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 59
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Mr. Goss is also a carpenter by trade, and con- tractor and architect, doing his own draughting and designing. He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Goss is a steward in the same, also teacher in the Sunday-school.
F. M. Gwaltney, merchant, Prairie View, Ark. The trade carried on in general merchandise is of very great importance and constitutes a leading factor in the commercial fabric of the smaller towns and villages. It is a line of business requiring special qualifications of a high order, and those possessed of these succeed in this somewhat pre- carious undertaking. Prominent among those en- gaged in this line in Prairie View is Mr. Gwaltney, who is an energetic, thorough man of business, and whose relations with the public are of an honorable and upright character. This gentleman was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1842, and in 1858 he moved to Logan County, Ark. He received a rather limited education, and at the age of sixteen years began farming and merchandising for himself. These occupations he has continued to follow ever since. During the struggle between the North and South he enlisted in Company C, First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, and in 1863 was severely wounded in the right ankle. He is still greatly troubled by this wound. Returning home after cessation of hostilities he continued his former pur- suits and was married in 1866 to Miss Nancy Cravens, daughter of J. and W. Cravens. The following children were the result of this union: Jennie, Katie, Adalaide, Nina J., William, Rilla, Pearl L., Ova J. and Boulanger. Those deceased are William, Rilla and Ova J. Two of the daughters are married and the others are at home. In his political views Mr. Gwaltney is a Democrat. Mrs. Gwaltney and some of the children are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church.
W. H. H. Harley, lawyer and editor of the Tri- bune, Paris, Ark. Mr. Harley is one of those men, too few in number, who fully recognize the truth so often urged by the sages of the law, that, of all men, the reading and thought of a lawyer should be the most extended. Systematic reading gives a more comprehensive grasp to the mind, variety and
richness to thought, and a clearer perception of the motives of men and the principles of things, indeed of the very spirit of laws. This he has found not only most essential in the prosecution of his professional practice, but very useful in con- ducting the editorial policy of his paper. Mr. Harley was born at Holly Springs, Miss., in 1841. and is the second of ten children born to W. R. and Louisa J. Harley, both natives of the Old Dominion. The paternal grandfather, John Har- ley, was of English descent, and his ancestors came from that country during the colonial period. The maternal ancestors, Thompsons and Bowens, were descendants of old Virginia families, and figured prominently in the Revolutionary War. Both families were of English descent, and were prom- inent in their day and time. W. R. Harley, father of W. H. H. Harley, was a merchant and banker in the early part of his career, and has held official positions nearly all his life. He was State Senator in Virginia and also from Marshall and De Soto Counties, Miss., and was Indian agent to New Mexico under Buchanan. He came to Arkansas in 1859, settled at Princeton, Dallas County, and has served two terms in the Legislature from that county; has also been county judge of the same for four years. He is now living at the age of eighty-two years and does his own business as merchant and farmer. W. H. H. Harley was reared in Mississippi, and was fortunate in having good educational advantages. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Confederate Army. Com- pany C, First Arkansas Regiment Infantry, from Dallas County, Ark., and was in active service until cessation of hostilities. He participated in many of the principal engagements, was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, and after being disabled served in a civil capacity until peace was declared. After the war he taught school in Southern Arkansas for several years, and at the same time was engaged in reading law. About 1875 he was admitted to the bar in Dallas County, and there he began prac- ticing, and succeeded in establishing a good repu- tation. A few years later he came to Logan County. located at Paris, and there he has practiced ever since. He established the Paris Express in 1979
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LOGAN COUNTY.
and 1880, and had editorial charge for one year. He was then connected with the People's Friend for one year, and in 1889 was engaged as editor and manager of the Paris Tribune. Mr. Harley was married in 1880 to Mrs. A. J. Harley, daugh- ter of G. W. Wolf, a native of Logan County. To this union four children were born: Edna Jane. Charles Bowen, Jessie and Benjamin H., the latter died in infancy, in 1889. Mrs. Harley is a worthy member of the Methodist Church. W. H. H. Harley is an Old School Presbyterian, and believes in the sovereignty of God. In his household is a step-daughter, Willie Ann, an amiable and good girl. As a citizen he has always favored the en- forcement of the laws, and has given to the churches and schools such help and support as his ability would allow.
Dr. W. A. Heartsill, physician and druggist, Morrisons Bluff, Ark. It is to the skill and science of the druggist that suffering humanity looks for alleviation of pain. The physician may success- fully diagnose, but it is the chemist who prepares the remedy. When, therefore, as in the case of the gentleman whose name forms the subject of this sketch, the two professions, namely that of the phys- ician as well as that of the druggist are combined, how doubly important becomes the establishment conducted by Dr. W. A. Heartsill. This gentle- man was born in Louisville, Blount County, Tenn., on December 7, 1852, and his parents, Hiram and A. M. F. (Wright), were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, the father born near the Salt Works in Washington County, Va., March 2, 1807, the mother at Mount Pisgah in Blount County. Tenn., September 21, 1813. She was the daughter of Dr. Isaac Wright of that county. They were married June 8, 1837. His parents moved to Georgia in 1865, and there the father resides at the present time. The mother died on October 6, 1890. Dr. W. A. Heartsill remained in Tennessee until thir- teen years of age, and then in October, 1865, moved to Georgia with his parents. In 1871 he came to Arkansas, located in Logan County, and there remained until 1875, when he returned to Georgia. While in the latter State he read medi- cine under Dr. Charles P. Gordon of Dalton, Ga.,
for three years, and in 1876 went to Philadelphia, where he attended lectures at the Jefferson Med. ical College; in 1878 attended lectures at the Nash- ville Medical College, Nashville, Tenn., graduating in February, 1878. He then returned to Logan County, Ark., where he has been actively engaged in his practice ever since. He was married on January 3, 1880, to Miss Sallie E. Edmondson, a native of Spring Place, Murray County, Ga., and the daughter of John L. and Kate (Sellick) Ed- mondson, natives also of Georgia. To Doctor and wife have been born the following children: Cleve R., Isaac N., J. L. E. and William H. ; one child, Cleve R., died at the age of eight years and six months. The Doctor is a strong Democrat, and adheres closely to the principles of that party. He is a very successful practitioner and reliable drug- gist. Mrs. Heartsill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
J. S. Hixson, planter, Paris, Ark. The father of our subject, William Hixson, was a native of Tennessee and was an agriculturist by occupation. He was married in his native State to Miss Mary Ragan, a native of Alabama, and nine children were born to this union-five sons and four daugh- ters-seven of whom are now living: J. S., Nancy L., John A., William H. (deceased), Henry, Joseph A., Caroline T. (deceased), R.J and M.I. The father emigrated from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1858, and settled in what is now Logan County. He was killed in 1863, during the war, and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother was married in this county in about 1878 to N. Miles. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. J. S. Hixson was married in Franklin County, December 22, 1872, to Miss Laura Fort, who was born in Franklin County in 1848. The result of this union was the birth of eight children, seven now living, viz .: Orlando, Ada and Ida (twins), Oscar, Elmer, Cleveland, Rilla and Arthur (deceased). Mr. Hixson is one of the most enterprising and successful agriculturists in this township. He was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., December 1, 1848, and was fairly educated in the common schools. He has always followed the occupation of farmer, and is progres-
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sive and thoroughgoing. He is the owner of 246 acres of land, and has 115 acres in a good state of
cultivation. He and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. In his polit-
ical views he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Hon. Matt Hixson, merchant, Shoal Creek.
Ark. Mr. Hixson, a prominent business man of Shoal Creek, was born in Tennessee on Christmas day, 1842, and is the son of James and Milley
(Wheeler) Hixson, both natives also of the Big
Bend State. The parents came to Arkansas in
boyhood he attended the subscription schools two came with his parents to Arkansas, and during his Matt Hixson was but ten years of age when he and soon had 50 acres of this under cultivation. 1852, purchased, the same year, 160 acres of land
about three miles to get his education. In 1861 or three months each summer, being obliged to go
he enlisted in the Confederate Army as corporal,
and served in that capacity until the reorganization
of Elk Horn, Corinth, Port Hudson, and was in tenant. He took a prominent part in the battles second lieutenant, and afterward made first lieu- at Corinth, when he was promoted to the rank of
Port Hudson, after a siege of forty-two days, Mr. numerous minor engagements. At the battle of
to Johnson Island, Ohio, where he was kept about Hixson, with his command, was captured and taken ten months, during which time he had small-pox.
Later he was taken to Point Lookout, Md., to be exchanged, but for some reason was not, but was taken to Fort Delaware. He was sent from there to South Carolina to be exchanged, but instead was put in a stockade, where he, with his companions,
smothered the animal with blankets and cooked him in a tea kettle. His regular fare while at
Fort Delaware was a small piece of corn bread,
one-half pint of pickles per day, and occasionally a piece of light bread. Many laughable incidents
occurred, notwithstanding their suffering, among ex-slaves, and frequently recognized their old which is the following: Some of the guards were masters among the prisoners who were allowed, just so often, to pass out through the gates to bathe. By diving to the bottom they could secure
oysters. One of the negro guards, pacing along ored soldier in uniform to assume, called out to his the parapet with all the dignity possible for a col- old master, who was diving for oysters, "Hello.
used to be bottom rail, now bottom rail on de top." guard then exclaimed, while pointing to himself. "I prisoner replied, explaining his occupation. The Massa, w'at yo' doin' down dar?" to which the
Those oysters formed a very pleasant addition to the prison fare. After the war Mr. Hixson began returned home, where he followed farming on his
clerking in a general mercantile store in Little Rock, continued there for about two years and then ing in a dry-goods and grocery store at Spadra, in father's land for one season. He then began clerk-
which place he remained for about four years. at-
tending school in summer and clerking in the win-
ter. In 1879 he embarked in business with J. A. and T. R. Sadler in general merchandising at Shoal Creek, and later Mr. Hixson purchased the entire
stock of the firm with the store building. This build- ing has a basement and is 24x70 feet in dimensions. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $5, 000, were kept during the battle and subject to fire from both sides. He was kept in this stockade for forty days, and was then transferred to Fort Pulaski, where he remained for some time and then and is doing a good business. He is owner of 3, 000 acres of land, and has expended between $15.000 and $20,000 in improvements. Upon two of his farms coal has been found (outcroppings) which returned to Fort Delaware. There he was pa- roled at the close of the war and returned home. is used in the blacksmith forges of the neighbor- hood. No attempt has yet been made to develop He was twice hit during the war, once on the breast by a spent ball, which did not penetrate the flesh, and again by a piece of bomb in the leg. While at Fort Delaware Mr. Hixson, with these mines. Mr. Hixson's principal crops are corn and cotton, and he also gives considerable of his time and attention to the raising of live stock, mules and cattle. On December 25, 1870, Mr. his companions, captured a dog belonging to Hixson was married to Miss Belila A. Sadler. a a visitor, and after the owner had left they ; native of Arkansas, born Christmas day, 1844, and
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the daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth Sadler. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are living: Gracie C. (born in 1872), and Matt. S. (born in 1878). Mr. Hixson represented what is now Logan County in the Legislature in 1874-75. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge at Ellsworth, Ark.
L. F. A. Holleman, planter, Paris, Ark. Mr. Holleman has been a resident of Logan County, Ark., for the past seventeen years, and his ex- ample of industry, and his earnest and sincere efforts to make life a success, are well worth the imitation of all. The condition of his farm, which consists of 120 acres, shows the thrift and energy which are among his chief characteristics, and all necessary buildings and fences form a prominent feature of the improvements. L. F. A. Holleman was born on October 15, 1831, and is a son of William H. and Emeline (Davenport) Holleman. natives of Tennessee, the father born on February 22, 1812, and the mother on January 28, 1813. They were married in Smith County, in 1830, and of the eight children born to this union, only four besides our subject are now living: Orville J., Will- iam C., Thomas H. and E. J. The father died in Alabama on April 18, 1852. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother is now living in Alabama, and is a member of the same church. L. F. A. Holleman was educated in the Franklin Academy, and was married in Chattooga County, Ga., on November 10, 1852, to Miss Narcissa Wyatt, who was born in Georgia, on January 11, 1832. They became the parents of one son, W. E., who was killed in a railroad disaster on July 17, 1890. Mrs. Holleman died on November 12, 1854, in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church. On October 14, 1857, Mr. Holleman took for his second wife Miss M. E. Hendrix, a native of Alabama, born on De- cember 16, 1840, and to this union were born eight children, six now living, viz. : O. B., A. L., M. H., W. H., S. S. (deceased), J. B., N. V. (deceased), and F. G. The second wife died on February 4, 1882, and on November 13, 1885, Mr. Holleman married Mrs. E. J. Daniel, a native of Alabama, born on December 12, 1841. Mr. Holleman enlisted as a
private in the cavalry, Company G, in 1862, and at the end of eighteen months was promoted to the quartermaster department of his regiment. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickasaw Mountain, and was in a number skir- mishes, serving until peace was declared. He was paroled at Columbus, Miss., in 1865, and after the war he returned home, where he engaged in cultivating the soil. In March, 1873, he moved from Alabama to Arkansas, settled in this county, and has seventy-five acres of his fine farm under cultivation. He was elected justice of the peace of Short Mountain Township, in 1888, and in his political views is strictly Democratic. He and Mrs. Holleman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is steward of the same, be- ing at the present time lay delegate to the Arkan- sas annual conference.
Eli D. Hooper, merchant and farmer, Maga- zine, Ark. Mr. Hooper, who is classed among the successful business men and enterprising farmers of the county, was originally from Illinois, his birth occurring in that State in 1837. His parents, Clayburn R. and Mary A. (Story) Hooper, were natives of the Blue-Grass State, the former born in 1813 and the latter in 1819. The paternal grandparents of our subject were James and Jemima Hooper, and the maternal grandfather was Solomon Story. Clayburn R. Hooper was the father of eleven children, ten of whom are now living and named in the order of their births as follows: Eli D., Sidney J. (wife of L. P. Elling- ton), Mary J. (wife of John O. Hall), Peter W., Grace A. (relict of John Rankins), Martha E. (wife of N. L. Hardin), Eliza E. (wife of George G. Loyd), Josephine (wife of J. W. Worley), Nancy Caroline (wife of W. S. Blanton) and Cale- donia (wife of Henry Chappell). In 1849 Eli D. Hooper came with his parents to Arkansas, where the father took up 200 acres of Government land. The latter enlisted in Company B, Third Illinois Infantry, and served during the Mexican War, par- ticipating in the battles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. His death occurred on December 29, 1875. Eli Hooper began for himself at the age of seven- teen, working for wages and with the proceeds
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
attending college. He engaged in merchandising in 1866 in Illinois, and there he remained until the latter part of 1867, when he returned to Ar- kansas and brought goods from Illinois and St. Louis. He established himself in the same busi- ness at Long Ridge, and in connection carried on a gin, which he had erected soon after coming there. In 1870 he removed his stock to what is now Magazine, at that time the first store, built a grist-mill and gin, and there he has been continu- ously in business up to the present time. He established a post-office at that point, and he also established a store at his farm in Petit Jean Val- ley. In the two stores he carries a general stock of about $5,000, and does an annual business of about $15,000. His farm in the Petit Jean Valley is considered one of the finest and consists of 756 acres lying the full width of the valley, and is one and a fourth miles in length. He has also in Reveille Township 436 acres of land, upon a part of which the greater portion of the town of Magazine was built. Upon his farm and in Magazine Mr. Hooper has the finest residences in Logan County, and his other buildings are of a first-class order. He devotes his attention to the raising of corn and cotton, his farm in Petit Jean Valley being espe- cially adapted to that, and also gives considerable attention to the raising of horses, mules, cattle and hogs. Mr. Hooper was married in 1865 to Miss Martha J. Franklin, a native of Illinois, born in 1844, and the daughter of William B. Franklin. Mrs. Hooper died on July 16, 1866, leaving two children, twins, one of whom died when about six- teen years of age. The other, William F., is now a physician in Magazine, where he is earning for himself an enviable reputation in his profession. On December 25, 1867, Mr. Hooper was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Loyd, who was born in Alabama in 1840, and who was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Loyd. The fruits of this union were eight children: Patsie (wife of S. D. San- derfer), Sallie (wife of W. M. McIntrerf), Mary O. (wife of J. L. Gamble), Nellie W., Thomas P., Nancy L., Daniel W. and Henry C. In 1872 Mr. Hooper was made a member of the board of super- visors, and he filled the position of postmaster at
Magazine for about fourteen years. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He has always been a man of great energy and perseverance, and although he has met with many reverses, he has always pushed forward again. He takes a prominent part in, and is a liberal contributor to, all worthy enterprises.
Hon. W. B. Jackson, a prominent lawyer and present representative of Logan County, Ark., owes his nativity to Mississippi, born in 1851, and is the eldest living child in the family of John L. and Elizabeth C. (Pearson) Jackson, the parents natives of Georgia and Mississippi respectively. The paternal grandparents were natives of North and South Carolina respectively. W. B. Jack- son's early impressions were at once directed toward the channels of agricultural pursuits, and he received a good, practical education in the com- mon schools. In 1869 he began the study of med- icine at the University of Philadelphia and grad- uated from Washington University, Baltimore on February 22, 1871. He immediately began prac- ticing in Mississippi, but in 1874 went to New York, where he practiced in Bellevue Hospital for some time. He then returned to Mississippi and began the study of law in 1876, being admit- ted to the bar the following year. In 1879 he came to Arkansas, located at Paris, and here he has since been engaged in the practice of law. He is a business-like and painstaking lawyer, is con- cise in argument and well read, and has a steadily increasing practice. In 1889 he formed a part- nership with C. B. Fontaine. He has been an active Democrat in politics and has ever voted with that party. His superior intelligence and fine ability became recognized by the numerous friends whom he had gathered around him, and he was elected to represent this county in the Legisla- ture in 1890. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. Though a young man he is one of the rising attorneys of this judicial district.
P. J. Jansen, merchant, Prairie View, Ark. In including in this work the sketches of prominent business men of Logan County, none are more de- serving of recognition than that of Mr. Jansen, who for a number of years has carried on an extensive
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mercantile establishment at Prairie View. He is of German nativity, born in that country in 1844, and his parents, P. J. and Katherine Jansen, were natives also of that country. He passed his boy- hood and youth in Germany, and his educational facilities were more than usually favorable. He began business for himself as a miner in 1878, and this was his principal occupation up to 1884, when he emigrated to the United States. The same year he located in Logan County, Ark. Previous to coming to the United States, or in 1874, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Scherter, who bore him the following children: Clara, Mattie and Peter. In 1885 Mr. Jansen moved to Little Rock, Ark., and was book-keeper for W. J. Hutt for some time. Subsequently, however, he returned to Logan County, Ark., and embarked in merchandising for himself, which business he carries on successfully at the present time. He carries a stock of goods valued at from between $5,000 to $6,000 dollars, and is a live, energetic business man. He is a . strong adherent to the principles of Democracy, and has ever voted with that party. Mrs. Jansen and children are members of the Catholic Church, and the family is respected and esteemed through- out the community.
John A. Johnson, planter, Paris, Ark. Mr. Johnson is one of the successful farmers of Johnson Township, and one of its pioneer settlers. Like many other prominent men of Logan County, he owes his nativity to North Carolina, his birth oc- curring in 1821, and is a son of Littleton and Lucy (Adkins) Johnson, natives also of that State. The father was born February 15, 1795, and was mar- ried December 11, 1816, to Miss Adkins, who was born July 30, 1799. Their family consisted of nine children-three sons and six daughters-only one, a sister, besides our subject, now living: Susan A. (wife of R. J. Nesbit, now residing in Texas). The father emigrated from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1841, settled in what is now Logan County, and entered a tract of land on which he made large in- provements. His wife died in 1837 and he in 1857. John A. Johnson was reared in this county, and was married here in 1857, to Miss Mary Lee, who bore him five children, three now living: W. L., William
C.and Emma. The wife of our subject died in 1866 and he was married, the second time, in 1869 to Miss Margaret Guthrey. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1863, and served as a private until peace was declared. He is the owner of 120 acres of fine land, and has 100 acres of this under cultivation, his principal crops being corn and cot- ton. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
W. H. Jones, merchant, Prairie View, Ark. Among the prominent business houses of Prairie View, one deserving of special mention in connec- tion with the dry-goods line, is that conducted by W. H. Jones, who, notwithstanding the fact that he takes a lively interest in all public affairs, is at the same time a conservative and reliable business man. He is a native-born resident of this county, his birth occurring in 1853, and is the son of F. M. and C. L. (Swiney) Jones, the father born in Missouri, and the mother in Tennessee. W. H. Jones attained his growth in his native county, and secured a good practical education in the common schools. At the age of twelve years he started out for himself, and has been engaged in merchan- dising the principal part of the time since. He is now the owner of a stock of goods valued at from $5,000 to $6,000, and by his pleasant, agree- able manners has built up a good trade. He also owns considerable real estate, and a summer resi- dence on one of the peaks of the famous Magazine Mountain. Bear Wallow Springs are located here, which, with the heathful climate and beautiful scenery make it a delightful summer retreat. His wife, who was formerly Miss Eliza J. Sykes, and who was the daughter of Robert and E. Sykes, bore him the following children: Minnie B., Clemen- tine O., Arnold, Roland V., James W., Ralph O. and Robert C., of whom Clementine O. and Ar- nold are deceased. Mrs. Jones was born in Ten- nessee in 1853, and moved with her parents to Kentucky when a child. In 1868 she came to Ar- kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are esteemed mem- bers of the Christian Church, as are also the chil- dren, and in politics Mr. Jones is a Democrat.
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