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 48
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in a mercantile establishment. He was of a plucky and ambitious disposition so determined to seek his fortune in America, and first reached this country in 1855, and from that time until 1861 he worked on a farm, was clerk in a large store, and taught school for three years in Illinois. He then, in 1862, went to Minnesota, where he devoted his energies to tilling the soil and in managing a mercantile establishment until 1882, when he came to Lutherville, Ark., and purchased 200 acres of railroad land, upon a part of which the town of Lutherville was platted. Seventy acres of this farm have been cleared by Mr. Buehring, and the entire place is under fence. This is probably the best tilled farm in Johnson County, for every part of it is well looked after. In 1883 he erected a large two-story frame house which is unquestion- ably one of the best arranged and best furnished in the township, if not the best of the farm build- ings in the county. His large wagon-house, cribs, barns and tool houses are all frame, neatly and solidly built, and are at all times kept in good condition. In 1883 he was elected general agent for the colony with power to transact all business for it, and ably does he discharge his duties. The same year he was appointed notary public by Gov. Berry, and in 1887 he was reappointed by Gov. Hughes. He has been married since 1857 to Miss Caroline Westphal, a native German, and of thir- teen children born to them, eleven are living: Alma (wife of Fred Schneider), Cecelia (wife of Ernest Upheler), Edward C., Matilda (wife of H. Brenneisen), Cheruska (wife of J. A. Troeger), Eugene, Olga, Annie, Erna, Armin and Hugo. Mr. Buehring's farm yields abundantly of all crops usually raised in this region, and he has a fine apple orchard of twenty acres, five acres of mixed fruits and a vineyard of three acres. One of the best and prettiest garden-with a nice assortment of different flowers and shrubbery, and a well-to-do lawn attracts the eye-a garden, in- deed, very seldom to be found on a farm.
R. J. Butts is one of the thrifty, far-seeing and successful merchants and farmers of Johnson Coun- ty, Ark., his post-office address being Hagarville. He has become well and favorably known to the
many residents hereabouts, for, notwithstanding the old adage that " familiarity breeds contempt," his case has proved the exception to the rule, and he is universally esteemed. He was born in Arkansas in 1856 to Henry J. and Rachel (Clark) Butts, they being natives of Tennessee and Arkan- sas, respectively, the former coming to this State when a youth. At the early age of eighteen years R. J. Butts started out in search of Dame Fort- une, and as he had acquired a liberal education in Boone County at Prof. Clark's Academy at Ber- ryville, and in the University of Arkansas at Fay- etteville, he was admirably equipped to begin the battle of life for himself, and until the summer of 1890 followed the occupation of teaching school from three to ten months each year during the greater portion of that time. He received from his father the gift of 120 acres of land, partly im- proved, which he further improved by erecting substantial buildings thereon, clearing and culti- vating and putting up good fences. By good management and economy he was afterward en- abled to purchase 180 acres adjoining his original tract, a dwelling in Hagarville, forty acres on the mountain, and, in 1890, 100 acres adjoining Hagar- ville, the same year purchasing a half interest in the store of N. C. Johnson in Hagarville. In 1879 Mr. Butts was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Johnson, and by her has three children, all of whom are living: Annice (born December 25, 1879), Elva (born May 21, 1881), and Lizzie (born October 20, 1883). Mr. Butts is one of a family of five children born to his parents named: Hugh, Lucretia (wife of Thomas Adkins), Riley J., Alexander W. and Alice (wife of R. J. John- son). The father of these children was in the Mexican War, and was stationed on the frontier. Prior to the Rebellion he represented Johnson County in the State Legislature, and during the war was captain of a company in Hill's regiment, C. S. A., serving until the battle of Pilot Knob. when he was wounded and captured, being held a prisoner of war until after Gen. Kirby Smith's surrender. He and his wife were both members of the Christian Church, in which he held the of-
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fice of deacon and elder at different times. His death occurred in 1884, but his widow survives him, and is making her home with a son in Hagar- ville. R. J. Butts and his wife are also church members.
Caleb Carey is a substantial farmer of Johnson County, Ark., and as such deserves honorable mention in these pages. He was born in North Carolina in 1818, his parents, Elijah and Elizabeth (Cash) Carey, being also born in that State, mov- ing, when the subject of this sketch was about two years old, to Tennessee in which State the latter was brought up, his early school days being quite limited. However, since attaining manhood he has acquired sufficient education to successfully carry on his business, and by taking an active part in the business affairs of life he has become well in- formed. He came to Arkansas in 1841, stopping first at Little Rock, but at the end of eighteen months came to this county, where he has made his home until the present day. He was married in 1843 to Miss Eveline Price, a native of Alabama and of nine children born to them, seven are now living: John E., Martha A., William, Sarah, Dicey, Angy and Julia. The mother of these children was called from them by death in 1862, and in 1868 Mr. Carey took for his second wife Miss Mar- tha Pearson, a " Hoosier " by birth, and an earnest member of the Christian Church. Mr. Carey is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. and has been for over forty years, and is now one of its leading elders. He purchased 160 acres of the farm where he now lives in 1845, and of this he has about 65 acres improved, the build- ings, fences and orchard all being excellent. He afterward purchased ten more acres, and on his property he has erected two tenant houses with their accompanying buildings, etc. He raises corn, cotton, potatoes, tobacco and grapes in abundance, and, in fact, his land is well adapted to the rais- ing of nearly all the products of the temperate zone. He has raised 20 bushels of corn to the acre, 600 to 800 pounds of cotton, 100 bushels of sweet potatoes and 400 pounds of tobacco. From his grapes he has made 250 gallons of wine to the acre.
Dr. A. B. Carey is a practicing physician of Knoxville Station, Ark., and owing to the fact that he thoroughly understands his calling and has met with the best of success in practicing the "healing art," he is ranked among the very foremost of the professional men of Johnson County. He was born in the county September 8, 1861, to Caleb (see bi- ography) and Eveline (Price) Carey, the former of whom was born in Alabama in 1818, and is a tiller of the soil. He married his wife in this county, and their union resulted in the birth of nine children, seven living: John E., William, Sarah (wife of James Murray), Martha A. (wife of Call Williams), Dicey (wife of T. F. Young), Julia (wife of Joseph Looper), and our subject. Their mother died in 1862, a member of the Christian Church, but the father is still a resident of this county, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. A. B. Carey was principally educated in the common schools of this county, and in 1884 he began the study of medicine, and the same year attended lec- tures at Little Rock, graduating in 1888. He com- menced practicing at Knoxville and has won the entire confidence of his numerous patrons. Al- though he has practiced only a short time, he gives every promise of rising to distinction in his profes- sion, as he fully deserves to do. He is fitting up a large store-room, in which he intends putting a good stock of drugs and expects to have everything in working order by December 1, 1890. He was married in 1889 to Miss Nannie B. King, of this county, born July 23, 1871, a daughter of W. S. and Jane F. King. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Episcopal Church respectively, and he belongs to Knoxville Lodge No. 30, of the I. O. O. F.
P. J. Carr is now living a retired life, but has led an active career and was one of the most suc- cessful merchants and planters in this section. He was born in Logan County, Ky., November 5, 1816, to Daniel and Martha (Jones) Carr, they be- ing born, reared and married on Blue-Grass soil. P. J. Carr is the eldest of their four children, the other living members being Mary E. (wife of David Robison, now living in California), and Seth G. The father first moved from Kentucky to Illinois
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in 1836, and in that State died in 1847, a member of the Baptist Church, his wife's death having oc- curred in 1824. P. J. Carr was married in John- son County, Ark., in 1861, to Miss Levina Willes, who was born in Kentucky in 1825, but her death occurred in 1874, after she had borne her husband two children: Cynthia J. (wife of M. H. Hobbs, manager of Mr. Carr's store at Knoxville), and one child that died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Carr engaged in the mercantile business in Knoxville in the fall of 1887, but this establishment is now un- der the management of his son-in-law, Mr. Hobbs. Besides this, Mr. Carr is the owner of 250 acres of valuable land, of which 140 acres are under culti- vation, improved with good house, barns, etc. He has long been a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, and as a citizen and upright man has not his superior in this section of the country. His son-in-law, Mr. M. H. Hobbs, is a Virginian, born in 1850 to W. F. and C. E. (Stalke) Hobbs, they being Virginians also, and married in that State. Ten children were born to their union of whom the subject of this sketch is next to the youngest. His father died in Virginia in 1868, and his mother in 1884. After the death of his father M. H. Hobbs came to Arkansas to attend school at Little Rock, but at the end of four months he received word of the serious illness of his father and immediately returned home. In 1874 he returned to Arkansas, and in 1877 brought the first stock of goods to what is now known as Knoxville Station, he having the honor of naming the town. In 1887 he sold his store to P. J. Carr, now his father-in-law, and is now managing the business for him. He was the first station agent at that place, which position he held for eight years, and was the first postmas- ter of the town, being appointed in 1877, and served until 1881. He was married in 1878 to Miss Cynthia J. Carr and their union has resulted in the birth of four children: Philip J. (deceased), William F., M. H. and Hutakah E. Mr. Hobbs and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he belongs to Knoxville Lodge No.30, of the I. O. O. F.
Lewis Castleberry. The entire life of this gentleman has been unmarked by any unusual oc-
currence outside the chosen channels to which he has so diligently applied himself. He is considered, and deservedly so, one of the most successful and prominent farmers of Lee Township, Johnson County, Ark., and as he was reared to farm life and has never followed any other calling, he is the thorough master of every branch of the work. He was born in Alabama, but in boyhood came with his parents to Johnson County, Ark., and here has since made his home. The parents, John and Louisa (Claunch) Castleberry, became the parents of three children-two sons and one daughter-of which the subject of this sketch was the eldest and is the only one now living. At the time of their arrival here the country was almost an unbroken wilderness, and as schools at that time (1845) were very few and far between, their son Lewis did not receive many advantages so far as book learning was concerned. At the age of twenty-two years he commenced the battle of life for himself, and soon after purchased the farm on which he is now residing, and immediately set to work to improve it by erecting good buildings, fences, etc. He has increased his acreage from time to time, and now has 240 acres, eighty-five of which are in a good state of cultivation. His principal crops are cot- ton and corn, twenty acres being devoted to corn, the cotton promising a yield of one-half bale to the acre. He has a pasture of red top, which makes a heavy growth, and besides this, has a good orchard of peach and apple trees, which supplies them with an abundance of fruit. Everything about the place indicates that a man of thrift and energy is at the helm, and that his farm is a fertile and val- uable one, is shown when it is known that he often raises fifty bushels of corn to the acre and 1,500 pounds of cotton. His wife, formerly Miss Eliza- beth Ridgway, was born in Alabama, and is the mother of five sons and two daughters: Osborne, Boone, Reuben, Mary, James, Riley and Linnie. The two eldest sons are married, Osborne being a resident of Texas, and Boone residing on a farm near his father. Mr. Castleberry is a member of Spring Hill Lodge, of the A. F. & A. M. He is a liberal supporter of public enterprises, and is anxious to see capital come to Johnson County.
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D. N. Clark is the highly competent and pains- taking clerk of the circuit court of Johnson County, Ark., and here he first saw the light of day in 1841, being the seventh of twelve children born to the marriage of David B. Clark and Ann T. Moon, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. The paternal grandfather was born in either Ireland or Virginia, but the mother's father is known to have been a Virginian by birth, who became an early emigrant to Kentucky. D. B. Clark was reared on a farm in the Blue-Grass re- gions of his native State, but as early as 1829, be- came a resident of the State of Arkansas, and for four years was a resident of Arkansas Post; he re- sided the same length of time at Pine Bluff, and on January 1, 1837, landed at Spadra Bluff, in Johnson County, and entered land three miles east of Clarksville, where he made his home for thir- teen years. In 1850 he bought a farm of 160 acres, on the river three miles south of Clarksville, and on this farm was residing at the time of his death in 1866, his widow passing to her long home in 1871, both having been members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years. Mr. Clark was al- ways interested in the cause of education, and for a long time was superintendent of public instruc- tion, which office he was holding at the time of his death. He was also an earnest worker in church matters, and for a long time was class-leader. Of the family born to himself and wife, only the im- mediate subject of this sketch and two brothers are living. D. N. Clark received the early advantages which are usually given the farmer's boy and until 1861, he made his home with his parents. He then went to Desha County and opened a store at Red Fork, and in December of that year he enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Regiment Arkansas Infant- ry, under Col. John F. Hill of Johnson County, and on December 5, 1861, left home for the front. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge, and from there went east of the Mississippi River, taking part in the engagements at Farmington, Iuka and Corinth. He was then transferred to Port Hudson, La., where he endured the siege, and where he was taken prisoner on July 8, 1863, being one of forty volunteers to make a charge on the outside works.
He was paroled and sent to Natchez, Miss., and from that place walked home to Clarksville. About October 1 he joined Col. O. Bacham's battalion, and went to the parol-camp at Washington, Ark., and was there exchanged in January, 1864; then placed in Gen. Docken's brigade, and in the en- gagements at Poison Springs, Mark's Mill and Jenkins' Ferry. At the close of the war he was at Marshall, Tex. For one year following the close of the war he taught school, then began clerking in Clarksville, and in October, 1869, started a gun store in that town in partnership with another gen- tleman, the name of the firm being D. N. Clark & Co., which connection lasted until 1872, when the firm was dissolved. The name was then changed to Clark & May, and lasted during 1872- 73. After the dissolution of this connection Mr. Clark once more resumed clerking, but at the end of one year once more entered business, and after being associated with a Mr. Miller for one year, he purchased his partner's interest and continued alone until 1884, when his brother became his partner, the firm name being D. N. Clark & Bro. until the spring of 1886, when it was discontinued. In 1888 Mr. Clark was elected circuit and county clerk of Johnson County, and was re-elected in 1890. He was married in 1884 to Miss Dollie McLeod, a daughter of Alexander A. McLeod of South Carolina, and afterward moved to Hot Springs. This lady lived only five months, dying July 4, 1884. Mr. Clark has been an active worker for the Democratic party, and is a member of Framply Lodge No. 9, of the A. F. & A. M., Clarksville Chapter No. 49, and Ward Council No. 9, of that place. He also belongs to Ezel Lodge of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H.
James G. Coffee has been a resident of this county from his birth, which occurred on December 25, 1845, to Melvin and Jane (Laster) Coffee, the former of whom was born in Jackson County, Ala., and the latter in Tennessee. Mrs. Coffee came with her parents to Arkansas, when quite small, and here she was married in 1843, to Mr. Coffee, by whom she became the mother of two children: James G. and Melvina P., who first married Mas- ton Roy, and after his death, which occurred
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shortly after their marriage, she was wedded to John Laster and bore him nine children, her death occurring in 1888, they being residents of Indian Territory, at the time of her death. Melvin Coffee was a soldier in the Mexican War and died while in the service, after which his widow married J. C. Baskin, about 1848, and to them five children were born. Mr. Baskin entered the Confederate Army at the opening of the war and was serving in South Arkansas, when he died in 1864. Mrs. Baskin then married T. M. Baskin, a half-brother of her second husband, by whom she became the mother of two children. He died in 1889, but she is still living. James G. Coffee was also in the Confederate Army, enlisting in 1861, in Company C, of the Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry, under Col. John F. Hill, and in 1862, went east of the Mis- sissippi River and took part in the fight at Corinth, and many others. He was discharged at Port Hudson, having served out his time of enlistment, and being under age was permitted to return home in March, 1863, but re-enlisted in the fall of the same year under Gen. Cabel. He was with Price on his Missouri raid, and while passing through Arkansas and near his old home he obtained a short furlough, but while visiting his people he was captured at Clarksville and was taken to Fort Smith, where he was paroled, soon after which the war terminated. He then turned his attention to farming immediately afterward and was married, in 1867, to Miss Clementine Harkreader, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Nancy Harkreader of Johnson County, and three children were born to them: Dee Buchanan (the eldest, a lovely boy, died in 1876, at the age of eight years), Edna A. and Lester M. Their mother's death occurred in 1882, and Mr. Coffee's second union took place in 1883, the maiden name of his wife being Miss Sallie A. Powell, a daughter of the Rev. John A. Powell, of Tennessee. Three children were born to this mar- riage: Harland, Dessie D. and Effie C. Mr. Coffee owns a farm of 300 acres, with 100 under cultivation eight miles northwest of Clarksville, on Horsehead Creek, and on this land cotton and grain are raised, considerable attention being also given to the raising of stock. He is one of Johnson County's
most highly-respected citizens and prosperous farmers, and as he started in life, with no means the first time he was married, what he has, has been accumulated during this time by his own earnest endeavors. He, his wife and Edna are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and they also belong to the Eastern Star Chapter Lodge, Mr. Coffee being a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has always been truly public spirited, and he and his estimable wife dispense such true hospitality that it is the delight of their friends to visit them.
E. C. Estep is a man who has brought energy, skill and perseverance to bear in the conduct and management of his farm, and as a result is the owner of 280 acres, a portion of which he has been the owner since September, 1889. He has 112 acres improved, 50 of which he rents, and on this he has a good tenant house and other build- ings. He was born February 4, 1851, in Madison County, Ark., and as he was compelled to labor quite hard on the home farm, and on account of the opening of the Rebellion, his opportunities for acquiring an education were quite limited. In 1871 he began doing for himself on rented land, continuing six years, then purchased the place where he now lives which comprises 160 acres, 42 of which he has improved. On this he has erected a good residence, barns, etc., and now has the most of his land under fence. His principal crops are corn, cotton and oats, and as he works his home place himself he is doing well, and is usually ahead of his work. He has a fine tame- grass pasture, and on his home place is an excellent young apple orchard, which supplies him with fruit through the summer season. In 1871 he was mar- ried to Miss Rachel Chambers of Ohio, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following three children: Thomas J., Enoch A. and Linnie J., all of whom are at home, and two attending the dis- trict school. It is the intention of their parents to send them to higher institutions of learning when they attain a suitable age. Mr. Estep is liberal in his patronage of public affairs, and is anxious to see the country more fully developed, doing all in his power to bring about the desired result. He seems
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by nature to have been especially designed to be a planter, for he not only likes the work but thor- oughly understands it, and as a result has met with a degree of success that is highly flattering. He is a member of Spring Hill lodge, A. F. & A. M.
William C. Garrett (deceased). The career of this gentleman was closed in the year 1887, he having been one of the most useful, enterprising and energetic farmers of this section. He was a South Carolinian by birth, and in September, 1828, came with his father to Arkansas, settling with him on a farm in Johnson County, where he ac- quired an excellent insight into the details of agri- culture. At the age of twenty years he began doing for himself, renting a part of his father's land, and at the age of twenty-three years was married, and purchased a farm in this township, on which he resided for six years, greatly improving it during this time. At the end of this time he sold his farm and moved onto the old homestead, to manage that and care for his aged parents, and here he was residing at the time of his death. Besides his wife, whom he married when she was fifteen years of age, he left a family of eleven children to mourn their loss, five of whom are living at home with their mother, and the rest earning their own living. Mrs. Garrett now has the farm under her management, and although it consists of 340 acres, and keeps her fully employed, she yet looks after affairs in an admirable manner, and has shown that she is a woman perfectly capable of business. The land is situated two and one-half miles west of Clarksville, and is one of the neatest and most fertile places in this section of the country. Mrs. Garrett's maiden name was Martha J. Lemons, a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of Samuel Lemons. She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a lady possessing true Christian principles. She has cared for the children left to her care in a noble manner, and tried to fit them for the duties of life by giving them good educations. Three of her sons were in the Confederate Army, one died when a prisoner at Alton, another was killed in Missouri while with Gen. Price on his raid, and the other returned home, and is now living at Clarksville.
J. B. Green is one of the prosperous merchants of Coal Hill, Ark., and as he carries an excellent line of general goods, and has always proved him- self the soul of honor in his dealings with the pub- lic. he commands a fair share of the trade in this section. He was born in Alabama in 1845, being the eldest of seven children, born to William and Sarah (Moseley) Green, the former of whom was born in Alabama and the latter in South Carolina. The father was an agriculturist by occupation, and in 1870 came to Arkansas, and settled north of Coal Hill in Johnson County, where he passed from life in 1879, his widow's death occurring in 1887. J. B. Green was brought up to farm life in his native State, and there he acquired a fair edu- cation in the common schools. On September 14, 1863, he enlisted in the Union Army in Company H, First Alabama Cavalry, and was in the battle of Vincent's Cross Roads, where he was taken prisoner, but soon managed to make his escape. After the war was over he continued to till the soil until 1870, at which time he came to Arkansas and settled in Johnson County, where he has been en- gaged in farming. In 1879 he went back to Ala- bama, and after another six years of farming in that State he came back to Coal Hill. He followed the calling of a clerk until 1889, then engaged with partners in general merchandising himself, but since October, 1890, has been in business alone. He is occupying a large store, and is carry- ing an excellent line of goods, worth at least $3,000. His annual sales amount to about $14,000. He has been married twice, first to Miss Catherine Brinton, March 8, 1865, who was born in Alabama, and died on May 5, 1887. To them six children have been born: Oliver (born August 9, 1867, and died October 16, 1876), Benjamin E. (born July 21, 1870), Mary R. (born January 21, 1874), Thomas B. (born January 21, 1876), Aeicy Malvina (born February 21, 1878, and died October 16, 1SS0), and Sarah Alice (who was born March 12, ISSI' and died September 21, 1884). Mr. Green's second marriage took place July 3, 1887, his wife being Miss M. B. Peck, a native of Georgia. The family of Mr. Green belong to the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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