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 60
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Thomas Jones, farmer, Driggs, Ark. Mr. Jones is in every way worthy to be classed among
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the successful agriculturists of this county, for by his own industry he has become the owner of a fine farm of 505 acres, and 400 acres of this have been cleared. He owes his nativity to Chambers County, Ala., his birth occurring in March, 1846, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Davis) Jones, both probably natives of Alabama. Thomas Jones, the youngest of four children-two sons and two daughters-was left an orphan when quite young, and was reared principally in his native State. He left Alabama immediately after the war, came to Arkansas, and has since been a resident of this State. He was married in Logan County in 1871, to Miss Trency Galer, and to them have been born eleven children, ten of whom are living: John T., Jeremiah S., Charles W., Sarah J., William E., Marzela, Zeba A., Everett and Louisa (who died at the age of seven months). Mr. Jones is en- gaged in raising cotton and grain, and while he is an agriculturist of advanced ideas and tendencies he does not lose sight of the stock interest. The im- provements on his place are all of the best. (Mr. Jones did not correct and return this sketch and hence the publishers cannot give the names of his other children).
Dr. J. A. Keith, physician and merchant, Boone- ville, Ark. Among the people of Logan County the name of Dr. Keith is not an unfamiliar one, for he has not only won an enviable reputation as a physician, but as a business man and citizen, he is respected by all. He owes his nativity to Bun- combe County, N. C., born December 16, 1824, and his parents, Rev. William and Sarah (Allen) Keith, were native Virginians, the father born in 1777, and the mother in 1778. Their nuptials were celebrated in North Carolina, and of the nine children that blessed that union, only three chil- dren are the living representatives of this family: Nancy (wife of Alfred Murry), and Sarah A. (wife of O. H. Ramsey). Those deceased were named John, Henry, William M., A. F., R. C. and Jack- son. The father was a farmer by occupation, but was also an ordained minister in the Baptist Church. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents both died in North Carolina, the father in 1853, and the mother in 1867. The latter was also a
member of that church. Dr. J. A. Keith com- menced the study of medicine in Tennessee, in 1853, attended lectures at Augusta, Ga., in 1858 and 1859, and after graduating, commenced prac- ticing at Mars Hill, Yancy County, N. C. He has practiced his profession ever since, and is ever to be found at the bedside of the sick and afflicted. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, was also in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and was brave and fearless in the discharge of his duty. During the last named war he enlisted (1862) in Company A, Sixty-fourth North Carolina Infantry, and was elected commander of his company in March, of that year, and lieutenant-colonel on the organization. He was in the battles of Chicka- mauga, Chickasaw Mountain, Perryville, Knoxville and a number of skirmishes, serving until 1865. Previous to the war, or in 1856, he was married. in Greene County, Tenn., to Miss Margaret Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones, and a native of Greene County, Tenn., born January 6, 1831. Her father died in 1867, and her mother many years previous, or in 1849. Dr. and Mrs. Keith are the parents of five children, three now living: James F., Laura (wife of W. D. McInturf), and Mattie E. The two children deceased were Laura (No. 1) and William B. After the war Dr. Keith engaged in the practice of his profession, and emigrated from North Carolina to Arkansas in 1869, locating in what is now Logan County. In 1869 he em- barked in mercantile pursuits, which he has since carried on. He is the owner of 2,100 acres of land, and has divided about 1,300 among his chil- dren. He has about 700 acres under cultivation. His principal crops are corn and cotton. He has a steam saw-mill, located on Sugar Creek, six miles south of town, and this has a capacity of about 12,000 feet per day. He and Mrs. Keith are worthy members of the Baptist Church, and are liberal supporters of all worthy enterprises. The Doctor is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Boone- ville Lodge No. 247. James Frank Keith, son of our subject, is a prominent attorney at law at Booneville, Ark., and was born in the Palmetto State, August 28, 1866. He was educated in the Arkansas University, Fayetteville, Washington
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County, and also attended school at Buckner Col- lege during 1882 and 1883. During 1883 and 1884 he taught school in Logan County, and in 1885 he was admitted to the bar. In 1889 and 1890 he was engaged in the newspaper business on the Booneville Enterprise, where he remained until October, of this year. He is not in the news- paper business at present, but has turned his at- tention entirely to the practice of law. He was
married December 24, 1885, to Miss Alice Stan- ford, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Joseph P. and Sarah Stanford. Two children are the fruits of this union: Ella and James. Mr. Keith is a member of the Baptist, and his wife a member of the Episcopal Church.
George Kincannon, farmer, Magazine, Ark. This old and much-esteemed citizen of Logan County was originally from Georgia, born in 1823, and his parents, John and Rachel Kincannon, were natives of Tennessee and South Carolina respect- ively. The parents moved to Georgia in 1822, and one year later moved to Tennessee, where our subject was principally reared. The latter re- ceived a limited education in the common schools, and in 1843 he began farming for himself, having followed that occupation from early childhood, at which time his services were brought into requisi- tion on his father's farm. He is now the owner of 320 acres of land in Boone Township, Logan County, and is a prominent and very successful tiller of the soil. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, served one year and then was elected sheriff of Scott County, Ark., after which he left the army. In the year 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Wallen, daughter of Stephen and Betsy (Igo) Wallen. Mr. Kincannon's second marriage was with Miss Margaret Bowen in 1871. She was the daughter of E. and Margaret Bowen, natives of South Carolina. Mr. Kincannon's present wife is a native of Tennessee and was born in 1833. They have three children who are named as follows: Martha, Sophronia and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Kincannon are church members, he of the Presby- terian and she of the Christian denomination and they are liberal to all worthy movements. In politics Mr. Kincannon is a stanch Democrat.
Frank Kinney, miller and ginner, Morrison Bluff, Ark. Among the foreign-born element now in Logan County, those of German nativity stand in the formest rank as honest, industrious citizens. Mr. Kinney was born in Germany in 1830, and bis parents, Jasper and Farony (Honel) Kinney, were also natives of that country, the father born in 1800. Frank Kinney was reared in his native country and his educational advantages were very good. He there learned his trade, miller, and in 1856 he sailed for America, where he expected to make his future home. On March 10, 1862, he en - listed in the army and was in the fight at Darda- nelle, Ark. Mr. Kinney returned to his occupa- tion of miller after the war, and as he had all the characteristics of those of German nativity- honesty, industry and economy-he soon became one of the substantial men of the county. His mill is worth about $4,000, and he is the owner of six residences, besides other property. Mr. Kin- ney was married on January 1, 1866, to Miss Char- lotte Wilcox, daughter of Homer and Catherine Wilcox. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have been born the following children: Buddy, Frank G., Mary, Charlie, Florence, Lena and Edward, all living and enjoying good health. Mr. Kinney and his sons are stanch Democrats in their political views. While Mr. Kinney is a member of the Christian Church and his wife is a Baptist, the children are all members of the Methodist Church.
Capt. James R. Lafferry, a prominent planter of Logan County, Ark., was born in Hall County, Ga., on February 7, 1824, and was reared on the battle-field of Chattanooga, his father being the owner of the land on which both the battles of Chattanooga and Chickamauga were fought. Dur- ing the Mexican War Mr. Lafferry enlisted and was in most of the hard fighting of that war. In 1848 he was married to Miss Martha Smith, who bore him the following children: George, Mary Ann, Margaret, Catherine, Nancy, Julia, Curley, Josiah, James, Reuben and Amanda (twins), Mattie and Virginia. Mr. Lafferry removed from Tennessee to Lawrence County, Ark., in 1851, remained there until the summer of 1851, and then returned to his old home in Tennessee, where he remained for
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six years. In 1858 he again removed to Arkansas, and in 1862, enlisted in the United States Army, First Arkansas Cavalry, under Col. E. Harrison. He was captured in Missouri, in June, 1862, re- tained a prisoner until February 20, of the follow- ing year, and was paroled in February, 1863. After this he enlisted in the United States Army, First Arkansas Infantry, was in the Fayetteville fight, and was with Gen. Blount in the actions at Fort Smith and Honey Springs. He was with Gen. Cloud,"when Dardanelle was captured the first time, and was also in the Haguewood fight, where he was captured and exchanged. He was captured again at the second fight at Dardanelle, again ex- changed, and was in the third fight at that place, January 15, 1865. He was in the fight at Ozark, with Brooks on his retreat from Fayetteville, and was wounded in the knee at that place. He also had his horse shot from under him, and in the fall his leg was broken. He was elected captain of Company B, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, September 10, 1863, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Mr. Lafferry has been a partici- pant of forty battles, including those in the Mexi- can War, and was a brave and trustworthy soldier. He returned home at the close of the war, and has been a resident of Ellsworth ever since. He has followed agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 318 acres of land with 50 acres under cultivation. The Captain is one of the pioneer settlers of Ar- kansas, and is a man who has passed an unusually eventful life. He was appointed United States receiver in the land office at Dardanelle, by Presi- dent Grant in 1873, and was also one of the com- missioners appointed to appraise the Fort Smith Reservation. Mr. Lafferry is one of Logan County's most highly respected citizens and oldest settlers. He is a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he is a liberal contributor, as, in fact, he is to all worthy movements. His father, George W. Lafferry, was born on the ocean as his parents came from France, and was reared in Lancaster County, Penn. The mother of our subject, Catherine (Rogers) Lafferry was a native of Georgia. After their marriage they removed to Chattanooga,
Tenn., where the mother died in 1840, and the father in 1842. They were the parents of seven children, Capt. Lafferry being the eldest. George W. Lafferry served in the War of 1812, and was with Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans; was in Texas with Maj. Fanning, and was a par- 'ticipant in removing the Cherokees to their pres- ent homes in the far west. He served under Gen. Winfield Scott, at the battle of Lundy's Lane. His great-great-grandfather, Roger, was killed at the battle of King's Mountain.
J. K. Lee, planter, Paris, Ark. This promi- nent agriculturist is a native of Arkansas, born in Johnson County, on September 1, 1844, and is a son of D. R. and Susan A. (Redden) Lee, and the grandson of William and Dicey (Ennis) Lec, who were natives of North Carolina. To the grandpar- ents were born eleven children, five now living: D. R., Britton, Winnie, Elizabeth and James H. William Lee emigrated from North Carolina to Tennessee, thence to Mississippi, and in 1837 moved to Arkansas, where his death occurred in 1863. He was a member of the Hard shell Bap- tist Church. His wife died in 1872. The father of our subject was born in North Carolina on De- cember 20, 1819, and he was married in 1840 to Miss Susan A. Redden, a native also of North Car- olina, born on November 3, 1820. The fruits of this union were eleven children, six now living: T. A., A. P., F. C., Jane and Sarah. The father was elected county treasurer in 1873, served one term. and previous to this, in 1868, he had represented Johnson County in the Legislature. He was also justice of the peace of his township for several years. He has killed at least 500 deer in this State, and killed as many as four in one hour. He is now living with his son, T. A., and is a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade. The mother died on August 30, 1887, and was a consistant member of the Baptist Church. J. K. Lee was reared on a farm, received a good practical education in the common schools, and was married here in 1871 to Miss Arminta Moore, a native of Logan County. born on May 29, 1848, and the daughter of John aud Martha C. Moore. To our subject and wife were born eleven children, eight now living: John
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D., George D., Victoria, Genevra, Emma, Samuel, Lucy and Norman. William C., Henry and Ag- ness are the ones deceased. Mr. Lee was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company H, First Ar- kansas Infantry in 1863, and served until cessation of hostilities. He then returned home, engaged in tilling the soil, and is now the owner of 185 acres of good land with 90 acres under cultivation. His principal crops are cotton and corn. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and Mrs. Lee is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Nick Lenz, miller and ginner, Morrison Bluff, Ark. Mr. Lenz has all the elements characteristic of those of German nativity-honesty, industry and frugality-and it is only what could be expected that he should become one of the substantial men of the county. He was born in 1862 and his par- ents, Jacob and Barbara (Polly) Lenz, were natives also of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Nick Lenz received good educational ad- vantages in Germany, and there learned the black- smith's trade, which has since been his principal oc- cnpation, although in late years he has been en- gaged in milling and ginning. In 1883 he left his home and the companions of his youth to seek his fortune in the United States and came to Arkansas, locating in Logan County. He followed black- smithing until 1887, and then embarked in the milling business, being at the present time the owner of a mill valued at about $3,000. His nup- tials with Miss Annie Rina, a native of Arkansas, were celebrated in 1888, and to this union has been born one child, Lizzie C. In his political views Mr. Lenz affiliates with the Democratic party, and he and wife are worthy and esteemed members of the Catholic Church.
Dr. J. S. Leslie, physician, Dublin, Ark. Among the citizens of Logan County, the name of Dr. Leslie is a familiar one, for during his six years' practice here he has won an enviable repu- tation, not only as a practitioner, but as a citizen and neighbor. He was born in Missouri on Au- gust 28, 1862, and his educational advantages were appreciated to the fullest extent. He began work- ing for himself at the early age of fourteen years as an agriculturist, and this continued to be his
principal occupation up to 1884, when he began practicing medicine. Previous to this, however, when but eighteen years of age, he began reading medicine, and this continued for three years, when he attended lectures in Iowa for two years. He completed the same in 1884, and immediately en- tered upon the practice of his profession. The same year Miss C. Peters became his wife, and three interesting children have followed this union: S. Ellen, Burdett and John V., all of whom are alive. and enjoying good health. Mrs. Leslie's parents were S. B. and Artie Peters. Mr. Leslie is a strong adherent to Democratic principles, and has voted with that party ever since attaining his ma- jority. Mrs. Leslie is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Doctor has a good practice and is a promising young physician. His parents. William and Sarah Leslie were natives of Ten- nessee, and much respected citizens in their lo- cality.
J. T. Lewis, planter, Booneville, Ark. Mr. Lewis has spent his entire life in the occupation of farming, and the manner in which he has acquired his present possessions denotes him to be a man of energy, push and enterprise. He was born in Jasper County, Mo., January 13, 1845, and is a son of David and Eliza (Stanton) Lewis, natives also of Missouri. The former was a farmer by occupation. To his marriage were born seven children, only one of whom, besides our subject, is living, Lila (wife of James Hicks). Those deceased were named Charles, Robert, Rachel, Jasper, and one unnamed. The father emigrated to Arkansas in 1855, settled in what is now Logan County, and entered and improved some land. His death oc- curred in Logan County, Ark., in 1865. The mother, who was a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church, died in the same year. J. T. Lewis was early taught the duties required on the farm. and was married in Logan County, to Miss Rebecca McLoid, who bore him five children, viz. : Francis, William, Nancy, James E. and Mattie. Mr. Lewis' second marriage occurred in 1869. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the cavalry. Company I, Second Arkansas Regiment, in 1563. and serving the Union faithfully and well until
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1865. Returning home he engaged in cultivating the soil, and this has been his principal occupation up to the present. He is the owner of 400 acres of good land, and has 300 acres under cultivation, his principal crops being corn and cotton. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is in favor of all public improve- ments, such as the building up of churches, school- houses, etc. His fine farm is situated two miles west of Booneville, and he has an excellent orchard of apple and peach trees. He also has several small-fruit orchards on his tract of land.
Henry M. McCaslin, postmaster, Booneville, Ark. Mr. McCaslin was originally from Gallatin County, Ill., his birth occurring on September 2, 1841, and his parents, James M. and Jane (Tay- lor) McCaslin, were natives of Tennessee. They were married in Gallatin County, Ill., in 1836, and to them were born three children-two boys and one girl: William C., Henry M. and Mary (who married Thomas Carr in 1853). The latter's husband died about six months after marriage and Mrs. Carr then married I. H. Mangrum, by whom she had two children. She became the mother of one child by her first union, but this child, a daughter, died in St. Louis during the war. The father of our subject removed to Franklin County, Ark., in 1847, bought land there, and there tilled the soil. The mother had died in Illinois in 1842, and the following year the father married Miss Jane McFerrin, who bore him two children: John B. (who died in 1862) and Phœbe Ann (who died in 1861). Mr. McCaslin received his final sum- mons in Franklin County, Ark., in 1849, when forty-one years of age. Mrs. McCaslin, the sec- ond, died in Kansas in 1865. Henry McCaslin was educated in Franklin County, Ark., and in 1863 he enlisted in Company E, Second United States Arkansas Infantry, under Col. M. L. Stevenson, who was on duty in his own State during the entire war. He was in the Pea Ridge fight, the Saline fight and various others of minor importance. He was discharged on August 8, 1865, at Clarksville, Ark. After the war he came back to his old home in Illinois, married Miss Lucinda Dyer, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Dyer, and remained engaged
in farming in that State for four years. To his marriage were born these children: Jessie S., William P., Minnie, Charles Dyer, Felix (deceased), John Logan and Lucy L. Jessie married C. C. Cauthran, a farmer living near Booneville, Ark., and they have a son, Leo Cauthran. Mr. McCas- lin removed from Illinois to Logan County, Ark., in 1869, bought land and carried on farming. He is now the owner of 100 acres and has 60 acres under cultivation. He was appointed postmaster at Booneville in June, 1889, and is at present run- ning a grocery store in connection with the post- office. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $700. Mr. McCaslin is one of Logan County's most highly respected citizens and sub- stantial business men. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is an enthusiastic Republican. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises.
Dr. W. Y. McClure, physician and surgeon, Delaware, Ark. Not only a very successful phy- sician but a leading exponent in general sur- gery, in its many various branches, Dr. W. Y. McClure is worthy of mention in a review of our foremost professional men. He was born in Geor- gia in 1862, and is a son of Andrew H. H. and Sarah J. (West) McClure, natives of the Palmetto State, the father a farmer by pursuit. The educa- tional advantages of our subject were limited, at- tending a short time in the common schools, and the principal part of his education has been ob- tained by self study. In 1882 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. H. Hockinhull, of Cum- ming, Ga., and afterward studied at home. Sub- sequently he attended lectures at Southern Med- ical College, at Atlanta, Ga., graduating and receiving his degree in 1885. He began practicing in Forsyth County, Ga., remained there about six months, and then removed to Arkansas, in October, 1885. He first located at Milan, Yell County, re- mained there until 1887, and then removed to Delaware, Logan County, where he has built up an extensive practice. He is called in consultation with other physicians in this and Yell Counties,
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and is, in fact, a physician of more than ordinary ability. In February, 1890 he started a general drug business at Delaware, and at the same time added a stock of family groceries. The Doctor was married in 1884, to Miss Lizzie J. Reese, a native of Georgia, born in 1867, and the daughter of Jacob K. and Nancy E. Reese. To this union have been born three children: Samuel Arthur, (born in 1886), Minnie Ethel (born in 1887), and Willie Harrison (born in 1889). In 1888 Dr. Mc- Clure purchased seven acres of land, which he has improved in every way, and in 1890 he erected a store-building, the expense of which, including other improvements, was about $1,000. He car- ries stock, including furniture of about $400.
David T. McVay, planter and miller, Paris, Ark. Mr. McVay, one of the independent sons of toil, and a successful miller of Short Mountain Township, was born in Mississippi on August 30, 1853, and came to this State with his parents when a small boy. He was married in Logan County in 1876, to Miss Harriet Streete, who was originally from Georgia, her birth occurring in that State on June 15, 1857, and the daughter of William Streete, also a native of Georgia. To Mr. and Mrs. McVay were born five children-two sons and three daughters: George, James, Eller O., Flora and Martha. Mr. McVay has a fine farm of 338 acres, and has 90 acres of this under cultiva- tion, his principal crops being corn and cotton. He has a good frame house, substantial and com- fortable outbuildings, and has an orchard of one acre. He has a good steam cotton-gin and saw- mill combined, and the capacity of the gin is six- teen bales per day, and can cut 3,000 feet of lumber per day. Last year Mr. McVay ginned 497 bales of cotton, and the prospect this year is considered as good. Mrs. McVay is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. McVay's parents, George and Nicey (Leeten) McVay, were natives, respectively, of Alabama and Mississippi. They were married in the last named State, and six children were born to this union, two only now living, one besides our subject, Thomas. The father emigrated from Mississippi to Arkansas in 1857, settled in McClain's bottom, where he entered and
improved land. He died in this county in 1863. The mother had died in 1860. She was a member of the Christian Church.
Matthew Maberry, farmer, Paris, Ark. Mr. Maberry is a native of Virginia, and his parents. Charles and Ellen B. (Thompson) Maberry, were natives of the same State, born in Floyd County. In 1848 they removed to Schuyler County, Mo .. and from there to Arkansas in 1858. Mr. Ma- berry bought land in Logan County, and culti- vated the soil until his death, on June 11, 1553. The mother died on May 19, 1890. Matthew Ma- berry was born on May 15, 1844, and in 1863 he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Missouri Infantry, C. S. A., and was a participant in the battle of Prairie Grove. On May 10, 1863, during a skirmish in the Indian Territory, he was wounded in the leg and disabled so that he did not enter the service again. He was captured shortly afterward, pa- roled, and came home. In June, 1879, he was wedded to Miss Lou Ann Sewell, daughter of William Sewell, of Logan County, Ark. The Sewell family was among the pioneer settlers of Logan County. Mr. Maberry is the owner of 137 acres of land, the old homestead of his father, and is a man of good judgment and sound practical sense. He was elected constable for Short Mount- ain Township, where Paris, the county seat, is lo- cated, in September, 1886, and has served in that capacity up to the present time, being re-elected every two years successively. He contributes of his means to all laudable enterprises, and is in every way a worthy citizen.
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