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 27
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M. W. McClure. Among the early prominent settlers of Arkansas were Samuel and Mary (Cala- han) McClure, of North Carolina, and farmers by occupation, and who came to this State in 1840, locating in Fergeson Townsnip, Yell County, where the father entered 160 acres of land, making slight improvements, subsequently adding and improving 200 more, on which they resided till their deaths, the father's occurring in 1857, and the mother fol- lowing him in 1858, dying in the Presbyterian faith. The father was a very active politician. Our subject, who was born in Tennessee, May 8,
1826, was reared on a farm and when eighteen years of age started out to make his own way in the world, and on arriving at twenty-one (1847) bought eighty acres of his present farm, situated in the woods, clearing and improving this and adding to it till he now owns 127 acres, with thirty-five under cultivation. In the sixties, when the call for troops was given, he entered a company com- manded by Capt. Gault, remaining in it till it reached Little Rock, some time in 1862, when he went home. Soon after joining Capt. Daniel's company of cavalry, was in service in Indian Ter- ritory, and with Gen. Price on his famous raid throughout Missouri, and for twenty-one days was in continual hearing of battle, and at the time of the surrender was with the command in Texas, and at its disbandment came home and once more took up farming. He was twice married. His first marriage taking place in February, 1847, to Miss Louisa Haney, daughter of John Haney, a pioneer from South Carolina. She died in Sep- tember, 1862, leaving three children to her hus- band's care: Winfield (a resident of this county), Arkansas (wife of John Ward), Henry (married and lives in this county), and John (deceased at the age of eight years). His second occurring in 1866 to Mrs. Mary A. McClure, widow of John McClure, and daughter of Edmond Jones, who came from South Carolina in 1842 to Arkansas, and died in 1864, his widow dying in 1877. To them were born four children: Clara (wife of Anda Huoff, and who died when only nineteen), Willie, Mamie and Samuel. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always taken an active interest in politics, and was the successful candidate for county treasurer in 1880, serving two terms; and is deeply interested in school matters, being a director of the first free school in the coun- ty; is a Mason, belonging to Christian Lodge No. 394.
Dr. A. H. Mckenzie. In 1832 Arthur A. Mckenzie, a native of York County, S. C., born in 1808, was united in marriage to Rachel E. Barnett, also of that county and State, and born in 1810, and they became the happy parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Dr. A. H. Mckenzie is the youngest
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son, having been born in his parents' native county April 18, 1849. The senior Mckenzie was a farmer, miller and stock dealer by occupation, and in 1861 enlisted in Company B of the Fifth Regiment of the South Carolina Volunteers, com- manded by Capt. W. H. Bowen, and in 1862 was discharged on account of old age. He died in his native State in 1875 a believer of the Presbyterian faith, being an elder in the Old School Church of that denomination. His widow also died in this State in 1889 a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor was educated in the Kings Mountain Military School, and acquired his pro- fessional knowledge in the medical department of the University of Maryland. Graduating March 4, 1872, he chose as his first place of settlement his native county, where he opened an office and began his practice. He came to Arkansas in June, 1872, and January 9 of the succeeding year mar- ried Miss Mary J. Mckenzie, who was born August 31, 1834, and is the daughter of David U. and Rebecca (Nolen) Mckenzie. To Dr. A. H. and M. J. Mckenzie have been born ten children: David A., Samuel A., Joseph B. (deceased), Carrie R., Walter M., Bergie H., Hattie E., Irvin A., Archie S. and James I. Soon after he settled in this county the Doctor bought 170 acres of land and has improved seventy. He is a Mason of high degree, being worshipful master of Centerville Lodge No. 462, scribe of Dardanelle Chapter No. 64, and a member of the Eastern Star. He and wife worship with the Presbyterian Church, and as a physician he is the trusted friend of his many patrons, and his influence for good is felt through- out the community. He has recently taken up his residence in Dardanelle to educate his children and practice his profession.
James M. Mckenzie was born in York County, S. C., November 26, 1851, and is the youngest son of David and Rebecca (Nolen) McKenzie, origi- nally of South Carolina and North Carolina, the father born in 1818 and the mother in 1821. David Mckenzie was a farmer and emigrated from South to North Carolina at an early day, thence to Ar- kansas in 1857, settling on land in Yell County, where he died in 1879, a member in good standing
in the Old School Presbyterian Church. His widow surviving and living with her daughter, Mrs. Cain, of this county; is also a member of this church. When twenty-two years old our subject bought a farm and began life for himself on his own land, and is now the owner of 160 acres of fine fertile land, with eighty-five acres in a good state of culti- vation, and in 1889 erected a substantial two-story residence on his farm. In 1873 he married Miss Lucretia Scarlett, who was born in Pope County in 1846, and is a daughter of William and Jane Scarlett, and the result of this marriage is a family of six children: Uriah, Edgar, Leroy, Lelar, Ernest and Verna. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie, like their parents, are faithful members of the Presby- terian Church, and he is a progressive farmer and carpenter, and takes an interest in public improve- ments, contributing liberally to all charitable and educational institutions. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket.
David S. McNeely, farmer, Gravelly Hill, Ark. Mr. McNeely, one of the principal farmers of Gravelly Hill Township, was born in Humphreys County, Tenn., on August 30, 1844, and moved with his father to Graves County, Ky., in 1852. There he grew to manhood. On August 30, 1862, he entered the Confederate Army, Company B, Second Kentucky Cavalry Regiment, and served until peace was declared. He was in the battles of Providence, Fort Donelson, Red Hill, Union City, Chickamauga, Shelbyville, and others of minor importance. He was with Gen. Bragg in his retreat from Shelbyville, Tenn., to Chattanooga, and during that retreat he was in the fight at Elk River Bridge. He was cut off from his command at Shelbyville, and was three days getting back again, traveling by night. He was with Wheeler's command in the raid through Central Tennessee. At Missionary Ridge he was taken prisoner and retained for fourteen months at Rock Island. He was to be exchanged in March, 1865, but before this could be effected peace was declared. He then returned to his home in Kentucky, where he again resumed his occupation as a tiller of the soil. In 1868 he was married to Miss Louisa Hendon, who died in 1870. She was the daughter of Aaron
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Hendon. In January, 1870, Mr. McNeely moved to Drew County, Ark., and purchased a tract of 500 acres of land which he settled on and improved. He resided there about four years and then sold out and came to Yell County where he now resides. He purchased a farm of 120 acres, which he has improved and made a pleasant home. In the year 1881, while walling a well, he had his right leg broken by the falling of rock, and was laid up for five weeks. The following year, while helping a carpenter, a piece of timber fell breaking the same leg, which laid him up for seven weeks. In Jan- uary, 1872, he was married, the second time, to Miss Adelia Julian, daughter of Dr. T. J. Julian, and the fruits of this union were seven children, all sons, four of whom are now living. Mr. Mc- Neely is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and has been deacon in the same for ten years. He holds license to preach, and is clerk and treas- urer of the association. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and was at one time deputy sheriff of his county. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace, and has held that posi- tion ever since with the exception of two years. He has been an earnest worker in educational mat- ters, and is president of the board of education of the Piedmont High School. He is thoroughly im- bued with the spirit of the Master, and doing all that he can for the cause of Christianity in this and adjoining counties. He is in every sense of the term a good man, and his worth is recognized in his vicinity.
Mitchell Malone, deceased. This gentleman, who was one of the honored and esteemed citizens of the county, was born in Alabama, on February 2, 1825. He was reared on the farm and received a limited education in the common schools. In November, 1870, he emigrated to Arkansas and bought a tract of land containing 190 acres in Yell County the following year. This he improved un- til he had about thirty-three acres under cultiva- tion, erected a box house and other small buildings. He was twice married, first to Miss Mary -- , who died in 1858, leaving four children, and on November 2, 1858, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Crowell, who became the mother of eight chil-
dren, six of whom are living: Phoebe C., James H., Orena Bell, George, Rosa and Anna. Phoebe and James are married, and the others are at home with their mother. The father of these children died in Yell County, Ark., in 1877, and in his death the county keenly felt the loss of one of her much esteemed citizens. His widow, Mrs. Eliza- beth Malone, was born August 13, 1839, in Ala- bama, and is the daughter of Harris Crowell, one of the successful farmers of that State. She was reared on the farm, and although her educational advantages were not of the best, she was faithfully drilled in industrious habits, which beaten track she has ever since followed. At the death of her husband she was left with eight small children, the eldest not over fourteen years of age, and with her own hands and the help of her children, she cleared seventy acres, which she cultivated. She paid $1,500 for the farm, erected a good house, 40x42, with a wing 18x18 feet, and also erected a good barn besides other outbuildings. She has a good apple and peach orchard which she planted, and which now supplies her with abundance of fruit, and has many other luxuries which are the work of this wonderfully determined and resolute lady. Although she received limited educational advant- ages herself, she is giving her children the benefit of a liberal schooling. She is a member of the Baptist Church, and is among the foremost to aid all who are helpless and in need, giving liberally of her means to all enterprises of a laudable nature. She has the respect and best wishes of the entire community.
Hon. William N. May, one of the representative judges of Dardanelle, and known as a man of high moral character, and in no way belittling his repu- tation for strict integrity and uprightness, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., January 12, 1827, and is the son of William May, a farmer, born in Anson County, N. C., and Mary Amma King, born in Humphreys County, Tenn., in 1810, the daugh- ter of James and Isabella King; she departed this life in Johnson County, Ark., in 1855, leaving a family of ten children to the care of her husband. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and some of his sons fought in
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the War of 1812. Judge May spent his boyhood days on a farm, and being exceptionally bright and intelligent, and very fond of books and study, he took a four years' course in the academy of Harde- man County, Tenn., mathematics, history and grammar being his specialties. In his youth he formed the idea of becoming a merchant, and with this object in view, accepted the positions of clerk in Clarksville and Danville, winning an unenviable business reputation, and at the expiration of three years, partly on credit, and partly with money fur- nished by himself and partner, he established a mercantile business at Danville, which he con- ducted for eight years, when he retired, worth $5,000. Purchasing books, he began the reading of law, under preceptors, and in 1857 was admitted to the bar in Danville, and in 1858 came to Darda- nelle, making it his permanent home. He has a large and extensive practice, practicing in the cir- cuit, supreme and federal courts of the State, and in 1868 was elected to the Arkansas Legislature, and during his term of office introduced several bills, which passed and became statute laws; was chairman of the committee on rules, and on July 23, while still a member of the Legislature, he re- ceived an appointment from Gov. Clayton, as judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of the State, filling this office acceptably and well for many years. July 8, 1874, he tendered his resignation to Gov. Baxter, who refused to accept it, thus obliging him to remain in office till the ensuing election, which took place November 10, 1874, since which date he has served as school director, and was a member of the Republican State Central Committee. He makes a specialty of real estate suits, and his ouly decision ever carried to the United States Su- preme Court was sustained, it being on the ques- tion, Whether a note given for negroes in 1859 was collectible under the constitution of 1868. At the outbreak of hostilities between the North and South, the Judge, with a number of others, being obliged to leave Arkansas, removed his family to Chicago, where they sojourned for eighteen months, and while here, busied himself in compiling a di- gest of the reports of the Supreme Courts of Ar- kansas, arranging the work in twenty-two volumes.
After the surrender, and peace once more reigned, he returned to Dardanelle, and resumed his prac- tice, which brought him an income of between $5,000 and $6,000 a year. In March, 1864, he received an appointment as commissioner of elec- tion of Yell County from Gov. Murphy, and in April, 1868, the same executive commissioned him circuit judge, but he never qualified. Commenc- ing life with scarcely $100, he now owns a very tine residence in Dardanelle, worth $12,000, and 7,000 acres of land in Yell and adjoining coun- ties, including much valuable river bottom land. Judge May has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Martha C. Perry, born in Tennes- see, and daughter of Jeremiah Perry, a planter, and native of North Carolina, to whom he was married in Yell County, February 10, 1853, and who died in 1857, leaving one child, Martha Cherry (born in this county November 6, 1857). On April 2, 1860, he took for his second wife, Mary A. E. Hust, of Montgomery County, Tenn. In his early political career the Judge was a Demo- crat, but during the progress of the Rebellion, he became a Republican of the most pronounced type, and was a firm friend and stanch supporter of Gov. Clayton, when serving as governor and United States Senator. Socially, he is a Master Mason, being initiated into the mysteries of the Danville Lodge No. 41, in the year 1851, and has been an honored official, filling all the chairs in this so- ciety, and in 1854 was a member of the Grand Lodge. In religion, his parents being strict mem- bers of the Methodist Church, he was raised in that belief, joining the church when eleven years old, and is now serving as steward of that denomi- nation, and in July, 1881, he was chosen as lay delegate to represent his church in the general conference. The Judge is held in high esteem throughout the community, and is noted for the hospitable and unostentatious manner of entertain- ment of his guests, which are many.
Will A. F. May, known to the bench and bar of Yell County as one of the most promising young lawyers and ever popular register of the United States Land Office, was born in Chicago, November | 5, 1864, and is the only child of Judge William N.
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and Mary A. E. (Hust) May. (See sketch of fa- ther.) William May, Jr., was reared and educated in his adopted town, where his educational advan- tages were very good, he being a student and graduate from the high school of the place. At the age of eighteen, preparatory to entering the law department of the Ann Arbor University of Michigan, he began reading law under his father. Graduating from this university with the degree of LL. B., July 1, 1886, he formed a partner- ship with his father and were known as William N. May & Son. He continued as a member of this firm till August 3, 1889, when he received his present governmental appointment. Like the ma- jority of residents of Yell County, he owns his home, a neat cottage, six town lots, and manages a 200-acre tract of fine river bottom land, 160 acres being thoroughly cultivated, and is the happy pos- sessor of a cottage on beautiful Mount Nebo, where he and family sojourn for their summer's outing. His marriage with Miss Lillie B. Mepham, of St. Louis, took place in that city, October 13, 1886; she is a daughter of William G. Mepham, a large paint manufacturer of St. Louis. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Arthur Ruport. Mrs. May is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject politically votes with the Republican party, and is in every way worthy the respect and esteem conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens.
Napoleon B. Mills, one of the progressive agriculturists of Dardanelle Township, came to this State in the fall of 1878 from Tennessee, the home of his grandparents and parents, the latter having been Russ and Surlina (Keesee) Mills, all farmers by occupation, and who lived and died there, the father dying May 16, 1842, his widow surviving him till March 28, 1887. They were the parents of five children, their. son, Napoleon, who was born in Obion County, in 1833, being the third in order of birth. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native State, and when twenty years old began life for himself as a carpenter, and when twenty-two mar- ried Miss Mary Marlow, also of Tennessee, and daughter of William Marlow, who departed this
life in 1862, his widow surviving him but a short time. This union resulted in the births of the fol- lowing family: Polyxna (born February 3, 1858, and wife of Frank Findley, of Tennessee), Nannie (born March 7, 1860, and wife of J. H. Swindle, of Arkansas), Laura (born March 12, 1862, and wife of A. L. Jones), Robert Lee (born March 31, 1864, and died in infancy), Hinton (born April 23, 1866, and wife of B. L. Holder, of Tennessee), William Russell (born January 6, 1869), George Keesee (born May 4, 1871), Lillie (born December 11, 1873), Katie May (born April 20, 1877), Mary Ida (born March 20, 1879), Emma (born August 12, 1883), and Mama Belle (born September 7, 1883). The year following his marriage he bought 100 acres of land in West Tennessee, which he farmed till his removal to Arkansas, when he purchased 160 acres, 60 of which he cleared, and set out some fruit trees, which have proved a good investment as an orchard, and is the owner of some fine stock. He has also a neat and commodious residence on his place. In 1886 he bought forty acres of river bottom land, which yields about a bale of cotton and sixty or seventy bushels of corn to the acre. He is a thorough business man, a liberal donator to all educational interests, and has been school director for some time. Himself and family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Mills has always been a stanch Democrat and a true South- ern man. He did not take an active part in the Civil War, from the fact that he had a large rupture in the side, which he received while in an unfortunate difficulty. He is opposed to high protective tariff and all trusts.
Dr. John E. Mitchell, of Marvinville, one of the leading and most successful physicians in Yell County came to the village in which he now lives in January, 1883, from Conway Station. He be- gan the study of medicine with Dr. Kincheloe, of Conway Station, staying with him one year, when he took a course of lectures in the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo., remaining there two terms, and graduating in 1882. After receiving his diploma he came to this county, and, locating at Marvinville, succeeded in building up a practice
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that amounts to about $3,000 per year. In 1886 Dr. Mitchell purchased the Marvinville Mill, which he conducted until December, 1889, when he sold it to its present owners. About the same time he sold his first residence and bought his present home. Dr. Mitchell was born in Quitman, Van Buren County, January 21, 1861, the son of Robert D. and Anna (England) Mitchell, natives of Ala- bama and Missouri, respectively. His father worked at the carpenter's trade most of his life, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the army, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh in 1862. Dr. J. E. Mitchell was reared to manhood at Quitman, where he remained until 1878, when he went to Conway Station, there beginning his pro- fessional career, as above stated. He was married on April 14, 1885, to Miss Anna M. Smith, daugh- ter of J. M. Smith, a native of Tennessee, born on November 1, 1867. They have two children: Erey M. and John E. In his political views the Doctor is a Democrat.
Joseph Mitchell. Samuel and Harriet (Cavin- der) Mitchell, parents of him whose name heads this sketch, claim Tennessee as the land of their birth and marriage, Samuel being born in 1815, and his wife in 1817, and were the parents of sev- en children. Our subject, being fifth in order of birth, was born in Hamilton County, March 20, 1849. The senior Mitchell, being induced by the fertility of the soil and the invigorating climate of the State of Arkansas, emigrated from his native heath in 1854, and settled in this county, where he entered 120 acres of land, built a log cabin and began to improve his land, which, later on, he sold, and bought 200 acres in the same neighborhood, which he cultivated and worked till his death, in 1865, his widow surviving him till 1867, when she passed to her long home, a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, also a farmer, which calling he has followed all his life, is the owner of three fine tracts of land, 160 acres on his home place, twenty-eight cultivated, and two in orchard of some of the well-known varieties of peaches, ap- ples and plums; has eighty acres on Dutch Creek, with fifty improved and two tenement houses, and 120 in this same neighborhood, lying about three
miles from his homestead, and here he has fifty acres broken, a productive orchard, one tenement house, thirty head of cattle, five horses and a num- ber of hogs. On February 21, 1881, he was wed- ded to Mrs. Margaret A. Gatlin, widow of William Gatlin, who had one daughter by her former mar- riage, Ursey. To them were born four children: Samuel, Harriet A., James (deceased) and Poley A. His wife and her daughter are members of the Baptist Church, and he is the township's popular justice of the peace, having been elected to this office in 1872; socially is a Mason, belonging to. Dutch Creek Lodge No. 269, wherein he has been worshipful master and filled the chair of senior warden and senior deacon for some time.
Dr. John M. Montgomery, Sr., one of the old- est practitioners in the county of Yell, and like many other prominent citizens of the county, a na- tive of Tennessee, was born in Giles County on March 11, 1823. He was reared on a farm in Hardeman County, Tenn., and his early opportu- nities for an education were limited. In 1841 he began for himself as a farmer, but feeling the need of a better education he entered the college at Bethel, Tenn., in the fall of that year. He re- mained there until March, 1843, when his father died, and he was obliged to return home to take care of the estate. He left home in 1844, and on January 1, 1845, he was married to Miss Angelene G. Strickland, daughter of S. S. Strickland of Tip- pah County, Miss. The Doctor settled in the last named county, and was there engaged in farming and teaching school until 1853, when his wife died leaving him with four children-three sons and a daughter: James Scott, Mary G., Samuel J. and John M. The eldest died in Texas, and the re- mainder are married, and two are living in Arkan- sas. The other is in the Lone Star State. After the death of his wife Dr. Montgomery was given a circuit and began preaching for the Meth- odist Church, leading the life of an itinerant preacher for two years. He was at this time lo- cated in North Mississippi, and during this time he began reading medicine. In the fall of 1854 he took a course of lectures at Memphis, Tenn., and later began practicing in Marshall County,
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Miss. He took a second course of lectures in 1855 at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in 1855. In the fall of that year, October 17, he was married to Miss Martha C. Nichols of Marshall County, Miss. He continued the practice of medicine for five years in that county and then removed to Fay- ette County of that State, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Abbeville on the Mis- sissippi Central Railroad, continuing his practice at that place for fifteen years. From there he moved to Conway Station, Faulkner County, Ark., continuing there five years, and in the fall of 1885 he came to Rover Township, Yell County, Ark. On December 3, 1887, he moved to Gravelly Hill, where he now resides and where he has continued his practice until the present time. During all this time he has also given his attention to minis- terial work. When he came to this township he bought a tract of patially improved land, and since then he has erected buildings, and made many im- portant changes. Part of this tract he has sold off into town lots. He is the father of twelve living children, all grown up and married but two. He is a Jacksonian Democrat in politics. He is one of a company endowing the academy at this place.
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