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 70
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Capt. John Rawlings, senior member of Raw- lings & Son, dealers in general merchandise at Waldron, Scott County, Ark., is a native of Illi- nois, born February 14, 1834, and the son of John and Malinda (Blair) Rawlings, the father a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., and the mother of Ken- tucky. John Rawlings passed his boyhood and youth on a farm, and was left an orphan at an early age. When but two years of age he went to Mis- souri and made his home with his grandmother until eighteen years of age, when he crossed the plains to the gold regions of California. He mined there for four years and met with fair success, after which he returned to the east and located at
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Waldron, Ark. He followed agricultural pursuits on rented land during the year 1858, and then entered a piece of Government land, 120 acres, which he immediately began to improve by erect- ing a house and barn, and clearing it of timber. Here he remained until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army as lieutenant, but was soon promoted to captain, in which capacity he served until discharged, on account of disability, in January, 1863. He was in the battles of Wilson Creek, Neosho, Elkhorn (or Pea Ridge), Corinth and Shiloh. At the last named place he was taken sick and sent home, where he remained for thirty days. He was then sent to command in the Western Department, and later sent home to organize a battalion, or, rather a company to form a battalion. He was now cap- tain of Company I, Carroll's regiment of Cavalry, but on account of trouble with his eyes was dis- charged. The company that he formerly com- manded was Company I of the Arkansas State Troops. At the time of his discharge he took his family and went to the southern part of the State, where he remained until cessation of hostilities. In 1866 he returned to his farm near Waldron. A detachment of the Federal troops had made his farm their headquarters and his house was pre- served, otherwise the farm was laid waste, fences burned and fruit trees destroyed. He at once commenced to rebuild and improve his place. He was in poor health, owing to exposure in the army, and had a wife and five children to support. He cultivated the soil until 1877, when he entered into his present line of business at this place. This he has since continued. He at that time formed a copartnership with J. C. Bell, now of Fort Smith, and at the end of a year he bought out his part- ner's interest. He then formed a partnership with Dr. James H. Smith, of Waldron, which ex- isted about four years, when Mr. Rawlings again bought out his partner. He then took in his son. He began on a small scale, but his business has in- creased until he now carries a stock of goods val- ued at $7,000, and the annual sales amount to about $20,000. He has in all about 600 acres of land, the most of which lies near the city. He
also owns quite an amount of town property, and deals considerably in real estate. His farm, which he rents, is well improved and one of the best in the township. Mr. Rawlings and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he has filled the position of deacon in the same for some time. He is liberal in his support of all worthy enterprises, and is universally respected. His wife who was formerly Miss Nancy J. Smith, and whom he married in 1858, is the daughter of Dr. Smith, of this place. Eight children have been born to this union, five now living: Annie E. (wife of J. D. Benson, of this place), Ida M. (widow of W. P. Evatt), Flood S. (who is in business with his father), John O. (attending school at Fayette- ville, Ark.), and Charles F. (also at Fayetteville). When Mr. Rawlings first went into the army he was with the State troops, but after the battle of Oak Hill he raised a new company and entered McIntosh's regiment of cavalry. Here he re- mained until he received a furlough on account of ill health, as above stated. He was wounded in the shoulder at Pea Ridge, and this disables his right hand and arm to this day. He was a brave and fearless officer, and served the Confederacy faithfully and well.
William Robson. In giving a brief sketch of the life of Mr. Robson it can with truth be said that he is one of the foremost men of Scott County, and has become one of its wealthiest agricultur- ists by honest toil and good management, and by the aid and advice of his admirable wife. He has been a resident of this county since 1867, but was born in Wayne County, Tenn., April 20, 1833, to William and Mary (Wordsworth) Robson, they be- ing also natives of Tennessee, in which State they grew to maturity, married and spent their lives, the death of the father occurring in 1857 at about the age of sixty years, the mother passing from life in 1859 when about the same age. Mr. Rob- son was a worthy tiller of the soil all his life, and in this calling became quite successful. Both were members of the Methodist Church and he was a Mason and a Democrat. The immediate subject of this sketch was the youngest of teu chil- dren, and his school days were spent in Wayne
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County, Tenn. When only eighteen years of age he came to Arkansas, and after wandering over the greater part of the State he went to the frontier of Texas with Capt. Love to fight the Comanche Indians, and during this time had many narrow escapes from death, a number of horses being shot from under bim while fighting. Fortunately he was never wounded, and finally, growing tired of fighting, he settled in Corsicana, at which place he opened a hotel, which he managed for three years. In the fall of 1861 he joined Col. Parson's regi- ment of cavalry, but was discharged at Little Rock in May, 1862, on account of a broken leg, which was caused by being thrown from a horse. After recovering he joined Col. Gunter's battalion, after- ward Bryant's battalion, and served in the Choc- taw and Chickasaw Nations until the war closed. He was a scout all through the region where he now lives, and at the close of the war held the rank of sergeant. He then resided in Little River County, Ark., until 1867, after which he moved to Scott County and purchased 160 acres of land, to which he has added enough to make 280 acres, a large portion of which is under cultivation, and all can be cultivated. He was married in August, 1862, to Miss Altha Ledgewood, and by her became the father of six children, five now living: James W., Lucinda Adaline, George W., Dick and Eddie. Ludie died when two years of age. Mr. Robson and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, in which he has been a deacon for three years. He donated the ground on which the Pleas- ant Grove Baptist Church is standing, and in nu- merous other ways has shown the interest he feels in the cause of Christianity. He is a wealthy cit- izen, the owner of a large amount of stock, and is in every way situated to enjoy life. Politically he is a Democrat.
John A. Rose, farmer and merchant, Boles, Ark. This enterprising citizen was born in Ham- ilton County, Ill., on November 13, 1845, and is a son of James and Emily (Buchanan) Rose. The father, who was a farmer and mechanic by occupa- tion, moved to Arkansas, and settled in Scott County, in 1857. His wife died in 1863, and he followed her to the grave one week later. They
were the parents of five children-four sons and one daughter-John A. being the second son. He received meager educational advantages and grew to manhood on his father's farm. Before he was eighteen years of age, or in 1863, he enlisted un- der the Stars and Stripes and served until August 27, 1865, when he received his discharge. He was in Company L, Second Kansas Cavalry, and was in the battle of Saline River, Prairie de Ann and Cabin Creek at which place he was taken prisoner. He was conveyed to Doaksville, Ind. Ty., and was there confined for eight months. After the war he returned to Scott County, bought a farm of eighty acres in Mountain Township, one mile from the village of Boles, and this he improved by erecting a house and clearing the timber. He has added to this first purchase until he now has about 1,000 acres, 300 of which are under cultivation. He has a good residence and several good tenant houses on the place. He also has one-half interest in a general merchandise store at Boles, and this is doing a good business at that place. Mr. Rose was married on December 25, 1866, to Miss Rebecca Scott, daugh- ter of Thomas H. Scott, of this county. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living- three sons and four daughters: Emily Jane (wife of M. L. Hunt), George W., James A., Rebecca Kansas Elizabeth, John F., Christian Ann and Parlee, all at home but the eldest daughter. Mr. Rose is a Mason and Mrs. Rose is a member in good standing in the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Dr. Joseph A. J. Roth is deserving of a spe- cial mention as a successful practioner of the "heal- ing art," and although he has lived in Scott Coun- ty, Ark., a comparatively short time, he is well and favorably known and has a large practice. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., on February 28, 1828, a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Barclay) Roth, the birth of the former being in Switzerland, and that of the latter occurring in 1805. They were mar- ried in St. Louis, and the subject of this sketch is their only child. The father, who was of Swiss descent, was murdered in Santa Fe, N. M., but his widow survives him, and makes her home with her son, the Doctor being now sixty-two years of age. Dr. Roth was married in St. Louis Septem-
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ber 27, 1852, at St. Exavia Church, to Mrs. Cath- erine E. Chappie, a widow with one child, Alexis, who is now deceased. The wife's maiden name was Brawner. To her union with Dr. Roth one child was born, Archibald. Mrs. Roth died August 8, 1889, having been a member of the Catholic Church throughout the greater portion of her life. In 1865 Dr. Roth commenced the study of medicine, and in 1868 took his first course of lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, and the same year com- menced practicing. He has been actively engaged in practicing ever since, but since 1875 has been a resident of Scott County, Ark., having moved hither from Bates County, Mo. He is the owner of 125 acres of good land, 65 of which are in an ex- cellent state of cultivation. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and has always been a strong advocate of the free-school system. Socially he belongs to Duval Lodge No. 249, of the A. F. & A. M.
James G. Sanders, the eldest son of Richard and Mary (Strickland) Sanders, was born in Pick- ens County, Ala., on February 19, 1843, was reared on a farm, but up to the breaking out of the war he was kept in school, being educated in the University of Alabama, and having the best of educational advantages. At the age of eighteen, or in 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Second Ala- bama Infantry, commanded by T. J. Hardee, and remained in service until peace was declared. He was in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Shiloh and Vicksburg, where he was taken prisoner, paroled and sent to Demopolis, Ala., where he remained until exchanged during the following February. He then was sent to Chickamauga, where he ar- rived in time to participate in that battle. He was also in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Mission- ary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Ringgold, Marietta, Kene- saw Mountain, Atlanta, Dalton, Peach Tree Creek and Franklin. From there he was transferred to Mobile, where he remained about one month as guard on the coast near that city. Afterward he was sent to Charlotte, N. C., where he engaged in the last battle fought by Gen. Johnston's command, it being at Smithfield, N. C. During this entire time he was wounded but twice, first at Corinth by
a bayonet in the left side, and second by a bullet in the right thigh. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Alabama, and there found that his mother had died during his absence. Here :he remained with his father nearly two years, at which time his father and family moved to Red River County, Tex. They remained in the Lone Star State only one year, and then moved to Ar- kansas, settling in Cedar Creek Township, Scott County, near his present residence. Here our sub- ject bought his first piece of land, he and his fa- ther together buying 340 acres. Soon after James G. bought an additional tract of 120 acres, which he improved by erecting a house and other build- ings. He has seventy-five acres under cultivation, and his principal crops are corn, cotton and oats, all of which yield well; potatoes also a good crop. For several years he has given his attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, having an improved breed of cattle. Through energy and industry he has made a success of farm life, and is spoken of as among the most substantial men of the coun- ty. He was married on July 31, 1866, to Miss Sally M. Cowsert, of Alabama. They have ten children -- four of whom are sons and six daugh- ters-named as follows: Mary A., Ellen E., Josie, Beatrice E., William M., Minnie L., James G., Knox, Virginia M., and an infant yet unnamed. All are at home but the daughter, Josie, who is married to M. M. Ellis, of Wills Point, Tex. The family are Baptists. Mr. Sanders is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, of which he has been secretary from the time of its organization. He is also a worthy patron of the order of the East- ern Star, also a member of the Farmers' Alliance, of which he is secretary, and in his political views he is a Democrat. He has been justice of the peace for many years, being elected to that posi- tion soon after coming to this county, and he has also held the position of school director, taking a great interest in the welfare of the schools of his township. He is assistant postmaster at the office of Cedar Creek, the office being at his residence, and his oldest daughter being postmistress. Mr. Sanders is a man of education, and is trying to give his children all possible advantages in that
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direction. He is well pleased with his home in Western Arkansas.
William K. Sanders, farmer, Cedar Creek, Ark. Mr. Sanders has passed the uneventful life of the farmer, and has continued steadily to pursue the even tenor of his way, and is now classed among the prosperous farmers of Scott County. He was born in Alabama on January 6, 1855, and was early initiated into the duties of farm life. He came to Arkansas with his father in the fall of 1867, and the latter settled on the farm where our subject now lives. William K. received meager educa- tional advantages, and when eighteen years of age he started out to fight life's battles for himself. His father at that time gave him 100 acres of land, and this our subject immediately began to improve. He is now the owner of a good farm of 240 acres in one tract, and of this he has 75 acres under cul- tivation. He raises principally corn, cotton and oats, the latter making a fine crop and doing well in this county. On an average his cotton yields one-half bale to the acre, and his corn sixty bush- els to the acre. All his buildings are first-class and he has a fine apple and peach orchard. Aside from this he is interested in raising cattle and hogs. Mr. Sanders was married on November 16, 1884, to Miss Mary J. Austin, daughter of Samuel Aus- tin of this county, but formerly from North Caro- lina. They have three children, all sons: Clyde H., Richard A. and George E. Mr. Sanders is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is vice-presi- dent of the same. He is a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and is one of the county's most esteemed citizens.
Albert A. Sanford, M. D., has become well known to the citizens of this section, for in his professional capacity he has entered many homes, and has been the means of bringing happiness to many anxious hearts. His birth occurred in Se- bastian County, in 1852, he being the eldest of a family of six children born to Muse and Nancy (Hughes) Sanford, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Arkansas. Muse Sanford came to this State about 1850, and settled in Sebastian County, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred about 1885, his widow still sur-
viving him. Her people were early settlers of this State from Mississippi. Although Dr. Albert A. Sanford was reared to a farm life, he determined to make medicine his profession, and in 1875 be- gan his studies under a preceptor, entering, in 1876, the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from which he afterward graduated. In 1883 he graduated from Vanderbilt University of Nash- ville, Tenn., after which he returned to Arkansas, and pitched his tent at Dardanelle in Yell County, but remained there only a very short time, when he came to Waldron, and in 1889 formed a partner- ship with Dr. Leming. He is the owner of a good residence in the town, and an excellent and valua- able farm near the place. His marriage, which occurred in 1873, was to Miss Mollie E. Rice, a Tennesseean, and has resulted in the birth of seven children: Nettie May (who died at the age of four years), Patrick Henry, Nannie, Maggie (who died at the age of eleven months), Melville, Frank and Aristides (who died at the age of twenty-two years). The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Doctor is a member of Wal- dron Lodge No. 132, of the A. F. & A. M. and Greenwood Lodge of the K. of H. The Doctor is a patron of schools, and is otherwise interested in the welfare of this section.
Joseph L. Self is classed among the respected farmers and ginners of Scott County, Ark., and al- though he has not attained the highest round in the ladder of success, he has been more than ordinarily successful in pursuing his calling, and now has an ex- cellent farm of 120 acres, of which 60 acres are un- der cultivation, and besides this has a 200-acre tract of timberland. He was born in Alabama, in 1824, the fifth of twelve children born to Jesse and Mary (Naremon) Self, both of whom were born in North Carolina, the former a planter. He moved to Georgia about 1826, and there continued to make his home until his death in 1866, his wife passing from life in 1850. In the State of Georgia Joseph L. Self was principally reared, but his educational advantages were limited. When he had attained his majority he began farming for himself, and in his twenty-third year was married to Miss Nancy Gartman, a native of Georgia. In
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1863 he put aside his work to enlist in the Con- federate Army, and while a member of Company K. Thirty-ninth Georgia Regiment Infantry, he was in the battle of Vicksburg. After the fall of that city he was paroled, and went home. He came to Arkansas in 1870, and settled on the place on which he is now residing, six miles east of Waldron. In 1882 he started a steam cot- ton-gin, in connection with which he soon after be- gan operating a grist-mill, and in 1889 a saw-mill, all of which are now in good working order. The gin has a capacity of seven bales per day. Since 1888 he has been conducting a general mercantile store, his stock of goods being worth about $2,000, and he does a successful general plantation supply business. On his property there are now two other stores, a blacksmith shop and several residences, making quite a little village. Mr. Self is associated in this business with his son, A. W., who is married to Rebecca Hiful, a native of this State. Mr. Self is the father of eight children: Mary (wife of L. D. Pendra), Susan Elizabeth (wife of Foncy Neal), Martha (wife of T. J. Watson), Sarah, Henry P. (married), Alvin, James R. and Margaret Ellen (wife of Frank M. Bottoms, a merchant of Wal- dron). The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Self has always been a stanch supporter of education, and has given land for school and church purposes, a house of each kind being erected in 1878. He is a self- made man, very public spirited, and has helped to bring Scott County to its present admirable state of cultivation.
receiving his appointment from the President of the United States. At the end of five years he began devoting his attention to teaching school and to selling goods in Fort Smith, and while in this place acted as interpreter, being well acquainted with the Creek, Choctaw and Cherokee languages. He was a man of brilliant mind, highly gifted, and in his youth had the advantages of an excellent edu- cation. He was a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, socially was a member of the I. O. O. F., and shortly before the open- ing of the Rebellion he was called from earth, being then but in the prime of life. His widow died in Scott County, Ark., in 1861, also an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, she having borne her husband five children: Eliza J. (wife of David Osmus, a farmer and primitive Bap- tist minister of Scott County, Ark.), Permelia Ann (wife of J. H. Blackwell, a farmer of this county), Rev. Robert E., J. F. (a merchant and also a Free- Will Baptist minister), and Sarah (wife of Compton Hollis, a farmer residing near Boles, Ark). Rev. Robert E. Sessions made his home with different families during the war, and during that time at- tended school a little. After the war he worked on a farm, and in 1880 homesteaded land to the amount of 160 acres in Mountain Township, and has been buying and selling land ever since, being now the owner of 150 acres at the head of Ross Creek, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation. In connection with this he has been operating a cotton-gin for the past seven years, and since March, 1889, he has been the owner of a good gin, grist, saw and shingle mill. Commenc- ing life with no advantages whatever, he has done exceedingly well, has educated his children, and has done as much, if not more, than any of his neighbors for worthy enterprises. He has been an earnest church member for twenty-one years, and in 1884 was ordained a minister of the Free- Will Baptist Church, soon after being made pastor of Shiloh Church in Blansett Township. He has also filled the same position in Mount Pisgah Church at Boles, Haw Creek Church, New Hope Church, Mount Pisgah No. 2, and assisted in
Rev. Robert E. Sessions. This name is synony- mous in Scott County, Ark., with successful agriculture, and throughout the immediate section in which he lives he is especially well known .. He was born in this State, in what is now Brad- ley County, January 14, 1850, and is a son of James A. and Lucinda (Loa) Sessions, the former born in Alabama and the latter in Tennessee, their marriage taking place in Mountain Township, of this county. James A. Sessions, when a young man of eighteen years, left his parents in Georgia, to which State they had moved from Alabama to ! come to Arkansas as agent to the Creek Indians, | organizing a church northeast of Waldron, known
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as the Davis Church. He was married on August 12, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Wammack of Scott County, by whom he has become the father of nine children: John A., James W., Armatha Bell, Mary Frances, Harriet Dealtha, Robert F., Fred and Thomas. Elmer died in infancy. Mrs. Ses- sions is a member of the Free- Will Baptist Church, and has given much assistance to her husband in his work of saving souls. Mr. Sessions belongs to the Farmers' Alliance, and is a stanch Repub- lican in politics.
Saunders S. Slover, although now a prominent citizen of Scott County, Tenn., was born in Madi- son County, Ark., November 17, 1835, to Samuel and Emeline (Chote) Slover, the former a Tennes- seean and the latter a native of South Carolina, their births occurring March 5, 1811, and Septem- ber 28, 1816, respectively. The mother is still living, her home being in Western Texas. They were married March 22, 1831, and during the very first settling of this country came here and located in Madison County, on Kings' River. The father was a very successful farmer, but was also the pro- prietor of a dry-goods establishment at Veal's Station, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Parker County, Tex., in 1873, he left a large estate and fortune to be divided among his family. He owned large tracts of valuable real estate in Texas, and was a practical business man in all respects. When a young man he joined the Masonic order, and after his marriage built the Masonic Hall at Veal's Station, Tex., and donated it to the lodge. He was very prominent in Ma- sonic circles, and was also an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is his widow. In the neighborhood in which he lived he was an arbitrator in disputes between his neighbors, and his advice and councils were earnestly listened to and usually followed with good results. He was one of the first settlers of Western Texas, and at one time suffered severe losses by having his cattle driven off and killed by Comanche ; Indians. He and his neighbors were compelled to carry guns to church for protection. He was a life-long Democrat, and had three sons in the Confederate Army who fought bravely in many |
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