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 80

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 80

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of Thomas and Sarah (Coleman) Coe, early settlers of Independence County, where the father was en- gaged in mercantile business till his death, in 1864. His wife died in 1885. They have a family of four children: Gussie M., Gertie, Ralph and Kate. Mr. Smith is active in politics, voting the Demo- cratic ticket, and received his commission as post- master from Cleveland. He has served as magis- trate six years, has been delegate to county con- ventions at different times, and was a delegate to Little Rock, in 1888, to a convention of the various Democratic clubs. He always takes an active in- terest in all worthy enterprises for the advance- ment of the county.

Hon. John W. Stayton is a prominent attorney of Newport, Ark., and is a native-born resident of Helena, Ark., his birth occurring on the 6th of November, 1835. He is a son of Thomas N. and Esther (Harns) Stayton, who were born in Dela- ware and Virginia, respectively, but their mar- riage occurred in the State of Arkansas, whither the father had moved with his father, Hill D. Stayton, in 1820. They located in what is now Helena, Phillips County. Hill D. was a civil en- gineer, and came here with a contract for sur- veying land for the Government, and this occu- pation he followed until his death. The ma- ternal grandparents were Virginians, who, at an early day, settled in the State of Kentucky, and later in Louisana, coming from there to Arkansas about the year 1832, also taking up their abode in Helena. Mr. Harns was a planter, and died in Helena. Thomas N. Stayton was a small boy when he was brought to Arkansas, and his early youth was spent in farm labor. Like the majority of boys, the occupation which received his atten- tion in his youth became his calling in after life, and his enterprises in the interests of agriculture have been attended with good results. Although he has now almost attained his four-score years, he is still quite active, the "ravages of time" having had but little effect upon him. Of six children born to himself and wife, but three are living: John W., Dr. D. A., and R. F., wife of Dr. C. C. Herring. John W. Stayton remained on the home farm until he had attained his

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JACKSON COUNTY.

eighteenth year, when he entered the high school of Helena, and while there formed the resolution to make the profession of law his occupation

- through life, and upon leaving school he entered upon his legal studies with a determination to suc- ceed, and after a most thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar in 1857, at Helena. From that time until the opening of the Civil War he was actively engaged in practicing in that town, then took charge of the county clerk's office, and served faithfully and well until the night of the 9th of July, 1862, when Helena was captured by the Federal troops, and everybody was put under arrest, Mr. Stayton being among the number. Upon his release he went to St. Louis, and being urged by some of his friends to accept a position there, did so, and remained about one year. From that time until 1866 he resided in Helena, and at the latter date came to Jacksonport, and embarked on the sea of merchandise, and success- fully conducted this business until 1874, when he again engaged in the practice of his profession. The first office which he held was that of city re- corder of his native town, and in 1868 he was chosen mayor of Jacksonport, and in 1874 was appointed by the governor as justice of the peace. Upon the re-organization of the State government, under the constitution of 1874, he was elected on the Democratic ticket, and in 1884 was chosen to the position of State senator from the Twenty- ninth District, and served a term of four years. In 1885 he was elected president pro tem. of the senate, and was acting governor in the absence of Gov. Hughes. From 1874 to 1878 he was county and probate judge, and the efficient manner in which he discharged the duties incumbent upon the different and responsible positions he has held is too well known to need any additional words of compliment; suffice it to say that he always labored on the side of right and justice, and that his career was above reproach. Since 1885 he has been a resi- dent of Newport, and as a member of the legal fraternity he has few superiors, and is a fluent and elegant pleader. He has always been victorious whenever his name has been announced before the public as a candidate for any office, and, although he

has never been an office seeker, he has been recog- nized as a leader by his numerous friends and acquaintances, and, as a natural result, honors have been bestowed upon him. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity. On the 31st of June, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Wickersham, a native of St. Louis, by whom he has had four children, three now living: Joseph M., partner with John W. in business; Mattie B. and John W., Jr.

George K. Stephens, a well-known liveryman and farmer of Jackson County, was born in Madi- son County, Tenn., in 1840, and is a son of Isaac and Mary J. (York) Stephens, of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, the father dying in the latter State in 1859. After his death the family moved to Jackson County, Ark., and located in Bird Township, where they resided until the mother's death, in 1882. George was reared prin- cipally in Tennessee, and came to Jackson County, Ark., when nineteen years of age. In 1861, when the Civil War called so many thousands of young men from home and family to face the fate that awaited them from cold steel or leaden bullet, he never hesitated a moment, but gallantly went forth to bear arms and battle for the Confederacy. He became a member of the First Arkansas Regiment, and the first that left the State, and was mustered in at Lynchburg, Va. His first battle was at Ma- nassas, and, after that engagement was over, he was discharged, and returned to his home. He soon enlisted again, however, and joined Hook- er's cavalry company, but was afterward dis- mounted and put into the Thirty-second Arkansas regiment, in which body he served until the close of the war. Mr. Stephens took part in a number of battles, and, at the evacuation of Little Rock, was captured and confined for two months in that city. He was then taken to Pleasant Hill, and ex- changed, and, in a battle some time afterward, re- ceived a wound in his left hand from a rifle ball. After the war he returned home and resumed his farm work, now owning between 3,000 and 4,000 acres of valuable land, with about 900 acres under cultivation. In 1869 he embarked in the livery busi- ness at Jacksonport, and continued there nutil

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

1880, when he removed to Newport, where he has been ever since, and has established a lucrative trade. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Mary Stewart, by whom he has had five children: Isaac W. (who has charge of the livery business), Mary A. (wife of Judge M. M. Stuckey), Florence M., Fannie G. and Sarah. Mr. Stephens lost his first wife, and, in 1878, was married to Miss Alice York, by whom he has had three children: Stella, Guy and Lydia. He is a Mason, and a very popular man in both business and social circles.

T. S. Stephens, the popular and efficient sheriff and collector of Jackson County, was born in Madison County, Tenn., on the 30th of April, 1849, and is a son of Isaac and Mary J. (York) Stephens, of North Carolina and Tennessee, re- spectively. The parents were married in Jackson, Tenn., and resided in that city until the father's death occurred, in 1851. The mother was again married, her second husband being Alexander Claridge, and shortly afterward moved to Jackson County, Ark. Four children were born by her first marriage, three of them yet living: George K., Fannie, widow of Elsie Brown, and Theophi- -lus S., and by her second husband one child was born, John H. The elder Stephens was a shoe- maker by trade, and followed that vocation all his life, while the husband of his widow, Mr. Claridge, was a school-teacher, who taught for some time at the West Union College, near Cuba. The latter gentleman died at Sulphur Rock, Independence County, about the year 1869, and his wife survived him until 1882, dying in the town of Newport. T. S. Stephens was only eight years old when he moved to Arkansas with his mother, and received the greater portion of his education in Independ- ence County. He remained on the farm and cul- tivated the soil, an occupation he seemed to take delight in, until his twentieth year, when he made a visit to Jacksonport. While at that place he met and was introduced to several business men, and the idea of a commercial life then seemed to enter his mind. The consequence was that he remained at Jacksonport and went into one of the grocery firms, where he clerked for several years. In political life he was always very active, and after a

few years' residence in that city he was elected con- stable, and filled the office for two terms, in the meanwhile terminating his engagement with the grocery firm, and carrying on a livery business of his own. His integrity and the manner in which he conducted himself while in office won the sup- port of almost every citizen, and in 1882 he was elected sheriff and collector, the office he fills at present, and to which he has been re-elected four terms. Mr. Stephens owns about 1,200 acres of good land, and has some 500 acres under cultiva- tion, the soil being adapted to almost any kind of growth, and also good for grazing purposes. On March 4, 1884, he met and won Miss Belle Taylor for his bride, who died in November of the same year. His second wife was Miss Emma Kellogg, whom he married on July 15, 1885. This union gave them four children, of whom three are yet living: George K., Ralph C. and Mary J. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Stephens be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F. Lodge and Encampment, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Legion of Honor. He is prominent in political affairs, and a popular man among all classes of society, his position being such that he is brought in contact with many different phases of life while in the discharge of his duties.

A. Steveley, the proprietor of the Newport Lum- ber Company, was born in Essex County, N. J., May 1, 1824, and is a son of Andrew and Jean- nette (Hay) Steveley, who were of Scotch descent. The genealogy of the family can be traced back 300 years. Both the paternal and maternal grand- parents died in New Jersey, in which State Andrew Steveley also died, his death being caused from cholera, in 1848. He was a copper refiner by oc- cupation, and made this his calling through life. A. Steveley, the subject of this sketch, is the only one of the two children, born to himself and wife, now living, and after his death his widow married again, becoming the worthy companion of John Frame, who was a participant in the War of 1812. She also died in New Jersey. A. Steveley was reared and educated in his native State, and in his youth learned the cabinet-maker's trade. At the

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JACKSON COUNTY.

age of twenty-one years he left his home and parents to take up his abode in New York City, and after working at his trade in that city for about five years he removed to the "Nutmeg State." In 1857 we find him in Wisconsin, which State continued to be his home until 1873, in which year he removed to the city of Chicago, where he acted as foreman for different establishments until 1884. At that time he removed to Newport, Ark., and be- came manager for the Newport Lumber Company, continuing as such until February, 1889, when he bought out the entire establishment, and has since managed affairs alone. He manufactures lumber of a fine grade, and ships to many different points, but principally to Chicago, and his establishment gives employment to about forty men the year round. Mr. Steveley is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, is a public-spirited citi- zen, and in the interest of all good works has been an active participant. In 1846 he was married to Maria Adair, a native of Pennsylvania, and by her he has five children: Eliza, Benjamin, Walter, John and William.

Dr. J. H. Strider, though still a young man, has established an enviable reputation in Jackson County, and is one of its leading physicians. He was born in Tallahatchee County, Miss., on the 12th of July, 1857, and is a son of Henry A. and Abigail (McMullen) Strider, the former a native of Virginia, who moved to Mississippi in his boyhood, locating in Tallahatchee County, where he was af- terward married, residing there until his death, in 1874, the wife, who was a native of Tennessee, dying a number of years previous. They were the parents of four children, of whom the Doctor is the only survivor, and when the latter was only two years old, he was taken charge of by an uncle, who died in 1865, and later by his aunt, with whom he still makes his home on a farm in Jackson County. At the age of nineteen years he began the study of medicine, and attended lectures at the University of Nashville, from which institute he graduated in 1879. He immediately returned to Jackson Coun- ty, and commenced practicing, which he continued up to 1883, when he abandoned his profession, much to the regret of a large number of friends,

and turned his attention entirely to farming. He owns 480 acres of land, and has 200 acres under cultivation, the largest portion of the farm having been improved since his residence upon it. He raises corn and cotton principally, but the soil is valuable, and well adapted to almost any growth, and he has been as successful in this venture as he was in his profession. In 1879 the Doctor was married to Miss Ada Frost, of Nashville, Tenn., by whom he has had three children: Maud, Mary and Caroline, and he is a kind husband and in- dulgent father, as well as a valuable citizen to the community. Dr, Strider is a member of the Bap- tist Church, Masonic fraternity, and the Agricult- ural Wheel.

M. M. Stuckey, the county and probate judge of Jackson County, and one of its leading men, was born at Alton, Ill., on the 16th of December, 1853, and is a son of Michael M. and Amelia (Bush- weiler) Stuckey, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother from Worms, Germany, in the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Mrs. Stuckey coming from her native country with a cousin, Louis May, who is now a prominent New York banker. The father met and was married to her in Illinois, where they resided for a number of years, and then moved to Wichita, Kas., their present residence. The father is a well known and popular minister of the Methodist faith. Nine children were born to the parents, of whom eight are yet living: Mar- garet, Lucy, M. M., Milton, Frederick and Minnie. The elder Stuckey was twice married previous to meeting Miss Bushweiler, both of his former wives being sisters by the name of MeCauley. M. M. Stuckey was reared and received a common school education in Butler, Ill., completing his studies at the Depann University of Greencastle, Ind., which he left at the end of the sophomore term. After his college days were over he traveled for the house of R. L. Billingsley & Co., St. Louis, for a few years, and then severed his connection with the firm, coming immediately to Jackson County, Ark. He there taught school for a short time, and com- menced reading law under Judge Phillips. In September, 1883, he was admitted to the bar, and in 1884 he commenced to practice, meeting with

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904

HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

remarkable success since that time. In 1886 he was elected to his present office, and re-elected in 1888. Judge Stuckey is a self-made man, and one who has worked himself up in the world by his own intellect and industry. He has made a repu- tation in his profession that is seldom equaled, and it is said that he is better posted in the fine points of law than any other lawyer in that sec- tion. He was married, in July, 1888, to Miss Alice Stephens, who has been a devoted wife, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while the Judge belongs to the I. O. O. F. He takes a great interest in all affairs of his county, which he understands will be of benefit to its citizens, and he is one of the most popular men in that commu- nity. The Judge has completed a set of abstract books of Jackson County, which are a boon to its citizens, as any title may be found within a few minutes, and they are at his office for inspection any day.

Solomon D. Sullins, a farmer and stock raiser, residing on Section 29, Grubbs Township, Jackson County, came to Arkansas with his parents in the year 1849. He is a son of Jesse and Catherine (Eaves) Sullins, both natives of North Carolina, to whom were born ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, married, and have homes of their own. One of the sons married in North Carolina, where he still lives. The other members of the family who are still living reside in Arkansas, all farmers and farmers' wives. Solomon D. married Miss Sarah A. Hankins, July 11, 1869. She is a native of Georgia, from which State her parents moved to Craighead County, Ark., and thence to Jackson County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullins have been born eleven children, viz. : Celia C., born in November, 1870, now the wife of Nathan Holbrook, of Bates- ville, Independence County, Ark .; Georgia A., born in September, 1872; Cornecei A., born in January, 1874; William L., born March 30, 1875; Isaac J., born in 1876; Sarah J., born in 1878; Lydie O., born in 1879; Mary Frances, born in 1881; James A., born in 1884; Solomon Wright, born in 1886; and Jesse T., born in 1889. Mr. Sullins commenced business for himself in Decem- ber, 1866, working for three years with an older

brother, James Sullins, at the expiration of which time he rented land that he cultivated one year. He then bought a tract of land which was partly improved, and had a very good log house which had been erected by the former owner. He made many substantial improvements on this place, planting a good orchard of peaches and apples. In 1882 Mr. Sullins rented and moved to the farm upon which he now resides, which place he pur- chased in 1884. He now owns in all 600 acres of good land in Jackson County, which is well adapted to all the varieties of products of the temperate zone. Mr. and Mrs. Sullins and the four older children are members of the Christian Church, worshiping in Robinson's Chapel.

J. A. Sursa was born in Madison County, Ill., in 1840. He was the eldest in the family of seven children born to William and Elizabeth (Steward) Sursa, natives of Tennessee. William Sursa, who was a farmer and millwright, moved from Tennes- see to Madison County, Ill., in 1832, locating on a farm, upon which he remained until 1847; he then moved to Jefferson County, purchasing a farm near Mount Vernon, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1865. Mrs. Eliz- abeth Sursa still resides in Mount Vernon, Ill. Of their children besides our subject, George is mar- ried, and is a farmer in Missouri, and Sarah, now Mrs. Staley, lives near Mount Vernon, Ill. J. A. Sursa was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in his native county. In 1876 he re- moved to Jackson County, Ark., first locating near Elgin, where he worked as a farm laborer. He then engaged in farming for himself, in Lawrence County, Ark., purchasing in 1880 a tract of timber of 120 acres, which he commenced clearing and improving; he erected a good log house, and now has all except forty acres fenced, with sixty acres under cultivation. Mr. Sursa was married, in Greene County in 1881, to Elizabeth Can, who was born in Tennessee and reared in Kentucky, a daughter of John and Margaret Can, the former of - whom died in Kentucky; the mother removed to Greene County in 1880, and later to Jackson County, where she died in 1882. Mr. Sursa has a good home in Glass Township, and devotes bis entire

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905

JACKSON COUNTY.

attention to farming and stock raising: he is inter- ested in every enterprise for the advancement of the county, and is a public-spirited man.

John Sweat, residing between Weldon and Tu- pelo, on Section 9, was born in Georgia in May 1848, being a son of Noah and Betsy J. (Hargett) Sweat, natives of South Carolina. John has been a farmer all his life, having been reared on his father's farm, and on coming to Arkansas rented of L. B. McDonald, of Newport. Ark., where he has lived for years. In 1888 he purchased 160 acres of land, about sixty being improved, and since that time has cleared some twenty acres. about ten being under cultivation. Mr. Sweat has 345 acres under cultivation on the McDonald farm. His father served three years in the Confederate army, participating in the battles of Shiloh and New Hope. December 26, 1883, Mr. Sweat mar- ried Miss Jennie Cooper; they have had a family of four children: Columbus, Mand, Lena and John. Mr. and Mrs. Sweat are members of the Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

E. J. Taylor, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Bird Township, Jackson County, was born in North Carolina in 1814, the fifth child of Charles and Mary (Turner) Taylor, of North Car- olina, the father an extensive planter of North Carolina, who died in Mississippi in 1855, his ex- cellent wife dying in 1836. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and educated in the subscription schools of Alabama, and at the age of twenty-two enlisted for three months' serv- ice under Gen. Scott, against the Creek and Sem- inole Indians, after which time he clerked in Huntsville, Ala., for nine years, and in 1845 went to Memphis, and conducted a general store. After his marriage, in 1850, he engaged in farming, in De Soto County, Miss., till after the close of the war. He improved a large plantation, and in 1866 moved to Memphis, and opened a grocery and commission business, which he conducted until 1873, when he sold the business, and came to Bird Township, locating at Elgin. He engaged in farm- ing, and now owns a good farm of 2,000 acres, in Jackson and Independence Counties. with 600 under cultivation, raising principally cotton. In

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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 80

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