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 69
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SCOTT COUNTY.
Henry Looper, Sr., is residing four miles east of Mansfield, Scott County, Ark., but was born in South Carolina in 1817, to Samuel and Mary (Jones) Looper, they being also born in South Carolina, in which State they were married. They removed to Alabama in an early day and there both passed from life a few years after locating. Of a family of four sons and four daughters born to them the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. He was married in South Carolina in 1836 to Miss Mary Freeman, and by her became the father of the following family of children: Henry, Thomas, James, Joseph, George, Martha, Mary (wife of James McMullens), Elizabeth, Fran- ces (wife of Joseph Looper, see biography), Ann (wife of Lee Ellwood), Laura Bell (wife of Joseph Louston) and Victoria (wife of Luther Dutton). Joseph, George and Martha are deceased. Mr. Looper's first wife died in 1862, and in 1867 he espoused Mrs. Mary Ann (Frizzell) Brozier, widow of Bert Brozier. This union resulted in the birth of fourteen children: Fanny (wife of Jasper Cur- nutt), Samuel, Fuller, Charles (deceased), Sallie, Nellie, Maggie, Nannie, Bud (deceased), Donie, Looney, Gorum, Lawrence, and a child that died in infancy not named. Mr. Looper has become the owner of 500 acres of fine land, and during a resi- dence of over thirty years on this farm he has succeeded in putting 230 acres under cultivation. He is one of the earliest settlers of this county and has always manifested a deep interest in her prog- ress and development, especially in the way of churches and schools. He is a member of Lodge No. 163, of the A. F. & A. M. at Mansfield, and although he is now seventy three years of age he is yet hale and hearty.
Joseph R. Looper. No matter in what busi- ness a man may engage, if he is industrious and fair in his dealings with his fellow-men, he is sure, sooner or later, to win their confidence, respect and liking, and to become, in time, well-to-do in worldly goods. Mr. Looper possesses these qualities, and, as a consequence, stands remarkably high in the estimation of all who know him. He was born is South Carolina, in 1845, to Joseph D. and Mellie (Freeman) Looper, both of whom were
born in South Carolina, where they were reared and married. The following family was born to them: James G., William D., Elizabeth (wife of Benjamin Gibson), Marcus A., Joseph R., Henry M., and one that died in infancy. The parents removed from their native State to Georgia about 1853 or 1834, and there Mrs. Looper died at the age of about thirty-five years, a member of the Baptist Church, and after her death Mr. Looper removed to Texas, - but staid there only a short time, moving in 1857, to Scott County, Ark. In 1863 he was married a second time, to a Mrs. Turmon, of this county, who died in 1872, a worthy member of the Baptist Church at the time of her demise. Mr. Looper enlisted in the Federal Army in 1863, becoming a member of Company H. Second Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. Charles E. Berry, but his entire service was confined to his own State. He was with Gen. Steele on the Camden Raid, and was in the fight at Saline. He received his discharge on August 8, 1865, after which he returned to his home and engaged in farming, marrying in 1868, Miss Fran- ces Looper, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Free- man) Looper, Mr. Looper and his wife being third cousins. They have eight children: Henry E., Sonora A. (deceased), Minnie A., Joseph W., Myrtle B., Charles V., William B. and James R. (deceased). Mr. Looper has a good farm of 161 acres, and on the 80 acres that he has under cultivation, he raises corn, oats and cotton. He is one of Scott County's most highly respected citi- zens and successful farmers, and socially belongs to Lodge No. 163 of the A. F. & A. M. of Mans- field. He and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South, and to this as well as to other churches he has been liberal in his con- tributions.
F. M. Lynch. It is a remarkable fact that the majority of those men of Tennessee birth who have become residents of Scott County, Ark., have been peculiarly successful in the accumula- tion of worldly goods, and are considered superior farmers, and Mr. Lynch is but another example of this truth. He was born in 1834, the fourth of seven children, born to F. B. Lynch and wife, the former of whom was a farmer of Tennessee, but a
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
native of Virginia, who was quite a prominent man of his day, and held a number of county offices with credit and distinction. He died in 1844, and his widow in 1858. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared in his native State, and edu- cated in the common schools. When eighteen years of age he went to Texas to seek his fortune, and was there engaged in farming for sixteen years, after which he came to Scott County, and settled on his present farm of 200 acres, 80 acres of which are under cultivation. While in Texas, he was com- missioner of Harrison County, from 1868 to 1874, and also held, with great credit to himself, the office of justice of the peace. He has been an en- thusiastic patron of the canse of education, and in the district in which he lives he has been a school director many times. He was first married in 1866 to Miss Mary 'J. Bowen, of Texas, but she left him a widower in 1886 with a family of six children to care for: William F., Julia E., Henry Houston, Alice Adelaide, George and Mary Chris- tina. Mr. Lynch was married, a second time, on December 5, 1886, to Sarah A. Gilbreath, a Geor- gian by birth, by whom he has one child, Fannie Bell, who was born November 2, 1888. Mr. Lynch and his wife have long been consistent members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Lynch contributed liberally to the erection of a church. He is a progressive, substantial and intelligent citizen, and while modest and unassuming in demeanor, he is endowed with those very rare qualities of good sense and good judgment, which have won him many warm friends.
Free Malone is the very accommodating and gentlemanly host of the Continental Hotel at Wal- dron, Ark. He was born in Alabama, in 1843, being the fourth of five children born to Nathaniel C. and Martha (Crenshaw) Malone, both of whom were born in Alabama, the former a farmer by oc- cupation. In 1867 he came to Arkansas, and located in Scott County, Ark., where he passed from life on September 5, 1885. His wife was called to her long home in 1849. In the State of Alabama Free Malone was reared and educated, and from that State he enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, becoming a member of Company A, Twenty-sixth
Mississippi Regiment of Infantry, and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Perryville, Murfrees- boro and Vicksburg, being paroled after the fall of this place. In January, 1864, he went to Vir- ginia, and was in the battle of the Wilderness, Chancellorsville and many others of less importance He surrendered with Gen. Lee at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, after which he went to Mississippi, and in 1867 came to Arkansas with his father, purchasing a farm of 160 acres near Waldron, which he began to improve. On October 13, 1869, he was married in Sevier County, Ark., to Mrs. Sarah J. Salyers, daughter of William Stone of Tennessee, an early settler of Arkansas, a short history of whom is given in the latter part of this sketch. In 1869 Mr. Malone began merchan- dising at Waldron, being the third merchant of the place, and there he continued in business, also following farming for a number of years, after which he made quite a large purchase of land, and began farming on a more extensive scale. Upon his arrival bere he opened a hotel, and has been engaged in conducting one ever since. In 1878 he erected his present large building, a two-story brick, containing fourteen rooms, all of which are well fitted up, and at all times well prepared for the accommodation of guests. In connection with his hotel he keeps a livery stable, his horses and vehicles being at all times ready for use. He was postmaster of Waldron during 1887, was justice of the peace a number of years, and during 1888-89 served in the capacity of sheriff of the county. He has built an excellent store-building in Waldron, and is also the owner of other valuable town prop- erty. His wife, who is a member of the Baptist Church, has borne her husband nine children: Lena (wife of W. A. Johnson, resides in Mans- field), Ione (wife of R. L. Maxwell, lives in Henri- etta, Tex.), Ora (wife of J. N. Hamilton, a mer- chant of Waldron), Cora, Otto and Free, and the following children who are deceased: Onge (who died at the age of eighteen months), Ada (who died when six years of age), and Bennie (who died when two years of age). Mr. Malone is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been an advocate of schools, and a member of the school board of Wal-
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SCOTT COUNTY.
dron for some time. Besides the property above mentioned he has a residence at Chalybeate Springs, seven miles west of Waldron, and forty acres of land in that vicinity. Mrs. Malone's father assisted in removing the Indians to the Indian Territory at an early day, and while in Arkansas became much pleased with the country, and deter- mined to settle, which he accordingly did in 1840, locating at Centre Point. Of a large family of children born to himself and wife, only three are now living: two sons, who are prominent farmers of Howard County, and Mrs. Malone. Mr. Stone opened up a large tract of land on a portion of which Centre Point is now located, and on this land he made his home for seven years. He next moved to the northern part of Pike County, and there erected a large frame mill, the first in that locality, which attracted trade from many adjoining counties. He opened up a large farm here also, and on this made his home until his death in 1859, his widow afterward making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Malone, dying at her home in 1874. Mr. Stone was born in North Carolina, was married to a Miss Huddleston, of Tenessee, and after residing in that State for some time he moved to Kentucky, where he became captain of the company of militia that took the Indians west.
George D. May. In the fertile farming districts of Scott County, Ark., Mr. May has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of 100 acres of good land, one mile east of Waldron, on which he has made many improvements and now has sixty-one acres under cultivation. He was born in Tennessee January 11, 1811, being the eldest son born to William and Anna May, both of whom were born in the Old North State, the father being a soldier in the War of 1812, a farmer by occupation, and passed from life in Tennessee. George D. May was brought up to a thorough knowledge of farm life by his father, and after he had attained his majority he began to make his own way in the world, and in 1840 came to Arkan- sas and settled in Sebastian County, where he was married in 1844 to Miss Frances Landers, a native of the Blue Grass State. Soon after his marriage he purchased a farm on which he lived for about
sixteen years, but during the greater part of the Rebellion he was a resident of Texas. After the war had closed he returned to Arkansas, this time taking up his abode in Scott County, settling on the place on which he is now residing, where he has a comfortable home and sufficient means to make life enjoyable. His estimable wife was called from life in 1866, having borne him a family of six children, the following five of whom are living: Mary R. (a resident of Texas), Maggie (Mrs. Fors- ter), Jennie (Mrs. Gilbreath), Ella (Mrs. Harvey), and George W. (who is a physician of Little River County). Ann is deceased. Mr. May married his second wife in 1871, she being Mrs. Elizabeth Eastus, her father being one of the early settlers of this county from Tennessee, and a prominent and successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. May have two children: Francis Joseph and Walter. Mr. May is one of the worthy residents of this section, and is strictly honorable and upright in every respect. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
R. N. Millard is a farmer, merchant and cotton- ginner, residing near Blue Ball, Ark., and as a man and citizen is substantial, progressive and intelli- gent. He was born in Arkansas in 1844, to James E. and Edna (Herring) Millard, both of whom were born in the Old North State, the former in 1799 and died June 5, 1878, and the latter born in 1808 and died March 15, 1864. Their marriage took place in that State, and in time resulted in the birth of thirteen children, only four of whom are now liv- ing: Sarah (wife of J. J. Eiger), Mary (wife of Joseph Williams), Robert Newton (the subject of this sketch), and William B. Robert Newton Millard began farming for himself in 1866, and the same year was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Weaver, a native of Arkansas, born in 1846, and a daughter of J. P. and Mary Weaver. Mrs. Millard died in 1867, leaving one child, a daughter: Mary Susan (born in 1866, and now the wife of James Hunt). In 1868 Mr. Millard purchased forty acres of land to which he has added 160 acres, and on this he has cleared seventy-five acres and built five good houses and a store building, barns and other buildings. In 1871, in connection with his brother and brother-in-law, he erected a gin, saw and flour-
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ing mill, the capacity of the former being seven bales per day, the saw-mill turning out 5,000 feet of lumber, and the flouring-mill seventy-five barrels. In 1887 Mr. Millard opened a general mercantile establishment, his goods being worth $3,000, and in these different enterprises he has done remark- ably well. On his farm corn, oats and cotton are raised, and all yield average crops. He was post- master of Blue Ball from 1876 to 1879, and socially is a member of Walnut Tree Lodge No. 269, of the A. F.& A. M., in which he held the office of wor- shipful master for several years. He is a member of, and steward in, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and as a progressive and law-abiding citizen has not his superior in this section of the country. He was married October 6, 1870, to Miss Salina E. White, a native of Alabama, born in 1847, to Josephus and Ann (Hearn) White, both of whom were Georgians. The children born to Mr. Mill- ard's second marriage are as follows: Josephus (born in 1871, now deceased), William R. (born in 1872), Ida Ann (born in 1875, now deceased), Lela May (born in 1877, deceased), Myrtle E. (born in 1879), John M. (born in 1881), Henry P. (born in 1884), Angie L. (born in 1886), and Noble Victor (born in 1888). At the beginning of the late war James E. Millard lived in Scott County, Ark., with his family and two sons that voluntered and went into the Confederate service: James R. and Ken- non Millard, the two being captured at Arkansas Post and were carried as prisoners of war to Chi- cago, Ill., where the latter died. The former was exchanged and went back to his command, where he was captured again and again. The last time being wounded he was sent to the hospital, where his comrades and family never heard of him more. The subject of this sketch feels and realizes the fact that he will not meet his soldier brother on this earth again, but putting his trust in God, lives and hopes to join an unbroken family in the sweet bye and bye.
Joseph S. Mitchell is a farmer and mechanic of Hickman Township, but was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., in 1849, to William A. and Mary A. (McCully) Mitchell, both of whom were born in the Palmetto State, the former in 1820, and the latter
in 1819. After their marriage they removed to Haywood County, Tenn., and in 1870 came to Scott County, Ark., settling, a year later, on his homestead, and in 1876 he sold to his son Joseph S. He has long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, Mrs. Mitchell being a member since she was twenty years of age. Mr. Mitchell followed saddle-making for many years, but of late years has given his time solely to farming. He served a short time in the Confederate Army as a conscript, but was a Union man in principle. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, and never indulges in spirituous liquors. He is the only one of his family that ever came to Arkan- sas, but as he has done well here financially, and has made many warm friends, he has never regret- ted his move. His father, Alexander Mitchell, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, and there learned the trade of a saddler, a calling he followed after coming to the United States. He was mar- ried in his native land, but while en route to this country he lost his wife and one child in a ship- wreck. He wedded his second wife in this country, and spent the rest of his days in South Carolina, dying in 1833. Frances Jones, who became his second wife, was born in Virginia, and died in South Carolina, in 1832. The maternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, James G. D. McCully, was born in Chester District, S. C., and in 1853 moved to Alabama, where he died in 1862, a miller by trade. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Pannel, was born in Chester District, S. C., and died in Alabama, in 1856, she, as well as her husband, being a member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church for many years. The subject of this sketch is the third of five sons and four daughters, the names of his brothers and sisters being as fol- lows: Eld. James A. (of Tennessee), Rev. John O., Hiram J. (of Sebastian County), Alice (wife of Elwood Johnson), and Johanna (wife of William W. Neal). Joseph S. was brought up to a knowl- edge of farm work by his father, but his school days did not exceed five months. At the very early age of thirteen years he began taking charge of his father's business, and in 1877 was married to Miss Edna A., daughter of Eld. S. J. and Nancy E.
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SCOTT COUNTY.
Fuller, the former a Georgian, and the latter born in Alabama. From the latter State they removed to Louisiana, and afterward came to Logan County, Ark., where Eld. Fuller breathed his last in 1883, his widow being now a resident of Scott County. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Louisiana, and has borne her husband five children, three sons and one daughter living. They own an excellent tract of land comprising 285 acres, and have about 100 acres cleared, all of which has been brought about by Mr. Mitchell's own indomitable energy. It is well improved with good buildings, and is a valu- able property. Mr. Mitchell is a member of Wal- dron Lodge No. 93, of the I. O. O. F., and he and his most estimable wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, both became members at the age of fourteen years, and are strictly tem- perate and respected citizens.
A. H. Morgan is a planter of Scott County, Ark., whose knowledge of his calling is thorough and who is enterprising and progressive in his views. He was born in Georgia August 25, 1836, to J. R. and Martha L. (Powers) Morgan, the former of whom was born in Georgia in 1815, and the latter in South Carolina in 1816, their marriage taking place in Alabama and resulting in the birth of seven children, two of whom are now living: C. J. and A. H. The mother died in Georgia in 1849, a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, after which ber husband married Mrs. Louisa Johnson, a widow with three children. By her he became the father of seven children, and after her death, which occurred in 1869, he was married to his third and present wife, and with her is making his home in Georgia. In his native State A. H. Morgan was married, in 1868, to Miss E. A. Grecian, and by her he has had six children: Martha L., R. R., M. E., Charles H. and two that passed from life while infants. Mr. Morgan served in the Confederate Army during the Rebellion, enlisting at Dardanelle, Ark., in 1861, in Com- pany D, of Lon. Mckay's regiment of infantry, with which he served faithfully until the war ter- minated, making as brave and faithful a soldier as ever trod a crimson battle-field. He was wounded in the shoulder in the battle of Corinth in 1862,
was wounded in the head in an engagement in Mississippi, was wounded in the right leg at Port Gibson in May, 1863, and in June, 1863, at Vicks- burg, was wounded in the right eye. Since the war he has devoted his time and attention to farm- ing, and by his own perseverance and good man- agement he has become the owner of 290 acres of land, 160 of which he has put in a good state of cultivation. Although he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a class leader in the same, and has been an attendant for twenty years, his estimable wife belongs to the Baptist Church. Owing to his many excellent characteristics Mr. Morgan has won innumerable friends, and socially he belongs to Cauthron Lodge No. 385, of the A. F. & A. M.
James Oliver is a planter and cotton-ginner, residing in Bradley Township, Scott County, Ark., but was born in Tennessee, October 11, 1826, to Jesse and Mary A. (Hise) Oliver, both of whom were born in Virginia. The father was a farmer by occupation, was married in Tennessee, and he and his wife became the parents of seven children of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the other members of the family being: William, Mary A. (wife of A. Brownlow), Emeline (wife of Ed Jones), John, George and David. Mr. Oliver was a soldier in one of the Indian wars, and he and his wife spent their lives in Tennessee, both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of their deaths. James Oliver was married in Greene County, Tenn., in 1838, to Miss Rachel Falls, in which State he was born in Octo- ber, 1828, and twelve children are the result of their union, ten of whom are now living: John C., Mar- tha E. (widow of William Henry), Jessie E. and Mary E. (twins), Leier I. (wife of G. T. Anderson), Johanna (wife of J. E. Oliver), William and two children that died in infancy unnamed. James Oliver was in the Rebellion, enlisting in 1861, in the Confederate Army, and serving until the close of the war, being paroled in Georgia. He has a good steam cotton-gin, grist-mill and saw-mill combined, the capacity of the gin being six bales per day. His farm comprises 160 acres of good land, of which 75 are under cultivation, the prin-
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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ciple crops raised being cotton and corn. Mr. Oliver emigrated from Tennessee to Georgia, and in 1866 came to Arkansas, settling in Izard County, and in 1880 in Scott County, where he is now liv- ing, and where he has made many acquaintances and friends. He is a member of the Farmers' Al- liance, and he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Miles H. Partin is a Mississippian, born in 1843, and as he was brought up to a farm life by his father he has made that his chief calling through life. His parents, F. H. and Elizabeth O. (Miles) Partin, were born in North Carolina and Tennes- see, in 1812 and 1825, respectively, and he is the eldest of their eleven children, the other members of the family being W. E., Mary F. (wife of W. W. Collier), A. G. (deceased), George W. (de- ceased), B. F., Orlena (deceased), Hellen (wife of G. A. Stubblefield), Mattie (wife of John Cannon), Jennett (wife of David Cannon), and Jasper N. The family removed to Arkansas when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age, and on January 1, 1850, located on an eighty-acre tract of land at Dar- danelle, to which he afterward added until at the time of the father's death in 1877 he was the owner of 700 acres of land, upon which he had cleared 125 acres and built a number of good buildings, plant- ing, also, a large orchard on his home place, where his widow now resides. He and his wife were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The educational advantages which Miles H. received were quite limited, but after his parents had ac- quired their home they undertook his education, and intended to send him away to school, but the opening of the Rebellion prevented them carrying out their intentions, hence his education is limited to what he could acquire in the subscription schools of his boyhood. He entered the Confederate serv- ice, enlisting in Company E, Twenty-first Arkan- sas Infantry. At the reorganization, after Cor- inth, he was transferred to Company H, and was in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Farmington, Vicks- burg, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, where he was taken prisoner and taken to Camp Morton, near Indianapolis, Ind., where he was kept two weeks, then transferred to Fort Dela-
ware, after which he entered the service of the United States, and was sent to the frontier of Minnesota, shortly after the Sioux outbreak. Here he remained until 1865, when he received his discharge. He returned to Dardanelle December 24, 1867, since which time he has been engaged in farming, pur- chasing, in 1868, 120 acres of land in Perry County, but which he afterward sold and returned to Dar- danelle. In 1876 he bought 120 acres in Hunt Township, and homesteaded 120 acres adjoining, and upon this he has cleared about 60 acres, built a house and outbuildings, fences, etc., and has oth- erwise improved his place, setting out a good or- chard. His principal crops are corn, oats and wheat, the yield of the first mentioned being from twenty- five to forty bushels, oats averaging twenty-five bushels to the acre. His tenants sometimes raise cotton, and it usually averages one-half bale to the acre, but he has raised one bale on the same amount of ground. In the fall of 1868 he was married to Miss Louisa Wright, a native of Geor- gia, born in 1845, a daughter of Berry and Mary (Chistoper) Wright, and to Mr. Partin and his wife one son has been born, Vernie (who was born February 24, 1872). Mr. Partin is giving this son every advantage in the way of an education, and as he wishes to make law his profession he will have every opportunity of perfecting himself in this science. After finishing his education in the common schools he entered the Dardanelle High School, where he is making (in his second year) very rapid advancement in his studies.
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