Dr. M. M. Erwin, physician, surgeon and planter, is a native of East Tennessee, having been born in Knox County, June 8. 1849. His parents were Wade H. and Melinda (Kincade) Erwin, of Tennessee, where their parents came from Virginia about 1812. The grandfathers on both sides, of English and Irish descent, were soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Mr. Erwin's father was a planter and mechanic, who, in 1852, came with his family to Independence, then to Lawrence County, and settled a large farm near Smithville, where he lived till his death, in 1882, his wife having died about three years previous. He served four years in the late war; was twice discharged and returned, and closed his military career after Price's raid through Missouri. Five of his sons were in the Confederate service. all of whom survived without a wound. Our subject's parents were consistent members of the Baptist Church, and his father an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, a strong temperance man, an active Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace several terms. The subject of this sketch. a highly-esteemed citizen of Auvergne, came to this State thirty seven years ago. He was reared to farm life, spending his school days in the common schools of Arkansas. In 1868 he began the study of medicine, under Dr. Bevens, of Batesville. Ark.: was with him several years, when he began the practice of his profession in Lawrence, Craighead. Independence. Cross, and Jackson Counties. In 1873 he married Miss Kitty A. Wright. daughter of George W. and Liddia (Oldbarn) Wright. natives of Kentucky. Living in Lawrence County four years, he moved to Bower's Ridge. where he engaged in farming and stock raising, in connection with his practice. remaining ten years. In November. 1886, he removed to Auvergne. purchased farm and town property, and in March, 1886, associated with Dr. G. D. Clements in practice, and also in the conduct of the drug business, in which connection he still continues. [p.857] Dr. Erwin is the ninth of a family of eleven children, and himself has a family of five living: Willie Lee, Claude Mayo, Ira H., Dovie and Josie R.; those who died were Alabama, George A. and May. He is a member of Newport Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F., is a Democrat in politics, but conservative, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also takes an active part in support of schools, churches and public enterprises, and is thoroughly familiar with the development of the country since his residence here. He was one of the most liberal supporters of the Auvergne Academy, and one of the board to guarantee a support of that school until it should be made permanent. Dr. Erwin has a farm of 620

acres, 285 acres of which are cultivated. He was one of the first to prove that swamp lands could be successfully drained, and that small fruits could be successfully grown. One of his farms, the Wideman farm, was the first land cleared in the village, and it was done by the Indians.

John T. Flynn. superintendent of the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad, was born in Charleston, S. C., on January 10, 1840, and is a son of John T. and Louisa (Abram) Flynn. of New York and South Carolina, respectively. The father went to South Carolina, and was married in that State, afterward entering into business, which he carried on until after the war, when he returned to New York, where he died in 1881, the mother dying in South Carolina. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are yet living, John T. being the oldest. Young Flynn was born and reared in Charleston, and received his education in the public schools of that city. He commenced railroading at seventeen years of age, entering into the employ of what is now the Louisville & Nashville system, where he remained twenty years, first commencing as clerk in the freight department, and working himself up to be a division superintendent of that road. After leaving the employ of the Louisville & Nashville road. he went to Texas, and was made superintendent of the East Line & Red River Railroad for several years. He was then transferred to the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad, as agent for some years, and in 1887 became superintendent of the Batesville & Brinkley Railroad, which position he still occupies. Mr. Flynn has followed railroading almost all his life. He is one of the best informed men in railroad matters now in the State of Arkansas, and has a thorough knowledge of the workings of every department on his line. He is a genial, pleasant man, of good address, and very popular in that section, where he has a large circle of friends. In 1869 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rasser, of South Carolina, and together they make their home at Newport, the headquarters of the road.

Charles Monroe Ford, planter and stock raiser, of Richwood Township, is a son of William and Nancy (Bunch) Ford, natives of North Carolina, and was born May 4, 1846. His parents came to Jackson County, Ark., in 1854, and in 1855 entered a quarter section in Section 11, Richwood Township, but sold this and went to Illinois in 1864. The subject of our sketch was one of a family of ten children, and received his education in the schools of the county. He married Miss Margaret A. Balch, who had four children: Robert Newton (born December 14, 1873), Martha A. (born November 25, 1875), Nancy E. (born March 15, 1877), William Amos (born December 16, 1878). His first wife died in 1879, and he married Miss Eliza Jane Brown, of Tennessee. They have four children: Charles L. (born April 6, 1882), Laura Jane (born September 10, 1885), James Arthur (born August 4, 1887) and Rufus L. (born April 3, 1889). In 1868 or 1869 Mr. Ford purchased eighty acres of partly improved land on Section 11, and lived there until 1880, when he bought the farm on which he now lives. He now has 160 acres of fine corn and cotton land, about sixty-five acres unimproved, which is well stocked with good breeds of cattle and hogs. Mr. Ford is a member of Newport Lodge No. 397, A. F. & A. M. has been school director and justice of the peace, and is now postmaster at Ford postoffice. He takes quite an active part in politics, and also in educational and religious advancement.

Rev. W. R. Foster, a member of the White River Annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal [p.858] Church, South, and pastor of the church at Auvergne Station, is a native of Madison County, Tenn., born September 16, 1828. His parents were Elijah B. and Ann (Smith) Foster, natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively; the father a farmer, and an energetic and prosperous man, emigrated to Tennessee when a young man, and there married. He was magistrate of his county for several years, and died January 20, 1845, his wife surviving him nine years, and departing this life in March, 1854. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Our subject is the eldest of six children: W. R., Sarah E., Harriet A., Fannie T., Julia P. and James L. Foster. W. R. was raised and received his education in Landerdale County, Tenn. In 1851 he professed religion and joined the above named church. In December of the same year he came to Mississippi County, Ark., with his mother, where he was engaged in the wood business on the Mississippi River for two years, after which he moved, with his mother to Phillips County, Ark., where she departed this life in the faith of the Gospel. He engaged in farming for two years, and was licensed to preach on the 24th of August, 1855, by the Walnut Bend Quarterly conference, Helena district, Stephen S. Carlisle, presiding elder. In September, 1856, he was admitted, on trial,

in the Arkansas Annual conference, as a traveling preacher, and was appointed to Salem Mission, where he had good success for a young preacher, about 144 persons being converted to the Christian religion, and some 200 added to the Church of God. At the close of that year (1857) he was appointed to the Lawrenceville circuit; where he met with some success, about sixty being brought into the church. In the fall of 1858 he was appointed to the Smithville circuit, where he had a good revival of religion, over 100 souls being converted. In the fall of 1859 he was appointed to Greensboro Mission, which he served two years with good success. Jonesboro was then a young town, and one of his appointments. In this town he preached the first sermon heard there, in a livery stable, and organized the church in that (now) city. In the fall of 1861 he was appointed to the Walnut Bend circuit, where he was licensed to preach. The war was on, and but little was done in the work of the ministry. In the fall of 1862 he was appointed to Batesville Station and circuit, where he had a good revival of religion, all over his work. While on this work he was captured by the Federal soldiers, and was held in prison one month. While in prison the annual conference was held, and he was appointed to the Strawberry circuit. In the fall of 1864 he was appointed to the Smithville circuit, and for three years he served this work with happy results. In the fall of 1867 he was appointed presiding elder on the Yellville district, laboring with good results for three years. In 1870 he was transferred by Bishop Keener to the White River conference, and was appointed to Searcy Station, at which place he met with some success. In the fall of 1871 he was appointed to the Osceola circuit, where he served two years as pastor. In 1873 he was appointed presiding elder on the Mississippi district, which work he served four years with acceptability. In 1877 he was appointed to the Helena district, where he served two years. In 1879 he was appointed again to the Mississippi district, where he served the church four years longer. In the fall of 1883 he asked Bishop Granberry to relieve

him from district work and give him a circuit. The request was granted, and he was appointed to Jonesboro circuit. The fall of 1884 he was appointed to Greensboro circuit, the fall of 1885 to Pleasant Hill (now Larado circuit), and in 1886 to Harrisburg circuit, and on this work he labored two years, with great success. In the fall of 1888 he was appointed to Auvergne Station. Rev. W. R. Foster was ordained deacon by Bishop Early in September, 1858. On account of the war the Bishop could not meet the annual conference, and he was not ordained elder until September, 1866, by Bishop G. F. Pierce. He was married, to Miss Mildred E. Barker, on the 11th of December, 1857, she being a native of Robertson County, Tenn. To them have been born six children: John C., Matilda A., William R. (died in early childhood), Dixie L. (a young lady of twenty-four years), Ida B. (seventeen years), and [p.859] Minnie P. (eight years). Mr. Foster is a member of Jonesboro Masonic lodge; also Jonesboro Royal Arch Chapter, and of R. & S. M., Harrisburg Council. He was made a Mason in Ritchman lodge, in Cotton Plant, St. Francis County, Ark., in 1858. He is now closing up his thirty-third year's work in the ministry, all in the State of Arkansas. He never has been a supernumerary, nor a superannuated preacher, and he loves the itinerant ministry to-day as he loves his own life. Many have told him they would be stars in his crown when they get home to Heaven.

Joseph P. Foushee, farmer and stock raiser of Union Township, Jackson County, is a son of Lloyd and Mary (Lambert) Foushee, natives of North Carolina, the father being of French descent. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Elijah Foushee, a native of Paris, France, came to America in 1774, and participated in our Revolutionary War, supposedly under the immediate command of Gen. Washington, Daniel Foushee, brother of Lloyd, and Joab and Eli Lambert, uncles of our subject, participated in the War of 1812. George Washington Foushee and Elijah Foushee were in the War of 1861, Elijah being present at the surrender of Gen. R. E. Lee, at Appomattox, in 1865. Joseph P. Foushee was a member of the North Carolina militia, with the rank of captain, at the breaking out of the Civil War, which position he filled for three years, in Company B, Sixth Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Home Guards. William F. Foushee, being colonel of militin, retained that position in the Home Guards for about three years. Elijah Foushee, the grandfather, married Miss Anna Stewart, in Chatham County, N. C. They had a family of ten children. Joseph F. married Miss Fannie Sanders, of Irish descent, a native of North Carolina, and they have had six children: James (born December 8, 1848), William A. (born in 1852), Mary (married Thomas J. Sconyers, of Alabama), Fannie E. (married William Harwell), Eliza P. (married John Baker, of Tennessee), and George V. (at home). Mr. Foushee has had some education, and has given all his children good schooling, providing for them liberally as they have grown up, married, and left home, but still has plenty, owning 640 acres of good average cotton land. As an instance of Mr. Foushee's kindheartedness, may be mentioned the fact that he is now raising and providing for two orphan children, and a place in this volume may well be accorded such an individual. Mr. Foushee is a member of the American Legion of Honor, of the Royal Areanum, and of the Missionary Baptist Church, his wife and the members of his family also belonging to the latter.