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 61
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Dr. B. M. Miller, physician and planter, Shoal Creek, Ark. Dr. Miller was born in Missouri, in 1831, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Hatton) Miller, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of South Carolina. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and at its close was mustered out at what was then the little French village of St. Louis, where he met and married Miss Mary Hatton in 1815. He was a farmer, and continued that occupation until his death, in 1858. His widow joined the "silent majority" in 1877, at the age of eighty-seven years. Both were mem- bers of the Methodist Church. The paternal grand-
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parents were John and Katherine (Bellue) Miller, and the maternal were Thomas and Joannah Hat- ton, who were the grandparents of Frank Hatton, postmaster-general. The parents of Dr. Miller were identified with the early history of Missouri, and the latter received his education in the schools of his district until eighteen years of age. He was then sent to Westminister College, at Fulton, Mo., and there continued until twenty-one years of age. In 1855 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas Howard, of Millersburg, Mo., and continued with him for two years, after which, in 1857-58, he attended lectures in the Missouri Medical College. He then commenced practicing in St. Aubert, Mo., where he remained about a year and a half, and then came to Johnson (now Logan) County, Ark., located in the neighborhood of Shoal Creek, and there he has built up a very extensive practice, extending over a large portion of the eastern part of Logan and a part of Yell Counties. He is assisted by his son, Dr. S. E. Miller. Our subject was married in 1867, to Miss M. J. Sellers, a native of Tennessee, born in 1847, and the daughter of Edward and Serena Sellers. To this union have been born four chil- dren: S. E. (born in 1867), Aubrey (born in 1868), Dudley (born in 1876), and Jean (born in 1878). In 1869 Dr. Miller purchased 100 acres of land upon which he has built a good house and substantial out buildings, and further improved by fencing and clearing about 60 acres. He raises wheat, oats and corn, and in the last few years has been raising cotton. His farm will average thirty bush- els of corn, forty to sixty bushels of oats and three-fourths of a bale of cotton to the acre. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, as assistant surgeon, but resigned and served as private. He took part in the Missouri raid and served until the close of the war. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elizabeth Lodge No. 215. His wife, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, died on July 18, 1890, to the great sorrow not only of her husband and children, but the numerous friends her pleasant, genial disposition had gath- ered around her.
F. J. Moore, planter, Ellsworth, Ark. Like many of the representative citizens of the county, Mr. Moore owes his nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in Bledsoe County March 12, 1831, and he is the son of Nimrod and Sarah (Jones) Moore, the parents natives of Virginia, the father born in 1794 and the mother about 1798. They were wedded in Tennessee, and there they reared a large family of children-seven sons and five daughters-six children now living: Mary (wife of Leroy Standifer), Malinda, R. J., Sarah (widow of R. B. Chitwood) and O. P. Those deceased were named Harriet H., Edward H., Nimrod, Mar- ion, Susan and Obediana. The father was a sad- dler by trade. Both parents died in Tennessee, the father in 1856 and the mother in 1868. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. F. J. Moore, who is the youngest of the living children, was principally reared on the farm, and by his marriage, which occurred in Johnson County. Ark., November 30, 1857, to Miss Mary Chitwood, a native of Tennessee, born in 1833, he became the father of four children: Sarah E. (wife of L. F. Watson), Marion M., John N. and Esther (wife of J. L. Kell). Mrs. Moore died in this county in 1869. She was a worthy and much esteemed member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Moore was married, the second time, in 1867, to Miss Caroline L. Lassater, who was born in Tennessee in 1840. They have six children: Will- iam H., Leroy F., Maggie M., Richard J., Rachel and Amanda. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South Mr. Moore enlisted in the United States Army, Company B, Fourth Arkansas Regiment Cavalry, under Capt. James R. Lafferry, and served until the close of the war, but was never in any regular battles. He was commissioned second lieutenant of his company. Returning to his home he engaged in tilling the soil, and is now the owner of 2,000 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county, 100 be- ing cultivated. Mr. Moore is a Mason, Pleasant Mound Lodge No. 234, and he is secretary of the same. He and Mrs. Moore are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has been justice of the peace of his township for ten years.
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J. E. Norfleet, liveryman, Paris, Ark. Among the many excellent livery stables in Paris must be mentioned that conducted by Mr. J. E. Norfleet, which business was engaged in by that gentleman in 1883. It has been a matter of succession for the past seven years. Mr. Norfleet was born in North Carolina in 1837, and is the eldest of four children, born to the union of Albert A. and Re- becca (Daniel) Norfleet, both natives of North Car- olina. The paternal grandfather, Albert, and a brother Thomas, while infants, sailed from Eng- land to America with their parents. Their ves- sel was wrecked and the parents drowned. These boys not knowing their names, were re-christened after the wrecked vessel, that is Norfleet, and they were reared in North Carolina and Virginia, re- spectively. Albert followed farming and stock- raising, was a representative man of his county, and received his final summons in North Carolina. Albert A. Norfleet, father of our subject, was reared in Mississippi, and was a successful tiller of the soil. He moved to Mississippi in 1839, but his death occurred in Florida in 1850. The mother followed him to the grave six years later. J. E. Norfleet attained his growth in Mississippi, and when twenty-one years of age, began for himself as a farmer. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the first company organized in Missis- sippi, Company G, Ninth Mississippi, and was in service in Florida the first year. He was then with Gen. Forrest, on outpost duty, and was in the last battle fought in Alabama, east of the Missis- sippi River. After the war he cultivated the soil until 1873, after which he was engaged in merchan- dising. In 1881 he came to Arkansas, settled at Paris and sold goods for two years, after which, in 1883 he embarked in the livery business which he is now following. He owns his own residence and considerable town property and a well equipped stable. He was married at the age of seventeen years (1854), to Miss Angeline Cooper, a native of Tennessee and the result of this union was twelve children: Robert N., Lucian M., William L., Mattie, Lina, Effie, Kate, James, Thomas, Almira and John and Bettie, the latter two dying in infancy. The family are members of the Christian Church.
M. W. Parker, postmaster, Shoal Creek, Ark. Mr. Parker is a representative man of Logan Coun- ty, Ark., who has attained his property by industry and good business ability, and has won an envi- able position in society circles. He was born in Alabama in 1829, and his parents, John and Rachel (Shipley) Parker, were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents came to Arkansas in 1842 and settled in Pope County. Their family consisted of ten children, M. W. the youngest, and only two besides our subject now living: Elkana D. and Joshua M. M. W. Parker was but thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to Pope County, and in 1846 he en- listed for service in the Mexican War as a private in Company A, Col. Yell's regiment. He was in the battle of Buena Vista, had his horse shot from under him, and was mustered out in 1847. Re- turning home he engaged in farming, and two years later was married to Miss Jemima 'Jones, who was born in Alabama, and who was the daughter of John and Jencie (Bobbett) Jones. To this union were born seven children, all of whom are living: Mary J., Annie, Joshua, William, Jesse, Olive and Bell. Mr. Parker purchased eighty acres of land in 1851, and afterward home- steaded another eighty acres joining the original tract, all of which he improved by erecting good buildings, setting out orchards, etc. He has never raised less than half a bale of cotton to the acre, and generally more, and seldom less than forty bushels of corn. Mr. Parker was elected justice of the peace in 1872, and served continuously for twelve years. In 1889 he was appointed post- master at Shoal Creek, and has filled that position in a creditable manner ever since. In 1881 he bought a steam-gin and corn-mill, and in 1SS2 took in his son, Joshua Parker, as partner. Together they have added new and improved machinery, un- til they now operate none of the original machinery, all being new. Their gin has a capacity of twelve bales of cotton per day, and they operate a steam- power press. Their corn-mill has a capacity of 125 bushels per day, and their machinery is driven by a twenty-horse-power engine with a shaft 127 feet long. In 1863 Mr. Parker entered.the Federal
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service as a private in Company H, Third Arkan- sas Cavalry, and was stationed at Lewisburg and Dardanelle. He was mustered out in June, 1865. He is a member of Ellsworth Post No. 12, G. A. R., and was elected senior vice commander at the organization of the post in July, 1890.
L. J. W. J. Powell, farmer, Booneville, Ark. One of the men who has contributed much to the : development of Logan County is Mr. Powell, a prominent agriculturist of the same. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Jones) Powell, were both natives of Georgia. They moved to Arkansas in 1844, bought land in Logan County, and there made their home. The father served in the Florida War, and was also in the War of 1812, fighting under Packinham at the battle of New Orleans. The educational advantages of our subject during his boyhood were limited, receiving only about ten months' schooling altogether, and in the spring of 1854 he went to California, where he was engaged in mining and farming for eleven years. He then returned home by way of the Isthmus, after stop- ping for some time in New York and five months in Illinois. He began work on a mill, and after- ward bought, in partnership with his brother, 120 acres of land, where he remained about six years. He improved about eighty acres, erected a house and other buildings, and made many other impor- tant changes. He then sold this land and bought 160 acres of Government land, having at the pres- ent time about sixty acres of this cleared. Aside from the large crops of cotton, corn and oats that he raises, he is also engaged in raising a good
grade of cattle and hogs. Mr. Powell was married in December, 1868, to Miss Frances T. Lyons, a native of Arkansas, and the daughter of John and Rebecca Lyons. Mrs. Powell died in 1869, leav- ing one daughter, Rebecca Eudora, now the wife of H. H. Ozier. In 1871 Mr. Powell was wedded to Miss Mary Jane Cox, a native of Missouri, born in 1847, and daughter of Joseph and Caroline Cox. The fruits of this union have been ten children, eight of whom are living: Alice May, Oceola Mark, Arthur Lee, Alberta, Louisa Ellen, Rosa Viola, Oscar Randolph and Ernest Lester. Mr. Powell is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 247,
at Booneville, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he has been deacon.
Dr. B. Priddy, physician, Magazine, Ark. Dr. Priddy has acquired an enviable reputation in Logan County, as an able physician and surgeon, and the extent of territory over which he travels to alleviate the sufferings of the afflicted, is a suf- ficient proof of his popularity. His parents, Will- iam H. and Sarah (Lusk) Priddy, were natives, re- spectively, of Tennessee and North Carolina. They removed to Mississippi at an early day, and there received their final summons. Dr. B. Priddy was born in Mississippi, on May 14, 1834, and there he was principally reared and educated. At the age of tweny-three years he began the study of medicine, and that he has been successful in the practice of his profession is too well known to be commented on. His strong good sense, his calm conservatism and his genuine ability were soon perceived, and he was elected to represent Logan County in the Legislature three times. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, and organized and com- manded two companies in this part of Arkansas. He remained in active service until the close of the war, and was a brave and gallant soldier. He was married to Miss Sarah K. Scott, daughter of S. A. and E. E. Scott, and their children were named as follows: Eudora, Florence E., Edna S., Arthur B. and Blanch, all of whom are living. Dr. Priddy is a straight Democrat, and Mrs. Priddy and the eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
James Redden, a prominent and pioneer planter, residing in Johnson Township, Logan County. Ark., is a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring in Henry County, on February 15, 1829. His parents, William and Milly (Berks) Redden, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respect- ively, and they were married in the last named State. The father was a farmer by occupation. Their union resulted in the birth of thirteen chil- dren, only one besides our subject now living: Lemuel. The father was drafted in the War of 1812, went to Norfolk, and was there discharged. He and wife emigrated from Tennessee to Arkan-
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sas in 1836, settled in what is now Logan County, and there the father's death occurred about 1880. The mother died about 1856, and she was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Redden was married in Logan County, in 1861, to Miss Martha Smith, a native of Georgia, born in 1837. The result of this union was the birth of seven children-four sons and three daughters: Denison J., J. C., William, Joseph, Dora, Emily and Jennie. Mr. Redden was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in Company B, under Capt. H. Butts, in 1863, but he served only about nine months and then came home. In his early life he followed building cotton-gins. He is the owner of 240 acres of good land, and has 75 acres under cultivation. His principal crops are corn and cot- ton. He has a comfortable home and can spend his declining years in ease and plenty. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the county's most honored and esteemed citizens.
D. J. Redden, teacher and planter, Paris, Ark. Among the thoroughgoing, wide-awake farmers of Johnson Township stands the name of D. J. Red- den, who is a native-born resident of this county, his birth occurring on August 29, 1862. He is a son of James and Martha Redden, and was edu- cated at the Arkansas Industrial University, Fay- etteville, Washington County, Ark. He became familiar with the duties of the farm in boyhood, and when twenty-one years of age started out in life for himself as a school teacher, which profes- sion he has since continued. He was married in Logan County on December 16, 1886, to Miss Minnie Maberry, a native of this county, born on April 17, 1864, and the daughter of Charles and Ellen (Thompson) Maberry. Her parents were natives of the Old Dominion, born in 1820 and 1822, respectively, and their children were named as follows: Matthew, Josh, Augustus, Latich, Belle, Jane, Aid, Lion, Annie and Minnie. The parents of these children emigrated to Missouri, and from there to Arkansas in 1858. settling in this county. Here the father died in 1SS3 and the mother in 1890. Both were members of the Bap-
tist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Redden were born two children: Opie and Doy. Mr. Redden is the owner of 120 acres of good land, all well improved and well cultivated, and in 1885 he built a nice frame house, which, together with his substantial outbuildings, constitute a prominent and attractive feature of his place. He has a good young or- chard of apple, peach, plum and cherry trees, and the principal crops raised on his farm are cotton, corn and oats. Mrs. Redden is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Redden is in favor of all public improvements, extending a ready and help- ing hand to the poor and needy. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
Marvel Rhyne, a prominent pioneer and mer- chant of Booneville, was originally from North Carolina, born in Lincoln County, March 28, 1823, and is a son of Michael H. and Barbara (Wethers) Rhyne, both born in North Carolina. The father was a tiller of the soil, and moved from North Car- olina to Tennessee, in 1832. By his marriage to Miss Wethers he became the father of ten children: Dicey, Anna, Eliza (wife of Silas Dothrow), Var- dsey, Albert, Isabela, Michael H., John, Marvel and Caroline, whom we have named in the order of their births. The mother of these children died in Lincoln County, N. C., in 1827. The father then married Miss Peggy Hoyle, who bore him twelve children. He died in 1860, and his second wife followed him to the grave in 1880. Five of the children came to Arkansas. Marvel Rhyne was married May 29, 1859, to Miss L. A. Sadler. daughter of O. - and Eliza Sadler, and to them were born three children: Minnie L. (deceased), Horasio, and one died unnamed. Mrs. Rbyne died at Booneville, Ark., in 1863, and June 8, of that year, Mr. Rhyne wedded Miss Jacinthia S. Sadler, daughter of Elwood and Martha Sadler. Seven children blessed this union-three sons and four daughters: Mattie E. (wife of D. A. Carroll), John E., Lucy (living), Lucy (deceased), H. C. (deceased), Clara (deceased), Elisyzie (living), and Marvel (deceased). In 1863 Mr. Rhyne enlisted in the Confederate Army under Gen. Cabel, and he participated in the battles of Poison Springs, Jenkins' Ferry, Mark's Mill, and was with Gen.
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Price in the Missouri raid. He served until cessa- tion of hostilities, being discharged at Fort Smith in July. He then returned home and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued until 1868, when he embarked in merchandising in Booneville. He is one of the county's esteemed citizens, and one of its thoroughgoing business men. He carries a stock of goods valued at $5,000, and is doing well. He is a Mason, Booneville . Lodge No. 247, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They contribute liberally to all worthy movements.
J. R. Roper, farmer, Morrison Bluff, Ark. Mr. Roper is possessed of those advanced ideas and principles regarding agricultural life which seem to be among the chief characteristics of the average native Tennesseean. He was born in Mc- Minn County, of that State, in 1832, and his parents, J. M. and Mary M. (Giddon) Roper, were natives of the Big Bend State also. The mother died in Tennessee, and the father moved to Arkan- sas, locating in Logan County in 1881. J. R. Roper was reared in Bradley County, Tenn., and his educational facilities were limited. At the age of twenty years he began life as a farmer, which occupation he has since continued to follow and the success which seems to attend his efforts is well merited, for no one is more thoroughly in- terested in this calling, or gives it greater atten- tion. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the army, and was in active duty until cessation of hostilities. He was captured in the fall of 1864, was sent to Johnson's Island, Ohio, and there remained for seven months. In 1857 he celebrated his marriage to Miss Frances Randolph, the daughter of J. and Margaret Randolph. The result of this union was the following children: Jephtha M., William M., P. R. and John F. Jephtha M. died when a young man, and P. R. died in infancy. Mr. Roper and his sons are stanch Democrats in their polit- ical preferences, and their votes are cast with that party at all times. Mrs. Roper and children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
John F. Roper, farmer, Morrison Bluff, Ark. Mr. Roper, whose life has been an active one, and who has by his own industry and intelligent
management secured a substantial footing among the citizens of this community, was originally from Tennessee, born in Hamilton County, in 1862. His parents, J. R. (see biography) and Frances Roper, were also natives of Tennessee. The father moved to Logan County, Ark., in 1869, and is a resident of that county at the present time. John F. Roper attained his growth, and received his educa- tion in Logan County. In 1885 he began farming for himself, and this has continued to be his prin- cipal occupation. He is progressive and thorough in all that he does, and it requires but a few years, at the rate he is now advancing, to place him among the prominent agriculturists of the county. His wife, whom he married in February, 1885, was formerly Miss Abbie Fox, daughter of Francis and Abbie Fox, the father a native of France and the mother of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Fox moved to Logan County, Ark., in 1880, and there they re- side at the present time. To Mr. and Mrs. Roper were born two children: Jennie and Beulah, the former of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Roper are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views he is a Democrat from principle.
Dr. Florenz Rotert, physician and farmer, Dub- lin, Ark. Dr. Rotert is another of the many prominent residents of Logan County, who owe their nativity to Germany, his birth occurring in that country in 1841. His parents, Bernard and Clara (Plester) Rotert, were natives also of that country, and there our subject was reared to man- hood. He received a good practical education and when twenty-four years of age he began for himself as an undertaker and builder. In 1872 he emi- grated from his native country to the United States, located at St. Louis, Mo., and in 1878 moved to Logan County, Ark., where he has since made his home. By his marriage, which occurred in 1865, to Miss Lizzie Wiedebusch, he became the father of the following children: F. B., John N. and Lizzie: Dr. Rotert's second marriage took place in 1880, to Miss Margaret Underwood, and the fruits of this union were the following interesting children: Henry, Dora, Herman, Frank. Annie and Clara. The children are all living and are strong and
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hearty. The Doctor is a successful physician and a rich farming region, is the birthplace of Ven. Mother Meinrada Lex. She was born in 1855, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. In fact, he has the ability and perseverance to make a ; is the daughter of George and Theresa Lex, her success of whatever he undertakes, and is classed : education being received in the academy of the among the substantial men of the county. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. Mrs. Rotert and the children are members of the Catholic Church.
St. Scholastica's Convent. The following is a short sketch and biography of this institution and its illustrious founders. As the Reverend Bene- dictine Fathers of St. Meinrad, Ind., undertook the founding of a mission at St. Benedict, Ark .. in the spring of 1878, it was their most sincere wish and desire that the spiritual daughters of St. Benedict, the holy founder of the Benedictine Or- der, should share in their labor in the vineyard of the Lord. They therefore applied to the Convent of the "Immaculate Conception," of Ferdinand, Dubois County, Ind., for Benedictine nuns. The Ven. Mother Superior being animated with the de- sire of propagating the kingdom of God, answered in their favor and sent four nuns to their aid. On September 20, 1878, the Ven. Sisters bade adieu to their dearly beloved mother-house, Supe- rior and Sisters, with tearful eyes and heavy hearts, though with the consolation of thus doing the most holy will of God. On arriving in Arkansas they were shown to St. Scholastica, about twelve miles distant from St. Benedict. The land, ten acres, was donated by the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Company. They found a small box house, destitute of all comforts, and a small church. Of course their hardships and trials were numerous and of a trying character, but were borne with great fortitude and patience. They labored faith- fully. doing all in their power for the welfare of the congregation, until the year 1882, when Ven. Superior Meinrada Lex, the present Mother, was sent by her superiors, from the convent of the "Immaculate Conception," of Ferdinand. Ind., to take charge of the convent of St. Scholastica and open a novitiate. The real founding, rapid growth and prosperity of this institution is marked from this date. Fulda, Spencer County, Ind., a neat and thrifty village, nestled in the midst of
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