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 38
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P. J. Harvill. Among the many sturdy "sons of the soil" of Pope County, Ark., who have at- tained a good competency in their calling by the sweat of their brow and who command an enviable social position, is Mr. Harvill, who was born in this county October 15, 1847, to M. W. and Eliza- beth (Luton) Harvill, both of whom were born in Tennessee, the former in 1812. He was a farmer and was married in this county, his union resulting in the birth of five children-two sons and three daughters-of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, and the only child now living. Those dead are Polly A., Sarah E., Nancy and one un- named. The mother of these children was called from the scene of her earthly labors in 1856, and two years later Mr. Harvill married Mrs. Jane Ross, and of the following named children born to them, five are now living: William R., G. J., Eliz- abeth (wife of G. T. Brooks), Edgar and Tennessee. M. W., John, Louis and a child unnamed are deceas- ed. At the time of her death, in 1882, Mrs. Harvill was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in 1889 Mr. Harvill married a third time, his wife being Mrs. Mary Gilmore, a member, as was her husband, of the Primitive Baptist Church. On March 17, 1890, he was called from life. He had come to this State from Tennessee in 1836, and until his demise was a resident of Pope County, and helped carry the surveyor's chain over the whole of the southern part of this State .- His son, P. J. Harvill, was married in Pope County March 5, 1871, to Miss Cynthia S. Brooks. She was born in this county, October 10, 1853, a daugh- ter of J. H. and Harriet (Yarberry) Brooks, who
were Tennesseeans, and came to Arkansas with their parents, their marriage taking place in Pope County and five of their nine children survive them : James C. O., Cynthia S. (wife of Mr. Harvill), G. T., Henry F. and T. A. Martha L., Laura, Wil- lie E. and Effie T. are deceased. The father died in 1871 and the mother in 1876, the latter having been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvill nine children have been born: George H. (born January 10, 1872), Eler E. (born August 9, 1874, and died Oc- tober 9,1874), Ollie (born December 18, 1875), Nora (born July 30, 1878), Sarah (born November 11. 1880), S. M. (born March 21, 1883), Ider P. (born October 7, 1885 and died July 19, 1886), Floyd E. (born May 28,1887), and Hattie F. (born March 18, 1890). In 1863 Mr. Harvill enlisted in the Federal Army in the Third Arkansas Cavalry, Company A, and served until 1865, being at one time wound- ed in the right arm by a pistol shot. Since the war he has devoted his attention to farming and is now the owner of 200 acres of land with eighty un- der cultivation. In 1882 he erected thereon a nice frame residence and besides this his farm is other- wise improved with good barns and an excellent young orchard of about two acres. He has served as justice of the peace six years, and for the last seventeen years has been a school director in his district. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he is steward and trustee, and he is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Rus- sellville Lodge No. 274.
A. K. Henry. The social, political and busi- ness history of this section is filled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, and no man in Pope County is more deserving the appellation than Mr. Henry, for he marked out his own career in youth, and has steadily followed it up to the present, his prosperity being attributable to his earnest and persistent endeavor, and to the fact that he has always consistently tried to follow the teachings of the Golden Rule. Although a resident of this parish he was born in York District, S. C., October 20, 1812, to Charles W. and Margaret (Carr) Henry. both of whom were also born in the Palmetto | State. The father was a farmer and a blacksmith
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by occupation, and his father was a follower of the former occupation and was of Scotch descent. The wife of the latter was a Virginian. The grand- parents on the mother's side were of Irish descent. The mother was born in 1790, and the father in 1787, their union taking place in York District, S. C., in 1811, and resulted in the birth of five chil- dren, two of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. The other member is A. M., who was born October 3, 1816. G. W., Elizabeth B. and Catherine are deceased. The father of these children passed from life in his na- tive State in 1848, being a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and his wife died in 18SS, having been a member of the same church since 1806. The immediate subject of this biog- raphy was married in Union District, S. C., May 28, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth S. Parker, who was born in South Carolina January 6, 1819, a daugh- ter of Silas R. and Martha (Akins) Parker, also South Carolinians, and to whom seven sons and two daughter were born, Elizabeth (wife of Mr. Henry), and W. P. being the only ones now living. The following are deceased: Isaac, Allison S., Walter L., S. R., William R., Eleasa and Sarah A. Mr. Parker died about 1867, and his wife in 1858, both earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. To Mr. Henry and his wife ten children have been born: Silas H., Martha A. (wife of C. G. Oates), Margaret (deceased), Sarah E. (deceased), Cathe- rine C. (wife of William O. Ferguson), Nancy E. (deceased), Mary A. (deceased), Margaret E. (wife of William Henry), Sarah (widow of A. R. Ferguson), and Charles W. Mr. Henry enlisted in the Con- federate Cavalry in 1863 and served until the close of the war, taking part in a number of engage- ments. He emigrated from South Carolina to Ar- kansas in 1856, and settled on the farm of 240 acres, of which he is now the owner, 100 acres be- ing under cultivation. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
Silas A. Henry, farmer, Potts Station, Ark. There are many successful agriculturists repre- sented within the pages of this volume, but none more deserving of mention than Silas A. Henry, who is one of the pioneers of this State. He was
born in York County, S. C., in June, 1841, and was the eldest of ten children, six of whom are now living and residing near Russellville, Pope County, Ark. Silas A. received his education in Arkansas. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company B, Second Arkansas Regiment Infantry, Capt. Parker's company, and under Col. McIntosh. In the spring of 1862 he was sent east of the Mississippi River in the Army of Tennessee under Gen. Bragg, and was in the battles of Chickamauga, Wilson Creek, Pea Ridge, Richmond, Murfreesboro, Jackson, and was then with Johnston and Hood in the Georgia campaign. He went with the latter general to Tennessee, was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and then went with Gen. Johnston to North Carolina, and fought the battle of Bentonville. He surrendered at Greensboro, N. C., as second lieutenant of his com- pany, which had at the beginning 100 men, but at the close only fourteen were left, he being the only commissioned officer left in the company. He arrived home on July 5, 1865, and since then has been engaged in cultivating the soil. He makes a complete success of this occupation, as a glance over his place will indicate to the beholder, and of the 120 acres he now owns, 70 acres are under cultivation. Miss Nancy M. Bigham, daughter of Dr. Robert Bigham, became his wife in 1869, and the fruits of this union have been nine children, eight now living: Irene E., Robert B., Andrew K., C. Walter, Jennings M., John Mc., Joseph G., Dixon B. and Lily Mc. John Mc. died. at the age of two years. Irene married W. R. McArthur, son of Joseph McArthur of Pope County, Ark., and the remainder of the children are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the Associate Reformed Pres- byterian Church, and he is a strong adherent to the Democratic principles. His parents, A. K. and Elizabeth (Parker) Henry, were natives of South Carolina. They removed to Arkansas with a family of five children in 1857, bought land in Pope County, and there they reside at the present time. The paternal grandfather, C. W. Henry, died in South Carolina at an early day, and his wife came to this State and county with her son, A. M.
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Henry, about 1875. She died in 1888, at the age of ninety-eight years. The maternal grandparents came to Arkansas from South Carolina in 1859, set- tled in Pope County, the place where Capt. Parker now resides, and there they received their final summons, the grandmother in 1860, and the grand- father in 1866.
J. D. Hogan is one of the wide-awake, enter- prising and substantial men of the county. He was born in Kershaw county, S. C., September 13, 1838, to S. S. and Margaret J. (Cronkfield) Hogan, who were born and reared in the Palmetto State, and there spent their lives, being earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of their deaths. J. D. Hogan was reared in his native State, his education, which was rather lim- ited, being also received there, but in 1859 he commenced doing for himself and determined to better his education. Accordingly, when he had obtained sufficient means he entered school in Co- lumbia, but was taken sick in October, 1860, with typhoid fever, and upon thoroughly recovering did not again enter school, but helped to swell the ranks of the Confederate Army, becoming a mem- ber of Butler's command in the spring of 1861. Farming has been his principal occupation in life, at which he has been quite successful, and he is now the owner of 280 acres of land, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation and well im- proved. He was married March 15, 1866, to Cyn- thia M. Cloud, and the following are their children: Minnie T., Hattie E., Alice O., F. B., Sallie S., Mattie J., Walton W., Lionel D., Nannie Lois, May Alberta, and James D. All are living with the exception of May Alberta and James D. Mr. Hogan is a stanch Democrat, and for ten years held the office of trial justice. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episco pal Church South ever since childhood, and their eldest four children are also members. He has been a resident of this county since December 24, 1888, and here expects to spend the rest of his days. His wife is a daughter of Franklin D. and Sarah (Hogan) Cloud.
Reese B. Hogins, circuit and county clerk of Pope County, Ark., was born in Dover of this
county on April 15, 1847, and was the youngest of eight children born to A. D. and Louisa (Bowen) Hogins both native Tennesseeans. He received his education at home, and in Septem- ber, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Arkan- sas Cavalry of the Confederate Army, and was in the battles of Pine Bluff, Marks' Mill, Poison Springs, Prairie de Ann, and was with Gen. Price in his Missouri campaign. He was wounded at the battle of Pilot Knob, taken prisoner and con- fined at St. Louis and Alton until February 17, when he was exchanged at Richmond. He regained his command- in time to surrender at Marshall, Tex. After this he came home and followed farm- ing until 1874, and was then deputy sheriff, for two years. In 1876 he was elected sheriff, and served six years in succession, after which he farmed for the same length of time. In 1888 he was elected county and circuit clerk, which position he fills at the present time to the satisfaction of all. He is the owner of 100 acres of land near Dover, with eighty acres under cultivation, and has 420 acres in Yell County with 100 acres under cultivation. His marriage occurred on November 21, 1867, to Miss Josephine White, a native of this county and the daughter of Robert White, who came to Pope County as early as 1840. Mr. White was a merchant for many years, both at Norristown and Dover. He died in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Hogins are the parents of six children: Mary R. (wife of A. J. White of Dover), John F., Augustus S., William R., Emma and Hallie. Mr. Hogins is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Dover Lodge No. 17 and Russellville Chapter No. 76. He is a member of the K. of P., Russellville Lodge No. 47, in which he is chancellor commander, and is also a member of the K. of H. No. 1353, in which he is F. R. The family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, and are held in high estimation in the community. Mr. Hogins has taken an active interest in political matters for years and is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen.
W. R. Hudlon, farmer and ginner, 'Moreland, Ark. Mr. Hudlon is another of the many repre- sentative citizens of Pope County, who owe their nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in 1829,
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and is the son of George W. and Lucy (Hurst) Hudlon, both natives of the Old Dominion. The seven children born to their marriage are named in the order of their births as follows: Nancy C. (wife of N. Hubbord), W. R., Elizabeth (wife of David Revis), George W., Sarah E. (wife of Henry Plemons), Fanny (wife of James Silvertooth), and Joseph (deceased). W. R. Hudlon received a limited education in his native State, but this he has remedied to a great extent by observation and study, being now a well-posted man on all impor- tant topics of the day. He began working for him- self in 1850, and in that year he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Goble, daughter of John and Rehan- na (Maynard) Goble. To them were born ten chil- dren, six now living: George, John, Joseph, Francis, Allen, James and Mary M. Mr. Hudlon came to Arkansas in 1857, purchased 120 acres of land, cleared twenty acres, and erected a house and other buildings. He then sold this land and bought 300 acres, partly improved, which he further improved by clearing about fifty acres, and on this he has a good house and substantial outbuildings. Subse- quently he sold 100 acres of this. In 1880 he erected a gin, which he operated until 1SSS, when he purchased a large gin at Cross Plains, the ca- pacity of which is ten bales per day. He also looks after his fine farm of 200 acres, eighty acres under cultivation, on which he raises cotton and corn. He lost his wife in 1873. She was an estimable lady and a devout member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In 1873 Mr. Hudlon married Mrs. Mary Ferror, a native of Georgia, and the daugh- ter of Samuel J. Harris. The result of this union have been ten children, seven of whom are living: Ulysses L., Minnie M., Sally D., Arthur S., Charley, Riley D. and Homer. Mr. Hudlon enlisted in the Federal service, Company C, Fourth Arkansas Cav- alry, but was rejected on account of condition of health. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a steward, and he was postmaster at Moreland for eighteen years. He was also justice of the peace of Moreland Town- ship for eight years.
B. F. Jobe, editor of the Russellville Demo- crat, Russellville, Ark. Under the efficient man-
agement of Mr. Jobe, the Russellville Democrat has come to be regarded as one of the representative country journals, and the paper is found to be a welcome visitor in the numerous homes in which it enters. Mr. Jobe was born at Ringgold, Ga., on July 7, 1849, and removed with his parents to Ar- kansas in 1857. On July 10, 1870, he entered the office of the Des Arc (Arkansas) Citizen and began work as an apprentice under the tutorship of Allen C. Matthews. In February, 1872, he took charge of the mechanical department of the Rus- sellville National Tribune, edited by J. H. Batten- field, a position he occupied until 1874. When the Russellville Printing Association was organized in 1875, he was elected manager and continued in charge of the business department until 1887, when in addition to his other duties he assumed the editorial management of the Democrat, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been secretary of Rus- sellville Lodge No. 274 for seventeen years. He is at present recorder of the city council, a posi- tion he has held for eight years, and is now serving his fourth term as protector of Ashby Lodge No. 335, K. & L. of H. He is second vice president of the Arkansas State Press Association. On Sep- tember 3, 1873, he was married to Miss S. F. Bonds, and to them have been born the following children: Cora Edna (born July 10, 1874) and Floy B. (born October 10, 1876). The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Jobe's parents first located in Columbia County, Ark., in 1857, remained there one year and then moved to Des Arc, Prairie County, where the father followed merchandising until 1861. He then moved to Pope County, settling three miles from Atkins, but remained there only until 1863, when he moved to Searcy, White County, and there his death occurred in 18SS. The mother resides in Russellville. Mr. Jobe is one of Russell- ville's most valued citizens, polite, courteous and pleasant to all, and has a host of warm friends.
P. M. Johnson is one of the honored "sons of the soil," and as he was reared to this occupation by his father, he has made it his chief occupation through life. He was ushered into life in Smith
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County, Tenn., in 1835, and in that State his par- ents, D. M. and E. G. (Lee) Johnson, were also born, the former being a native of Overton County. The maternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch was a Virginian, but was one of the early pioneers of Tennessee, and in that State reared his family. P. M. Johnson at- tained manhood in Pope County, Ark., and notwithstanding the fact that his early oppor- tunities were of the most meager description, he was naturally intelligent, and upon attaining manhood was well fitted to make his own way in the world. In 1854 he went to California, but returned to Pope County, Ark., four years later. After remaining here until 1859, he returned to the " Eldorado of the West" and was also in Nevada for some time, but in 1866 went to Montana Ter- ritory, where he continued to make his home for six years. At the end of that time he was satisfied to return to Pope County, Ark., to make his home. He was married, the year following his return, to Miss Susan M. Langford, and unto them the fol- lowing children were born: E. C., Emma, A. S., E. P., M. A., M. V., L. W., E. M. and B. M. E. C., E. P. and Emma are deceased. Mr. Johnson has always been a very enthusiastic Democrat, and all his relatives agree with him in their political views. He has always been a public-spirited citi- zen, has always been the soul of honor, and is a patron of education and all worthy enterprises.
George W. Johnstone. Nowhere in Pope County, Ark., is there to be found a man of more energy, determined will or force of char- acter than Mr. Johnstone possesses, and no agri- culturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. He was born in the State of New York, April 12, 1844, to Samuel D. and Mary J. (Merchant) John- stone, both of whom were born in England, the former's birth occurring in 1801, and the latter's in 1807. They were married in North Carolina, in 1830, and to them two sons and two daughters were born: Ruth A. (wife of Thomas Keiten), James H., Martha (deceased), and George W. The father emigrated with his family to Louisiana at an early day, and from there to Arkansas in
1838, entering 160 acres of land in Pulaski County, greatly increasing this amount in later years. He died on June 10, 1873, and his wife in 1846, a member of the Episcopal Church. On March 31, 1869, George W. Johnstone was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Mary V. Gargiss, by whom he became the father of one child, a daughter, Mary J., wife of Robert Laster, of the Cherokee Nation. The mother died March 27, 1870, an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Johnstone's wife, to whom he was married October 6, 1878, was Mrs. Mary J. Clark, a native of Perry County, Ark., born March 1, 1849, a daughter of Reuben and Mary (Hancock) Neele. She was the widow of James Clark, whom she married in 1864, and by whom she became the mother of six children, two now living: Abie M. and William H. James, Anna, Sarah and Charles E. are deceased. Mr. Clark died on September 11, 1877. Mrs. John- stone's parents were born in Pennsylvania, and she is the only child born to their union. Her father died in 1849 and her mother in 1852. To her union with Mr. Johnstone, four children have been born: Maggie L., George A. (deceased), Nan- nie L. O. and Albert A. On March 14, 1864, Mr. Johnstone enlisted in the Federal Army, in the Third Regiment United States regular serv- ice, and was on duty for two years, at the end of which time he was discharged and returned home and engaged in farming. He afterward became surveyor for the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Company for eleven years. He is the owner of 266 acres of land, 100 acres being under cultivation and excellently improved, the principal crops of which are corn, cotton and wheat. He is a member of Russellville Lodge No. 272, of the A. F. & A. M., also belongs to the relief association of that order and is a member of the G. A. R. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Josiah Clark and wife, parents of James Clark, Mrs. Johnstone's first husband, moved from Penn- sylvania to Pope County, Ark., at an early day, and in that county James Clark was born and died. By occupation he was a steamboat captain and pilot on the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers.
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J. E. Joyner, attorney, Atkins, Ark. J. E. Joyner is one of Pope County's leading and emi- nent lawyers. He owes his nativity to the Palmetto State, born in 1848, and was the eighth of nine children born to his parents. In 1852 he came with his parents to Arkansas, and in 1870 entered the University of Mississippi, taking the A. B. course, and graduating in 1873. After this he taught school in Pulaski County, and then for one year was principal of the Dardanelle Institute. About this time he began reading law, and after two years entered the office of Clark & Williams at Little Rock, with whom he remained until 1878. He was then admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Arkansas, and afterward came to Atkins, where he has since practiced his profession. He is a fluent and forcible speaker, sound in his views and has won an enviable reputation among his legal brethren in Arkansas. By his marriage, which occurred in 1881, to Miss Julia Reynolds, have been born five children, one deceased: Fay, Eddie, May. Lucy (died in infancy) and Maud. The father of Mrs. Joyner, William Reynolds, is an old settler of this county. In 1881 Mr. Joyner pur- chased a farm of ninety-six acres in the bottom lands of Arkansas River, and has added to this until he is now the owner of 350 acres, all bottom land with 240 acres under cultivation. The bal- ance is well timbered. He also is the owner of 174 acres in the uplands, with forty acres in culti- vation. He built a good house in Atkins in 1881, and also has a good office. He is active in town affairs, and has served as alderman. He is a mem- of the Masonic fraternity, the K. of P. and the K. of H. He is a self-made man, and all his property is the result of hard work and enterprise on his part. Mrs. Joyner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Joyner's parents, Joel and Rebecca (Gassaway) Joyner, were natives of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively. The father was a merchant and farmer and came to Arkansas in 1852, settling in Pulaski County, where he remained but a short time. He then moved to Brownsville, Prairie County, and was one of the early merchants of the same, remaining there for four years. He then moved to his farm in
Pulaski County, and there remained until his death in 1883. The mother died in 1868. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
J. R. Kenney, M. D. This popular and com- petent physician has been a resident of Dover since March, 1872, and during this time has won a reputation for ability and efficiency that is ex- celled by none. He was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., September 2, 1837, to John Kenney, a mechanic of that county, and although he was only given the advantages of the common schools, he was faithful, studious and painstaking, and be- came a thoroughly good student. As his father was a tanner he learned that trade in his youth, and after he had attained his majority he began doing for himself, but made his home with his father for three years thereafter. In 1863 he en- tered the Confederate Army, being in Baker's com- pany of Forrest's battalion, and while he was in no extensive engagement, he was in numerous small battles and skirmishes. On account of ill health he was sent to the hospital shortly after he entered the army, where he remained for a few weeks, and was discharged on account of disability. After his return home he began the study of medi- cine, which he continued under the instruction of Dr. B. F. Crittenden, of Center Star, Ala., and in the fall of 1865 he took a course of lectures in the University of Nashville, Tenn., and the following spring commenced practicing at Lexington, Ala .. where he remained for two years. He then opened a tanning business in Charles County, Tenn., which he conducted in addition to his medical practice for about two years, at the end of which time he sold out his business, and went to Wayland Springs, Lawrence County, Tenn., at which place he re- mained until March 1, 1872, when he became a resident of Dover, Ark. He has been very suc- cessful here in the practice of the healing art, and since 1883 has been the owner of 277 acres of land, lying on the west side of the Illinois Bayou, which he has improved from time to time, until he now has about 160 acres in an excellent state of culti- vation, and also has 120 acres on Big Piney Creek. about ten miles northwest of Dover of which forty
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