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 75
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father, David Dilbeck, died in Georgia, a farmer. The mother's father, Benjamin Goss, came to Polk County, Ark., before the Rebellion, and passed from life on his farm on Big Fork. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of seven children, but received but very little schooling. In 1850 he was married to Eliza, daughter of Fleming and Mary A. Bates, North Carolinians, who first moved to South Carolina, then to Georgia, and in 1853 to Polk County, Ark., where the mother's death occurred in 1884, and the father's in 1882, the latter being a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs. Dilbeck was born in Georgia, and has borne her husband ten children, five sons and two daughters now living. In 1862 Mr. Dilbeck joined Company C, Fourth Arkansas Infantry, and fought at Mur- freesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville and Mo- bile, after which he rejoined Johnston, with whom he remained until the final surrender. On his way home the train was wrecked in East Tennessee, and both of his arms were broken. He lived in Big Fork Township until 1876, but since that time his home has been in Mountain Township. He is the owner of three good farms on each of which is an excellent steam cotton-gin, saw and grist mill, the steam-mill on his home place being the first erected in this vicinity. He is the wealthiest man in the township, and his property is all the result of his own unaided efforts. Socially he is a mem- ber of Cherry Hill Lodge No. 167 of the A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Farmers' Alli- ance. His wife belongs to the United Baptist Church.
M. A. Dilbeck. Among the many sturdy and energetic agriculturists of Polk County, Ark., who have attained their property by hard labor and economy, may be mentioned Mr. Dilbeck, who was born in Lumpkin County, Ga., in 1840, a son Nathan A. Gann, a prominent citizen of Eagle Township, Polk County, Ark., was born in Pauld- ing County, Ga., on August 27, 1844, and is one of five living children born to Hiram and Elizabeth (Goggins) Gann, natives also of Georgia, the father born in 1824, and the mother in 1826. The father is still living, is a resident of Eagle Township, Polk County, Ark., but the mother died in this county in 1879. They resided in Georgia, until 1857, and then moved to Marion County, Ala., in 1867. From there they moved to Hardin County, of John and Salina (Goss) Dilbeck, the former born in North Carolina and the latter in Georgia, their marriage taking place in the latter State, where they lived until about 1851, when they came to Polk County, Ark., and settled on Big Fork. Here Mr. Dilbeck made his home until his death in Au- gust, 1890, his widow surviving him, both having been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for a great many years. Mr. Dilbeck was a wag- on-master in the Confederate Army, and at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., was captured. His : Tenn., thence in 1869 to Cook County, Tex., and
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thence to Polk County, Ark., in the latter part of the same year. The father has always followed farming and for fifteen years was engaged in mer- chandising at which he was very successful. He is a Mason, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, being clerk in the same, and is a Democrat in politics. Of his children, William A. is a farm- er in Archer County, Tex., Melissa is the wife of J. B. Green of this county, John D. is a farmer of this county and Hiram F., is also in this county. Nathan A. Gann received a good practical education in his youth, and in 1862 joined the Fourth Mis- : sissippi Cavalry. Eighteen months later he joined Pierce's battalion and was lieutenant until cessa- tion of hostilites. He was in the battle of Thomp- son's Station in. Middle Tennessee, and was very seriously wounded by a bullet which entered just un- der the left collar bone and passed clear through. His recovery was considered a miracle. He served in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. After the war he commenced working for himself as a farmer and after residing in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas he came to Arkansas and located in Polk County, on Two Mile Creek, where he bought a claim. Later he sold this and settled at Eagle Hill, where he is splendidly located and where he has 600 acres with good houses and outbuildings on the same. He owns another tract of 200 acres south of his present residence. He has been in the mercantile business most of the time for the last twelve years and was postmaster at Eagle Hill for five years. On March 17, 1864, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Hughes of Alabama, a na- tive of Marion County of that State, born in 1842. By this union they have five children: John R. (farming with our subject), James H. (also at home), Celia Melissa, Nathan F., Jr., and Mary who is usually called Mollie. Two children are deceased: William H. and Laura L. Mr. and Mrs. Gann, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views the former is strictly Democratic.
Ben F. Gipson, senior member of the firm of Gipson & Barton, general merchants of Cove, was born in Scott County, Ark., on August 16, 1856, and is a son of William C. and Sarah P. (Ivy) Gip-
son, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respect- ively. The parents were married in Scott County, Ark., in 1852. The father went to that county when a young man, and his death occurred in Polk County in 1889 when sixty six years of age. The mother is still living on the home place. They moved to Texas in 1867, and from there to this county in 1871. The father was a soldier in the Mexican War, going from Tennessee, and during the late war he was captain of an Arkansas com- pany during the last two years of that struggle. He was a life-long farmer and mill man, operating a mill in this and Scott Counties. In his political views he affiliated with the Democratic party. Of his eight children that grew to maturity Ben F. was the eldest. The latter spent his school days in the Lone Star State and in Arkansas. He re- mained and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-four years of age, and then started out as an agriculturist for himself. In 1887 he com- menced business as a -, and two years later engaged in merchandising with Johnson and Bar- ton. Later Johnson retired, and the firm has since been Gipson & Barton. They are live busi- ness men, and are very successful. Mr. Gipson started a poor boy, but by honesty, industry and good business ability, he has become one of the prominent business men of Cove. He has been deputy sheriff under Sheriff Pitkins, filling that position six years, and also the same position under Hopkins for four years. He was married in 1878 to Miss N. E. Jones, daughter of Isaac Jones, of this county. To this union seven children were born-six daughters and one son-all living: Lona C., Minnie L., Bertha C., Bessie L., Maggie B., William Isaac and Dora D. Mr. Gipson is a Ma- son, and a member of Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.
John B. Graves needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is well known throughout this section. That the following brief sketch of his honorable and eventful life is afforded a place here, will be a matter of much interest to the many who have come to know him so inti- mately, and felt the influence of his life and gen- erosity. Born ten miles west of Lebanon, Tenn.,
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February 17, 1849, he is a son of George B. and Nancy (Brown) Graves, who were natives of Ten- nessee, and is a grandson of John G. Graves, the latter moving from North Carolina to Tennessee at an early day, where he was not only one of the earliest settlers, but also one of the first and most successful merchants. George B. Graves inherited English blood from the paternal side of his family. While farming was his vocation in life, he figured to some extent as a Whig politician, and besides holding various local positions of honor and trust, was sheriff of Wilson County for a number of years. Socially, he belonged to the fraternity of Odd Fel- lows, who conducted the funeral rites at his death. His demise left a widow and two children to sur- vive, the former yet living. There were five chil- dren in all, their names being: Louisa (a talented lady, member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the deceased wife of W. H. Harrington, of Wilson County, Tenn.), Elizabeth (died when quite young), Mary G. (who died in Tennessee, the wife of T. Legon), Byron (a farmer, of Wilson County), John B. (is the third in this family). He spent his school days in his native county, receiving his edu- cation in Silver Springs Academy. After attain- ing man's estate he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, and that calling has since con- tinued. He moved to Bowie County, Tex., in 1874, but two years later came to Polk County, Ark., and here has since made his home on his present farm, which is situated two miles south of Potter, and contains 190 acres of land, a considerable por- tion of which is under cultivation. He has served
two years as constable, and has also been a school director of his district. He was married in 1874, to Miss Martha Jetton, of Wilson County, Tenn., by whom he has four children: Beady, George D., Arthusa and Alice T. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are : members of the Christian Church, Mr. Graves be- ing also an elder. He is a member of the Farm- ers' Alliance, is lecturer of his lodge, and is a Democrat. He has traveled far, and in early life was acquainted with Andrew Johnson. Graves End, London, was named in honor of his family.
Hon. Jesse M. Green is a resident of Bethesda Spring, Polk County, Ark., but was born in Chero-
kee County, Ga., April 7, 1836, being a son of William W. and Hannah (Dover) Green, the former born in North Carolina, being a great grand son of Gen. Green of Revolutionary fame, and the latter in South Carolina, their marriage taking place in Geor- gia, from which State they moved to Texas in 1867, locating in Comanche County. Here they resided until 1869, when they came to Polk County, Ark., Mr. Green devoting his attention to tilling the soil. Both became. members of the Primitive Baptist Church in early life, Mr. Green being ordained a minister in early life, and preached the gospel until his death in November, 1887, at the age of seventy- four years. He was instrumental in bringing many souls to the feet of Christ, and in the affairs of every day life he was also successful. In his polit- ical views he was a Democrat. His widow, who survives him, is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He has thirteen children living, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second. He spent his school days in Murray County, Ga., but at the age of eighteen left his home in that State and went to Western Texas, of which region he was one of the pioneer settlers. He was in Comanche Co. during the entire trouble with that tribe of Indians and took part in a number of fierce battles with the Comanches. He lost several valuable horses by thieving Indians, also numerous cattle, as he was engaged in the stock business there from 1855 to 1868. He . was the first judge of Comanche County, and was also captain of a company of rangers which was organized by the State for the protection of the settlers against the depredations of the Indians. In July, 1862, he joined Col. Gurley's Thirtieth Texas Cavalry, became lieuten- ent of Company G, and was in the service a short time before the close of the war, his operations be- ing confined to the west side of the Mississippi River, being at the mouth of the Rio Grande River, in the Indian Territory and Arkansas, taking part in the battles of Camden, Poison Springs and others. In 1868 he came to Polk County, Ark., and located on Mountain Fork in what is now Cove Township, where he has a considerable portion of his 180-acre farm under cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising stock, especially cattle, and is
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POLK COUNTY.
noted for being a thrifty agriculturist. In 1888 he was elected to represent this county in the lower . house of the State Legislature, and was on several important committees, among which may be men- tioned mining, manufacturing and retrenchments. He introduced bills taxing incomes for school pur- poses, and may with truth be said to have made a wide-awake, intelligent and incorruptible legis- lator. He was married in 1852 to Miss Cynthia Dean, but she lived only a short time. While in Texas he was married to Miss Frances Isham, who died in this county in 1878, leaving eight children -five sons and three daughters. In 1880 Sallie R. Ward became his wife, and by her he has four sons. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since 1864, and in 1872 was ordained a minister of that denomination, and has since had charge of Two Mile Church with the exception of one year, when he traveled as a missionary in Scott, Montgomery, Logan and Sevier Counties, and the Indian Territory, organizing churches. He is a member, and has been master of Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218, of the A. F. & A. M., and has always been a stanch Democrat.
Capt. James W. Higgason. In reviewing the various business interests of Polk County, Ark., the name of Higgason is found to be among the most prominent, for since 1877 he has been one of the leading merchants of this section. He was born in Mississippi, in 1833, to Dr. George and Mary (Davis) Higgason, the former born in Vir- ginia, and the latter in Alabama, their marriage taking place in the last named State, after which they removed to Mississippi, in which State the fa- ther passed from life in 1844, the death of his widow occurring in Polk County, Ark., in 1873, she being a worthy member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church. Dr. Higgason was a successful phy- sician of many years' standing, and in whatever lo- cality he resided he soon became well known and prominent. He was at one time member of the Mississippi Legislature, and as early as eighteen years of age was with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. Capt. James W. Higgason was the eldest of their seven children, but his early educational advantages were limited. In 1861 he became a member of
Company A, of a Mississippi regiment, with which he served in the capacity of quartermaster until May, 1863, when he was captured at Chickasaw Bayou, and was kept a prisoner on Johnson's Is- land until the close of the war. For some years thereafter he followed the occupation of clerking, but in 1869 went to Sebastian County, Ark., where he conducted a mercantile establishment until 1871. moving then to Dallas, and there continuing the business for six years. He then came to Cherry Hill, and by honest business methods and a desire to accommodate his patrons he has built up a good and paying trade. He fully deserves all the suc- cess that can befall him for he possesses all the at- tributes of an upright and substantial citizen. His sister, Margaret L., lives with, and keeps house for him.
William P. Hilton. This successful planter and stockman of Polk County, Ark., of which he has been a resident since 1852, is well and favora- bly known to the many citizens of Fulton Town- ship. He was born twelve miles east of Hot Springs, Ark., in 1847, being the fourth of eight children born to Wade Hampton and Anna (Terry) Hilton, they being born in East Tennessee, in 1806, and Illinois, in 1813, respectively, their mar- riage taking place in Arkansas about 1840. After coming to Polk County, Ark., in 1852 they settled near Silver Center, where Mrs. Hilton still lives, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Hilton left his home about nineteen years ago. and as he has not been heard of for seven years, it is supposed he is dead. He was well to do in worldly goods, and was thrifty and industrious. He was a small boy when his father died, the latter being a Kentuckian. Mrs. Hilton's father, John Terry, removed from Illinois to Missouri, and in a very early day came to Pulaski County, Ark., but both he and his wife ended their days in Hot Springs County. William P. Hilton has been a resident of this county since he was six years of age, and since reaching mature years has identi- fied himself with every interest of this section. He obtained a common-school education, and served about one year in Monroe's regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and after being on duty in Arkansas,
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Louisiana and Texas, he surrendered at Dallas. Tex., at the close of the war. He was married in 1868, to Rachel Ann, daughter of John Hargrove. She was born in Mississippi and died in this county, May 12, 1886, an earnest member of the Baptist Church. His second marriage took place in 1886, to Miss Kate Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Martha Ann Fite, formerly of Tennessee, but afterward becoming residents of Dallas County, Ark., where they now live, having been residents of Polk County for five years. Mrs. Hilton was born in Dallas County, and has borne her husband two children. Since 1868 Mr. Hilton has lived on his present farm which contains 200 acres of land, all of which he has earned himself, 100 acres be- ing under cultivation. He and his wife are mem- bers of the United Missionary Baptist Church.
John A. Huddleston is an excellent example of the success attending hard work and faithful and persistent endeavor, and he is now one of the wealthy planters of Polk County, Ark., of which he has long been a resident, although his birth- place is Madison County, Tenn., where he was born in 1844. His parents, M. D. and Margaret (Ham- mond) Huddleston, were born, reared and married in Tennessee, and about 1846, came to Montgom- ery County, Ark., and settled down to tilling the soil of a farm at the head of Caddo Creek, and on this farm the father was called away by death, in 1868, at the age of sixty-two years, his widow surviving him, being about sixty-three years old. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and he was one of the successful pioneer farmers of the county. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was a son of David Huddleston, who died in West Ten- nessee. John A. Huddleston was the second of thirteen children born to his parents, six sons and six daughters being now alive, nearly all of whom reside in Scott and Polk Counties. Although he received but little early schooling, he was given a practical knowledge of farming, on this father's home place, and by the time he entered the army, in 1862, his out-door life had been of great benefit to him, and he was eminently fitted to bear the privations of a soldier's life. He became a mem-
ber of Company B, Second Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Arkansas and Louisiana, until the close of the war. His marriage, which took place in 1866, was to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas W. and Telitha Cobler, who were Tennesseeans, the birth of the former occurring in 1816. They were married in 1838, in Gibson County, Tenn., and in 1846 came to Montgomery County, and settled on a woodland farm, and although he is living in the same vicinity, it is on another farm. He was justice of the peace some years, and just after the war was county and probate judge and a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1874. Mrs. Huddleston was born in Montgomery County, and died there in 1876. They had three children, two now living. His second marriage took place in 1876, and was to Martha, daughter of John and Sarah Cotton, who removed from Mississippi to Polk County, the mother's death occurring here, but the father is still living. Mr. Huddleston's second wife was born in Calhoun County, Miss., and died in 1881, leaving two children. He married his present wife in 1883, her name being Alice, daughter of Silas and Araminta E. Hughes, who came from their native State of Tennessee to Mont- gomery County, Ark., in 1876, and are now living in Polk County. This union has resulted in the birth of two children. Since 1866 Mr. Huddles- ton has lived in Polk County, fifteen years being spent in Mountain Township, where he owns 350 acres of land, of which about 140 are under culti- vation, all of which he has earned by his own ef- forts. He belongs to Hill Lodge No. 160, of the A. F. & A. M. His wife is a Methodist.
Hon. Joseph G. and Holder Hudgins con- stitute the firm of Hudgins & Bro., at Dallas, Ark., which has been in existence since about 1867, their well selected and extensive stock of general merchandise bringing them the sum of $75,000 annually. They comprise one of the best known firms in Western Arkansas, and in connec- tion with this they do an extensive farming and milling business, being the owners of about 5,000 acres of land in Arkansas, and a large amount in Kansas. They have an excellent saw, grist-mill and cotton-gin at the town of Dallas, also an ex-
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cellent gin and saw-mill and shingle machine two miles from the town. They are large live-stock dealers also, and their property is the result of their indefatigable efforts to do well in everything they undertake. They pay out to their employes from $50 to $75 per day, and have in their employ a large force of men. They came to Dallas soon after the war and almost immediately engaged in general merchandising, and for some years also had charge of the mail routes centering at Dallas from nearly all directions, long distances over the mountains and streams. For the first few years Joseph G. was also extensively engaged in stock trading in the Indian Territory, and the southwest frontier, and on foot would drive his stock to Mem- phis and other points. He was born in Jackson County, Ga., in 1837, and his brother in the same place in 1849, their early lives being spent on a farm where they received but little education. They are truly self-made men in every sense of the term, and the liberal fortune which they are now enjoying is the result of their own earnest endeav- ors. In the family of which they were members, there were six sons and four daughters, Joseph G. being the eldest of the family. He was married in 1871 to Miss Cynthia E., daughter of Berry and Margaret Cecil, her father being one of the ablest attorneys in Arkansas and one of Polk County's most prominent citizens. He died about 1861, his widow surviving him. Mrs. Hodgins was born in Carroll County and has borne her husband six chil- dren, one of whom is deceased. Mr. Hudgins figures prominently in every enterprise that tends to elevate and advance the general interests of Polk County, and as he has at all times evinced excel- lent business qualifications and principles, he is one of the wealthy residents of this section of the State. He is a prominent Mason and an active worker for the Democratic party. In 1876 he was elected to the State Legislature but did not qualify, and in 1884 was again elected to the same position and served with credit for one term, being on rail- road and other important committees. His parents, Holder and T. Caroline (Albright) Hudgins, were born in Georgia, where they lived until about 1870, when they came to Dallas, where they passed
from life in 1881 and 1874, respectively, members of the Methodist Church for a great many years. The father was a successful farmer, and served a short time in the Confederate Army. His father, Beverly Hudgins, was born in Virginia, but at an early day removed to Jackson County, Ga., where he successfully followed the occupation of planting, and died at an advanced age. He was of Irish extraction, and at the age of six years was left an orphan, therefore never received the advan- tages of schooling. The maternal grandfather, Jerry Albright, was a Georgian, and throughout life was a farmer. He and his wife both died be- fore Joseph G. Hudgins was born. The Hudgins brothers have built every public building of con- sequence that has been erected in this county since 1870. J. G. Hudgins was largely engaged in the cattle business in Texas for a time; then he sold, realizing by the investment nearly $50.000.
Malcomb McAllister, farmer, Eagle Hill, Ark. Mr. McAllister was born in Blount County, Tenn., on April 3, 1831, and is a son of James B. and Margaret (McRae) McAllister, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. The parents were married in the former State, and when Mal- comb was eighteen months old they moved to Car- roll County, Ga., where they passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer all his life and in 1836 and 1837 was a soldier, assisting in removing the Indians west of the Mississippi. He died in 1860, at the age of about sixty years. and his widow followed him to the grave in 1870 at about the same age. Her death occurred in Car- roll County, Ga. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he was an exhorter and class leader for many years, also superintendent of the Sunday-school. As a farmer he was practical, industrious and successful. In politics he was a Democrat. Of the ten children born to his marriage, Maleomb was the fifth in order of birth. He was educated in Georgia, and when twenty-one years of age commenced for him- self as a tiller of the soil. This he has since con- tinued. He then read medicine from 1857 to 1859 under Dr. J. G. W. Brown, and in 1859 and 1860 he attended the medical college at Macon, Ga.
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