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 81

Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1020

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 81

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lieves in a fair election and a fair count whether the candidate is a Republican or Democrat, and although not a member of any church he is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. His motto at all times is "Honesty is the best policy," and he lives up to this in the fullest sense of the term.

George R. Miller is the capable assessor of Montgomery County, Ark., but by calling is a tiller of the soil, being the owner of 220 acres of valua. ble land. He was born in Monroe County, East Tenn., in 1834, the fourth of nine children born to the union of John Miller and Nancy Wilson, their marriage taking place in Monroe County, Tenn., their births having occurred in South Carolina and Tennessee in 1803 and 1805, respectively. When the subject of this sketch was two years of age they went to Georgia, and there made their home until 1859, when they came to Polk County, Ark., where Mrs. Miller passed from life in 1866, and Mr. Miller in 1878, both having been Methodists for some years, though formerly Presbyterians. Mr. Miller was a substantial farmer and served as county and probate judge in Dade County, Ga., for some time while residing there. His father, James Miller, died in South Carolina, an Irishman by descent. The mother's father, Joseph Wilson, died in Macon, Ga., a trader and farmer. George R. Miller was given the education and rearing that is usually given the farmer's boy, and in 1853 was married to Martha J., daughter of William and Margaret Davis, who were born in North Carolina in 1787 and 1803, respectively, their marriage taking place in Jackson County, Ala. From there they moved to Dade County, Ga., in 1840, where Mr. Davis died in 1852, a farmer by occupation, his widow passing from life in Polk County, Ark., in 1872. Mrs. Miller first saw the light of day in Tennessee in 1840, and by Mr. Miller became the mother of nine children, two sons and three daugh- ters now living. In 1858 Mr. Miller removed to Texas, but in 1860 came to Polk County, Ark., and in 1878 returned to Texas, where he spent seven more years. At the end of this time he returned to Polk County, Ark., and the following year came to Montgomery County. He followed merchandis-

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ing in Dallas for some tive years, and for some time operated a steam mill in Polk County. In 1861 he joined Company H, Fourth Arkansas In- fantry, and for about two years operated in Arkan- sas, afterward joining the Seventeenth Tennessee, with which he served for about one year, taking part in the engagement at Hoover's Gap. In 1872 he was elected sheriff of Polk County, Ark., hav- ing previously served as deputy six years, and made one of the most zealous and faithful officers the county has ever had. He was justice of the peace in Texas, and in 1890 was elected assessor of Montgomery County, Ark., a position he is still filling. He is a member of Cherry Hill Lodge No. 228 of the A. F. & A. M., and for a long time was junior deacon of Dallas Lodge. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from boyhood, and is a stanch Democrat in his political views.

John S. Nelson, county and circuit clerk of Montgomery County, Ark., was born in this county March 15, 1858, to Archibald and Nancy (Strawn) Nelson, the former born in Tennessee and the lat- ter in Mississippi. They came to Arkansas in 1852 and 1844 respectively, their marriage taking place in this State. The father first settled at Caddo Gap, but for some time past has been a resident of Arkadelphia. Although he is a farmer and machinist by occupation, considerable of his time and attention have been given to operating a mill. Since 1868 he has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and has been a minis- ter of the same since 1873, his wife being a mem- ber of this church also. She is a daughter of Fielding Strawn, who built the Caddo Gap mill, which is known throughout the State. He was one of the county's first and most prominent judges, and was a man possessing more than ordinary executive ability. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson ten children were born, of whom John S. was the sec- ond child. His education was acquired in this county and Judson Academy in White County, and also in the University at Fayetteville during 1879-80. On account of ill health he did not graduate, but while in that institution he made the most of his opportunities and was considered one

of the most faithful students in the university. He began teaching school at the age of nineteen years and in this way paid his tuition. In 1882 he began farming in this county and is now the owner of an excellent farm from which he derives a paying yearly income. This place is one of the neatest and best kept in the county, the buildings, fences, etc., being in excellent condition. From 1882 to 1886 he served in the capacity of justice of the peace, and in 1890 he was elected to his present position as clerk of the circuit and county courts, and entered upon his duties October 30. In 1882 he was married to Miss Alice Johnson, of this county, and three children have blessed their union: William F., Jesse L. and Ida May. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Nelson in his race for clerk had three opponents for the nomination on the Demo- cratic ticket, but received the nomination by a good majority. He has always been very thor- ough in everything he has undertaken, and gives every promise of making an ideal public officer.

Goyle Nobles is a well-known citizen residing in South Fork Township, Montgomery County, Ark., and was born in Wetumpka, Ala., on the Coosa River, February 2, 1832, a son of Richard and Allie (Post) Nobles, natives of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, the death of the former occurring in Union Parish, La., in 1872, and that of the latter in January, 1862, at the ages of seventy and sixty years. Richard Nobles was a boy when he moved to Georgia, but he was married in Alabama, and made that State his home until 1857, being a tiller of the soil. He was a soldier with Jackson in the war with the Indians, and was wounded in battle. Both he and wife were mem . bers of the Primitive Baptist Church for many years, in which he was a deacon, and politically he was a life-long Democrat, as have always been the male members of his family. His father, Tennyson Nobles, was a native of Scotland, who married an Irish wife. To Richard Nobles and his wife eight children were born, Goyle being their fifth child, he being the only one of the fam- ily that is now living as far as known. He lived with and took care of his father and mother until

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their deaths, his occupation being that of a farmer. He has a farm of 212 acres on the south fork of the Ouachita River, and all can be readily put under cultivation. His house and barn are seven- ty-nine feet above the creek, and are pleasantly located. He has been a resident of this farm since 1869, coming thither from Louisiana, and claims that his land is among the best, if not the best, in the county. He raises an abundance of fruit, and the excellent buildings which are on his place he has, himself, caused to be erected. In the spring of 1862 he joined the Thirty-first Louisiana In- fantry, Company H., under Col. Morrison, and served until the war terminated. He was at Chickasaw Bayou, Fort Gibson, and the siege of Vicksburg, where he was captured, afterward paroled, but was never exchanged. Upon his re- turn home he found that all his property had been laid waste, a security debt of $600 hung over him and he had a wife and three children dependent on him for a livelihood. Although the outlook for the future was dark, he set energetically to work to provide for his family and pay off his in- debtedness and this, in time, he succeeded in doing. His marriage which occurred on December 11, 1856, was to Miss Alzada Gray, a daughter of Jesse Gray, her birth occurring in Alabama, near the birthplace of her husband, December 24, 1831, their union resulting in the birth of four children: Mary F. (wife of William Garrett, a farmer of this county), Ella, James Richard and Norma. Two children are dead: Mary Ann (who died at the age of thirty-one years, the wife of S. M. Smith, the present treasurer of Montgomery Coun- ty), and Tennyson (who died when twenty-one years old). Mr. Nobles is a member of the Primi- tive Baptist Church, and socially he is a member of Henderson Lodge No. 147 of the A. F. & A. M. He is a Democrat.

William Reeves. The entire life of this gentle- man has been one unmarked by any unusual occur- rence outside of the chosen channels to which he has so diligently applied himself, and although he was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1839, he has been a resident of Montgomery County, Ark., since 1859, and has identified himself with every interest

of his adopted county and State. His parents, Dr. William and Ruth (Campbell) Reeves, were born in North Carolina, but afterward became resi- dents of Smith County, Tenn, the father dying when William was a small boy, and the mother when he was nine days old. He was the youngest of two sons and one daughter born to them: John (deceased), and Mary J. (wife of Thomas Green), being the other two members of the family. Will- iam was reared by an uncle, Moses Reeves, of Smith County, until he was ten years of age, when he began doing for himself, working on a wood boat on the Cumberland River for several years, afterward turning his attention to farming. He was married in 1859, to Miss Emily Jones, and the same year came to Montgomery County, and lived on the south fork of the Caddo River until after the war, but has since lived on the Caddo River, where he has a fine farm of 368 acres. For about seven years he was engaged in merchandising at Black Springs, but has since devoted his attention to farming, a calling for which he seems naturally adapted. In February, 1863, he became a mem- ber of Company A, First Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Missouri, Indian Territory and Arkan- sas. He organized Company L, of the Second Kansas troops, but would never accept a commis- sioned office, but afterward took part in the engage- ment at Jenkins' Ferry, besides several others. In 1868 he received the appointment of sheriff of Montgomery County, a position he filled with sat- isfaction for four years. He is a demitted member of Crystal Ridge Lodge, of the A. F. &. A. M., and for some time has been an earnest member of the Christian Church.

William Owens Robins belongs to that sturdy, honest and independent class, the farmers of Ar- kansas, and is now engaged in cultivating an es- tate comprising 694 acres, on which he has resided since 1882, 75 acres of which he has cleared by his own efforts, this land being well adapted to the purposes of general farming. He was born in Murray County, Ga., in 1832, being the second of ten children-seven sons and three daughters- born to the marriage of Thomas J. Robins and Mary Bates, the former born in Franklin County.

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Ga., in 1808, and the latter in South Carolina, in 1811, their marriage being celebrated in Hall County, Ga. Later they moved to Murray County, Ga., and in 1849 came to this county and State, settling on a farm in Caddo Gap, on which both parents died, the former in 1874, and the latter in 1864, they having been consistent members in the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. Will- iam Robins, the paternal grandfather, was born in South Carolina, and died in Murray County, Ga., in 1847, his widow dying in Hempstead County, Ark., to which place she had moved in 1857. Mr. Robins was of Scotch descent, and was an exten- sive slave and stock trader. Julius Bates, the maternal grandfather of William O. Robins, was also a South Carolinian, but afterward became a resident of Murray County, Ga., where he farmed until his demise, in 1862, he being also a Scotch- man. Although William O. Robins received a very meager education in his youth, he was naturally intelligent, and has, at all times, made the most of his opportunities. He was married in this county in 1854, to Emily, daughter of John and Mary McDonald, who were born, reared and married in South Carolina, moving soon after to Gilmer County, Ga., and in 1852 to this county, where the father died in 1857, and the mother in 1859. Mrs. Robins was born in South Carolina, and has borne her husband five children, three living. Mr. Rob- ins at first lived on his father's farm, then spent twenty-five years on the south fork of the Ouachita River, and since 1882 on his present farm. While residing on the south fork, fourteen years were spent in merchandising, a calling he followed for two years where he now resides. He has since fol- lowed farming, saw and grist-milling and cotton- ginning. He is a member of New Hope Lodge No. 42, of the A. F. & A. M., at Caddo Gap, and has always been public-spirited and enterprising. In 1862 he joined Company B, Gunistead's regi- ment, but was afterward with Monroe's regiment, operating in the Cherokee Nation and in Arkansas. B. M. Rowton is a member of the general mer- cantile firm of B. M. Rowton & Bro., of Black Springs, Ark., who established their business in December, 1887, their annual sales amounting to

$10,000 since that time. Mr. Rowton was born in this county in 1853, and has spent his life bere, identifying himself with every interest of this see- tion, and proving himself a man of sound and pro- gressive views on all subjects. His parents, Will- iam D. and Eliza (McClure) Rowton, were born in Virginia in 1796, and South Carolina in 1808 re- spectively, their marriage being consummated in Murfreesboro, Tenn. From this State they came to Montgomery County, Ark., in 1843, improving a good farm near where Black Springs is now sit- uated. Here Mr. Rowton died in 1859 and his widow in 1873, she being a member of the Method- ist Church. Mr. Rowton's father was a soldier in the Creek Indian War, and was a son of William Row- ton, who was in all probability born in Virginia of Irish parents, his death occurring in Tennessee. Although B. M. Rowton received but little school- ing in his youth, his days being spent at hard labor on the farm, he, on reaching manhood, was as well posted as the average young man, a result which was brought about by self application. He was married in 1872 to Mary, daughter of Spencer White, an Alabamian who, at an early day, removed to what is now Howard County, Ark., his wife dying here when Mrs. Rowton was an infant. Soon after the death of his wife Mr. White went to Cal- ifornia, and has not been heard from since. Mrs. Rowton was reared by an uncle, Frank Moore, and has borne her husband three children. Mr. Row- ton was engaged in farming until 1880, then re- moved to Black Springs and followed the occupa- tion of blacksmithing until 1887, when, as above stated, he opened his present establishment. He was postmaster of the town two years, justice of the peace six years, has long been a member of the Methodist Church, and at all times has been a worthy citizen of this region. His brother, who is associated with him in business, W. C. Rowton, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., and came to this State and county with his parents, marrying Miss Jane White, a sister of his brother's wife, they also being worthy members of the Methodist Church. Their father, William D. Rowton, was married twice and has six children by each wife. of whom B. M. Rowton is the youngest.

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HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

William D. Sandlin, one of Montgomery County's energetic and public spirited citizens, was born in Blountville, Blount County, Ala., May 4, 1861, to Obediah and Carrie (Ratliffe) Sandlin, both natives of Alabama, the mother dy- ing in Garland County, Ark., when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age. At the time of her marriage with Mr. Sandlin she was the widow of Robert Graves. After her death, which occurred at the age of thirty-five years, Mr. Sandlin mar- ried Mrs. Margaret Jones, and is now residing in Montgomery County, Ark. He was in an Alabama regiment during the war, but the most of the time was on post duty at Pensacola, Fla., and Montgomery, Ala., and for some time was also of the regimental quartermaster's department. He has been a successful farmer, and is now residing at Silver City, a member of the Baptist Church, a Mason, and a Democrat in politics. The subject of this sketch was one of his four children, being the third of the family, and spent his school days in Blount County, Ala., he lived with his father until twenty-four years of age. He then began serving in the capacity of deputy sheriff under Mr. Golden, a position he is now filling in this county. In February, 1889, he was employed to assume charge of the mill and gin owned by Watkins Bros., but in June of the next year he leased the mills, but receives an excellent revenue therefrom. He was brought up to a farm life, but in his youth worked in a blacksmith's shop and became an excellent woodworkman. He is the owner of a shop at Mount Ida but leases it, but keeps a good livery and feed stable, which he owns, under his own care. He also owns other valuable town property, and gives every promise of becoming well to do. On April 10, 1887, he was married to Miss Queen Salyers, daughter of M. V. B. Salyers, formerly a merchant of Mount Ida, and to them one daughter has been born, Ruey Alice. Mr. Sandlin is a stanch Dem- ocrat in politics.

Daniel Newton Scott. The agricultural affairs of Montgomery County, Ark., are ably represented among others by Mr. Scott, who comes of a well- known family, the Scotts of Kentucky. He was born in this county in 1854, to John and Susannah

(Earp) Scott, the former born on Blue-Grass soil in 1818, and his wife a few years later, the nuptials of their marriage being celebrated in Ten- nessee, from which State they came to Montgom- ery County, Ark., some forty odd years ago, set- tled on land on the Caddo River, of which they made a good farm. Mr. Scott was a lieutenant in Capt. Erwin's company Fourth Infantry Arkansas troops in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and was in the battle of Elk Horn, besides many oth- ers. His parents died when he was a small boy, and he was thus left with but little knowledge of his ancestors. He was for many years a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and died in 1888. His wife's father was an early settler of Polk County, Ark., and in that county he died prior to the war. Daniel Newton Scott was the eighth of eleven children born to his parents, and at the age of four years he was left without a mother's care and guidance. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common shools of the neigh- borhood, also spending one year in the University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville. Two of his brothers served in Erwin's company, in the Confederate Army, William J., dying while in the service, the other brother, James A., coming through unharmed. Daniel N. was first married in 1877 to Frances, the daughter of Thomas and Sallie Gore, but she died in Montgomery County, Ark., in 1880, having borne three children, two now living. Mr. Scott's second marriage took place in 1883, the maiden name of his wife being Holly Gray, daughter of Robert and Eveline Gray, who came from Georgia to Clark County, Ark., later becoming residents of Montgomery County, where Mr. Gray still lives, his wife having passed from life in Clark County, where Mrs. Scott was born. He and Mrs. Scott have two children. Since his first marriage Mr Scott has lived on his farm of 160 acres, 65 of which he has cleared by his own efforts, consider. able of his attention being given to stock-raising also. Two of his brothers, James and Robert, re- i side in Texas. His sister, Sarah A., is the wife of James Moore, and Elizabeth is the wife of John Hickey.

Samuel M. Smith is the efficient and trustworthy

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treasurer of Montgomery County, Ark., a position he has filled in a very acceptable manner for the past eight years. He has been a citizen in this county since 1852, but was born in Bedford County, Tenn., September, 10, 1831, to Josiah and Nancy (Drake) Smith, the former born in South Carolina and the latter in Virginia, their union taking place in Bedford County, Tenn., whither they had gone with their parents when young. They made their home there until 1847 at at which time they removed to Tippah County, Miss., and in 1855 to Webster County, Mo. The mother died there in 1861, aged about fifty-seven years. Mr. Smith then moved to Boone County, Ark., and is there still residing, aged eighty-four years. He has always been a farmer, and a very successful one, and since 1845 has been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, in which he has long been a deacon. He is a Democrat in his political views. He and his wife became the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. He attended the schools of Mississippi in his youth, and at the age of twenty-one years commenced to farm in Montgom- ery County, his first purchase of land here being on the present site of Oden. On this place he resided until 1871, then moved to Mount Ida, and here by hard work, good management and economy, he has become the owner of a fine tract of land, compris- ing 300 acres, the most of which is under cultiva- tion. In 1882 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and has served, by re-election, up to the present time, with every evidence of satisfac- tion. In July, 1861 he joined the Twenty-fourth Arkansas Infantry, and after a short service was dis- charged, but soon after joined Col. Newton's regi- ment of cavalry, and was lieutenant of his com- pany, serving until disbanded at Fulton, Ark. He was in the battle of Wilson's Creek, and while at home, on one occasion, was taken prisoner, but was soon released. The war left him badly crippled, financially, but as has been seen, he has, in a great measure, retrieved his losses. He has for the last few years operated a grist, saw mill and cotton-gin on his farm, in all of which he has done well. In 1853 he was married to Miss Melvina Goodner, 1

a daughter of John C. Goodner, an early settler of this county. She died in October, 1862, the mother of five children, two now living: John G. (a farmer of the county), and Josiah M. (following the same occupation here). William C. (the third son, died recently in this county, leaving a widow and three children). In February, 1863, Mr. Smith married Miss Martha Ann Deer, of this county, but she, too, passed from life, her death occurring in October, 1864, leaving a daughter, Mary J., who was the wife of Charles Laird, of this county. In October, 1865, Mr. Smith took for his third wife, Miss Mary Ann Fryar, of this county, she dying in October, 1883, and leaving bim with seven chil- dren to care for: Thomas O., Samuel L., Susan H., Granville W., Alfred F., Margaret A., and Eliz- abeth (who died in childhood). Martha A. Shirley became the wife of Mr. Smith in August, 1SSS, she being a daughter of Goyle Nobles, and widow of Jackson Shirley. She was born in Louisiana, and died January 4, 1889. Mr. Smith is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and, politically, is a Democrat.

Alex N. Thornton is a miller of Black Springs, Ark., and the work which he turns out is remarka- bly satisfactory, the patronage which he has at- tracted to this place for milling purposes being constantly on the increase. He was born in For- syth County, Ga., in 1844, to Isaac and Clara (Nuckles) Thornton, the former born in Georgia and the latter in Virginia. Mrs. Thornton re- moved to Georgia with her parents when a girl, and there she married and lived until her death in 1862, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Thornton afterward married a second time, and in 1867 removed to Texas, and in 1879 to Montgom- ery County, where he still lives, a farmer and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church also. He served in a regiment of Georgia Infantry during the Rebellion. His father, Thomas Thorn- ton, was born in the Palmetto State, and died in Georgia, he being also a worthy and successful tiller of the soil. He was of English descent, a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was a native of England. Alex Nuckles was the mother's father, an Englishman by birth, who became a

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farmer of Whitfield County, Ga., where he spent his declining years. Alex N. Thornton was the fifth of ten children, and although he was reared on a farm, he, as soon as old enough, was put to school and acquired a good common-school educa- tion. In 1862 he joined Company C, Thirty-ninth Georgia Infantry, Army of Tennessee, and was in the siege of Vicksburg, at Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville, Mobile and back to Johnston's Army in North Carolina, surrendering with him in that State. He was slightly wounded twice. In 1867 he was married in Whitfield County, Ga., to Mary E., daughter of Ellis and Permelia Sloan, the former born in Ten- nessee, and the latter in North Carolina, their mar- riage being consummated in Whitfield County, Ga., where Mrs. Thornton was born and where she and Mr. Thornton resided until 1870, when they came to Clark County, Ark., in eight years later to Mont- gomery County, their residence being at Black Springs. Mr. Thornton is the owner of a good wa- ter saw, grist-mill and cotton gin, and if close appli- cation and study of the wants of his customers will serve to make a permanent success of his mill, Mr. Thornton need have no fear as to the outcome of his venture. By his own efforts he has become the owner of 320 acres of land, but the first six years of his residence here he was engaged in merchan- dising. He has been justice of the peace two years and his wife worships in the Missionary Baptist Church.

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Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Southern Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Southern Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1020