Biographical and historical memoirs of western Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 24

Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Arkansas > Biographical and historical memoirs of western Arkansas : comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 24

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fruits of a long life of active labor and the atten- tions of his many loving and appreciative friends.

J. J. Geiger, a planter living in Herring Town- ship, was born in Alabama, December 22, 1827. His parents, Abraham and Anna W. (Pence) Gei- ger, were born in the Palmetto State in 1801 and 1812, and were married in 1825, and were the parents of nine children. In 1858 the family came to Arkansas and settled in Yell County, where the father carried on his farm till his death in 1863, his widow surviving him till 1878. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject owns and operates 100 acres of land, seventy-five of which are highly pro- ductive, yielding a good crop of corn and cotton each season. He has been twice married, first in 1855 to Miss Mary A. Herrill and who died in 1861, leaving four children to his care: Mary J. (wife of W. A. Sinclair), George O., Anna N. (de- ceased), and Sarah F. (deceased), and in 1862 Miss Sarah Morse, of Tennessee, became his sec- ond wife, and has borne him eight children: Vina (wife of William Crabtree), James A. and Robert (living), Quandary, Polly A., John N., Sandford and Lucy (all deceased). He socially belongs to the Masonic order, having been initiated into the mysteries of Dutch Creek Lodge No. 269.

Noah A. Geiger, farmer, Danville, Ark. Mr. Geiger, one of the representative farmers of the county and a man respected and esteemed for his many good qualities, was born in Alabama on De- cember 19, 1837 (Dallas County), and is the son of Abraham Geiger. He came with his parents to Fayette County, Miss., when three years of age, and there he was reared to the arduous duties of the farm. In the fall of 1857, or when twenty- one years of age, he, in company with others, came to and settled in Yell County, Ark. He entered 160 acres of land in the Dutch Creek Valley and there remained, improving the same until the breaking out of the war. About that time he sold his farm and bought 160 acres on the south side of the creek, about two miles from his former home, and there he still resides. He improved sixty-five acres of land, erected a good frame house and a large, commodious barn, but these,

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however, were destroyed by a storm of wind in 1\\5. Since then he has rebuilt and has a fine place. His principal crops are corn and cotton. In 1561 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Axley who died in 1864, leaving one child, a little son, who survived his mother only about two months. Soon after this Mr. Geiger was prostrated with fever and was unable to attend to his work or any business for five months. In 1866 he was again married, to Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, who died in November, 1877, leaving two children, both sons. During her lifetime Mr. Geiger was engaged in the milling business and in the fall of 1866 he Greeted a cotton gin and corn-mill which was run by horse power. This was the first gin or mill rtveted in that valley after the war. This he operated two seasons and then enlarged his mill, putting in a small engine and added a saw mill. Two years later, finding that this did not supply the demands of the country, he sold out his ma- chinery and bought a large engine and enlarged his business by adding a flouring-mill. The vent- ure was a paying one and a good source of rev- ente. After the death of his wife in 1877 he sold out the property and devoted his attention entirely to his family and his farm. He has now one of the finest and most productive tracts of land in the valley and a vast amount of valuable timber, con- sisting principally of the different varieties of oak, interspersed, however, with walnut. Some of the finest wagon timber in the world is found in this vicinity. Staves have been made by the settlers and shipped in large quantities down the river to Little Rock. On December 3, 1878, Mr. Geiger was married to Miss Willie Dewitt, daughter of James Dewitt, of this county. Three years later, November 5, 1881, fire broke out in the dwelling- hou-e and everything was destroyed, the loss be- ing about $1,500. The same fall Mr. Geiger began making preparations for building another house, which was completed and ready for occu- pancy in the fall of 1882. Mr. Geiger now has a comfortable house, which he has insured for $1,000, and which is the best in the neighborhood. He was the first man to bring a cooking stove in the valley. This was an old-fashioned Step stove

No. 8 and cost $35, besides having to be freighted thirty miles across the country, across the river through an almost trackless wilderness. Mr. Geiger has never been an active politician, but he has voted the Republican ticket since the war. He is not connected with any church, but is a truly good man and is living a Christian life. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Dutch Creek. To his last marriage were born. two daughters, one of whom died at the age of six years. He now has three living children: Jesse A. (born August 18, 1867), Elbert M. (born Feb- ruary 14, 1871, and the husband of Elizabeth Ivey), and Myrtle (born January 22, 1888). Jesse, the eldest, lives with his father and has bought and operates the mill property formerly owned by his father. Elbert works a part of his father's farm. Mr. Geiger is a strictly temperate man and is opposed to the sale of liquor in his county. He is public-spirited and a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. He is a remarkably peace- ful gentleman, never had a case in court, and is noted for his honesty, sobriety and his desire to do as he would wish to be done by in dealing with his fellow-men. He is highly respected and is one of the best citizens.

H. C. Gibson, a farmer and manager of the Western Arkansas Hedge and Wire Fence Com- pany of Dardanelle, is a native of Arkansas, being born September 18, 1848, six miles south of Dar- danelle. His father was a native of Kentucky, was born May 24, 1794, and came to Arkansas when eighteen years of age, where he continued to live until his death, which was October 25, 1874. He joined the Presbyterian Church in July, 1869, at the age of seventy-five years. His mother, Nancy (Weburn) Gibson, was of an old family of Conway County, where she was born December 10, 1813. She survived her husband a little over a year, dying in the Christian faith in Dardanelle, November 23, 1875. Our subject was brought up on a farm and received but little schooling, the educational advantages of his youth being very meager. When twenty years of age he accepted a position as clerk in a drug store in his native town, remaining in this store two years, when he mar-

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ried and engaged in farming. He owns 400 acres of good bottom land, 200 under cultivation and well improved. In 1878 he erected a cottage on his property on Mount Nebo, where he spends his summers, and has done much to improve and beautify this lovely resort. He has been officially connected with the Arkansas Summer Normal School of Mount Nebo since its organization, serving as director and secretary of the Express Company. On December 18, 1870, he married Miss Alice A. Hawkins, daughter of J. Hawkins, a merchant of Dardanelle. This marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Carrie May (deceased), Eolin Daisy, Freeman Irby and Gertrude May. Mrs. Gibson was born in Helena, Ark., April 22, 1848, moved to Panola County, Miss., with her parents in 1850, and in 1870 returned to ber native State. She joined the Methodist Church when young, and lived a conscientious Christian until her death, which was on December 21, 1888.

John A. Grace, one of the pioneer settlers of Dardanelle Township, emigrated from Gibson County, Tenn., in 1849, with his father and mother, Jesse G. and Phoebe (Gatley) Grace, and seven children, he being the youngest of the family. His parents were natives of Kentucky, the father born July 27, 1805, the mother deceased in this State, in 1857. On arriving in Yell County, the father bought and settled on 160 acres of timberland, adjoining his son's present farm, and has since added 100 acres more to this, one-half of which is tilled. Our subject was born in Gibson County, Tenn., September 5, 1843, where he grew to manhood. The advantages for an education being very lim- ited, he remained with his parents, assisting in the farm duties, till July, 1861, when he responded to the war-cry, and enlisted in the Fifteenth Ar- kansas Regiment, Company D, commanded by Capt. Hollowell and Col. McRay. He was a par- ticipant in the battles of Oak Hill and Elk Horn, thence crossing the Mississippi River to take part in the engagements of Corinth No. 1 and 2, and Iuka, and Baker Creek. Soon after, just before the siege of Vicksburg, he, with one-half of his regiment, was captured by Gen. Grant, and on May 17, 1863, were taken to Indianapolis, thence

to Fort Delaware, and Point Lookout, Md. In December of this same year, they received their paroles, and started for Richmond; upon reaching this city they were given a New Year dinner by the ladies of that place. Leaving Richmond for their homes, they were obliged to travel in a round- about way, going through the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. From Jackson, Miss., they were compelled to walk the entire distance, arriving safely at home after many trials. During this journey, they found it necessary to pass through the Mississippi swamps, breaking the ice and wading through water, which was from the shoetop to the arm's pit in depth. On his arrival at home, our subject purchased the eighty acres on which his homestead now stands, adding to it till he now owns 360 acres, 170 being tilled and pro- ducing such commodities as cotton, corn and wheat. On his farm will be found a good resi- dence, barns and sheds. In October, 1867, he was joined in matrimony to Bettie Thomas, being born in Middle Tennessee, November 23, 1846, and a daughter of C. Thomas (see sketch). To this union were born ten children: John, Jessie, Bennie, William, Mollie, Anna, Ray, Allen, Colum- bus and Maggie. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. John A. is com- fortably fixed with this world's goods, enjoying life and the confidence of his fellow-citizens, which he justly merits; all charitable enterprises, and any enterprise contributing to the welfare of his county, receives his most liberal support. Politic- ally he is a Democrat, casting his vote with that party.

F. M. Hale, prominently identified with the planting interests of Yell County, was born in McNairy County, Tenn., February 22, 1848. His father, James Hale, a native Virginian, and his mother, Elizabeth, of Tennessee, were married in McNairy County of the latter State, somewhere about the year 1846, and located on a farm, where they lived and died and raised a family of three boys, our subject being a twin and the eldest. The father was a minister of the gospel, having been licensed to preach by the Methodist Episco- pal Church South. Being left to his own re-

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sources at the age of nineteen, and having gained what little education the common schools of his county could give, engaged as a farm band, and the succeeding year married Isabel Owens, daugh- ter of James Owens, of Henry County, Tenn., and who bore him six children: John Robert, Mary Susan, James M., William Washington, Sarah Ann and Charles (deceased). In 1877, thinking to better his fortunes, he moved to Faulkner County, Ark., and rented a farm, which he worked for five years, and here was called to mourn the loss of his wife. Moving to Yell County, he rented a farm of John Albright, in Rover Township, then purchased eighty acres from Dr. Clement, in Fourche Valley, and soon married Mrs. Shir- ley, widow of Milton Shirley, and who died in April, 1SS9, her two daughters dying while very young. He continued still to farm and increased his eighty acres to 163, with sixty under cultivation. Mrs. Henson, widow of James W. Henson, became his third wife, and they are the parents of one son, Francis. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, for many years, and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is an exemplary citizen, and a liberal patron of education and religion, doing much to support schools and churches, and all public interests of h's county.

M. M. Hale, one of the many prosperous plant- ers of Yell County, and a citizen of Magazine Township, was born in Georgia, March 6, 1834, his parents, Thompson and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hale, were also natives of this State, and were mar- ried in Gwinnett County, where they raised a family of seven children, and here the parents, worthy consistent members of the Baptist Church, died, the mother in 1844 or 1845, and the father in 1890. The principal of this sketch was early trained as a farmer, and when twenty-one rented land in his native State, which he worked for two years and subsequently purchased land. He was united in marriage, December 23, 1856, to Miss Rebecca S. Wright, who was born in the Palmetto State in 1834, the daughter of Berry and Polly (Christopher) Wright, and they became the parents of the following family: Matthew T., Darling P.,

Sarah E. (wife of William Renington), Irena, James B., Mary E., George A. and Selete O. Our subject served his country faithfully as a soldier in the Confederate Army, enlisting in Com- pany B, Forty-second Georgia Regiment of In- fantry, commanded by Capt. Putnam Weaver, and fought in the battles of Vicksburg, Franklin, Chickasaw, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Nashville, and a number of minor skirmishes, and was pa- roled at Atlanta in 1865, and at the close of the war returned to his farm. In 1869 he came to Ar- kansas, and located in this county, where he bought 160 acres of land, clearing and improving seventy- two acres, which yield an abundant crop, and has a fine orchard of about four acres, and his farm gives evidence that he is a man of thrift, and is possessed of broad, progressive ideas, and is well posted on all methods of modern farming. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Joseph Hall, a planter of Dutch Creek, is a na- tive of Arkansas, being born in Yell County, Au- gust 19, 1854, his parents, H. M. and Elizabeth (Williams) Hall, of Tennessee and Indiana nativity, were among the early pioneers of Arkansas, and were united in marriage in this county, and became the parents of four children: Our subject, Louis, Henry M. and Isaac. H. M. Hall followed farm- ing as an occupation, and during the late war served twelve months in a company of infantry in the Confederate Army when he was discharged on account of disability, and in 1SS7 departed this life, his widow still living in this county, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject was married in Scott County, January 25, 1877, to Miss Mary F. Rodgers, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Tate) Rodgers of Alabama, where their daughter was born in 1860. This union resulted in the birth of one child, Thomas W. Mr. Hall owns a fine tract of land, some 120 acres in extent, with forty acres thoroughly culti- vated, and harvests a good crop of corn and cotton each season. Mrs. Hall is an exemplary Christian woman, and a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a wide-awake and thrifty farmer.

David Nicholas HalliBurton, a citizen of Darda-

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nelle, was born at the Post of Arkansas, Arkansas County, April 18, 1850. His parents, Judge Thomas and Margaret M. (Dameworth) HalliBur- ton, were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, re- spectively, and his paternal grandfather, David HalliBurton, was a Scotchman by birth, and while on his way to school, in Edinburgh, in company with his brother, was decoyed on board a ship, bound for America, and upon its landing in Vir- ginia, this country, was put off. Here he married, and upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, enlisted in the Virginia line, and was with Greene in his celebrated retreat. The maternal grand- father, George Dameworth, was of sturdy old Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and emigrated to Ten- nessee very early in life, and busied himself with farming, and was known as a sound, substantial, honest and industrious citizen. The father of our subject learned the saddler's trade in Virginia, but married his first wife in North Carolina, and then moved to Tennessee, where she died, leaving him and five children to mourn their loss. He married the second time in Humphreys County, Tenn., and this wife bore him five children, of whom our sub- ject was the youngest. Soon after this marriage (some time in 1844) he came to the Post of Ar- kansas, where he engaged in merchandising. He was elected county and probate judge of Arkansas County in 1846. He was a merchant at the post for several years before his removal to Grand Prairie, and later settled on a plantation near Swan Lake, where he spent the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits, and died in September, 1859, his widow surviving him until 1882, her death oc- curring in Franklin Parish, La., at the residence of her daughter. Judge HalliBurton was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Pres- byterian Church. Our subject received his early educational training at home, and when seventeen years of age, entered a school at Dewitt, then worked in a printing office for one year, after which he went to Memphis, Tenn., and accepted a posi- tion in a railroad office as shipping clerk, and in November, 1869, went to Louisiana, where he was engaged as shipping and receiving clerk for a firm in Madison Parish; thence to Franklin Parish, here

teaching school for six months. He was deputy circuit clerk, and afterward deputy sheriff of this parish, and later became a traveling salesman for a wholesale house in Vicksburg, and in 1875 re- turned to Arkansas, since which time he has fol- lowed various pursuits, and in 1878 settled in Dardanelle, Yell County, Ark., and since 1SSS has been the special agent of the Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, of New York. He was married January 7, 1880, to Mattie J. Cotton, daughter of Jesse H. and Rebecca Cotton, who settled in this county in 1861. To this couple have been born the following interesting family: Thomas Jesse (deceased), Fannie Lou Alice, Minnie Margaret, Harold Fordyce, Susan Rebecca and Anna. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a Mason, affiliating with Bright Star Lodge No. 213, of Dardanelle, also a Knights of Pythias, belonging to Easley Lodge No. 17, of Dardanelle, and is a member of Lodge No. 1233, of the Knights of Honor, of this town. Politically, he is an aggressive Democratic worker, always striv- ing for the interests of his party. He is a courte- ous and affable gentleman, who extends a hand of welcome to all, and is a liberal supporter of all laudable enterprises.

Clarence E. Haney was born February 9, 1844, in this county, and is the son of Thomas J. Haney, who came to this State in 1842, from Unionville, S. C., and entered 160 acres of land, which he im- proved at the rate of five acres a year until his death twelve years after, and his widow still owns the land and resides upon it, and here our subject lived, and at the breaking out of the war, being but eighteen years of age, was conscripted into Com- pany F of Col. Hawthorne's regiment, serving two years and participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, then deserted the Confederate side and joined the Federal Army at Little Rock, and fought in a number of battles and skirmishes and was wounded and taken prisoner at Prairie Grove; was exchanged and given a furlough, and received his final discharge July 18, 1865, at Lewisburg (now Morrillton). He returned to his home and resumed farming, and bought 440 acres of land, paying $3 an acre, and not having a dollar to pay down he

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gave his note for it, and in 1880 made his last pay- ment, every dollar of which has come out of this land. He has under cultivation 150 acres, forty- five of these being devoted principally to cotton, and the remainder planted to corn and the small grains, and as a usual thing his crops average well, and he also raises some cattle, hogs, and has a fine flock of Cotswold sheep. On his farm is a nicely painted house, a good barn, besides several outbuildings. On September 29, 1870, he brought his bride, Mary J. Madden, daughter of Samuel J. Madden, to reign over this place, and who, after fourteen months of happiness here, died leaving an infant daughter to his care, and on July 30, 1876, married Miss Lovina C. Rounsaville, and they are the parents of the following family: Edwin (born May 26, 1877), Laura (born July 27, 1879), Lydia (born December 31, 1880), Robert E. Lee (born May 11, 1883, died March 2, 1890), Martha A. (born September, 1885), Grover Earl (born March 7, 1888). The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a liberal supporter of churches and schools, and is a Democrat in politics.

Thadeus L. Haney, farmer, Chickalah, Ark. Mr. Haney is a South Carolinian by birth and bringing up, having been born in that State June 3, 1835. His father, Timothy Haney, was a native of the Old Dominion, but was reared in South Carolina. Thadeus came to this State with his father in 1839, was reared on the farm and re- mained with his father until twenty-one years of age. About that time his father died, leaving a large landed property which was divided among his nine heirs, about 200 acres falling to our sub- ject. Mr. Haney has improved this farm and added to it from time to time, until he now owns 440 acres, besides giving to his children each a farm of 200 acres. His dwelling, outbuildings, "te., indicate a thrifty and progressive owner. His farm, principally bottom land, is very productive, and on this he raises cotton, corn and hay. He is largely engaged in stock-raising-horses, cattle, sheep and hogy-and is one of the most enterpris- ing and successful farmers of this section. MIr. Hauey was married, in 1856, to Miss Amanda L.

George, daughter of Jackson George, of the Pal- metto State, and to this union have been born four children: Julia, Emma, Virginia and Macey, the eldest three being married and residing near their father. In 1862 Mr. Haney enlisted in the army and served until the close. He was in a number of small battles and skirmishes, the most import- ant being Arkansas Post and Prairie De Hand. At Arkansas Post he was taken prisoner, and lay at Chicago, Ill., for six months, when he was ex- changed. He returned to his command in May, 1863. He takes very little part in political affairs, but votes with the Democratic party. He, with his family, are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He, in connection with others, formed a company and erected a large school building at the village of Chickalah, where he resides.

Dr. J. H. Harkness, another of Bellville's pro- gressive physicians claims Northern Georgia as his birthplace, he being born in that State in 1850. His parents, R. W. and Eveline (Bacon) Harkness, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, re- spectively, and were farmers by occupation. The father served his country as a private in the late war, and came to Arkansas in 1869, and settled on the La Fourche River, owning one of the finest farms in this county, and on which he still resides, his wife having departed this life in May, 1888. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The paternal grandfather, Robert Hark- ness, of Irish descent, early came to this country and located in Charleston, S. C., and engaged in business, and later, moving thence to Georgia, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather, William H. Bacon, was a Georgian by birth, and a planter. The Doctor was early taught the rudiments of farming, and attended school till ten years old, when he was obliged to drop his studies, and did not take them up again till attaining his majority, when he worked and studied, and in 1873 began the study of his chosen profession with an uncle, in Georgia, and the next year attended lectures at Atlanta, and in the spring of 1874, while yet a student, he came to Arkansas, and began to practice, and in 1885 returned to Little Rock to complete his studies, graduating

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here with high honors. On coming to Bellville he established a practice and opened a drug store, carrying a full line of drugs. He owns a fine tract of land, 100 acres in extent, seventy of which are culti- vated, and five acres and a residence in town. He married Miss Kate Hamilton in the fall of 1875, who bore him one child, Edna. The Doctor, wife and daughter worship with the Methodist Episco- pal Church South, to which they belong, and he is well worthy the reputation he has earned as a citi- zen and physician.

Hon. J. T. Harrison, of Dardanelle, was born in Virginia in 1827. His parents, Joseph and Athana (Rollins) Harrison, were of Virginian na- tivity, but came to Tennessee in 1838 or 1839, and here followed farming as a means of maintenance, the father dying in 1840. His mother was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1862. Our subject's early life was spent in Tennessee, where he received but a limited educa- tion, and at the age of fourteen began life's career as a farmer. After a complete mastery of the study of law, which he had chosen as his profession, he was admitted to the bar for practice in 1855. In 1858 he came to Arkansas, and purchased land in what is now Logan County (then Scott), and cleared and improved some forty acres of his 400. At the bursting of the war cloud in 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, taking part in the bat- tles of Oak Hill, and Elk Horn, was dispatched east of the Mississippi River, and after the battle of Corinth his company was reorganized, choosing him as its captain; was a participant in battles under Gen. Bragg in Kentucky, and fought at Richmond and Jackson, Miss. Ill health soon overtaking him, the Captain was obliged to resign, and com- ing home joined the State troops as lieutenant, re- maining with this till the close of the war. In 1869 he moved to Danville and resumed his law practice, and about 1870 changed to Dardanelle, where he bought his present place of residence, besides owning 500 acres in Carden bottom, sixty of which are under cultivation. He has served his State in many of its official positions, being a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1874, and a representative in 1877, and in 1880

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Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1020