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 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
350
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
horse power engine, and employ when running full force, about 20 men. This company has about 2,500 to 3,000 acres of timberland contracted for upon which there is timber to keep them supplied for four years or more. Mr. Craven and his part- ner, Mr. Blevins, are members of Bright Star Lodge No. 213, A. F. & A. M., at Dardanelle. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
J. L. Cravens, farmer and justice of the peace, of Shoal Creek Township, is a man esteemed and respected by all acquainted with him. He was born in Arkansas, in 1829, and is the son of Jesse L. and Martha (Logan) Cravens [see sketch of parents elsewhere in this work]. Of the ten chil- dren born to this union, seven are now living, and our subject is fourth in order of birth: William, Mrs. Sallie K. Jamison, Mrs. Margaret Johnson, Jerry, Nehemiah and Jesse. During his boyhood J. L. Cravens' educational advantages were limited, as the county was very thinly settled, and neigh- bors were few and far between. There were only a few subscription schools at that time, and no church buildings at all, preaching being held in private houses or in the wood. When about four- teen years of age he was left an orphan, and he began doing for himself. At the age of twenty- one years he went to California, engaged in min- ing, and there remained about three years. He then returned, and began farming on the land owned jointly by himself and brother. After the death of the latter he purchased his brother's half (80 acres), cleared and improved it, and later sold about 94 acres of the entire estate. Later he bought 160 acres, then 80 acres, and afteward sold 120 acres, having now 165 acres. These tracts he improved, by building a house, stables, digging wells, setting out orchard, and clearing about 20 acres. Mr. Cravens was married in 1854, to Miss Emily A. Tobin, who bore him tive children, only two of whom are now living: Cornelius R. and Jesse J. Mrs. Cravens died in 1864, in full com- munion with the Methodist Church. In 1861 Mr. Cravens enlisted in the Confederate Army, as cap- tain of the militia, and in 1862 joined the regular service, Gordon's regiment, and served until the
close of the war. He then resumed farming. be- ginning anew, as everything had been lost during the war except his land, and this has continued to be his chosen calling since. He was married, the second time, in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth F. Corban, a native of Tennessee, born in 1842, and the daugh- ter of Wilkins and Elizabeth (Coffee) Corban. Eight children were the fruits of this union, five now living, and named as follows: Alice L., Samp- son, Homer B., Nehemiah and Edith C. Mr. Cra- vens has served about twenty years as justice of the peace, and has discharged the duties incum- bent upon that office in a very satisfactory manner, as may be inferred from the length of time he bas held the position. He is a Mason, a member of Elizabeth Lodge No. 215. He and Mrs. Cravens are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which he is class leader, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school.
W. L. Cravens, merchant and planter, Patter- son's Bluff, Ark. Mr. Cravens, one of the pioneer settlers of Logan County, Ark., was born in Wayne County, Mo., May 4, 1826, and of the four chil- dren born to his parents only two are now living, and he is the elder. His brother, J. E., is now residing at Clarksville. The parents, Nemehial and Sophia (Thompson) Cravens, were natives of Christian County, Ky., the father born in 1803, and the mother in 1810. They were married in Wayne County, Mo., and there, in connection with farming, the father carried on his trade of black- smith until 1831. He then settled in what is now Logan County, Ark., and took quite an active part in politics. He is still a resident of this county, resides five miles east of his son, W. L., and, although in his eighty-seventh year, is still active for a man of his years. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and died in 1862. W. L. Cravens received a common business education in the country schools, and was taught the duties of the farm when a boy. On May 30, 1847, he married Miss Nancy Haney, who was born in South Carolina in 1827, and who was the daughter of Timothy and Mary Haney. To Mr. and Mrs. Cravens were born eight children- four sons and four daughters: Arkansas A. (wife
351
LOGAN COUNTY.
of Thomas Whitaker), Amelia J. (wife of J. J. Cravens), Fannie B. (wife of H. A. McKelney), Charles R., Adelaide G., Hanson W. and Nehe- miah H. (deceased). Mr. Cravens was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Hill's regiment of Cav- alry in 1863, and acted as Hill's adjutant. He was in the army about only six months and was never in any regular battle, having been put on scouting duty. Returning home after the war he tilled the soil for one year and then embarked in merchandising in Clarksville. He then sold out to his partner and moved to this place, where he engaged in the same business, continuing at this ever since. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $10,000, and is also the owner of 2,000 acres of land, 1,000 acres being in Johnson County. He has about 500 acres in cotton this year, and has about 900 acres under cultivation. He has an excellent residence fronting the Arkansas River, and everything about the place shows good judg- ment and excellent taste. In 1870 he erected a large cotton-gin, and this was burned down in 1887, but in 1889 he built a new one. The capacity of this gin is ten bales per day. Mr. Cravens owns a half interest in a gin and store at Hartman, and also has business at Prairie View. Mrs. Cravens died in 1886. She was a devout member of the Christian Church. Mr. Cravens is a member of the Masonic order, Franklin Lodge No. 9, Clarks- ville, Ark.
S. A. J. Creekmore, farmer and ginner, Dub- lin, Ark. The subject of this sketch needs no in- troduction to the people of Logan County, Ark., for he is one of the most esteemed agriculturists and ginners of the same, and is one whose honesty and uprightness have never been questioned. He was born in Alabama in 1835, and was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Germany) Creekmore, na- tives of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively. S. A. J. Creekmore had early instilled into his youthful mind all the details of farm life, and his educational advantages were rather limited. At the age of seventeen years he started out in busi- ness for himself as a farmer, miller and ginner, and these have since continued to be his chosen occupations. During the Civil War he enlisted
and served the Confederacy faithfully and well until cessation of hostilities. His wife, who was formerly Miss Jane P. Davis, and whom he married in 1867, was the daughter of Ralph and Jane (Calhoun) Davis. To Mr. and Mrs. Creekmore have been born the following children: M. L., Lizzie M., Nannie R. and R. M., all living and having excellent health. Mr. Creekmore moved from Mississippi to Logan County, Ark., in 1872, and here he has since made his home, respected and esteemed by all acquainted with him. In his political views he is a strong adherent to Demo- cratic principles, and bas never failed to vote with that party. He and Mrs. Creekmore are members of the Christian Church.
J. B. Donathan, farmer, Magazine, Ark. Mr. Donathan is one of the many residents of Logan County, Ark., who were originally from Alabama, and who, since their residence in this State, have become prominent men in whatever calling in life their tendencies have led them. He was born in 1841, and moved with his parents, B. F. and Sarah (Lloyd) Donathan, to Arkansas in 1851. He was principally reared in the last named State, and here he received a limited education in the common schools. In 1861 he began business for himself as a farmer, and is now the owner of 800 acres of excellent land in Logan County. With care and perseverance he has attended to his adopted avocation, and with energy and thorough- ness his successful results have been reaped until now he is in possession of a comfortable compe- tence. In the fall of 1861 Mr. Donathan enlisted in the army, and was in active duty until the close of the war. Previous to this, in 1860, he was married to Miss Mary Dunn, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Dunn and a native of Arkansas. Her parents were natives of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Donathan were born the following chil- dren: William H., James L. (deceased), Martha L., Benjamin F., Robert L. (deceased), Katie, John B. (deceased), Mary E., Margaret V., Emma and Laura J. Mr. Donathan is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are consistent members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Donathan is highly respected.
352
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jacob Dorough, planter, Paris, Ark. Mr. Dor- ough's first impression was that of assisting on his father's farm, and it is but natural, perhaps, that when it became necessary for him to choose some occupation in life, he should select the one to which he had been reared. He was born in Georgia, October 22, 1849, and his parents, Milton B. and Emily M. (Casper) Dorough, were natives of Georgia and South Carolina, respectively, the father born in 1820 and the mother in 1819. They were married in Carroll County, Ga., and to them were born ten children, five besides our subject now living: William T., Margy M., John R., Simeon H. and Nancy R. Those deceased were Louisa S., James P., Milton W. and George H. The parents died in Georgia, the father in 1890 and the mother in 1884. Both were church members. The father was in the Indian wars. Jacob Dorough attained his growth on his father's farm, and was married in Heard County, Ga., in 1865, to Miss Susan L. Mosely, a native of Georgia, born April 14, 1850. Twelve children have blessed this union, nine now living: James W., Milton M., Charles F., George S., Henry E., Robert S., Elbert R., Sarah C. (died November 8, 1890), Rhoda J., Adolphus W. (deceased), Jacob H., and Emily R. (died No- vember 15, 1890). Mr. Dorough enlisted in Com- pany H, infantry, in 1864, and served until 1865. He was paroled at Athens, Ga., and then returned home, where he engaged in tilling the soil. He is now the owner of 270 acres of land, and has 100 acres under cultivation. He was elected justice of the peace of Mountain Township, in 1878, and has discharged the duties of that office ever since. He is a blacksmith, and works for the neighborhood. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Dor- ough is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Truman Driggs, farmer and ginner, Driggs, Ark. Mr. Driggs, who has the reputation of be- ing one of the most thoroughgoing, wide-awake farmers and ginners of Logan County, was born in the Buckeye State, April 8, 1832. His parents, George and Abigail (Conant) Driggs, were both natives of New York State, but at an early age be-
came residents of Athens County, Ohio, where they were married. The fruits of this union were three sons and four daughters: Riley, Jeremiah, Ar- villa, Almedia, Catherine, Damris A, and Truman. The mother died in Ohio in 1837, and Mr. Driggs afterward married Miss Catherine Cornwell, who bore him one son. This child died in infancy, and the mother died a few days later. In 1842 Mr. Driggs married Elma Wood, and they became the parents of two children: Robert E. and Ruth Anna. Mrs. Driggs died in 1848, and Mr. Driggs took for his fourth wife the widow of Caleb Martin, her maiden name being Martha Chandler. She died without issue. His fifth marriage was to Miss Lavina Martin. All his marriages occurred in Athens County, Ohio. Mr. Driggs died in 1887, at the age of ninety years. He was a farmer all his life. His fifth wife is still living in Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a physician, and the ma- ternal a successful agriculturist by occupation. Truman Driggs removed from Athens County, Ohio, to Logan County, Ark., in 1879, and brought all his family with him. He bought land, and en- gaged in tilling the soil. He is now the owner of fifty acres of land, and he also owns a cotton-gin at Driggs. He was married in Ohio in 1853, to Miss Hannah J. Martin, daughter of Caleb Martin, whose widow married the father of our subject, the latter marrying his step-sister. Three children were born of this union-a son and two daughters: Barzilla'M., Mary L. and Almedia. Mary died in 1881. She was the wife of Lewis Driggs. Bar- zilla married Sarah Chandler, in 1874, and Almedia married William Funk. The last named couple have one child, a girl named Mary L. On Janu- ary 5, 1864, Mr. Driggs enlisted in the United States Army, Company H, Eighteenth Ohio In- fantry, and participated in the battles of Nashville and Franklin. He was discharged on October 12, 1865. Mr. Driggs then returned to his family in Ohio, but subsequently removed to Arkansas, and has been a resident of Logan County, and of his present place for eleven years. He and Mrs. Driggs are members of the Universalist Church, in Ohio. Mr. Driggs contributes liberally to all worthy movements, and is a public-spirited citizen. Their
1
LOGAN COUNTY.
353
son, Barzilla, was married twice. His first wife's name was Lucy Funk. She lived only a few months. His second wife's name was Sarah Chandler. Both were natives of Ohio. Caleb Martin, father of Mrs. Truman Driggs, was born in England, but came to Ohio with his father when a small boy. His brother Samuel started with them, but died on the way, and was buried at sea. Caleb settled in Pennsylvania, and married Marga- ret Baker. To them were born nine children-six sons and three daughters: John, James B., Caleb L., Hiram G., Samuel H., William J., Polly, Rachel and Emily. Their mother died when Emily was small. Some time afterward he married Mar- tha Chandler for his second wife, and in the year 1840 they moved to Meigs County, Ohio. Of their union were born four children-two sons and two daughters: Margaret A., Hannah J., Joel C. and George B. On March 20, 1850, the father died at the age of eighty-two, and some time later the widow moved to Athens County, Ohio, where she married George Driggs in 1852, and died March 25, 1854. The children all married. The sons, James and Caleb, became wholesale merchants in St. Louis, Mo .; John and William became ma- chinists, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio; Hiram was a tailor, residing in Harrison County, Ohio; Samuel was a doctor, living in Meigs County, Ohio; Joel is a farmer in Pike County, Ill .; George B. owns a saw and planing-mill in Huntington, W. Va., where he now lives. The last two were born of the second marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Driggs have an adopted daughter, Arlie E. Wood, who married John G. Jones, and has one child, a boy, named August Homer.
this union were born twelve children-six sons and six daughters. At an early day the parents re- moved to Cooper County, Mo., entered land. and there the father tilled the soil until his death in 1828. The same year his widow removed to Logan County, Ark., with her children and there received her final summons in 1847. W. H. Fort, the next to the youngest child, was married in 1846 to Miss Nancy Sewell, daughter of John Sewell of Missis- sippi, she being a native of that State. Her father removed from Mississippi to Arkansas when Mrs. Fort was about ten years of age, and when she was sixteen years of age she was married to Mr. Fort. Eleven children were born to this union: Susan M., Mary T., Belle, James, Sallie, Harmon, Eudora, Isabella, Jefferson, Maud, and the next died in in- fancy. They have seven children now living. Mr. Fort is now the owner of the Paris Hotel in Paris, his property being worth about $5,000, and by his social, pleasant manners has won many patrons. Having followed the active duties of the farm for many years he became too old to follow the plow any longer, and so he gave his land, which amount- ed to about 2,000 acres altogether, to his children, while he chose the hotel business for himself. He is a Mason and one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens of Logan County, of which he has been a resident for sixty-two years. He and wife are both church members, he of the Cumberland Presby- terian and she of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
James H. Fort, planter, Paris, Ark. Located in the midst of one of the finest agricultural por- tions of Logan County, the farm which Mr. Fort owns and occupies is conceded to be among the best in this vicinity, and this is saying not a little, for on every hand may be seen superior places, whose ownership indicates thrift and prosperity. He was born three and a half miles west of Paris, Ark., in 1857, and was the fourth in a family of ten children born to William H. and Nancy A. (Sewell) Fort, the father a native of Missouri and the mother of Mississippi. The father came to Ar- į kansas in 1828, has since resided in this county, and now resides at Paris, where he has made his
W. H. Fort, hotel keeper, Paris, Ark. The town of Paris is to be congratulated on her good hotels, among which, that conducted by that pop- ular and genial gentleman, W. H. Fort, ranks prominent. This gentleman was born May 20, 1822, and is a son of Spear and Margaret (Titts- worth) Fort, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. The mother was captured by the Creek Indians when ten years of age, and was released after a year's captivity. She ; married Mr. Fort in the last named State, and to : home for about fifty years. It fell to the lot of 23
354
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
James H. Fort to grow up with a farm experience, and he was educated at Quitman and Magazine, this county, Ozark and Charleston in Franklin County and Dardanelle in Yell County. He re- mained at home until nineteen years of age, when he began farming for himself, investing in 805 acres southwest of Paris in Short Mountain Creek, with fifteen acres cleared. He began making im- provements, and resided here for about eight years. He is now the owner of about 900 acres in various tracts lying near Paris, has 500 acres under culti- vation and 400 acres of which is creek bottom. The remainder is among the best uplands of the county. He has good buildings on his place and is one of the thrifty and successful planters of this region. Mr. Fort has recently removed to Paris, where he expects soon to erect a tasty residence. He was married in 1876 to Miss Rosa Anna Huck- aby of this county. The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Fort is soon to enter the ministry. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, is progressive in all things, and is practically a self-made man.
John V. Frost, farmer, Driggs, Ark. If, as is self evident, this work would be incomplete without sketches of the more public-spirited of the successful agriculturists, and substantial, well-to- do citizens of Logan County, then the subject of this sketch justly finds a conspicuous place in the present volume. He was born in Alabama in 1835, and is the son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth (Corley) Frost, natives of North Carolina, where they were reared. They were married, however, in Alabama, and to them were born four children: Mary Ann, John V., William G. and Jesse A., all natives of the last mentioned State. They removed from Al- abama to Mississippi, remained there several years, and then in 1855 removed to Logan County, Ark., where the father tilled the soil until his death in 1886. The mother is still living. Of the four children mentioned above, only one besides our subject is now living, William G., who married Miss Kyle, the fruits of this union being four sons and two daughters. John V. Frost was married in 1857 to Miss Elizabeth James, who bore him five children, viz .: Robert N., Martha A., Sarah F.,
Amanda A. and Mary E. (deceased). Mrs. Frost died in August, 1866, and subsequently Mr. Frost mar- ried Miss Rachel Galor (December, 1866), by whom he has two children : Jacob W. (deceased), and Emily C. Mr. Frost owns 125 acres of land, and has 60 acres under cultivation. He enlisted in 1862 in the United States Army, Company E, Fourth Arkan- sas Cavalry, was in the Pea Ridge fight, and also in the battle of Prairie Grove. He was discharged in June, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark., and afterward returned to his family, where he resumed the oc- cupation of farming. He and Mrs. Frost are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Larken B. Gamble, business manager of the Tribune and a farmer of advanced and pro- gressive ideas, owes-his nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in that State in 1839. His parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Gamble, were natives also of the Big Bend State. Larken B. Gamble was reared in his native State, and there received a limited education, although he has improved this very materially by observation and study. He started out in business for himself in 1865, and from that date until 1876 he was engaged in rail- roading and steamboating. In 1883 he moved to Logan County, Ark., and here, in connection with other enterprises, he has been engaged in farming and merchandising. He is at present proprietor and business manager of the Tribune, a Repub- lican paper, published at Paris, and which is a welcome visitor in the numerous homes it enters. Mr. Gamble has ever been an earnest advocate of all public enterprises calculated to benefit Logan County, and through the columns of this paper has wielded no slight influence in directing the proper steps to be taken for a worthy movement. At the breaking out of the Civil War, or in July, 1861, Mr. Gamble enlisted in the Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, U. S. A., for service, and was in active duty all of the time up to February 23, 1865. He was wounded in the left hand and arm, the left knee and the right ankle. By the explosion of a shell his eyes and ears were very much affected, and so continue at the present time. On Decem- ber 14, 1876, his marriage with Miss Annie M. Shafe, daughter of John and Mary A. Shafe, was
355
LOGAN COUNTY.
solemnized in Benton County, Ark. Mr. Gamble is a strong Republican from principle, and he and Mrs. Gamble are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He believes that man's first duty is to his family, if he has one, and next to the flag of his country, the stars and stripes, and in the discharge of these duties God's blessings will assuredly follow.
D. T. Garner, farmer and ginner, Booneville, Ark. The parents of our subject, William and Martha (Linnear) Garner, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, and they were principally reared in the last named State. They were also married, and to their union were born nine children-seven sons and two daughters- George W., John S., Ellen J., D. T., James F., William N., Richard H. and Daniel L. The ninth one died in infancy and was unnamed. The par- ents are still living in Georgia, where they reared their family and where they have resided for nearly sixty years. D. T. Garner was born in October, 1841, in Gwinnett County, Ga., and there passed his youth and boyhood. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company A, Forty-second Georgia Infantry, and was captured at Vicksburg, on June 24, while on picket. He was paroled when Vicksburg surrendered and returned to his home in Georgia, where he remained about a year, after which he entered the army again and served until the cessation of hostilities. He then made his way to Georgia again, and in 1865 was married to Miss Rhoda Carroll, daughter of the widow, Rhoda Carroll. They removed from Georgia to Boone- ville, Ark., in 1871, and remained there until the spring of 1877, when they removed to Mason County, Tex. In the fall of 1887 he returned to Logan County, Ark., bought land and engaged in tilling the soil. He also bought one-half inter- est in a gin-mill with George R. Basinger, and still makes this his occupation. He is the owner of 137 acres of land, and has 40 acres of this under cultivation. He and wife are the parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters- Charles R., Lulu (deceased), Martha O., Dewitt, Carroll, Maud and Newton. Our subject is the only one of his father's family now living in Ar-
kansas. His son Charles married Miss Ida Corlan, daughter of William Corlan, and is engaged in farming in Logan County. Mr. Garner and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and contribute of their means to all worthy enterprises.
M. F. Goss, farmer and carpenter, Delaware, Ark. In addition to being a first-class agricultur- ist, Mr. Goss is also a carpenter and builder, and many evidences of his ability and skill are to be seen in this part of Logan County. His parents, Noah and Ann Eliza (Crittendon) Goss, were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and came to Arkansas about 1840. To their marriage were born three children who are named in the order of their births as follows: John W., Manfred F. (subject) and George E. The parents settled in Yell County, and there the father cultivated the soil for many years. He purchased 300 acres of land, improved 100 acres of this, and erected good buildings, etc. The mother died in December, 1886, and the father in 1889. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the father was a steward of the same. M. F. Goss was born in Yell County, Ark., in 1849, and tilled the soil in that county until 1875, when he made his advent into Logan County. He purchased 80 acres of good land, cleared 40 acres of this, and has made many and vast improvements on the same. His principal productions are cotton, corn, wheat and oats, and as his land is rich and pro- ductive, his crops seldom fail. Mr. Goss was mar- ried in 1867, to Miss Isabel Johnson, a native of North Carolina, born in 1847, and the daughter of Robert and Melvina Johnson. Of the eight chil- dren born to this union, five are now living: Benny, Norah V., Manfred E., Annie and Sammy (twins). During the late unpleasantness between the North and South Mr. Goss engaged in the Confederate service, in Capt. Orr's company of cavalry, when but fourteen years of age. He was deputy sheriff in 1879-80, and held the same position in 1884- 85. He was elected justice of the peace in 1888, and when his school district was first formed he was made director, serving in that capacity for ten years. In addition to his occupation as farmer
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.