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 76
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Later he commenced practicing in Benton County, Ala., and in 1861 returned to Georgia. He en- listed in the Seventh Georgia Cavalry, Confederate Army, and remained with the same all through the war, serving principally in Virginia, and being at all times in the thickest of the fight. He was in quite a number of battles, and in numerous skir- mishes and raids from Cape Fear to James River. He was on the raid when his command captured 2,700 head of cattle at Petersburg, on the James River, from the rear of the Union Army. He was one of the forty detailed to go home after horses, and while there the army surrendered. After the war Mr. McAllister went to Hunt County, Tex., and after residing there one year moved to Polk County, Ark., locating on the head. of Mountain Fork. There he remained for nearly two years, and then moved to Scott County, Boles, where he remained for another year. He subsequently moved back to this county and located on the head of Mountain Fork in 1875. He there has 160 acres of land, and has about 40 acres under culti- vation. He abandoned the practice of medicine about ten years ago, and now gives his attention strictly to agricultural pursuits. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1890. When about thirteen years of age he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and has been a great church worker ever since. He was mar- ried on May 5, 1851, to Miss Nancy J. Chance of Georgia, and she died at this place on December 4, 1884. To this union six children have been born: Martha H. (wife of James Watson, a farmer of this county), J. D. (now in Texas), Mollie (wife of William McBride now, in Texas), Sarah Alice (wife of John Coffman, a farmer of this county), Willie (at home), and Patty (also at home). Mr. McAllister was married again on November 8, 1885, to Mrs. Sarah C. Tyson of Rush County, Tex. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. McAllister is a Democrat in politics.
William P. McIntosh is one of the representa- tive business men of Potter, Ark., and spares no pains to give every satisfaction to his customers. He was born in Chickasaw County, Miss., on Jan-
uary 3, 1840, and his parents, Elias and Catherine (Brooks) McIntosh, were natives of North Carolina, They were married in that State, and moved from there to Chickasaw County, where they remained for some time, and then, in 1848, moved to Sevier County, Ark., being among the first settlers. The father was justice of the peace of that county, treasurer for several years, and filled other posi- tions of honor and trust. He was a Democrat in politics. He was born in 1812 and died in 1851, and the mother was born in 1815 and died in 1876. She was a member of the Christian Church. The McIntosh family is of Scotch descent, three broth- ers having come from Scotland and located in North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. William M. McIntosh, the second of seven children, passed his boyhood and youth in Washington, Tex., attended the college at that place, and then com- menced to read medicine, but the war breaking out put an end to his studies. He joined the First Texas Legion, in which he served all through the war, being east of the Mississippi River all the time. He was in many battles, was never wound- ed, but was taken prisoner at Corinth, and con- veyed to Bolivar, Tenn. He was paroled at the close of the war. Not having the means to pursue his medical studies, he commenced farming, and this has continued up to the present time. In 1870 he came to Polk County, located at Eagle Hill, and engaged in general merchandising, in connection with agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of nearly 1,000 acres, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the county. He has a beau- tiful place, a nice residence, good barns, etc., and everything to make life enjoyable. He moved his business to Potter a year ago, and has since been very successful. He was postmaster at Eagle Hill three years. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Hettie Terrell, of Sevier County, and three chil- dren are the result: John E., Florence O. and William P., Jr. Politically he is a Democrat.
Pole McPhetrige, attorney at law, is one of the leading and most influential members of the bar in the town of Dallas, and adds strength to the legal fraternity throughout this section. He was born in Tazewell County, Va., in 1846, to Alfred and
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Mary (Latham) McPhetrige, the former probably born in Kentucky, and the latter in Washington County, Va., their marriage taking place in the mother's native county, where the father's death occurred in 1865, he having been a hardware mer- chant and a soldier in the Federal Army during the Rebellion. His father, William McPhetrige, was a Scotchman who ent some years in Kentucky af- terward moving to Virginia, where he spent the rest of his days engaged in farming. The mother's father, Edward Latham, was a Pennsylvanian who died in Washington County, Va., in 1864, on a fine plantation which he owned there. He was of English origin and was of old Presbyterian stock. Pole McPhetrige is the eldest of five children, three now living, and when very young he began the battle of life for himself, but was given good educational advantages in Henry and Emery College and in Key's High School in Washington County. From his native State he first went to Missouri, later came to Arkansas, and after some years spent in teaching school in different counties, during which time he pursued the study of law, he, in 1875, was admitted to the bar in the Eighth Circuit by Judge T. M. Gibson, but did not practice much until 1881, but has since built up a large practice and now ranks among the foremost criminal law- yers of Western Arkansas. In 1888 his numerous warm friends and admirers elected him to the Sen- ate from the Twenty-second District, and in that capacity he served with distinction for four years. Since that time has given his attention to his pro- fession, with highly satisfactory results. He was married in 1875, to Miss Sallie, daughter of W. J. and Louisa Cooper, who were formerly residents of Tennessee, but came to Northeastern Arkansas, and are now residing in Polk County. Mrs. Mc- Phetrige was born in Lawrence County, Ark., is a member of the Methodist Church, and by Mr. McPhetrige is the mother of five children. Mr. McPhetrige is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Dallas. At the early age of fifteen years he left school to espouse the cause of the Confederacy, contrary to the desire and views of his father, and for some time served in Company F, Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry, the original division of Stone-
wall Jackson. He afterward attached himself to the Second Kentucky Cavalry, and served as ad- jutant, participating in many engagements, being wounded four times, one of which crippled him for life. A part of his service was with Gen. Longstreet in East Tennessee and Northern Geor- gia, taking part in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, etc. He was captured in North- ern Georgia, and after being kept at Nashville for some time, was removed to Joliet, Ill., and after- ward to Rock Island, where he was taken with small-pox. He was then taken to the pest-house in Baltimore, Md., but at the time of the final sur- render he was in Northern Georgia.
James E. McRae. In the list of names which have made Pope County, Ark., one of the most populous and prosperous of the State, Mr. McRae's name holds a prominent place. He was born in Marlboro District, S. C., about 1816, a son of Colin and Frances (Harper) McRae, who were born in Marlboro and Chesterfield Districts, S. C., respectively, from which State they removed to Alabama, when their son, James E., was about one year old. The latter was left fatherless when about thirteen years old, and his mother afterward married Jackson Hobson, with whom she came to Ashley County, Ark., where she died about 1876, a worthy Christian lady and a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. Mr. McRae was a black- smith, and in an early day was captain of a com- pany of militia. The paternal grandfather, James McRae, was a native of Scotland, but during the early history of this country came to America and settled in South Carolina, where he farmed through- out the remainder of his life. The maternal grand- father, John Harper, was born in South Carolina, but died in Alabama, he being also a farmer by occupation. James E. McRae is one of five chil- dren born to his parents, was reared on a farm, but, owing to the early death of his father, he re- ceived a very limited education. He was married in 1840 to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Jesse and Fereby McLain, the father being a South Caro- linian, and the mother a native of Ohio. They died in Polk County, Ark., and Alabama, respect- ively. Mrs. McRae was born in Alabama, and has
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borne her husband six children, three of whom are living: Fereby E. (wife of Dr. M. M. Wimberly), James T., and Elizabeth (wife of Warren Wat- kins). The eldest child, John Colin, died in prison at Camp Chase, Ohio, having held the rank of captain of his company. The other children that are deceased are Mary C., who died in 1863, aged about eleven years) and an infant. In 1854 Mr. McRae removed to Texas, but two years later came to Ashley County Ark., and in 1868 to Polk County, where he has since lived. His farm comprises 400 acres in all, is excellent and fertile land, the result of his own toil, as he started out for himself with no means. He split rails for his first cow, and his wife did weaving for their first feather bed. They had to deny themselves many conveniences and luxuries, but their early struggles have been re- warded, and they are now in independent circum- stances. Mr. McRae is a member of Dallas Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., and since 1845 has been a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife has been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and is a true Christian lady.
Richard A. Mitchell is a farmer and miller of Ouachita Township, Polk County, Ark., but first saw the light of day in Chester District, S. C., January 24, 1827, being the third of seven chil- dren born to William and Anna (Thomas) Mitchell, the former born in Chester District, S. C., in 1804, and the latter in Buncombe County, N. C., in 1794, their marriage taking place in the father's birth- place. When the subject of this short sketch was about two years of age his parents removed to Troup County, Ga., eight years later to Harris County, then to Heard County, and when Richard A. was still a youth, they removed to Talladega County, Ala., where Mr. Mitchell died in the sev- enties, his widow afterward coming to Polk County, and dying soon after, both having been members of the Missionary Baptist Church a great many years, the former a well-to-do farmer. He served in the Seminole War of 1836. Richard A. Mitch- ell was reared on a farm, with a limited country education, and about 1851 was married to Martha, daughter of Washington and Mary Johnson, of
Talladega County, Ala., but in 1857 removed to Calhoun County, Ark., where Mr. Johnson died, and his widow is still living. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Talladega County, Ala., and died in Sa- line County, Ark., in 1858, having borne four chil- dren, three sons living: Knu, John and Pinckney. In 1860 Mr. Mitchell's second marriage was cele- brated, his wife being Rebecca, a daughter of Thomas and Louisa Harris. She was born in Ala- bama, and has borne Mr. Mitchell six children, the following of whom are living: Richard, Robert, Demetris. Charley, Claude and Nora L. Mr. Mitchell resided in Talladega County, Ala., until 1857, when he came to Saline County, Ark., mov- ing, one year later, to Calhoun County, later to Montgomery County, and in 1869 to Polk County, where he settled on a partly improved farm. He now has 440 acres of valuable land, 160 acres of which are cleared. About 1880 he built a water, saw and grist-mill, on the Ouachita River, which he still owns and operates. During the war he was de- tailed to see after matters at home. He is one of the most enterprising farmers of Polk County, and has, at all times, shown an honorable, upright spirit. Mrs. Mitchell's mother, who was born in South Carolina, went with her parents to Alabama, where she married Mr. Harris, removing afterward to Mississippi, and then to Kentucky. After a five-years residence in this State they went to Mis- souri, and about 1856 to Calhoun County, Ark., and in 1868 to Polk County, where they took up their abode on a farm, on which Mr. Harris died, about 1873, and his widow in 1884, members of the Baptist and Methodist Churches, respectively.
James M. Owens is classed among the success- ful tillers of the soil and stock-raisers of Gourd Neck Township, Polk County, Ark., but was born in Van Buren County in 1844, to William Jackson and Fannie (Davis) Owens, the former born in Missouri, and the latter in Middle Tennessee. When young both went to Van Buren County, Ark., where they met, married and lived until about 1855, after which they spent a short time residing in different counties, and about 1862 settled in Polk County, Ark. In 1862 they started for Texas, but Mr. Owens died before they located, and after
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the war the family returned to Polk Connty, Ark., where Mrs. Owens and four of her children still reside. Mr. Owens was a farmer and teacher, and was justice of the peace for some years. He was, as is his wife, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was a soldier in one of the early Indian wars. His father, Horner Owens, died in Missouri, of Scotch-Irish origin, and his wife's father, Jesse Davis, was one of the early settlers of Van Buren County, Ark., where he died, a farmer. James M. Owens is the eldest of three sons and five daughters, his brothers and sisters, that are living being as follows: Mary, Sarah C. (wife of William Reed), William Pinckney, Martha (wife of James Barlow), and Huldah F. (wife of Frank Werber of Hot Springs). Although James M. was reared on the farm, he was given rather more mea- ger educational advantages than is usually given the farmer's boy, but being naturally intelligent and a quick observer, he is an exceptionally well-in- formed man. He resided on the Texas frontier during the war, and for three years served in the Home Guards in Burnett County. His marriage, which took place in Polk County, Ark., was to Miss Angelana, daughter of Raleigh M. and Louisa L. (Dearberry) White, both of whom died in Polk County, Ark., when Mrs. Owens was a little child, her father having been a farmer throughout life. They were among the early settlers in this section, and on the farm on which they first settled, the subject of this sketch and his family are now re- siding. Mrs. Owens was born in Mississippi, and has borne her husband eleven children, seven of whom are living. They have been occupants of their present farm since 1868, it being situated seven miles north of Dallas on the Ouachita River, and comprising about 400 acres, with 100 acres cleared. He is a well-known and prosperous farmer of this section, and as a neighbor and citizen, too much can not be said in his praise. His land is well improved, and excellent buildings are the rule and not the exception, his fences and orchard being also of the best. Nearly all his land that is under culti- vation he has cleared himself, and all his property has been obtained by his own industry and with the aid of his wife, who has proved a true help-
mate to him. He belongs to Dallas Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., Owens Chapel Lodge of the Farmers' Alliance, and has been steward in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years, his wife being a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Samuel Rind is a well-known merchant of Polk County, Ark., but was born in Sevier County, of this State, on July 26, 1854, being a son of Henry Y. and Rebecca (Rowsey) Rind, natives of Virginia, who moved from there to the Choctaw Nation in 1835. While a resident of his native State Henry Y. Rind began preparing himself for the ministry, graduating from a college of that State, and was afterward sent by the Methodist Episcopal Church South to the Choctaw Nation, and spent ten years as a missionary among the Indians. He then moved to near White Oak, Tex., but after two years spent in that State he came to Arkansas, be- ing a resident of Sevier County until during the war, when he moved to Dallas, Polk County, Ark. After four more years spent in the Choctaw Nation he once more returned to Polk County, where he passed from life about 1879. While in Sevier County he was clerk of the circuit court, a position he also held in Polk County, his service in this capacity extending over a period of twenty years. He also filled other minor positions, and during the Rebellion was in a regiment of Arkansas cavalry. He was captain of a company, and served east of the Mississippi River the most of the time, taking part in many battles. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat, and socially he was a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. His widow is still living, and resides with the subject of this sketch, being now seventy-four years of age, a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Their children are: Joshua (a farmer of Franklin County, Ark. ), George, (a farmer of the Chickasaw Nation), and Fanny Redding (wife of Henry Redding, of Greer County, Tex.). Samuel Rind spent his school days in Polk County, Ark., and the Indian Terri- tory, his father and mother being his principal teachers. At the age of eighteen years he com- menced to farm and raise stock, a calling he has since followed. He moved to where he now resides
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in 1886, and although his farm is small it is admir- ably conducted, and yields a much larger income than many more pretentious places. He engaged in merchandising about 1885, and to this calling has given considerable of his attention ever since, and has built up a prosperous trade. He was mar- ried in 1876 to Miss Frances Cooper, who died about one year later, leaving one child, a son, named William F. His second marriage was con- summated in 1881, Miss Roxie Barber becoming his wife, and in time the mother of his three chil- dren: Florence, Nola G. and Robert F. Mr. Rind has always been a Democrat, and as a prosperous, law-abiding citizen ranks among the leading men of this section.
Judge Thomas R. Rowe, probate and county judge of Polk County, is a resident of Cove Town- ship, his home being located two miles west of the town of Cove. He was born in Monroe County, Ga., on August 29, 1833, and is the son of James and Narcissa (Lewis) Rowe, natives of Edgefield District, S. C. The parents were married in the Palmetto State, and when still young people moved to Monroe County, Ga., where they resided for some time. They then moved to Meriweather County of that State, and there passed the bal- ance of their days, the father dying in 1872 at the age of eighty-two years, and the mother in 1878, when eighty-four years of age. The father was a very successful and extensive planter. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a deacon in the same from the time he was a a young man until his death, a great many years. He was a life-long Democrat, and took a deep in- terest in politics, but would never accept an office, preferring a quiet life on his farm. He had three brothers who were prominent political men, and who held nearly all the political offices in the county. The Rowe family is of Scotch origin. Of the eight children born to the above-mentioned couple, all are living, and the eldest is probably seventy-eight years of age and the youngest is fifty-one years: Harriet T. (resides in Northern Texas), Mary A. (is in Monroe County, Ga.), Nar- cissa S. (in Meriweather County, Ga.), James A. (is a farmer in the last named county), Oliver P.
(is a farmer), Andrew J. (is in Georgia), and Sarah E. (is also in Georgia). Judge Thomas R. Rowe, the sixth in order of birth of the above-mentioned family, was reared and educated in his native county, and when twenty-one years of age com- menced to work for himself as a farmer in Meri- weather County, Ga. He remained there until No- vember, 1881, and then moved to Franklin County, Ark., near Ozark, where he remained two years. He then came to Polk County and bought the 180 acres that he now owns, on Six Mile Creek, a con- siderable portion of which is under cultivation. While a resident of Meriweather County, Ga., he held the office of justice of the peace eight years, and soon after coming to this county he was elected to the same position, holding the same for four years. He was then elected county and probate judge, and so great was his popularity and so well did he fill this bonorary position, that he was re- elected in 1890. During the Civil War Judge Rowe was lieutenant of Brown's State Militia. He had three brothers in the regular service, and the oldest brother was captain, he surrendered with Gen. Lee. The second was a lieutenant in the same company, and lost his arm at Chancellors- ville being afterward discharged. The third brother was in the First Georgia Cavalry, and was soon made forage-master of the brigade, serving as such all through the war. He was wounded near Rich- mond, Ky. On December 15, 1853, Judge Rowe was married to Miss Mary A. Malcolm, of Meri- weather County, Ga., and to this union were born seven living children, viz. : Alexander J., Robert A., Sarah E. (wife of Marion B. Allen, who is a merchant of Cove), Luther M., Mary S. (at home), Hugh (in Texas), and Earnest (at home). One child, John B., was struck by lightning, and one died in infancy. Mrs. Rowe is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. The Judge is a Democrat in his political views, and he is a member of Mountain Meadow Lodge No. 218, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary.
Isaac J. Steele has attained wealth as a farmer and stock-raiser, by honest labor, and is a gentle- man who commands the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was born in the year 1$37, in
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Perry County, Tenn., to Isaac and Catherine (Fau- cett) Steele, the former born in South Carolina, in 1802, and the latter in Tennessee, their marriage occurring in Maury County, Tenn., where they were reared. They soon after moved to Perry County, and in 1848 came to what is now Van Buren County, Ark., where Mr. Steele passed from life February 16, 1857, his widow dying Novem- ber 29, 1875, both members of the Methodist Church of many years' standing. Mr. Steele was a blacksmith by trade, but at the time of his death was following merchandising. His father, Michael Steele was of Irish descent, a South Carolinian by birth, and died in Maury County, Tenn., of which he was one of the early settlers, a gunsmith and farmer by occupation. He was a soldier in the Creek War. Richard Faucett, the mother's father, was a tiller of the soil of Maury County, Tenn., and there passed from life. Isaac J. Steele was the sixth of seven children, but as he was compelled to labor hard on the farm in his youth, he received but little schooling. Since the age of eleven years he has been a resident of Arkansas, and from here enlisted in the Confederate Army, in 1861, becom- ing a member of Company K, Tenth Arkansas Infantry, and served in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ala- bama, Mississippi and Louisiana, taking part in the battles of Shiloh, Port Hudson, and some others. He was wounded and captured at Port Hudson, but after being paroled he returned home, and did not again enter the service. In 1866 he was married to Huldah, daughter of Michael and Nancy Ful- kerson, both of whom were born in Tennessee, in which State Mr. Fulkerson also died, his widow afterward coming to Arkansas, dying in Van Buren County. Mrs. Steele was born in Tennessee, and of a family of five children born to her union with Mr. Steele, one son and two daughters are living. Mr. Steele lived five years in Washington County, five years in Franklin County, but since 1887 has been one of the prominent and substantial residents of Polk County. His admirably kept farm, which is situated one mile east of Dallas, comprises 320 acres, 240 acres being in the home farm, with about 100 acres cleared and under the plow. This land is well improved with suitable buildings, good
fences, etc., and the entire property is the result of his own efforts. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.
William H. Stiewig, a native of Osage County, Mo., was born December 22, 1842, son of William Theodore and Mary (Dugan) Stiewig, who were natives of Germany and Osage County, Mo., re- spectively. The father died at the age of sixty- five years in Red Willow County, Neb., in 1878, preceded by his wife in August, 1855, when only thirty years old. From Missouri the family moved to Titus County, Tex., in 1845, where Mrs. Stie- wig's death occurred. Later Mr. Stiewig returned to Missouri, settling in Franklin County, but in 1869 located in Red Willow County, Neb., where he kept hotel, conducted a furniture store and served as probate judge. He also, in his various locations, served his calling as a minister of the Christian Church. He was an honest, industrious man, well liked by all those who knew him inti- mately. After the death of his first wife he wed- ded Miss Nancy Ladd, of Texas, who is now resid- ing in Colorado. The father of William T. Stie- wig was a native of Germany, but immigrated to this country and died in Nebraska. William H. Stiewig was the eldest of eight children, and his early education was obtained in Texas. From early youth he manifested much interest and pro- ficiency in mechanics, and during the Rebellion was detailed to work on machinery and engineer- ing. He remained in Titus County, Tex., until 1878, when he came to Polk County, Ark., and has since made it his home, being engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Since 1883 he has resided on his present farm, which consists of 240 acres of arable land, which he has improved and rendered more valuable by so doing. To Mr. Stiewig's mar- riage with Catharine Tedford, of Titus County, Tex., six sons and five daughters have been born. He is perhaps one of the very best posted men in his county; is quite a reader, an independent and intelligent voter, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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