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 39

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 39

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are improved, and 120 acres, forty being under cultivation, about four miles east of town. These farms are conducted by tenants. He is a joint owner with J. A. Pitts, of Dover, in a grist-mill and cotton-gin, under the firm name of Pitts & Co., the plant being worth about $2,000, the work of the cotton-gin amounting to about 425 bales annu- ally, besides the work of the grist-mill. The Doc- tor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics is a Democrat. Starting in life as he did, he has been wonderfully successful, not only in his practice, but as a business man also, and is one of the leaders in both callings in this section of the country. He has remained un- married.

Dr. C. L. Kirkscey is the oldest physician and surgeon of Dover, Ark., and has been a resident of this county since 1874, coming from Helena, Ala. He was born on December 2, 1838, at Alamucha, Lauderdale County, Miss. His fa- ther, John M. C. Kirkscey was a farmer and stock- dealer residing near De Sotoville and Butler, Ala., and on his farm the subject of this sketch was reared to the age of fifteen years, at which time he entered school at Gaston and Providence, Ala. Up to this time his advantages for acquiring an education were very limited, but his father now re- solved to give him every advantage, and after re- maining in that institution one year he entered the high school at Eutaw, Ala., remaining in this in- stitution one year also. He next became a student in the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, which was not only a literary but a military college, and here he remained two and one-half years, being a painstaking and zealous student. At the end of this time he entered the Confederate Army as third lieutenant and was first sent to Demopolis, Ala., to take charge of a drill camp at that place, and here he entered actual service in Company B, Eleventh Alabama Regiment his uncle S. F. A. Hail being lieutenant-colonel of this regiment. He was in the battles of Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, and White Oak Swamp, being wounded and taken prisoner in the latter engagement. After being sent to his home he was assigned to dnty in the Commissary Department, where he re- 1

mained until the close of the war, when he returned home to find himself without a dollar with which to commence the battle of life. He then followed school teaching for one year at a salary of $90 per month, at the close of which time he was pre- vailed upon to enter the ministry, and was a mem- ber of the Alabama conference for two years, in the Methodist Episcopal Church South; his first year on Randolph Circuit with three churches, second at Cahaba. He then returned to college, where he graduated as an M. D. at the Atlanta Medical College in 1874, after which he returned to Helena, Ala., and engaged in practicing, but remained only a short time, emigrating a few months later with his family to Arkansas, and set- tling at Dover, where he is still living. He pur- chased a farm near the town, also some town prop- erty, and as at that time there were few physicians in the country, his practice was necessarily large and has continued so up to the present time. Dur- ing his career here he has devoted more or less at- tention to farming, being the owner of land during the entire time, and on his farm he has kept his sons usefully employed. In 1883 he entered into a copartnership with D. P. Ruff in the practice of medicine and surgery, and the sale of drugs and groceries, employing a man to look after the store, but this venture proved unprofitable and they sold their stock of goods but continued to be associated in their medical practice. Dr. Kirkscey is the owner of 160 acres of land, 110 of which are im- proved, and he is now erecting a good house there- on. He cultivates both cotton and corn, and this year has devoted thirty-five acres to cotton which promises an average yield. sixty-five acres are in corn and will yield an average crop, and in con- nection with his farming he raises a few horses and mules. His marriage, which occurred October 3, 1866, was to Miss Mary P. Grace, a daughter of G. B Grace of Choctaw, Ala., by whom he has four sons: Foster G. (born May 25, 1868, educa- ted in the medical department of the Arkansas Industral University, is now practicing his pro- fession at Athens, Tex., and was married on December 24, 1888, to Miss Addie Dupree of Athens), Madison L., (born December 2, 1869, and

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is now teaching school in Johnson County, Ark.), Robert J. (born February 20, 1872), and Wood- ville J., (born on January 20, 1874). The Doc- tor with his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, with which church he united in 1856. He has been a local preacher in that church for the past twenty two years, and has done much to aid the cause of Christianity. So- cially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the K. of P. and in his political views a Democrat, although he has never been what is called an act- ive politician, preferring to give his time and at- tention to the practice of his calling. He is a lib- eral supporter of schools, churches, etc., and has al- ways been a man of energy and determination of character. He has been a member of the State Medical Society since the year 1880, and has served on the committee on surgery or medicine every year until the present.

John P. Langford is a man well known to the people of this community, for he has resided here since 1828, and has been interested in every effort made for the progress and development of this section. He was born in Jackson County, Ala., December 14, 1819, to Benjamin and Patsey Lang- ford, who were born in South Carolina, in 1782 and 1780, respectively, moving from their native State to Tennessee after their marriage, and from there to Alabama, in 1819, and coming to Pope County, Ark., in 1828. This region was then still inhabited by the Indians, and the country was al- most a complete wilderness, but Mr. Langford set to work immediately to clear a piece of land, and with the energy and perseverance which character- ized the lives of so many of the brave and hardy pioneers

" He cut, he logged, he cleared his lot, And into many a dismal spot, He let the light of day."

On a pioneer farm, in Pope County, the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, but owing to the newness of the country and the scarcity of good schools, his early advantages were very poor. He began making his own way in the world in 1840, and as he had been reared to farm life by his father, he determined to follow in the latter's

footsteps, and to the successful pursuit of this call- ing has devoted his life. He was first married in February, 1843, to Eliza J. McCain, a daughter of W. G. and Mary McCain, and to them the follow- ing family of children was born: Benjamin F., William M. and George A. deceased, and Mary A. living. The mother of these children was called from the scene of her earthly labors in 1864, and in May, 1866, Mr. Langford was united in marriage to Miss Ann E. Waller, her parents be- ing Isaac H. and L. V. Waller. Mr. Langford has always been a Democrat, and his sons have followed him in this respect. He has held the office of justice of the peace in this county for four years, and for many years he has been a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, his wife being a worthy member of the Presby- terian Church. He has been postmaster of Scotts- ville, Ark., for some time, has proved an able offi- cial, and as a citizen, is worthy and honored. His father was probably the first justice of the peace in Pope County.

Ephraim Lemley, farmer, Appleton, Ark. Mr. Lemley was born in Fairfield District, S. C., in 1800, and is now ninety years of age. He is one of the oldest men, if not the oldest, residing in Pope County, and is one of its most esteemed and honored pioneers. He was left an orphan at an early day, and on that account his educational advan- tages were not of the best, but he has ever evinced a deep interest in all educational matters. He entered the War of 1812 as substitute, served dur- ing the years 1814 and 1815, and was in the battle of Talladega. He was in an East Tennessee com- pany, commanded by Capt. John Howk. Mr. Lemley came to Morrillton, Ark., in 1838, settled in Griffen Township, and there he has remained ever since. When he first came here there were but few settlers, and he cut the first road from At- kins to Point Remove. He and John Gray cut the first road from Atkins to Scottsville, the only road prior to that time being Indian trails. Lewis- burg, consisting of one or two stores and a couple of houses, was the nearest town, and that was twenty-five miles distant. The present site of Russellville was then an unbroken wilderness, and

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the settlers were obliged to go from thirty to thirty-five miles to mill. Hawkins Gregory, Duck Griffin, Mose McCarty and John Gray were some of the settlers at that time. There was no church, but ground was appropriated on the farm of Mr. Lemley, and sermons were occasionally preached. Game was plentiful, bears, wolves and panthers abounded, and hogs had to be confined in log pens to prevent them from being carried off by wild animals. There were no schools except where the settlers, living close together, would hire some man to give instruction for a short time during the year, but, as may be supposed, most of the children were reared without any education. When a house was to be built the whole community would turn out to be at the log rolling, and remain until all was finished. At that time court was held at Morrillton, and afterward at Dover, but no jail was necessary, for if an undesired neighbor made his appearance among them he was warned to leave, and this he generally did. Of the early settlers who lived in the neighborhood at that time all are dead and gone but our subject, who is now ninety years of age. He was married about 1818, and became the father of six children. After the death of his first wife he married again, and the fruits of this union were fifteen children; eleven of his children are now living. Mr. Lemley took up eighty acres of land in 1840, but afterward took up 460, of which he has given his children 200 acres in Griffin township, it being the same upon which he settled when first coming to the county. He has 120 acres under cultivation. A Baptist Church was estab- lished in 1844 or 1845, and a school, previous to this, in 1840. John Lankwood was the first preacher, and each of the neighbors contributed toward the expense of the school. Mr. Lemley's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of the Old Dominion. It can be said with truth of Mr. Lemley that

"He shunned not labor when 'twas due, He wrought with right good will; And for the home he won for them, His children bless him still."

William A. Martin, farmer, Potts Station, Ark. Mr. Martin, one of the substantial and progressive

agriculturists of Pope County, Ark., first saw the light of day in Wayne County, Tenn., in the year 1843. His parents, Samuel N. and Rebecca (Law- son) Martin, were both natives of that State. The father removed from his native State to Pope County, Ark., in 1858, with his family, and is still living on the same place he purchased three miles from Russellville, when first coming to the State. The maternal grandparents of our subject lived and died in Tennessee. William A. Martin was principally reared in Arkansas, and in 1863 he en- listed in the Union Army under Col. M. L. Steven- son, Company D, Second Arkansas Infantry, and for the most part was on duty between Little Rock and Fort Smith. He was discharged at Clarksville in 1865, and returned home and en- gaged in tilling the soil. In November, 1868, he was married to Miss Rebecca C. Harkey, daughter of Isaac Harkey of Pope County, and to them have been born ten children, viz .: Martha J., Samuel I., Charles E., Lily May, Anna Bell, Clar- ence Garfield, Mary . Cora, Hattie Frances, Jacob Alva and Homer Harrison, all single and living with their parents. Mr. Martin now owns 166 acres of land, has sixty-five acres under cultivation, and raises principally grain, cotton and some stock. He has been living on his present property since 1870, and although there were but six acres cleared at that time, he has since cleared up about sixty acres and has built a comfortable and tasty residence. He is making an effort to give his children good education. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an active worker in the same.

F. D. E. Montgomery. The estate which this gentleman is so successfully engaged in tilling com- prises 300 acres, all of which is the result of his own honest and persistent endeavors, for on com- mencing the battle of life for himself at the age of fifteen years he possessed not a dollar. He was born in Monroe County, Ark., in 1838, his par- ents, John C., who was sheriff and county clerk nine years of Monroe County, Ark., and Matilda Montgomery being natives in Tennessee and Mis- sissippi, respectively. The mother died at the

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age of forty-two years and her husband when two years older. F. D. E. Montgomery moved to Con- way County, Ark., in 1844 or 1845 and there re- mained until 1855, since which time he has been a resident of Pope County. His early schooling was of a very meager description for he began earning his own living when a mere youth, and although he has given much of his attention to farming. he has also been interested in merchandising, and his stock of goods now amounts to about $1,500. In both these enterprises he has met with well-de- served success, for he has been faithful to every detail of work and has, at all times, been perfectly upright with the public in his business transactions. In 1861 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Cheyna, a daughter of S. W. and E. Cheyna, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, and to them the following children have been born: Will- iam F. (deceased), Mary E., Stephen C. (deceased), Dora K., John A. (deceased), Maud D., Leolen (deceased), Lattie B., Mervin, Leta and Ivy. In 1861 Mr. Montgomery enlisted in the Confederate Army, and in 1864 was discharged. He has al- ways been a stanch Democrat, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has been a constant and earnest worker in the Sunday- school the most of his life and has reared his family in the fear of the Lord. He has been superintend- ent of the Sunday school for the past twenty-five years and has otherwise taken a deep interest in church work. He is a man whom all honor, and he has been a peaceful, law-abiding, and strictly honorable citizen; he fully merits the esteem of all.

Dr. William H. Montgomery, physician, More- land, Ark. Dr. Montgomery, one of the many eminent practitioners in Pope County, who has ministered to the wants of the sick and afflicted of the county for many years, is the son of Thomas and Jane E. (Montgomery) Montgomery, the fa- ther born in Georgia about 1818, and the mother in North Carolina about 1822. The parents were married in Kentucky in 1842, and to them were born four children: William H. (born in 1847), Jane W. (born in October, 1850), Agnes (deceased, was born in 1854), and Florazella T. (wife of Z. B. Hedrick, was born in 1856, and is now de- 16

ceased). Thomas Montgomery, the father of these children, followed farming all his life, and was a member of the -Presbyterian Church. He died when comparatively a young man in 1858. The mother, who was a member of the same church, died in July, 1890. She removed from the Blue Grass State with Dr. Montgomery, and settled in St. Charles County. There they resided until 1877, when they removed to Boone County, Ark. Dr. Montgomery was educated in Louisville, Ky., until about fifteen years of age, and received his early education under difficulties, being obliged to work his way. In 1867 he began studying medicine under Dr. Whitlock, of La Fayette, Ky., but studied principally with Solomon Johnson, whom he claims as his preceptor. He opened a drug store in Har- rison, Boone County, in connection with Dr. Ruth, and afterward purchased that Doctor's interest, subsequently removing the stock to Jasper, Ark. He there began the practice of medicine. Although the Doctor has never attended college or taken a course of lectures he is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Association, also the National Association, both of which have conferred upon him honorary degrees and diplomas. Dr. Montgom- ery stands very high in the estimation of the med- ical brethren, and the success which has attended his efforts almost without exception proclaims him a man of more than ordinary notice. He has an extensive practice, and is frequently called in con- sultation in all parts of this county, where his opinion and decision carries great weight. Dr. Montgomery was married to Miss Mary E. Mark- ham, a native of Barren County, Tenn., in 1867, by "Old Preacher Woodward," as he was called, a man well known all over that section. To this union were born seven children, as follows: Su- sannah T. (born in 1879, now the wife of Alex Ray, of Pope County), Lavina W. (born in 1870, and the wife of A. C. Freeman, also residing in Pope County), Nancy Miami (born in 1872), L. D. (born in 1874), Ellen May (born in 1877, and died August, 1890), William J. (born in 1879), and Myrtle C. (born in 1883). Dr. W. H. Montgom- ery came to Pope County in 1884, purchased a farm of eighty acres, upon which he erected a house,

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but his practice extending rapidly down the val- ley he purchased forty acres in Valley Town- ship, whither he removed in 1889. His princi- pal crops are corn, cotton and hay. His Valley Township land will yield three-fourths of a bale of cotton or thirty-five bushels of corn to the acre, while his Cross Plains farm will yield one-half bale of cotton or twenty bushels of corn to the acre. The same systematic condition of affairs about his home is apparent in his course as a man. Thor- ough in all that he does, he allows no worthy move- ment to drag for want of support if in his power to help it. Dr. Montgomery and wife, as well as all the children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Mason, and assisted in organizing and building up Cross Plains Lodge No. 434, having held principal offices in the lodge, and being chaplain at the present time. He was also a member of Eastern Star Lodge at Cross Plains, when it was first organized. He was elect- ed school director of Jasper, Ark., a position he has held about eight years, and he takes decided interest in all educational matters. He was ap- pointed postmaster at Jasper, Ark., and held this position two years, and resigned only on account of increasing practice. In the latter part of 1863 he enlisted in the Federal Army, and served about two years. He was in the battle of Knoxville, At- lanta, and in the First Salt works fight in Virginia, besides numerous skirmishes. He was captured at Knoxville and retained until 1864, when he was exchanged. He then returned to his company at Big Shanty, Ga. For meritorious conduct he re- ceived a furlough, and while home was captured by guerrillas, who took him to Tenneessee, where he was retained until 1865. He was wounded in the hip at Sandtown Ferry, Ga., and never received his discharge.

William G. Nordin. It was on December 7, 1830, in West Tennessee, that the subject of this sketch was ushered into life, and there he resided on a farm, receiving a limited education, until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he began doing for himself. After renting a por- tion of his father's farm for one year he was mar- ried and immediately located on a farm which he

had rented for four years, at the end of which time he came to Arkansas, and settled on a farm in the township where he is now living, which was then unimproved. After remaining on this land one year he made a purchase of some land near where the village of London now stands, on which he made his home until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company B, First Arkansas Cavalry, serving throughout the war and partici- pating in the battles of Pea Ridge (where he was wounded) Corinth, Champion's Hill (where he was again wounded), and many engagements of less im- portance. . He was taken prisoner at Vicksburg but was soon after paroled and returned to his home where he remained nearly a year, after which he rejoined his command. After the war was over he farmed on rented land for two years, after which he purchased the farm on which he is now residing, which at that time consisted of 200 acres. He has made other purchases from time to time and became the owner of about one section of land, but this he divided among his sons and now has 280 acres left. His property is finely improved, and the cultivated portion is devoted to the raising of cotton and corn. His marriage, which took place January 9, 1853, was to Miss Mary Ellen Cate, a daughter of Robert and Susan Cate, of Maury County, Tenn., who came to this county in 1859. Mr. Nordin and his wife have eight children: Susan A., N. B., S. E., J. R., W. L., G. W., M. A., and M. L .- four sons and four daughters. All are married except the youngest two daughters, and all reside near their father. The family attend the Christian Church, and Mr. Nordin is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is a Democrat in politics. He is a liberal supporter of worthy enterprises and is a high-minded, whole souled gentleman.

Capt. P. W. Parker, farmer, Potts Station, Ark. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of man in general. Keen per- ception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by persevering and continuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling. Col. Parker, who is one of the substantial tillers of the soil in Pope County, is a fair example of what can be accomplished in the voyage of life when &

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determined hand is at the helm. He was born in Union County, S. C., in January, 1825, and his parents, Silas R. and Martha (Aikin) Parker, were natives also of the Palmetto State. The Parkers are of English descent. Silas R. Parker removed with his family from South Carolina to Pope County, Ark., in 1858, and bought land there. To his marriage were born five sons and two daugh- ters. The eldest son, Allison Parker, came to Arkansas two years prior to his father, and Eliza- beth, the eldest daughter, came to this State three years before her father. She was married in South Carolina to Andrew K. Henry, and she and Capt. P. W. Parker are the only members of the family now living. The mother died in 1860, and the fa- ther died either in 1867 or 1868. Capt. P. W. Parker was married in 1862, to Miss Martha D. McArthur and they became the parents of seven children. The eldest died in infancy, the next, Lora Lee (deceased), Lulu E., William R., Louis D., Ninna C. (deceased), and Effie B. Capt. Par- ker, as he is usually called, is the owner of 162 acres of land in Pope County, and has eighty acres under cultivation. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company B. Second Ar- kansas Cavalry, under Col. McIntosh, and on the organization of the company he was elected captain, serving as such until the organization of the regi- ment at Corinth. Being then over age he resigned and came home. In 1862 he organized the old men's company under Gen. Hindman, and then went into the regular service in Sherman's battal- ion as private, serving in that company until cessa- tion of hostilities. His company was disbanded on Red River in Arkansas, but on account of the un- settled state of affairs he did not return to his home until August, 1865. When he did return home he found his farm in a very dilapidated condition, but this he soon remedied, and since then has been successfully engaged in tilling the soil. Capt. Parker held the commission as captain of Light Horse Company at Russellville, Ark., under Gov. Rector prior to the Rebellion. He was also ap- pointed by Gov. Hughes to serve on the State board of equalization in 1886. Politically he is a 1 Democrat. He and his estimable wife are mem-

bers of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and are esteemed and respected by all.

Capt. William M. Peeler, treasurer of Pope Co., was originally from the Palmetto State, where he was born in 1840, the eldest of five children of A. J. and Unity Peeler, both natives also of South Carolina. The father followed farming all his life and died in 1885. The mother died in 1852. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. William M. Peeler became familiar with the arduous duties of the farm when a child, and, like the aver- age country boy, received his education in the common schools. Miss S. A. Patrick, a native also of South Carolina became his wife in 1859, and the same year he started out for himself as a tiller of the soil. In the fall of that year he came to Arkansas, located in Pope County and in 1861 went to Yell county, where he bought a farm. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Whitfield's Legion, and was in the battle of Elk Horn. He was taken sick soon after this engage- ment and his command being ordered to cross the Mississippi River, he was unable to accompany it. After a time in the hospital and a short fur- lough, he joined Company H, Twenty-second Arkansas Regiment, was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and from that. step by step, un- til he received the commission of captain of the same company. He was in command of his com- pany at Helena, also in the battle around Lit- tle Rock, and then went to the southern part of the State. After this he was in the Louisiana campaign, was in the quartermaster's department, and later his command returned to Arkansas, where it was engaged in all the battles of Central Arkan- - sas. He joined the command on October 1, 1864, and surrendered at Marshall, Tex., at the close of hostilities. He came back to Pope County on June 13, 1865. and on the following day was working in the harvest field. He farmed on rented land for four years and then bought a farm of 400 acres in Yell County, near Danville, where he resided for five years. Returning then to Pope County he pur- chased a farm of 140 acres, two and one-half miles east of Russellville, and now has eighty-five acres under cultivation. He moved to Russellville about

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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