to the Lone Star State, where he remained for two years. At the age of twenty- three years he came to Mississippi County, Ark .. located there, and although his means were very limited, he went to work with the determination to succeed, and is now the owner of 113 acres, of which he has sixty under cultivation. On this he averages about one bale of cotton to the acre, and in addition he has a general store in which he keeps a full line of goods necessary in a country neighborhood. He has placed about thirty acres

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

under cultivation, made all the other improve. ments, building a fine frame residence with about 2,000 feet of flooring and two stories high. He also has a frame store-house 20x50 feet, four tene- ment houses and a barn. His marriage occurred in 1881 with Miss Lizzie Hightower, of Mississippi County, where she was born and reared. Her father, William Hightower, settled in Mississippi County, Ark., at an early day. He was originally from East Tennessee, his wife being a native of this county. They died in Mississippi County, Ark., when Mrs. Jones was small. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones has been born one child, a daugh- ter named Claudia. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 157, Frenchman's Bayou. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. D. C. Joyner. The people of Mississippi, as well as surrounding counties, are familiar with the name that heads this sketch, and for many years Dr. Joyner has been successfully occupied in the prosecution of his chosen profession. Dur- ing that time his career as a practitioner and thorough student of medicine has won for him no less a reputation than have his personal character- istics as a citizen and neighbor. He was born in Stewart County, Tenn. (Dover), in 1838, and was reared in Smithland, Livingston County, Ky. He was educated at Bethlehem, and in the Presbyterian Academy, located at Salem, Crittenden County. In 1857 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Prof. F. L. Sim, of Golconda, Ill., where he studied for two years, and then entered the Louisville University, from which institution he graduated in 1861. Later he came to Missis- sippi County, commenced practicing on French- man's Bayou, when there were but few planters, and soon built up a very lucrative practice. Not satisfied merely with his profession, the Doctor has engaged in other pursuits, and having built a large store room, sold goods for about fifteen years. He sold out his stock of goods in 1888 to W. H. Pullen & Co., to whom he rents the building. and the Doctor now has a complete stock of drugs in a building which he has erected just across the way, and where he now keeps a full line of all the

requisites necessary for a first-class store. He has also been interested in planting cotton. having owned a plantation of 240 acres, of which he put a considerable share under cultivation, but this he has recently sold. The Doctor agrees with other prominent medical men, that Arkansas is as healthy as any other Southern State, and the people are as exempt from disease, if they use the same care, as in other States. Especially does this apply to those who keep all mud holes and stagnant pools filled up or drained off. Dr. Joyner was a Whig in his political preference before the war, and says he is the same now, but since coming south he has allied himself with the Democratic party. Dur- ing the war he enlisted in the Twenty-third Ar- kansas, and served most of the time in the State, acting at one time as courier to some of Price's com- manders. His marriage with Miss Medora Ward, daughter of Capt. L. Ward, occurred in Memphis, and soon afterward they moved to Frenchman's Bayou, where they have lived ever since, with the exception of about six months, when they resided in Arkansas County. near Dewitt. This union has been blessed by six children: Leon, at home and a cripple from birth; DeWitt C., at home; Effie L., Clide V., Constance (Birdie), and Ruth Kerr, an infant. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P., of Progress Lodge, Memphis, Tenn., and is also a member of McGavock Lodge No. 2754, K. of H. Mrs. Joyner is a member of the Methodist Church.

W. C. King, a physician whose skill has won him a large practice, and a man who stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, was born Jan- uary 13, 1838, at Raleigh, Shelby County, Tenn .. and was the fifth in a family of nine children. His parents were John R. and Dosha (Hector) King, of North Carolina and Missouri, respective. ly. The father was engaged in mechanical pur- suits, and had made Tennessee his home for fifty years, dying there in 1882, four years after the de- mise of his wife. In his youth young King re- ceived the best education obtainable, and attended school at home until his seventeenth year. He then took ten months' study at Bethel College. Mc- Lemoresville, Tenn., and afterward attended school

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MISSISSIPPI COUNTY.

at Bartlett for several years. In 1858 he began the study of medicine with Drs. Duncan and Pryor as his preceptors, both well-known physicians of that period, and in the fall of that year entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he remained until his graduation, in March, 1861. He then returned to Tennessee, and, the war having just about commenced, enlisted in Com- pany D, Fourth Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, remaining with them one year, and at the re-or- ganization was transferred to Company A. The Doctor took part in the battles of Shiloh. Murfrees boro, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, being captured at the last named place and taken to Rock Island, Ill., where he was held a prisoner until October 30, of the following year, and then escaped. He immediately returned home, and in the summer of 1865 began to practice his profes- sion in Raleigh, Tenn., where he remained until 1867. He then moved to Coahoma County, Miss., and in 1868, was married to Miss Alice Burrow, of Georgia, a daughter of Rev. Reuben Burrow, a noted Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, whose ability as an orator and revivalist was often com- mented upon by the press. At the beginning of the war Mr. Burrow raised a company of men, and was placed at the head as captain. After a year's service he was promoted to the rank of major of his regiment, and from that to colonel, in which capacity he served in Gen. Forrest's command through all his battles. At the close of the war he again entered the pulpit, and continued preach- ing until his death, in 1888. This gifted man was early imbued with the spirit of oratory and began preaching when only nineteen years of age. Dr. King continued to make Coahoma his home until 1879, practicing medicine all the while with great success, in the meantime engaging in planting and also merchandising. He lost his wife in that year, who died leaving him four children to cher- ish in her stead. Their names are Kate, wife of J. M. Robinson, of this county; Mabel, Dosha, who died in infancy, as also did John R. Soon after the death of his wife, the Doctor returned to Ten- nessee, where he resided in the neighborhood of his old home until 1887. On June 6, of that year,

he came to Mississippi County, Ark., and settled at Pecan Point, where he remained for six months. and then moved to Frenchman's Bayou, where he has located permanently, and purchased a residence in the most thickly settled portion of the place. He was an entire stranger on his arrival, but soon built up a fine practice and won many friends by his agreeable manners and genial disposition. The Doctor has been a Mason since 1865, formerly be- longing to Woodlawn Lodge at Bartlett, Tenn., and now a member of Frenchman's Bayou Lodge No. 251, in which he is J. D. His wife was a woman of considerable literary attainments, and when only fifteen years of age she wrote the fare- well address to Company D, of the Raleigh Vol- unteers. It might be well to quote a few of the Doctor's opinions upon a subject that has agitated the Southern people to some extent. He takes great interest in the comparative difference between the white and colored labor of the South, and con- tends that the result of white labor is much more satisfactory and profitable; that the climatic in- fluences are not particularly injurious to people of the North and East, and that they will find the condition of health in this county equal to that of the western district of Tennessee, or any other point in the Mississippi Valley. He has practiced medicine in both Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as in Arkansas, and states facts that have come under his immediate observation. He has noticed that the citizens of this county who take proper care of themselves enjoy as good health as the in- habitants of almost any other locality, but such occupations as hunting, trapping, etc., are trying to the strongest constitutions. and people who in- dulge in such pursuits are subject to frequent at- tacks of illness.

Louis A. Lafont, a prominent farmer near Os- ceola, was born in New Madrid County, Mo., in 1826, and was the third child in a family of nine children born to Anthony and Frances Lafont. of Missouri and Indiana, respectively. The father moved to New Madrid County in 1810 and was re. siding there at the time of the great earthquake in the latter part of that year. and during which he lost his first wife, who, like many others, died from

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fright on that occasion. Mr. Louis A. Lafont gives a vivid description and recalls many interest- ing experiences and incidents of that wonderful yet disastrous phenomenon, which he remembers having heard his father tell about. The elder La- font died there in 1848, his second wife following him in 1857. Louis remained in that section dur- ing his youth, and attended some of the best schools in that district, and also at New Albany, Ind., his education occupying about eleven years of his life altogether. He received his first com- mercial experience at Point Pleasant, Mo., in 1848, where he engaged in general merchandise business, and remained at same for three years. In 1853 he moved to Metropolis, Ill., and entered into mercantile life at that point, also manufactur- ing brick and contracting for erecting buildings. His reputation was rapidly pushed to the front in that line, and soon afterward he built a large flour- mill for himself, which he put up at an expense of $30,000, besides many fine and expensive private residences. He continued in various business en- terprises at Metropolis for eighteen years, and dur- ing that time was one of the foremost men in ad- vancing and improving the town. In 1872 Mr. Lafont moved to Mississippi County, Ark., and settled on Frenchman's Bayou, where he com- menced farming and dealing in merchandise. He remained there fifteen years, and then moved to Sans Souci. where he has resided ever since. In 1853 Mr. Lafont was married to Miss Malinda Chote. of Massac County, Ill .. and nine children have been born to this union, of whom six have died. The names of all are Augustus (deceased), Eugene, Lina, Fannie, Mary (deceased), Willie (deceased), Charles (deceased), Walter (deceased), and Dickey (deceased). Mr. Lafont met with a sad misfortune in disagreeing with his wife, and was legally divorced; after a sufficient period of time he was married to Miss Iola Hanna, of Illinois, daughter of Dr. John Hanna, of Massac County, Ill., from which union they have had three chil- dren: Clarence (deceased). Edgar (deceased) and Grover Cleveland. Sans Souci has a valuable citi- zen in Mr. Lafont and one to whom she can point with pride. No man has displayed more enter-

prise and desire to see his county and his town (Osceola) take rank among the most important places of Arkansas than this gentleman, and cer- tainly no citizen enjoys a greater popularity than he does, both in business and social circles.

Clarence Lafont. Nowhere in all Mississippi County is to be found any young man of more energy or force of character than Clarence Lafont possesses, and no young agriculturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. His birth occurred near where Osceola now stands, on what is called Hill Place, and he is the son of N. B. and Viola V. (Willson) Lafont. The father was born in the State of Mis- souri, and moved to Osceola, Ark., in about 1867. Being a man alive to all business enterprises, he not only engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in connection also carried on merchandising for two years. After this he continued farming, and in 1870 purchased about 300 acres of land on French- man's Bayou, located there and cultivated about 200 acres of land. He was a man well known and much respected for his many good qualities, and his death, which occurred in 1SS5, was universally regretted. He left two children: Miss Ella, now residing in Osceola, and Clarence. The latter re- ceived his education at Covington, Tenn., and in the public schools of Osceola. After the death of his father he cleared 100 acres of land, and now all together has 300 acres of cleared land and several hundred acres of timber. This year, besides his own land, he has rented 100 acres, and runs from thirty to seventy-five hands, whom he supplies from his store. This year he will raise on the home place some 200 bales of cotton, at a cost of about $10 per bale. Mr. Lafont is only twenty- three years of age, but for good management and other business qualifications his equal is not to be found in the county. He carries on a farm of from 100 to 300 acres, and, while cotton is the principal crop, he also raises enough corn to last through the year.

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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 6

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis : The Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1044