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 50
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J. H. Laster. Tennessee has given to Arkan- sas many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for conscientious discharge of every duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than is the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Wilson County, in 1820, but since 1831 has been a resident of Arkansas, and since 1837 of Johnson County. His parents, Frederick and Nancy (Smith) Laster, were born in the Palmetto State, and as early as 1810, became residents of the State of Tennessee, where they continued to reside, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1831, when they located in Lawrence County, Ark., their declining years being spent, however, in Johnson County. Here, J. H. Laster has since made his home, and although he attended the common schools in this and his native State, it was only for a short time each year. consequently his knowledge did not extend far beyond the three
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R's. He helped to build the first school house that was ever erected in Johnson County. When he had attained his twentieth year he began making his own way in the world, and farming and tan- ning have been his chief calling ever since, in each of which he has been reasonably successful. He served in the Confederate Army during the Re- bellion, serving from 1863 till the close of the war, being wounded in the shoulder in April, 1864, at Marks' Mill. He was married in September, 1841, to Miss Sarah A. Patrick, daughter of John W. and Susan (Lee) Patrick, and unto them the follow- ing children were born: John R. (deceased), Abe, Rebecca, Emily C., Julia A., Susan (deceased), Jane, Seth P., Seldom L. (deceased), James D. (deceased), Bell and Lou. The children that are living are married with the exception of Seth P. Mr. Laster and his sons are Democrats, and he and his wife and children are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.
James M. Laster is a native of the county in which he is now residing, his birth having oc- curred in the month of November, 1840, to Abram and Nancy (Pucket) Laster, the former of whom was born in North Carolina, and there lived until he was about six years old, when he was taken by his parents to Tennessee, where he grew to man- hood and was married in 1824, the State of Ten- nessee being his wife's birthplace. In 1831 they removed to Arkansas Territory, being among the pioneer settlers of the country, and Mr. Laster was one of the commissioners that located the county seat when Johnson County was organized. He was a worthy tiller of the soil for many years, and the farm on which the immediate subject of this sketch is now residing is the old homestead. To them eleven children were born: James, Melissa, Hester Ann, Mary, Thomas, Frances, Washington, Jane, Robert, James M., and one child that died in infancy, unnamed. The father of these children died in 1862, and his widow in 1865. In 1859 James M. Laster was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Mrs. Nancy Sarles of Sebastian County, and in time their children numbered ten: Elizabeth (be- came the wife of Dr. J. W. Ogilvie, and lived nineteen months after her marriage, bearing one
child, a boy, Benton L .; she died on August 20, 1888), Anna (was married in 1887, to Hugh Wil- son, who was killed in 1888, by being caught in a cotton-gin; seven months after his death his wife gave birth to a little daughter whom she named Hughie after her father, and after the child bad lived to be three years old she was taken ill and died), Robert, Frank, Thomas, Lou, Augusta, Fanny, Earl and Conley. Mr. Laster went into the Confederate Army, under the conscription law, June, 1862, serving until the summer of the fol- lowing year, and in the following September joined the United States Army, becoming a mem- ber of Company A, Second Arkansas Infantry, under Col. Stevenson, and was on duty in his own State during the remainder of the war. He was on the Camden raid with Gen. Steele, and in a number of quite important engagements. He was mustered into the army as orderly-sergeant, and in June, 1862, was promoted to second lieutenant. He was discharged at Clarksville in August, 1865, after which he immediately returned home and re- sumed farming, for the past ten years being also engaged in operating a cotton-gin, owning a half interest in a gin with J. K. Baskin. He is the owner of 265 acres of land with 100 under cultiva- tion, and has always been one of Johnson County's most highly-respected citizens and successful farmers. He is a member of the Royal Arch degree of Masons at Clarksville, and the Blue Lodge at Harmony. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Eastern Star Lodge that meets at Har- mony, and both belong to the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, and are generous givers to en- terprises of a worthy nature.
M. N. Lee has for some years devoted his at- tention to the raising of fruit in connection with farming, and being a man of energetic tempera- ment and progressive in his views, he has made a success of both callings. He was born in this State in 1853 to William J. and Celia (Cooper) Lee, the birth of the former occurring in South Carolina, and that of the latter in Tennessee. Mr. Lee came to Arkansas about 1832, followed by his widow some four years later, and here they were married and began the journey of life together.
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When their son, M. N. Lee, was twenty-one years of age, he began making his own way in the world and also maintained them. In 1880 he purchased eighty acres of railroad land, and of this he now has seventy acres under cultivation, on which is a good house and other buildings. He afterward homesteaded forty acres, upon which he made im- provements, and now has about seventeen acres under fence. He raises considerable corn and cotton, the yield of the former being from thirty to forty acres, and of the latter from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds. From 250 to 300 bushels of Irish potatoes are also raised to the acre, and 200 bushels of sweet potatoes. He is now giving a great deal of his attention to the culture of fruit, at which he is meeting with remarkable success. To the union of our subject and his wife were born six children, all of whom are now living: Josephine, Luella, Walter Scott, Rhoda J., Ida May and Ada. For the past seven years Mr. Lee has served as a member of the school board of his district, and under his directorship, new furniture, of an improved kind, has been introduced into the schools and the school-year lengthened. Mr. Lee has two brothers: Kennedy C. and Ebenezer N.
O. C. Ludwig is the editor of the Herald- Journal, one of the best wide-awake, breezy and ably-edited journals of the State. Mr. Ludwig was born in Decatur, Ala., in 1858, being the eld- est of six children born to Frederick and Mary (Hoxter) Ludwig, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Maryland. The father came to the United States at the age of twelve years, being brought there by his parents, and after coming to Arkansas, he followed the calling of a confectioner in Decatur, and died in 1878. He served in the Confederate Army during the Rebellion and did some gallant service for the cause he espoused. His widow survives him. The immediate subject of this sketch attended the schools of Huntsville, Ala., and at the age of sixteen years entered the post-office at Decatur as a clerk, in which capacity he served for three years. At the end of this time he opened a grocery store, which he conducted in a fairly satisfactory manner until 1880, at which time he came to Arkansas and settled at Atkins.
At this point he started a commercial business, but soon purchased an interest in the News and for a short time was its owner. After spending a few months at Eureka Spirngs he went to Spring- dale, where he established the Enterprise of that place in 1882, the first paper ever published in the town. After remaining there eighteen months he came, in 1883, to Clarksville, where he founded the Enterprise, a paper he ably and successfully conducted until eighteen months later, when he sold it and entered the office of the Secretary of State, under E. B. Moore. Six months later he was appointed postmaster at Clarksville, which office he held during Cleveland's administration. He is a stockholder in and has been for a long time editor and business manager of the Herald-Jour- nal. In 1888 he began editing the Arkansan, but suspended it and connected himself with the Her- ald-Journal, but in 1890 resumed the publication of the Arkansan, which he has since continued with success. Mr. Ludwig has been married three times, first in 1880, at Atkins, to Miss Kate Rob- erts, who lived but eighteen months, bearing one child, Katie. His second marriage took place in Springdale in 1883 to Miss Theo Wilson, who died ten months later at Clarksville. His third union was consummated on January 7, 1885, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of A. P. May, of Clarksville. By her he has three children: Mary, Thomas May and Oswald. Mr. Ludwig is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and socially is a member of Calantha Lodge No. 38, of the K. of P., in which he is past chancellor. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat, and has been a delegate to several State, congressional and judicial conventions. He is the owner of a good residence and several small lots in Clarks- ville. His worthy wife is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
E. T. McConnell is a merchant and druggist of Clarksville, Ark., and in this county was born on November 20, 1845, being a son of E. E. and Su- san (Shelton) McConnell, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. The father was a physician, and came to Arkansas in 1838, settling in this county, and here he prac-
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ticed until his death, in 1858. He, with T. J. Howel, began merchandising at a place called Pittsburg, on the Arkansas River, of which place they were the first merchants, and there they con- tinued to do business until 1847, when he removed to Clarksville, and here started a drug store, the first in the town. His wife, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, died on July 4, 1865, a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. E. T. McConnell was reared in Clarksville, educated in the schools of this county and in Little Rock, and on September 13, 1863, enlisted in the Confeder- ate Army in a company raised by his brother, W. H. McConnell, which was attached to Col. John F. Hill's regiment, and was in numerous engage- ments in this State. At the time of the Missouri campaign he was detailed as a courier, and served as such wholly in this State under Gen. Kirby Smith. He was in Calhoun County at the close of the war, and after the war came back to Clarks- ville, where he followed farming near the town for one year, and then began mail contracting, his route being from Little Rock to Fort Smith, con- tinuing one and one-half years. After clerking for one year he opened a store on Little Piney Creek, and there also farmed for two years. He then bought the drug establishment of Paine & Adkins, in Clarksville, his place of business be- ing the same as where his father opened a drug store in 1847, although the building, which was erected by him, was burned to the ground in 1869. In 1871 E. T. McConnell erected the building in which he is now doing business, to which he has made additions. He erected a hotel in 1888, and the K. of P. Hall at a later period. He carries a full line of drugs, patent medicines, toilet articles, etc., his stock being valued at from $3,000 to $4, - 000. He is also the owner of three saw-mills, and does a wholesale lumber trade, and is land agent for the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad. He has some 3,000 acres of land, with 1,500 under cultivation, on which is a fine residence, and in ad- dition to this he owns twenty other houses in town. In 1878 he was elected sheriff of the county, serv- ing six years, and has also been mayor and coun- cilman of the town. He was married on Decem-
ber 18, 1873, to Miss Alice A. Porter. of this county, a daughter of William C. Porter, an old pioneer from Kentucky. To them four children have been born: Susie, Hall C., Maud A. and Imo- gene. Mrs. McConnell is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, and socially Mr. Mc- Connell belongs to Calantha Lodge No. 38, of the K. of P., Ezel Lodge of the I. O. O. F., and the K. of H. He has always been an active worker for the Democrat party, and has been chairman for the County Central Committee for the past two years. On one of his farms he has an apple or- chard of 2,000 trees, and intends to plant many more. He is a thrifty, industrious citizen in every respect, and would be a decided acquisition to any community in which he might locate.
William B. McDaniel is one of the honest " sons of the soil" of Johnson County, Ark., although his birth occurred in Person County, N. C., in De- cember, 1845, he being a son of James C. and Har- riet J. (Hester) McDaniel, both of whom were born in the Old North State also. They removed to Johnson County, Ark., in 1852 with a family of four children, and four more children were born to them after their settlement in Arkansas: Martha A., William B., John V. and Eliza F., being na- tives of the former State, and Harriet H., Mary J., James L. and Nancy, of this State. Martha mar- ried John King in 1869, he being now a farmer of this county; Eliza married A. A. Garrett, who is the proprietor of a boarding-house at Atlas, Ark., and John V. is in the lumber business in Texas. The paternal grandfather of these children was born in Scotland, and at a very early day came to America, his wife coming here from that country also. The maternal grandparents were of Irish descent. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth Ogilvie, a daughter of W. S. Ogilvie of Johnson County, in 1868, and to them three sons and three daughters have been born: Charles M., Mallie J., William C., Anna L., Sybil B. and Ernest L., all of whom are single and liv- ing with their parents. Mr. McDaniel has always been a hard worker, and as he is also a shrewd and careful manager he became the owner of 330 acres of land, 125 acres of which are under cultivation.
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In December, 1863, he enlisted in the United States Army in Company K, of the Second Arkansas In- fantry, under Col. Stevenson, and did service in the State altogether. He was with Gen. Steele on the Camden raid, being in the engagement at Jenkins' Ferry. In August, 1865, he was discharged at Clarksville, Ark., after which he returned home and engaged in farming, to which business he has devoted his attention ever since. His wife died November 27, 1887, and he has since remained a widower. His father and mother died in September, 1863, and in January, 1864, respectively.
William Malchow is the postmaster at Luther- ville, but by birth is a German, in which country he received his education and rearing. In 1862 he came to the United States, and after a residence of twenty years "in the State of Wisconsin, de- voted to farming and merchandising, he came to Lutherville, Ark., in March, 1883, and here pur- chased a farm of eighty acres lying west of the town, which he improved, clearing ten acres; also three lots in Block A, upon which he built a house and store-room, the latter being 40x20 feet. In this building he put a general mercantile stock worth about $2,000, and here has successfully held forth ever since. Besides the property above mentioned he owns two lots in Block E, of Lutherville, and from this property derives sufficient means to sup- ply him with all the necessaries. and many of the luxuries of life. He was married in 1862, just prior to coming to America, to Miss Wilhelmina Handrich, a native of Germany, whose parents are now living in Wisconsin. To this union five chil- dren have been born, three of whom are now living: Albert, Bertha and William. Mr. Malchow was appointed postmaster of Lutherville on January 1, 1886, and has held the position ever since. He was for nine years school director, and during that period was also town tax collector. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. He was born in 1839, to Frederick and Caroline Mal- chow, the former of whom was born in 1811 and died in 1885, and the latter, who was also born the same year as her husband, is still residing at Lutherville, Ark. In connection with his mercantile establish- ment Mr. Malchow is giving considerable atten-
tion to fruit raising, especially the raising of grapes. The fine orchard which he has, is now six years old and is bearing its second crop of fruit. The trees are bending to the ground beneath their load, but none of the apples are one-sided or blemished, but perfect and sound. Under his methods of culture, trees will yield a good crop in the fifth year.
ยท John B. Mann is the well-known proprietor of a flourishing livery stable in the town of Clarks- ville, and his birth occurred in this county in 1846, and he has resided here all his life the people have had every opportunity to judge of his char- acter and disposition, and naught but praise has ever been said in regard to either. He is the second of six children born to C. B. and Elizabeth (Collins) Mann, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The father came to Ar- kansas at an early day and followed farming for several years. He was very successful in politics, and served as sheriff of the county, which office he was holding at the time of his death in 1856. He had been twice married, his first union result- ing in the birth of two children, both of whom are living. His second wife bore him three children and died in 1881. John B. Mann was reared in Johnson County, and after attending the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, he, in 1863, enlisted in the Confederate Army in a com- pany organized by his brother, A. T. F. Mann and A. D. King, the latter being chosen captain and the former second lieutenant, and with this com- pany he participated in the battles of Poison Springs and Mark's Mill, being at Marshall, Tex., at the close of the war. The summer following the surrender of Lee Mr. Mann spent in Texas, but in the fall returned to Arkansas, and at once began farming. In 1870 he married Miss Lizzie King, a native of the State and a daughter of Reuben King, an old pioneer still residing in this section. Mr. Mann is the owner of 160 acres of land in Spadra Township, of which 100 acres are under cultivation, but since 1885, when he moved to Clarksville, he has devoted his attention to the livery business. His barn is 70x100 feet, and is well fitted up with good horses and vehicles, the former numbering twelve. He does a general
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transfer business in connection, and is one of the pushing and wide awake men of the place. He is now engaged in erecting a fine residence on the hill in East Clarksville. To his union with Miss King seven children have been born: William C., Mary Virginia, Margaret Estella, Charles Buchanan- Ella, Emma and Harley. Mrs. Mann is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Mann is a member of Calantha Lodge No. 38, of the K. of P., Ezel Lodge No. 45, of the I. O. O. F., and the K. of H. He is an active worker for the Democratic party, and as he has always been inter- ested in educational matters, he has been a school director for several years.
John L. Martin, farmer, is well and favorably known to the majority of the residents of this sec- tion. He has resided here ever since his birth in 1840, and has been prominently indentified with the farming interests hereabouts, ever since he be- gan doing for himself. His parents, L. A. and Nancy (Laster) Martin, were Tennesseeans and in 1837 went to Johnson County, Ark., where the father followed the occupation of a farmer and cooper, teaching his son the details of these call, ings also. John L. attended school a sufficient length of time to obtain a practical education, and when only nineteen years of age, he started out to make his own way in the world, and by persever- ance, energy and intelligence has become the owner of 180 acres of fine farming land, situated in King Township, about 100 acres of which he has under cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served the cause he es- poused faithfully and well until the close of the war. His marriage, which occurred in 1859, was to Miss Permelia Boyer, and the following are the names of the children that have been born to them: William E., Emeline, F. L., Sarah R., Lou (deceased), Orah, James M., Bell, Charles O., Lillie, Jessie L., Abe and Newberry (deceased). Mrs. Martin is a daughter of William and Mary (Cooper) Boyer, and she, her husband and four children are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. Everything about Mr. Martin's place shows that he is a man of thrift and indus- try, for his buildings and fences are substantial,
and his land is in an excellent state of cultivation. Among their acquaintances and friends, the respect shown them is in full keeping with their well-estah- lished reputation for hospitality, and their true and sincere cordiality. Mr. Martin is thoroughly public spirited, and is also a very liberal contribu- : tor to the different enterprises that come before his notice.
Rev. H. B. Milner is the editor of the Herald- Journal of Clarksville, Ark., and in 1848 was born in Alabama, being the second of six children born to A. and Mary (Taylor) Milner, who were born in Tennessee and Alabama, respectively, the former a farmer by occupation. In 1852 he removed to Texas, purchased a farm of 160 acres, on which he lived until his death in 1884. His wife died in 1879, both having been members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. Mr. Milner was an office-holder of his county in Texas for many years, being an advocate of educational affairs of all kinds, and for some time was county superintendent of schools and also commissioner. Rev. H. B. Mil- ner was reared in Texas, and was mainly educated, after reaching manhood, in Trinity University, tak- ing a literary course, and in 1870 actively entered upon his study for the ministry, his first preaching being done in 1876, in the eastern part of the State, where he resided until 1879, at which time he moved to Paducah, Ky., where he was pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church until 1883. He then came to Russellville, Ark., at which place he was pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for five years, and editor of the Russell- ville. Democrat for five months. Since October 1, 1888, he has resided in Clarksville, at which place he purchased on May 1, 1890, an interest in the Herald-Journal, and at once entered upon his du- ties as editor and business manager. He is doing well in this calling, and at all times endeavors to give to the public a paper containing valuable in- formation. He is also pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1882 to Miss Bettie Hobbs, of Paducah, Ky., who died in 1887, leaving two children: Beulah and Eilah. His second union took place in 1888 to Miss Loula Bonds, of Russellville, and has resulted in the birth
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of one child, Henry Grady. Mr. Milner is one of the leading men of this region, and bis many worthy qualities of head and heart have won for him numerous friends and few enemies.
Dr. William C. Montgomery. The name of this gentleman is one of the most respected in this community, and during a residence of over thirty years in Johnson County, Ark., he has enjoyed a large practice among the best families, and is kept very busy; while with the medical fraternity his reputation is by no means local, and he is well known for his remarkable cures throughout this section of the country. He was born in Sumner County, Tenn., April 29, 1831, to Jeff T. and Polly. (Jouett) Montgomery, the latter a native of North Carolina, and the former of Sumner County, T'enn., where he was reared and spent his life, dying April 29, 1879, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a son of William and Jane (McMillan) Montgomery, who were born, reared and married in the Keystone State. They removed to Tennes- see at a very early day, it being said of Mr. Mont- gomery that he drove the first wagon that came down Drake's Creek in Sumner County, Tenn. At the early age of fourteen years he acted as drum major in the Revolutionary War. Jeff T. Mont- gomery and his wife, Polly, both died on the old homestead in Tennessee, which is still in possession of the family, the death of the latter occurring July 16, 1861, at the age of fifty-seven years. They had five sons and one daughter born to them: William C., John T., Robert A., D. B. C., Patsey J. and James. All lived to be grown and married except Robert A., who was a member of the Sec- ond Mississippi Regiment, being drum major, and died about 1863 in a hospital in Virginia, after the battle of Manassas. James became a lawyer, and D. B. C. and John T. gave farming their attention. Daniel died in December, 1884, and John T. is residing in Dyer County, Tenn., he and Dr. Will- iam C. being the only members of the family that are living. The latter came to Roseville, Ark., in 1854, and at that place commenced reading medi- cine with Dr. William Wasson, and at the end of eighteen months entered the University of Nash- ville, Tenn., from which institution he graduated
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