page 672

John Young, a well-known farmer of LaGrue Township, is a native of this county and a son of James and Sarena (Barkman) Young, natives of Kentucky and Arkansas, respectively. Mr. Young came to Arkansas when he was a young man, entering a tract of wild land in the Arkansas forests of this county. He was a man of slight education, his opportunities having been very limited, but he was enterprising, and an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he and his wife belonged, being a leading member in organizing the early churches of this community, not only those of his Denomination, but of other religious bodies. He died in 1850, and his wife followed him in a short time. They were the parents of four children: Jacob (deceased), Seiney (deceased), Angelina B. (now Mrs. Brown) and John. [p.672] The subject of this sketch was born on January 3, 1838, and was married on November 27, 1859, to Miss Sarah E. Brown, also of this State, and a daughter of Pleasant and Elizabeth Brown. Mrs. Young died in January 22, 1889, leaving the following children: John P., Elizabeth (now Mrs. Duemore), Minnie (who married John Mitchell), Robert L., Bashia A., Effie M. and Henry L. Mr. Young enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862, and served until November, 1864, participating in a number of hard-fought battles, though he was never wounded nor captured. He owns a farm of 900 acres of fine land, and has about forty acres in cultivation. He is a member of the County Grange, and also of the County Wheel, in which he takes an active part. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and well known in religious circles.

Oft did the harvest to their alckle yield;

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;

How jocund did they drive their team afield!

How bow'd the woods beneath their sturdy strokel—Gray.

PRAIRIE COUNTY'S earliest settlement, or the first in the territory now embraced within its limits, was probably made at and in the vicinityof the present Des Arc. About the year 1810 two men named Watts and East (Creoles) settled there, and five years later the Runkles, Cohurns and Goforths, from Vincennes, Ind., also located. The latter parties came up the White River in dugouts. These were followed by the McAnultys and others. Formerly nearly all of the present county of Lonoke belonged to Prairie County, consequently it is proper to mention a few of the first settlers of that portion of the original county. In 1822 James Erwin, father of M. M. and Ambrose Erwin (now of Des Arc) came from North Carolina with the Furgesons and Dunaways and settled at Old Austin. Subsequently Daniel Farr, Jacob Gray, Sr., Robert Anderson and E. E. Dismukes settled in the vicinity of Brownsville, the first county seat of Prairie County. John Percifiell, Sr., or Percifull, settled a few miles east thereof. John Percifull, Jr., is the oldest man born in Prairie County, and M. M. Erwin is the next. Percifull remains in that portion of the country set off to form Lonoke, and Erwin lives at Des Arc.

page 674

Charles G. Harris was the first settler at Hickory Plains, and the next early pioneers there and in that vicinity were Dudley Glass, from Alabams, David Royster, from Virginia, and A. B. Taylor and his son-in-law, Ben. T. Embree, from Kentucky. This settlement began about the year 1846. C. S. De Vall, from Georgia and Capt. Putrick H. Wheat, the latter now of Lonoke County, were early settlers at De Vall's Bluff. Among the first settlers in the southern part of the county were Albert Evans, Sheffield Mayberry, Dr. Gibbon and Richard Pyburn. Maybarry is living at this writing. William C. Hazen was the [p.674] pioneer settler in what is now the town of Hazen, and William Dedman settled on the military road, three miles south of Hazen. William McCnin was a pioneer settler in the central part of the county. The first settlers in the southwest part, near Fairmont, were Joseph Stillwell, Thomas Belcher, the Harrises and Maj. Tindell. In the northwest part of the county, as now formed, Patton Harris, the Farrs, William Johnson, Robert Travis and some of the Bogards were among the original settlers. The pioneers of the county came mostly from the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Prairie County was organized in accordance with an act of the legislature, approved by Gov. Thomas S. Drew, November 25, 1846. The first section of the act reads as follows: "That all that part of the county of Pulaski lying east of the following described lines, viz.: Beginning at the corner of Townships 2 and 3 south, Ranges 9 and 10 west; thence east to the middle of Range 9; thence north to the line between Townships 1 and 2 south; thence west to the line between Ranges 9 and 10; thence north to the line between Townships 4 and 5 north; thence west to the line between Ranges 10 and 11 west; thence north to the Cypress Bayou, to the line dividing White and Pulaski, be and the same hereby is erected into and declared to be a separate and distinct county, to be called and known by the name of Prairie County."

Section 4 provided that on the first Monday of February, 1847, an election should be held in each township in the new county for the election of county officers; the elections to be held where the last general elections had been held, and by the same judges and clerks. A subsequent act provided that at these elections one commissioner in each township, and two at large in the county, should be elected to locate the seat of justice.

It will be seen by the first section of the act creating the county that nearly all of the territory now embraced in Lonoke County was included in Prairie County. Subsequent acts, one creating Lonoke County, in 1873, and others changing boundary lines, have reduced Prairie County to its present dimensions.

The commissioners elected for the purpose, at the first election held in the county, located the seat of justice at Brownsville, a point in what is now Lonoke County, two and a half miles northeast of the present city of Lonoke. This place was on the old military road, leading from Memphis to Little Rock. Ordinary county buildings were erected at Brownsville, and the clerk's office there was burned in September, 1852, together with a portion of the early county records. The seat of justice remained at its original site until 1868, when it was moved to De Vall's Bluff, where it continued until 1875, then being moved to Des Arc, where it now remains. The last term of the county court held at Brownsville was in April, 1868, and the first term held at DeVall's Bluff was in July, of that year. The last term of this court held at DeVall's Bluff was in July, 1875, and the first term held at Des Arc was in October, of the same year. While the county seat was at DeVall's Bluff the old wooden building standing on the bank of White River, which was erected by the Government in the winter of 1864-65 for officers' quarters, was utilized for a court house. The public buildings at Des Arc consist of a court house and jail. The former is a large two-story brick building, with a hall and offices on the first floor, and the court-room on the second. It was erected in 1883, by Messrs. Horne and White, and cost the county about $8,000. The jail is a small wooden structure, standing also on the public square with the court house.

In 1885 Prairie County was divided into two judicial districts, the Northern and Sonthern; the first being composed of the townships of Upper Surrounded Hill, Calhoun, Des Arc, Hickory Plains, Union, Bullard and White River; the second, or Southern, of the townships of Wattonsas, Belcher, Tyler, Lower Surrounded Hill, Bockrow, Center and Hazen. De Vall's Bluff is the seat of justice for the Southern district, and there the county occupies a rented building for a court room, and a branch of the county clerk's office.

page 675

At Des Arc the courts convene as follows: County, on the first Mondays of January, April, July and October of each year; the probate, on [p.675] the third, and the common pleas on the fourth Mondays of the same months; the circuit, on the first Mondays of March and September. At De Vall's Bluff the probate court convenes on the first Mondays of February, May, August and November; the common pleas on the second Mondays of the same months; and the circuit on the sixth Monday after the third Monday of February and August.

The Prairie County legal bar is composed of the following named attorneys: J. J. Ball, R. A. Moore, De Arcy Vaughan, J. G. Thweatt and J. M. McClintock.

The following is a list of the names of the officers of Prairie County, from its organization to the present writing, with dates of terms of service annexed:

Judges: W. S. Scroggs, 1848-48; H. Reynolds, 1848-52; J. Evans, 1852-54; J. S. Hunt, 1854-56; W. J. Rogers, 1856-58; J. S. Hunt, 1858-64; W. Sanders, 1864-66; E. L. Beard, 1866-68; C. K. Morton, 1868-72; board of supervisors, 1872-74; A. O. Edwards, 1874-76; W. M. Warren, 1876-78; W. L. Kirk, 1878-80; H. P. Vaughan, 1880-82; J. S. Thomas, 1882-88; J. M. Dorris, present judge, elected in 1888.

Clerks: E. M. Williams, 1846-54; W. H. England, 1854, to his death; then William Goodrum, balance of England's term, and till 1864; Robert Dodson, 1864-66; William Goodrum, 1866-68; L. Bilheimer, 1868-72; J. E. England, 1872-74; C. B. Mills, 1874-82; W. L. Willeford, present incumbent, elected in 1882, serving continnously since.

Sheriffs: A. Barksdale, 1846-48; J. A. Barksdale, 1848-52; E. E. Dismukes, 1852-58; J. M. King, 1858-60; W. A. Plunket, 1860-62; J. M. King, 1862-64; J. R. Gray, 1864-68; J. M. McClintock, 1868-72; J. J. Booth, 1872-74; H. O. Williams, 1874-78; A. S. Reinhardt, 1878-88; J. W. Brians, present officer, elected in 1888.

Treasurers: J. Percitull, 1846-48; W. Sanders, 1848-52; W. H. England, 1852-54; A. Tipkin, 1854-56; J. Robinson, 1856-58; L. Byram, 1858, to his death; W. Langford, balance of Byram's term and till 1862; George Hallum, 1862-64; William Griffin, 1864-66; F. M. Griffin, 1866-68; R. Dingsdale, 1868-72; H. Brown, 1872-76; J. R. Reid, 1876-78; H. Brown, 1878-80; W. J. Frith, 1880-82; E. A. Winslow, 1882-84; H. R. Ward, 1884-88; S. R. Mason, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Coroners: H. Avery, 1846-48; T. Furlow, 1848-50; C. Harvey, 1850-52; N. Kennody, 1852-56: Benjamin Faucett, 1856-58; J. N. Henderson, 1858-60; L. Harrison, 1860-62; J. H. Quisenberry, 1862-64; Whit Kinidy, 1866-68; C. P. Landon, 1868-72; J. A. Woolen, 1872-74; J. G. Becton, 1874-78; J. B. Jamison, 1878-84; J. R. Mallory, 1884-88; William Dixon, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Surveyors: P. Horton, 1846-48; S. J. Ragan, 1848-50; J. W. Utley, 1850-54; K. H. Williford, 1854-58; E. R. McPherson, 1858-60; E. A. Howell, 1860-62; J. R. Alexander, 1862-64; W. D. Anthony, 1866-68; C. W. Richardson, 1868-72; W. Fishburn, 1872-74; E. K. McPherson, 1874-76, R. A. Richmond, 1876-88; N. C. Dodson, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Assessors: W. S. McCullough, 1868-74; G. J. Rubell, 1874-78; J. G. Worsham, 1878-80; T. A. Canon, 1880-82; William Homer, 1882-84; W. R. Brown, 1884-88; R. Dindsdall, present incumbent, elected in 1888.

Delegates in State conventions: 1861, B. C. Totton; 1868, Robert S. Gantt and William F. Hicks; 1874, David F. Reinhardt.

Representatives in General Assembly—James Erwin, 1848-50; B. T. Embry, 1850-52; B. C. Totton, 1852-54; E. M. Williams, 1854-56; William I. Moors, 1856-58; Hamilton Reynolds, 1858-60; John C. Davis, 1860-62; B. M. Barnes, 1862-1864 * * *; W. T. Jones, 1866-68. Prairie and Arkansas Counties—G. M. French, Isaac Ayers, W. S. McCullough and T. M. Gibson, 1868-70; same counties, F. R. Wiley, George H. Joslin, B. C. Morgan and A. O. Espy, 1870-72; P. C. Dooley, 1872-74. Prairie, Arkansas and Lonoke—J. P. Eagle, L. B. Mitchell and M. M. Erwin, 1872-74; J. D. Booe,

1874-76; J. S. Thomas, 1876-80; J. G. Thweatt, 1880-82; R. B. Carl Lee, 1882-86; J. D. Booe, 1886-88.

page 676

[p.676] B. M. Barnes represented Prairie County in the Confederate legislature, held at Washington, in Hempstead County, from September 22 to October 2, 1864.

The votes cast in Prairie County for the candidates for Governor at the September election, in 1888, and for the candidates for President, at the November election, in the same year, were as follows: For Governor—James P. Eagle (Dem), 761; C. M. Norwood (Com. Opp.), 1,125. For President—Cleveland (Dem.), 761; Harrison (Rep.), 603; Streeter (United Labor), 165; Fiske (Prohibition), 15.

The population of Prairie County, in 1880, was 5,691 white and 2,734 colored, making a total of 8,425. It is now probably over 10,000.

Prairie County, Ark., lies in the east central portion of the State, and is bounded north by White and Woodruff Counties, east by Woodruff and Monroe Counties, south by Arkansas and west by Lonoke. The thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude passes through the northern part, and the county lies in the 92dº of longitude west from Greenwich.

It has an area of 650 square miles or 416,000 acres, one-fourth of the entire area being under fence and in cultivation. The whole county is level, undulating and rolling enough to admit of free and easy drainage, and not to wash, no hills and hollows, no gullies and ravines, no rock-cursed farms, not even a stone to become the instrument between the bad boy and the family cat. (Hon. J. G. Thweatt's description.) A large percentage of the lands of the county belongs to the State, and is subject to donation to actual settlers; a similar amount belongs to railroad companies, a very small amount to the United States, and the balance to individuals. Lands can be purchased at reasonable prices, but large tracts of the best lands are owned by non-resident speculators who hold the prices high enough to measureably retard immigration. However, there are plenty of tracts that may be secured from resident owners at prices that cannot fail to suit purchasers.

White River flows southerly and southeasterly through the northeast part of the county to a point about two-thirds of the distance from its northern boundary, and for the other third it forms the eastern boundary thereof. Cypress Bayou forms the west half of the northern boundary, and flowing thence easterly, it empties into White River near the southeast corner of Township 5 north, Range 5 west. Wattensas River enters the county from the west, and running easterly, bearing a little south, it empties into White River about twelve miles below the mouth of the Cypress Bayou. Cache River swings into the county and out again a little north of the center of its eastern boundary, and Bayou DeView, a tributary of the Cache, flows southeasterly across the northeast corner of the county. LaGrue River enters the county on the west, near the center north and south, and flows thence in a southeasterly direction to its confluence with White River. Bayou Two Prairie forms the southwestern boundary line of the county; and this and the other streams mentioned, together with their tributaries, furnish abundant drainage.

Between White and Cache Rivors there is a long tract of land slightly elevated above the river bottoms, and divided by a depression into two parts, the northern being called "Upper Surrounded Hill," and the southern "Lower Surrounded Hill." The extracts immediately following are from a description of the county prepared by Hon. J. G. Thweatt, attorney and abstractor of titles at De Vall's Bluff.

page 677

The prairie lands lie mostly south of a dividing line east and west through the county, and constitute a good portion of the Grand Prairie of Arkansas, which reaches out into other adjacent counties. There are three or four small, but rich, productive prairies lying in the northern portion of the county, with an area of 800 to 5,000 acres each. These lands are very rich and productive, and seem specially adapted to small grains of all kinds and tame grasses. They grow fine corn and splendid cotton. As fine fruit as the country produces can be found in the orchards on prairie farms. They grow fine vegetables of all kinds. The most of the untilled portion of the prairie is covered with a fine growth of wild grass, which is mowed, baled and shipped to market. The haying [p.677] business here on the prairie is carried on very extensively. Thousands of tons are shipped yearly, and a great deal of money made at it. No lands are better adapted to stock raising. They furnish a natural range from the first or middle of March till fall. A few years ago these lands knew no occupant save the wild deer and semi-wild herds of cattle, and were regarded by the Southerner as worthless for agricultural purposes, but when the tidal wave of immigration began to flow from north to south, and the progressive husbandman of the Northwestern Prairies commenced to settle and develop the prairie lands of Prairie County, then that once considered trackless, treeless waste of grass lands, wherever touched by the agricultural magician, began to astonish the natives with her golden harvest fields, fruit-laden orchards and mammoth vegetable products, and to-day they are more in demand than any lands of the State, and are worth from twice to three times as much as the forest lands of Prairie County.

The county has a diversity of soil, the productiveness of which is exceedingly good. White River bottoms and the Surrounded Hills have both a dark brown and alluvial soil, very rich and fertile. The creek and branch bottoms are a dark loam, next in productiveness to the river bottoms. The ridges or uplands not covered by creek or branch bottoms are of a light brown, often dark in color and very productive. The soil of the prairie is of a dark brownish color, possessed of chemical combinations peculiar to itself. It does not produce as fine cotton as the timbered lands, but grows much finer wheat and oats, rye, tame grasses, peas, etc. The uplands, prairie and even branch and creek bottoms can, by rotation of crops and proper use of home fertilizers, be made better and more prolific every year. They are susceptible of a high state of fertilization, and will, when once fertilized, show effects of same for years.

The woodland part of the county is well and heavily timbered. In the river and creek bottoms is found an superabundance of red gum or satin wood, which will yield in some localities 30,000 feet of timber per acre; though millions of feet of white oak in the shape of staves and square timber have been shipped from the bottoms of Prairie County, yet the supply is still unexhausted. There is some walnut, a great deal of hickory, ash, maple, pecan, sycamore, cottonwood, red elm, hackberry, etc., with an undergrowth of cane, pawpaw, tar blanket, grape and muscatine vines, rattan, etc. In the branch bottoms and on the uplands may be had white oak, hickory, red and black oak, sweet gum, black gum and in some upland localities immense brakes of post oak, some maple, red bud, persimmon, with an undergrowth of sumac, whortleberry, hazelnut, dogwood, etc.

According to the United States census of 1880, there were in Prairie County 1,127 farms, with 37,032 acres of improved lands, and the value of the farm products of the county for 1879 was $462,902, the following being the amount of the several products raised: Indian corn, 135,462 bushels; oats, 31,944 bushels; wheat, 2,214 bushels; orchard products, $9,465; hay, 263 tons; cotton, 6,977 bales; Irish potatoes, 2,100 bushels; sweet potatoes, 9,359 bushels; tobacco, 4,860 pounds. Great improvements have been made since 1880, which will appear when the census of 1890 shall be taken. Cotton is the staple product and next to it is Indian corn. The yield per acre depends very much upon the skill of the farmer. With scientific cultivation of the soil it can be made to produce from 50 to 100 per cent more than it does under the present modes of farming. Clover and the tame grasses succeed well, but these have been cultivated only to a limited extent.

page 678

The number of live stock in the county as shown by the census of 1880 was as follows: Horses, 1,525; mules and asses, 997; neat cattle, 11,008; sheep, 1,208; hogs, 15,673. The number of these animals in the county as shown by the tax books, for 1888, was: Horses, 2,640; mules and asses, 1,164; cattle, 14,111; sheep, 1,437; hogs, 7,546. These figures show a large increase in all except hogs. The comparison for the latter, however, is not fair, for the reason that in 1888 none were enumerated except those on hand when the property was listed for taxation, while those given in the census report included all raised during the year. The climate being very mild and water easily obtainable [p.678] in abundant supply, Prairie County is especially well adapted to the raising of live stock, and recently a few individuals have begun the business and have large herds of cattle grazing on the prairies. This is becoming a leading industry. Hogs fatten on the mast and live through the year without being fed, but they are not extensively raised. Fruits grow almost to perfection, especially peaches, plums, pears, quinces, grapes and berries of every variety. Apples also do well, but not so well as in higher altitudes. Wild fruits, such as grapes, plums, mulberries, blackberries, etc., grow abundantly in the timbered portions of the county.

The Little Rock & Memphis Railroad crosses Prairie County from east to west, and divides it into nearly two equal parts. Its length within the county is about twenty-three miles. The Cotton Belt Railroad crosses the southeast part of the county, running in a southwesterly direction. The railroads constituts a considerable portion of the taxable wealth of the county, and give excellent shipping facilities.

On February 15, 1882, seven farmers, named, respectively, W. W. Tedford, W. T. McBee, W. A. Suit, John and George McBee, Bluford Loakey, and L. F. Thasher, all of Prairie County, met at the McBee school house, near Wattensas Creek and at a point eleven miles north of Hazen, and there organized the "Wattensas Farmers' Club," with W. W. Tedford, president, and W. T. McBee, secretary. At the third meeting of this club its name was changed to "Wheel," hence the origin and name of that extensive organization. Soon thereafter other wheels were organized, up to the number of seven in all, four in Prairie and three in Cleburne County. Then on August 22, the same year, articles of incorporation were filed in the circuit court clerk's office in Prairie County. Afterward, April 9, 1883, delegates from the wheels then existing met at the same school house where the original club was formed, and organized the State Wheel, with E. R. McPherson, president, and J. T. Kirk, secretary. Articles of association were filed in the office of the Secretary of State, September 28, 1885. The officors of the State Wheel, at this writing are, John P. H. Russ, of White County, president, and R. H. Morehead, of Hazen, Prairie County, secretary. The latter is serving his fifth term. There are 2,109 subordinate wheels in Arkansas, and besides State and subordinate Wheels exist in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri.

Upon the approach of the Civil War, in 1861, the people of Prairie County were generally in sympathy with the Southern cause, in consequence of which a public meeting was held at Brownsville, the then county seat, on April 22, 1861, and resolutions passed favoring an appropriation by the county for putting it "upon a war footing." Subsequently, in the same month, the county appropriated $10,000 to arm and equip its volunteer soldiers. Then and thereafter companies were organized for the State and Confederate service. The first company in what is now Prairie County was organized at Des Arc, in the spring of 1861, and commanded by Capt. George W. Glenn. Other companies were organized in the territory of Prairie County, as now formed, and commanded respectively by Capts. John S. Pearson, John H. Bulls, Michael Peal, Gus. Reinhardt, John Kirk and Pat. H. Wheat. Gon. Stcole, of the United States army, took possession of the county about September 1, 1863, and from that time until the close of the war it was in possession of Federal troops. No battle was fought in the county, but a few slight skirmishes took place between scouting parties of the contending armies. The county was completely overrun and laid waste. M. M. Erwin, of Des Arc, says that when he returned from the war in June, 1865, there were not, as he believes, fifteen horses left in the county. The people deserve great praise for their recovery from such devastation.

page 679

In 1880 the real estate of Prairie County was assessed for taxation at $865,881, and the personal property at $461,100, making a total of $1,226,981, and the taxes charged thereon, for all purposes, were $23,803. In 1888 the real property of the county was assessed at $1,147,073, and the personal at $874,137, making a total of $2,021,210, and the total taxes charged thereon were $28,677.28. By comparison, it will be seen that from [p.679] 1880 to 1888, the taxable wealth of the county nearly doubled, while the taxes increased only about 20 per cent.

Prairie County has no bonded indebtedness, but owes a trifling amount on outstanding warrants. In 1886 the county was robbed of from $10,000 to $12,000. On this occasion the treasurer was found tied on the street, and alleged that he had been knocked down and tied by robbers, who took from him the keys to the safe containing the money. Upon suspicion he was indicted and tried for the crime, but was found "not guilty." No other arreste or prosecutions were made.

Des Arc—the county seat—is situated on the west bank of White River, in the northern part of the county, and contains about 800 inhabitants. The streets are wide, and run east and west and north and south, and the site is as level and beautiful as could possibly be found for a town. Judge Watkins, of Little Rock, bought a portion of the land on which the town is located, and James Erwin entered the other portion. In 1846 or 1847 Watkins surveyed and platted his portion into town lots and streets, and two years later Erwin laid his portion out into town lots. The latter opened the first store and erected the first cottongin and grist-mill (combined) in the place, and also the first saw-mill. The gins and mills were all run by horse power, and M. M. Erwin (son of James Erwin), now living at Des Arc, ginned the first bale of cotton. Mr. Erwin brought the machinery for his saw-mill, and a man to put it into operation, from Pittsburg, Penn. These improvements were made about the year 1847. The second store in the town was opened by Stephen Red, and the next by Frith & Jackson. In 1850 the town had a population of about 100, and during the 50's it grew so rapidly that by 1860 its population was over 2,000. M. M. Erwin opened and kept the first hotel or "inn" in the place. A daily stage line—the Butterfield—met the boats here on White River. This line extended by way of Little Rock, Fort Smith, etc., to San Francisco, Cal., and the price charged passengers from Des Arc to San Francisco was $200 in gold. Only fifty pounds of baggage was allowed each passenger.

During the Civil War Des Arc was partially destroyed. Some of the buildings were burned, and others taken down and moved by the Federal army to De Vall's Bluff. The place was then almost depopulated. The town is improving now in the way of removal of the wooden business buildings and erecting brick blocks on their sites. It is an important cotton market, and from 5,000 to 6,000 bales are annually shipped therefrom on White River. It contains eight general stores, four groceries, three drug stores, one hardware and grocery store, one undertaking store, a livery stable, two meat markets, two hotels and a boarding house; four churches for the white people, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Cumberland Presbyterian; two churches for the colored people, Methodist and Baptist; two school-houses, one for the whites and one for the blacks; a postoffice, sawmill, cotton-gin and grist-mill, a ferry acroes the river, a town hall, five warehouses for storage of cotton, a lodge each of Masons and Knights of Honor, five physicians, and a weekly newspaper, the Des Arc Citizen, which was established in September, 1854, by J. C. Morrel, and is now published by J. J. Baugh. It is an eight-column folio, neatly printed and ably edited. The town also ontains several mechanics' shops, and other enterprises not here named. Its name, Des Arc (the arc), is from the French Bayon Des Arc, a sluggish stream that empties into the White River about two miles bove the town, which had previously been named thus by the French settlers. The town is incorporated, and has a full set of corporate officers.

page 680

De Vall's Bluff, situated on the west side of White River and also on the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad, was named after C. S. DeVall, who entered the land upon which it is located. At the beginning of the Civil War, in 1861, it contained a store and dwelling house and a "boat landing." In the fall of 1863 it was taken possession of by a portion of the United States army, and from thence forward to the close of the war, and for some time thereafter it was held by Federal troops. Soon after the Federals took possession they made it their base of supplies for Little Rock and other [p.680] points west. The White River being navigable at all seasons of the year, the supplies were shipped thereon to DeVall's Bluff and transported thence by rail to Little Rock; bowever when the Arkansas River was high enough supplies were shipped directly to that city on that stream. As soon as the Union army took possession of De Vall's Bluff and made it a permanent base of supplies, hundreds of refugees flocked in and claimed protection. Houses were erected for them to occupy, and by the close of the war the place contained many buildings and had a large population, mostly of refugees, who then returned to their former homes. It now contains a postoffice, two general, two drug, three grocery and one millinery store, a livery stable, two hotels, a boat oar factory, a large saw-mill, a Methodist Church, white, and a Baptist Church, colored, a school-house each for the whites and blacks, two title abstract offices, a lodge each of Masons, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Good Templars and Iron Hall.

The boat-oar factory is said to be the only one of the kind west of the Mississippi. It is controlled and managed by F. P. Wells, formerly of Michigan, and turns out about 3,000 feet, lineal measure, of finished oars per day. These are shipped to Liverpool, England, San Francisco and other distant cities. A large number of men are employed at this establishment. The saw-mill, which has capacity for cutting 20,000 feet of lumber per day, is managed by Wells & Maxwell.

De Vall's Bluff represents a wonderful amount of life insurance for so small a place. The Knights of Honor, fifty members, carry $2,000 each, aggregating $100,000; the Iron Hall, twenty-five members, carry $1,000 each, aggregating $25,000; the Knights of Pythias carry in the aggregate $35,000, and it is estimated that at least $50,000 is carried in the "old line companies," making a grand total of $210,000. In addition to the societies named the town has a branch of the Southern Building and Loan Association, of Knoxville, Tenn., the members of which carry 175 shares of $100 each. De Vall's Bluff is incorporated, and has a population of about 500. Its principal exports are cotton, boat oars and lumber.

Hazen, situated on the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad, forty-three miles east from Little Rock and seven miles west from DeVall's Bluff, has a population of about 650, and is the leading commercial point in the county. It was surveyed and laid out in 1873, and named in honor of William C. Hazen, its original proprietor. It is well laid out, with wide streets running east and west and north and south, and has around it a colony of thrifty and prosperous farmers from the North. It contains six general, two drug and two grocery stores, an undertaker's shop, two livery stables, two blacksmith shops, two real estate offices, post-office, one meat market, two lumber yards, two hotels, a steam cotton-gin, saw and grist-mill, two school-houses (one for each race), two churches for the white people and two for the colored people. In and around the town are six hay presses and nine hay barns. The principal shipments are hay, cotton and fruit. More hay, fruit, produce and game are annually shipped from Hazen than from any other town in the county.

The Hazen Free Press, a five-column quarto weekly newspaper, is published by J. H. Taylor. It was established in May, 1889.

Hickory Plains is a village of about 100 inhabitants in the northwest part of the county, and contains a postoffice, general store, drug store, two steam cotton-gins and grist-mills, a blacksmith shop, three churches and a large public school building.

Barrettsville, located between Hickory Plains and Hazen, contaios a postoffice, general store, drug store, and a steam cotton-gin, grist and saw-mill.

Surrounded Hill, or Fredonia, is on the Little Rock & Memphis Railroad, four miles east of DeVall's Bluff, and contains two general and two grocery stores, two saloons, postoffice, two colored churches, a hotel, blacksmith shop and a steam cotton-gin and grist-mill. It is situated in one of the best cotton growing districts in the State, and ships a large amount of that commodity. It has a population of about 200, largely colored.

Fairmount is a small post village on the prairie in the southern part of the county.

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[p.681] Ulm, a new village, is growing up in the southeastern part of the county.

There are, besides the above, some other post hamlets in the county.

The workings of the free school system in Prairie County may be learned by reference to the folfowing statistics taken from the last published report of the State superintendent of public instruction, it being for the year ending June 30, 1888:

Scholastic population: White, males, 1,247, females, 1,165, total, 2,412; colored, males, 771, females, 773, total, 1,544. Number of pupils taught in the public schools: White, males, 871, females, 784, total, 1,655; colored, males, 413, females, 460, total, 873. Number of school districts, 49. Teachers employed: Males, 42, females, 22; total, 64. Average monthly salaries paid teachers: First grade, males, $50.00, females, $37.50; second grade, males, $35.00, females, $25.00; third grade, males, $30.00, females, $25.00. Amount expended for the support of the schools: Teachers' salaries, $11,316.00; for houses and sites, $1,150.43; treasnrer's commissions, $259.12; total, $12,725.55. The reader can compare the number of children enumerated with the number enrolled in the schools, make other comparisons and draw his own conclusions. The statistics show much room for improvement. The school terms in each district averaged four months for the year. After the public money is exhausted the teachers of the town schools usually teach a subscription school for several months longer.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has the following organizations in Prairie County: Des Arc and Hickory Plains Circuit, with a church at each of these places, and three preaching pointe in the country, Rev. D. T. Holmes, pastor, and a membership of 283; Hazen Circuit, embracing Hazen, De Vall's Bluff, and one or two appointments in the country, with a membership in all of over 100, Rev. J. W. F. Scott, pastor; Wattensas Circuit, embracing seven organizations, with a combined membership of about 311, Rev. James Huddleston, pastor; the White River Circuit has appointments in both Prairie and Arkansas Counties, and a membership of 425, Rev. J. W. Berry being pastor. A portion of the Carlisle Circuit lies in the western part of Prairie County, and a portion of the Brinkley Circuit in its eastern part.

There is a Baptist Church, with about forty-five members, at Des Arc, but at this writing they are not supplied with a pastor. Other Baptist Churches in the county, pastors and memberships, as shown by the session minutes of 1888, of the Grand Prairie Baptist Association, are as follows: Center Point, Elder B. F. House, 70; Hazen, Elder P. A. Haman, 52; Pleasant Ridge, Elder R. G. Thomas, 28; Liherty, .... about 15. Since these minutes were published the memberships have increased, and changes in pastors may have been made.

There are three organizations of the Presbyterians within the county: One at Des Arc, one at Hickory Plains, and the other at Hazen. Rev. S. I. Reid, of Lonoke, preaches at Des Arc and Hazen. The membership is small.

Of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination there is only one organization in the county, and that is at Des Arc, where they have a very small membership, a nest little church edifice, but no pastor at this time.

A Christian Church was organized at Hazen about the year 1881. They have no edifice, but contemplate building one within a year. Elder J. A. Carter, of Landerdale County, Tenn., presches for them in the school-house. The membership is now 120. A Christian Church, with a small membership, was organized in August, 1889, at Barrettsville. Elder C. E. Gillespie, of Hazen, is pastor. Here, too, they worship in the school-house.

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A. L. Aydelott, merchant, Surrounded Hill, Ark. The mercantile trade has long constituted one of the leading features in the commercial pursuits of our country, and in this line we have in Surrounded Hill a thoroughly representative house, controlled by Mr. A. L. Aydelott, who is regarded as an upright and energetic man of business, and respected in commercial and social circles. He is the son of S. D. and Elizabeth (Herring) Aydelott, and his birth occurred in Shelby County, Tenn., [p.682] on the 16th of March, 1855. S. D. Aydelott owes his nativity to Hardeman County, Tenn., where his birth occurred November 18, 1819, and he moved with his parents to Kentucky when quite young. There he received his education, and after reaching his majority returned to his native State, and was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth (Herring) Whitley. To this union were born three children: William L, Alfred L. and Johnny L. The father was a blacksmith by trade, also a merchant, and in connection carried on agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of about ninety-two acres of land near Arlington, Tenn. He and wife are now living in Shelby County, Tenn. They are members of the Old School Baptist Church, and have the esteem and respect of all who know them. During the late war the father enlisted in the Confederate army, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, and was in the battles of Corinth and Shiloh. At the end of fourteen months he was discharged on account of age, returned home, and began merchandising at Memphis. A. L. Aydelott received a good practical education in the schools of Memphis, Tenn, and there remained until December, 1877, when he immigrated to Ark., and located on his present fine property. Upon his first advent into Arkansas he was without means, and began business for himself by working as sub-manager on a plantation. By 1878 he had accumulated some money, and he then returned to Tennessee, where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah D. Gillespie, daughter of

Jefferson and Mary Gillespie, on the 13th of February of that year. To this marriage have been born six children: Kate E. (deceased), Josie L., Grace A. (deceased), Ellise and Clarence (twins), and an infant, Herbert. Mr. Aydelott began merchandising in October, 1884, on a capital of $1,000, which has since been increased to $55,000; is the owner of about 600 acres of good land, and has under cultivation about 140 acres. He runs a publie gin that is sitnated in Surrounded Hill, and which has all the latest mprovements, and he also owns an interest in a saloon. Mr. Aydelott is progressive in his ideas, and his farm, which is well stocked, shows care and attention. He was a member of the K. of H., and was Dictator as long as he held membership; was also postmaster at Surrounded Hill for one term, and he is deeply interested in church and educational matters.

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Philip B. Baugh, retired, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., October 10, 1827, and is a son of James and Marina A. (Bruce) Baugh, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina, she being a daughter of Arnold Bruce, a Frenchman. After their marriage the parents moved to Lincoln County, Tenn., and in 1837 to Mississippi, where the father's death occurred, his wife's death occurring in White County, Ark., in 1868. Philip B. Baugh resided with his father until the latter's death, and up to 1859 was engaged in following the plow in Mississippi. After moving to Arkansas he located in Des Arc and for two years, up to 1859, was engaged in the saw-mill business. In January, 1862, he moved to White County, Ark., and followed farming and lumber manufacturing, also dealing in dry goods and real estate for some six years, then sold out, and in 1887 returned to Des Arc, where he is now spending his declining years in retirement from the active duties of life. He was married in Mississippi, on January 3, 1850, to Eleanor C. Lawson, a native of North Carolina, who was reared in Mississippi, a daughter of John Lawson, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Baugh died January 9, 1888, having borne and reared a family of ten children: John C. (a farmer of White County, Ark.), J. J. Baugh (whose sketch appears in this work),

W. L. (a druggist of Des Arc), Alice (wife of B. S. Horton, of Searcy), Olivia (wife of A. A. Gilliam, also of Searcy), Cora (wife of Rev. A. C. Graham, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church), Ola and Nettie (young ladies at home), Ida Bruce (another daughter, died in September, 1887, at the age of twenty-one years, being the affianced wife of Rev. C. B. Mosley, now a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to Japan), and Katie Florence (who died at the age of eighteen years). Mr. and Mrs. Baugh belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Baugh is a Royal Arch Mason. He surved as agistrate of White County for a number of years, also as [p.683] notary public, and is holding the last-named position at the present time. During the Civil War he entered the Confederate army (in 1864), being a member of Col. Crubtree's regiment, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri, after which he was on detached service until the close of the war.

James J. Baugh, attorney and editor, Des Arc, Ark. The enviable position which the town of Des Arc occupies to-day as an industrial and mercantile center is due to the energy, enterprise and ability of the inhabitants and to the wise and judicious government of the civic authorities. Prominent among those who have made an impress on the history of the town, in more respects than one, is Mr. James J. Baugh, who is editor and publisher of the Citizen, and an able attorney of the town. Mr. Baugh is a native of Palona, Miss., where his birth occurred December 7, 1857, and he is the son of Judge P. B. and Eleanor (Lawson) Baugh, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. The parents were married in the last-named State, and in 1859 moved to Arkansas, where the father first engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business at Des Arc. After residing at that place for a few years he moved to White County, but in September, 1887, returned to Des Arc, where he resides at the present time. He is sixty-two years of age, and is one of the prominent men of the county. He served as county judge of White County, and has held other positions of trust and responsibility. His wife died January 9, 1888. Their family consisted of seven daughters and three sons, all of whom grew to mature years. James J. Baugh passed his boyhood days in White County, and remained with his father until about seventeen years of age. He then entered a newspaper office at Searcy, learned the printer's trade, and then took up the study of law, being admitted at Searcy in 1880. He moved to Des Arc in 1880, bought out a newspaper business, and now owns the only paper published at Des Arc. He has been actively engaged in the newspaper business since that time, and his paper, with its crisp and trenchant editorials, commands an ever-widening area of circulation, while it carries with it that weight and authority, which a clear, calm and intelligent judgment must always secure. Mr. Baugh was appointed postmaster at Des Arc in 1885, and was acting postmaster for four years. His marriage took place at Hickory Plains, June 15, 1882, to Miss E. M. Reinhardt, a native of Des Arc, and the daughter of Daniel F. Reinhardt, who was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1874. To Mr. and Mrs. Baugh were born two children: Lerline and Minnie Kate. Mr. Baugh is a member of the Knighte of Honor and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Christian Bechler is accounted a prosperous farmer, stockman and miller, of Belcher Township, Prairie County, Ark., and like the majority of the natives of France, he is of an energetic temperament and progressive in his views. He is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be a farmer, for he has met with more than the average degree of success in pursuing this calling, and is now the owner of 448 acres of land, all of which is under fence. He was born in 1827, and when only fourteen years of age, became weary of life in his native land, and began to turn his thoughts to the new world across the water, where advanturous spirits could find wider scope of opportunities, and more congenial surroundings. He first landed in New Orleans, and in 1840 went to Ohio, and in 1846 to Iowa, thence to California in 1849, like so many others in search of gold. After working in the mining regions of that State, until 1852, he returned to Iowa, and the following year was married to Barbars Conrad, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Klopfenstein) Conrad, who were natives of Switzerland, and came to America in 1820. Mrs. Bechler was born in Ohio, and after their marriage, she and Mr. Bechler set energetically to work to accumulate some means, and they still own the farm on which they first settled in Henry County, Iowa, which comprises 160 acres. In 1883 they came to Prairie County, Ark., and as above stated, own an excellent farm. They expect to make this State their home, and are interested in everything pertaining to its welfare. He is a Republican, and [p.684] he and his wife are members of the Mennonite Church, and are the parents of the following family: Daniel (deceased), Benjamin J. and John (deceased), Peter, Mary (Mrs. L. J. Anderson, of Arkansas County, Ark.), Anna (Mrs. C. B. Zimmerman, of Prairie County), Jacob, Katie, Frances and Cordelia, the last two being twins. Mr. Bechler is one of a family of three sons born to Christian and Elizabeth (Bechler) Bechler, both of whom were born in Switzerland, and emigrated to France, where the father died in 1830, the mother's death occurring in New Orleans, La., in 1843. Their ohildren are: Joseph (now deceased), Peter (a resident of Iowa) and Christian.

Capt. Jacob G. Becton is one of the experienced farmers and cotton-ginners of the county, and the property which he now owns has been accumulated by attending strictly to his chosen calling. He was born in New Berns, N. C., October 23, 1833, being a son of F. I. and Eliza (Rhodes) Becton, who were born, reared and married in North Carolina, the father being a farmer of that State. They reared their family in Jones County, and there the father died in 1843, his wife surviving him until 1845, she being married a second time, and with her last husband moved to Wayne County. Here Capt. Jacob G. Becton grew to manhood and was married here, moving some time afterward to Cumberland County, where he engaged in farming and merchandising until 1861, and in March of that year moved to Arkansas and made his home in Prairie County. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Bull's company, Lanon's regiment, but afterward became a member of Col. Craven's regiment, and was promoted from a private to the rank of captain, and participated in the battles of Baker's Creek, Corinth and a great many skirmishes. He was captured five times, and three times managed to make his escape, but the first time while held a prisoner he was kept on Johnson's Island for nine months, and the second time at Point Lookout, Md., for three weeks. The year following his return from the war he engaged in farming near Des Arc, and that he has been successful is clearly shown when we state the fact that he owns 960 scres of land, nearly all of which is in one body, 800 acres being in the home place, of which 500 acres are under cultivation. He has a good frame residence, and his outbuildings are all commodious and in excellent repair. He has been the owner of a cotton-gin at Des Arc since 1886, and has been extensively engaged in cottonginning since that time. In 1855 he was married to Lizzie E., a daughter of John E. Becton, of Wayne County, N. C. Captain and Mrs. Becton have lost one daughter, Emma, who was the wife of W. L. Willeford, also three infants while they were residing in North Carolina. The Captain is a Master Mason, and his wife is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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G. W. Belcher is a farmer, stockman and miller of Belcher Township and was born in Perry County, Ala, in 1840, the oldest of eleven children born to the marriage of Thomas M. Belcher and Rachel Mayberry. The former was a Virginian, born in 1810, and was one of six children of Bevley Belcher. He was reared in Alabama and was married there in 1837 and for fourteen years was engaged in overseeing. He then engaged in farming and has made that his chief calling up to the present time. In 1851 he came to Prairie County, Ark., and entered 240 acres of land which he has since increased to 400 acres. He has been justice of the peace for about twenty years, and has held the position of postmaster four or five years. He is a Democrat and during the turbulent times preceding the Rebellion and during the war he was a strong Union man, and was greatly opposed to secession. His wife is a native of Alabama and both are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Their children are: G. W., Martha (who died in Texas), Jane (deceased), Louisa (wife of William M. Shuford of Austin, Texas), James (deceased), Permalie J. (wife of M. C. Mayberry of Prairie County) and several children who died in infancy. G. W. Belcher attended school in Cotton Gin, Miss., until eleven years of age, but after his removal with his parents to Arkansas his school days were cut short and July 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Second Arkansas, McIntosh regiment, and for gallant and faithful service was raised to the rank of captain, in 1864, in the commissary department. [p.685] Some of the engagements in which he participated are Oak Hill, Wilson's Creek, Elkhorn, Farmington, Cumberland Gap, Richmond and others. In 1862 he was wounded in the left hand by a pistol shot and was in the hospital at Knoxville, Tenn., for some time. After the war he returned to Arkansas and was married in Claiborne Parish, La., 1866, to Miss Susan S. Hood, a daughter of Bryant and Polly Hood, of Georgia, and by her has four children: Ida, William M., John G. and Martha. Mrs. Belcher was born July 5, 1840, and died in September, 1889. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as is Mr. Bolcher, and was an earnest and consistent Christian lady. Mr. Belcher is a Democrat and has served in the capacity of school director for about fifteen years and he also belongs to the Masous, being a demitted member of Aberdeen Lodge. He is a descendant of some of the oldest settlers of the State of Arkansas and his grandfather Belcher was in the American Revolution. He is a wealthy farmer and of his 800 acres of land, 300 are under cultivation.

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Andrew Jackson Bowman, DeVall's Bluff, Ark. Mr. Bowman, one of the pioneers of Roc Roe Township, purchased his farm in that township, in 1874, and settled where he now resides the following year. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1828, was the second in a family of ten children born to Peter and Susan (La Motte) Bowman, and received his education in the subscription school of Putnam County, Ohio. He assisted on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he was married in the last-named county, in 1848, to Miss Rue Ann Burrel, a native of Putnam County, Ohio. After that he was engaged in farming, and thus continued in that county until 1856, when he settled in McLean County, near Lexington, and was quite extensively engaged in his former pursuit. In 1858 he moved to Piatt County, Ill., remained there until 1866, and then moved to Champaign County, of the same State, where he remained until March, 1875. He then came to Prairie County, Ark., bought 1,500 acres of raw land, which he cultivated and added to until at one time he owned 2,000 acres. He now has 680 acres with 320 acres under fence, and sixty under cultivation. He has paid considerable attention to fruit culture, has about forty acres in orchard, 2,000 apple trees and 1,000 peach trees, and all varieties of small fruit. He is a successful horticulturist, and has one of the finest orchards in Eastern Arkansas. He has over 100 varieties of apple trees, and a number of transcendent crab trees. On his farm he raises cotton, corn, rye, wheat and oats, and his farm is well adapted to the raising of stock. Mr. Bowman lost his excellent wife in Piatt County, Ill., in April, 1859. To their union were born three living children: Elias (residing in Ohio), Wesley (married and resides near his father) and Elmer (resides in Cloud County, Kas., married and engaged in farming). Mr. Bowman was married the second time in Piatt County, Ill., in 1859, to Mrs. Mary Ann Plotner (nee Fonst), a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and the fruits of this union were two living children: Letitia Ranceline and Arthur (at home). Mr. Bowman was married in Putnam County, Ohio, in 1874, to Mrs. Harriet J. (Zeller) Long (widow of Mr. Long), a native of Putnam County, Ohio, and the daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Henderson) Zeller. Mr. Zeller was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and his wife in Pittsburgh, Penn. The father came to this country when single, and was married in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He was a wagon and carriage manufacturer. His death occurred in Ohio, in 1852, and the mother died in Putnam County, in 1872, surviving him about twenty years. Mr. Bowman is active in polities, and his vote is cast with the Democratic party. He was magistrate while living in Champaign County, Ill., takes an active interest in educational affairs, and is a member of the school board. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His grandparents were natives of Germany, and his father was a miller by trade. The latter went to Ohio when a young man, was married there, and there made his home for many years. Later in life he engaged in farming in Putnam County, Ohio, and there passed the closing scenes of his life, his death occurring in 1872. His wife survived him two years. Of their family the following are now living: Andrew Jackson (the subject [p.686] of this sketch), Pauline (now Mrs. Cartwright, of Putnam County, Ohio), Martin (married, and is a a farmer in Putnam County), Mary (now Mrs. Todd, of Putnam County), Peter (married, and resides also in Putnam County) and John (who is married and resides in the above mentioned county.

C. L. Bowman is a successful real-estate dealer of Hazen, Ark., and since 1879 has been a resident of and interested in the welfare of Prairie County. He was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1859, and was the eldest of four children reared by John and Martha A. (Roach) Bowman, the former of whom is a native of the Buckeye State, born in 1832. He was one of a large family of children, and in his youth he was taken by his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Bowman, to the State of Illinois, and there his early manhood was spent. In 1852 he settled in Knox County, Ind., on a farm, but also engaged in carriage making, and in 1856 he espoused Miss Roach, whose people were Virginians and early residents of Indiana. To Mr. Bowman were born the following family of children: Calvin L., Samnel E. (who is married and living in Stuttgart, Ark), Lydia M. and Mary G. Mr. Bowman removed with his family to Arkansas, in 1879, and after farming until 1883 he settled in Hazen and is there now living. He is a Democrat politically, and he and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Calvin L. Bowman, our subject, spent his early days on his father's farm in Indiana and there received his early schooling, being an attendant of the common schools. He came to Arkaneas with his parents, and was married here, in 1881, to Miss Sallie E. Back, a daughter of Jackson and Mary Back, the former of whom was killed in the Civil War, being a member of the Union army. His wife afterward married Mr. Denton, and is at present living in Hazen. Mr. Bowman and his wife have two boys: Walter P. and Clyde E. Up to 1886 Mr. Bowman farmed in White River Township, but since that time has been engaged in the real-estate business in Hazen. Besides having in his control large tracts of land belonging to others, he owns 160 scres of land and town property. He has always been interested in the upbuilding of schools and churches, and it is his earnest desire to see the country advance in every way, and he is doing all in his power to aid in its improvement. He and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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James W. Brians, county sheriff. Among the men who cast their fortunes in Prairie County, Ark., in January, 1867, and whose memory is treasured by the people of this region, is William J. Brians, the father of our subject. He was born in North Carolina, and was married there to Elizabeth Smith, a native of the same State, and moved with her to Mississippi in October, 1858, settling on a farm, where he remained eight years, after which he moved to Prairie County, Ark. He made his home on a farm near Butlerville, and here his death occurred in 1876, he having served for a short time in the Confederate army during the late war. His wife survives him at this writing. James W. Brians was born in Cabarrus County, N. C., September 5, 1352, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. He was married in Prairie County, October 17, 1877, to Miss Emma Moore, a daughter of Dr. W. L. Moore, she being a native of Arkansas, born and reared in Prairie County. After their marriage they settled on a farm in the western part of the county, their home place consisting of eighty acres, sixty-one acres being in an excellent state of cultivation, on which is a good residence and other necessary farm buildings. Besides this land he also owns 160 acres in another tract, a considerable portion of which is also improved, and good residence property in the town of Des Arc. He has always supported the principles and men of the Democrat party, and in the fall of 1888 was nominated and elected by a handsome majority on that ticket to the office of county sheriff. He has held other local positions, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They have one child three years of age named Bertha Emma, and have lost three children, William Moore (a son, dying on September 12, 1889, at the age of eleven years), Mary Buelah (died at the age of ten months) and Augustus Edwin (at the age of two years). Mr. Brians [p.687] displays great system and neatness in the management of his farm, and everything about his place shows the progressive and intelligent citizen that he is.

Luther Brink, real-estate and tax paying agent, Hazen, Ark. In a young and rapidly developing town like Hazen, situated as it is in the best grain and stook raising section of Arkansas, the business of dealing in real estate is necessarily a very important one, and especially so because, in addition to city property, there is a large amount of farm property constantly changing hands. A greater part of this is handled by the Shock & Brink, real-estate and tax-paying agents at Hazen, Prairie County, Ark. Mr. Brink was born in Boone County, Mo., in 1856, and was the third in a family of five children, the result of the union of C. W. and Mariam (Kelley) Brink. The father was born in Kentucky about 1828, and was one of a large family reared by H. L. Brink, a native of Kentucky, who moved to Missouri at an early day, and there followed the trade of millwright. The grandfather is still living, was in the War of 1812, is ninety-eight years of age and enjoys comparatively good health. C. W. Brink passed his boyhood days in Boone County, Mo., and was there married to Miss Kelley, daughter of James Kelley, after which he followed the trade of blacksmith. He now resides in Hinton, Boone County, Mo. His children are named as follows: W. H. (resides in Hallsville, Mo., is married and has two children), Joella D. (now Mrs. J. D. Barrett, resides in Hazen, Ark., and has four children), Luther, Lucy D. (was married and died in Boone County), and J. S. (died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Brink are members of the Chirstian Church. The mother is deceased, her death occurring in 1865. The school days of Luther Brink were passed in Missouri, and later he engaged in mercantile pursuits and contracting in that State. He emigrated to Hazen in 1888, engaged in contracting and building, and perhaps the best compliment that could be paid him would be to point out those monuments of his handiwork which now grace so many of the homestesds in this county. Later he embarked in the real-estate business with Mr. Shock, and this firm has-control of a large amount of farming land, besides a number of thousand acres of timber and prairie land. Mr. Brink is a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge No. 158, Grand Pass, Saline County, where he first located, and where his membership remains. He is a notary public.

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William H. Brock, farmer, was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., January 11, 1826, and is a son of Caleb Brock, a native of Virginia, but who was reared in North Carolina, being also married there to Mary Frances Jones, a Virginian, also reared in North Carolina. From the "Old North State" they moved to Tennessee, and still later went to Tippah County, Miss., and after making their home in this State for twenty-one years, being engaged in farming, they came to Arkansas (in 1855) and settled in what is now Prairie County, making a farm on the Cache River. After a short time they sold this and moved to

Des Arc, where the father resided until his death, October 10, 1874, his wife surviving him until February 11, 1883, when she, too, passed away. Mr. Brock was a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services received a pension from the Government in the latter part of his life. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and gave liberally of his means in support of the same. His wife was a member of the same church, and possessed bright assurances of going to a happy home in the skies. William H. Brook (our subject) grew to manhood in Mississippi, and made his home with his father until the death of the latter, after which he took charge of his mother, caring for her until her demise. In 1862 Mr. Brock enlisted in the Confederate service as a private, but was on detached service the most of the time, conscripting and collecting Confederate money. After the war was over he returned to Des Arc, and has since followed various occupations, the most of his sttention, however, being given to farming. He has 400 acres of land in four different traets, all good land, and more or less improved, lying near Des Arc. He also owns some fine town property, a hotel, some residence proparty, and a livery stable, the latter being under his management in connection [p.688] with his farm for fifteen years. He has served as a member of the school board, as alderman, deputy sheriff, and has had charge of the county poor and insane ever since the war. When Mr. Brook first located in Des Arc the town was in the timber.

David Brockway, senior member of the firm of Brockway & Eaton, general merchants of Hazen, Ark., was born in the Nutmeg State in 1837 and was the second child born to Pierce and Pearl (Webb) Eaton, who were also born in that State, the former's birth occurring about 1810. Upon securing a good education in the common schools of his native State, he began learning the carpenter's trade, and followed this occupation throughout life. He was married about 1834 and made his home in Hartford, Conn., his children being born there. Their names are as follows: William (who died when young), David and Mary (who became the wife of Mr. Hurlburt, of Quincy, Ill., and died one year after her marriage). The father of these children emigrated to California in 1848 and was never heard from afterward, but was supposed to have died in that State about 1848 or 1849. His wife survived him until 1853 when she, too, passed to her long home, her death occurring in the State of Virginia whither she had gone for her health. She was a daughter of Harvey Webb, a native of Connecticut. David Brockway acquired his sarly education in New Haven, Conn., and at the age of twenty years he started for the West to seek a fortune, and landed in McDonough County, Ill., where he made his home until 1883, at which date he came to Arkansas and settled at Hazen. He was formerly a successful farmer, but since his arrival in this State he has devoted his attention to merchandising and the lumber business, and since 1887 has been associated in business with William E. Eaton. They are also large shippers of hay and cotton and do an annual business of about $75,000. Mr. Brockway is a Republican politically, and socially, belongs to Hazen Lodge No. 361, A. F. & A. M., and the United Workmen, Good Hope (Ill.) Lodge No. 129. He was married in Illinois to Miss Rebecca Ballance, a daughter of Joseph Ballance, a native of England. Mrs. Brockway was born in Illinois and has borne her husband five ohildren: Mollie (Mrs. Webb, residing in Illinois), Ella (Mrs. Eaton), Pearl, Bessie and Bruce. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

William E. Eaton is the junior member of the firm of Brockway & Eaton, general merchants of Hazen, Ark., and was born near Viola, Mercer County, Ill., being a son of Rev. Cyrus H. and Margaret (Frazier) Eaton, the former of whom was born in the State of Virginia in 1821. He settled near Viola, Ill., about 1845, and was there married, his wife being a daughter of John and Elizabeth Frazier, who removed to Illinois from their native State, Ohio, at an early day. The family born to Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are: Martin (who is married and is a practicing physician of Fairbury, Neb.), Hugh (who is married and resides in Chicago, Ill., being engaged in the manufacturing business), John and William E. Rev. Cyrus Eaton removed to Iowa, becoming a well-known minister of that State, but is now in Oklahoma, Ind. Ty., in the interests of the church. His wife died in Hazen, Ark., in 1884. William E. Eaton was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Ella Brockway, and is residing in Hazen, Ark., the father of two children: Hallie and Harry. Margaret died in infaney. Mr. Eaton received his education in the Iowa College at Grinnell, and his youth was spent in that State and in Illinois. He has resided in Arkansas since 1883, and is associated with his father-in-law in the general mercantile business, and is meeting with financial success. Politically he is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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James T. Brown (deceased) was a man well known in Prairie County, and was respected for his straightforward course through life and for his many Christian virtues. He was born in Talledega County, Ala., April 13, 1842, and until he attained his eighteenth year he was a resident of his native State. At the opening of the Civil War he joined the Confederate forces and served until the close of the war, after which he went North to Indians, and located in Hamilton County, where he met and afterward married Miss Elizabeth J. Fall, their union taking place September 9, 1866. [p.689] Mrs. Brown was born in Hamilton County, a daughter of D. H. and Susan (Wells) Brown, and after her marriage she and Mr. Brown were engaged in farming for about three years, after which they moved to Illinois, and a year later came to Prairie County, Ark. A year later they went to Woodruff County, but a short time after returned to Prairie County and located at Des Arc, where Mr. Brown purchased a mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. This business he conducted very successfully for a number of years, but in 1887 he sold his mill and turned his attention to farming once more, continuing this occupation until his death March 27, 1889. He was a man possessing fine business qualifications and was very successful in all his ventures, but gave liberally of his means to all worthy movemonts, and the needy were never turned empty from his door. He left a wife and two sons to mourn his death, the latter's names being: Daniel L. (who is married and rsides on a farm in this county) and Edgar W. (a young man at home). Mrs. Brown has been engaged in the hotel business since the death of her husband, and her success in this undertaking does much to show what a woman can do when dependent upon her own resources. She keeps a first-class house called the Des Arc House.

Fred E. Brown is a prosperous general merchant of Des Arc, Ark., and by his superior business qualities has done much to advance the reputation which the county now enjoys as a commercial center. He was born in Choctaw County, Miss., August 27, 1858, and is a son of A. J. and Elizabeth (House) Brown, who were born, reared and married in Alabama, and removed to Arkansas in 1869, settling on a farm near Hickory Plains, where they are now residing. Fred E. Brown grew to manhood in Prairie County, and was edncated in the schools of Des Arc and in a commercial college at Little Rock. He began the battle of life for himself as a clerk in Des Arc in 1879, but at the end of a few years he became a traveling salesman for a St. Louis and Memphis wholesale house and continued this occupation until 1888, when he purchased a stock of goods and engaged in business for himself. His store is now well established and his stock of goods is large and well selected, and as he possesses good judgment, business ability and efflcienoy, his efforts are meeting with welldeserved success, and his outlook for the future is bright and promising. He was married in December, 1882, to Miss Ada Morrell, a daughter of J. C. Morrell, who was one of the early settlers of the State, and who established and edited the Des Arc Citizen for a number of years. Mrs. Brown was born, reared and educated in Prairie County, and is the mother of one child, Charles Frederick. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

David J. Burks, farmer and ginner, Hickory Plains, Ark. Generally age and experience are essential to success and promotion, but in the example before us we have a young man who has risen without any especial fortuitous circumstances to the position of one of the successful agriculturists of the county. He was born in Logan County, Ky., June 11, 1859, and his father, W. I. Burka, is a native of the same State. The latter was married in his native State to Miss Harriet Irwin, a native of the same county and State, and followed farming in Kentucky for a number of years. He now resides at Springfield, Mo., where he is ngaged in merchandising. He served through the late war as first lientenant in the Confederate service. In 1874 he moved to Arkansas, and remained here until 1883, when he moved to Springfield, Mo. D. J. Burks came with his parents to Arkansas in 1874, and here grew to manhood. On November 22, 1878, his nuptials with Miss Einma Deener, anative of Arkansas and a daughter of Thomas and Huldah Deener, were solemnized, and to this happy union have been born two children: Willie and Irwin. After marriage Mr. Burks located on a farm, and has cultivated the soil industriously since that time. He bought a gin in the fall of 1888, and has good machinery, etc. His farm consists of about eighty acres with seventy-five cres under cultivation. He has a good residence and outbuildings, etc., and is making his way to the front.

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Dr. James W. Burney, physician, surgeon and druggist, Des Arc, Ark. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits, [p.690] sciences, arts and professions, it is only fit and right that that profession on which, in some period or other of our lives—the medical profession—all are more or less dependent, should be prominently noticed. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ailments to which suffering humanity is prone, and as such he deserves the most grateful consideration of all. A prominent physician and surgeon, who, by his own great abilities, has attained distinction in his profession, is Dr. James W. Burney. This gentleman owes his nativity to Williamson County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on November 1, 1830, but he was reared principally in Maury County, of that State. He came West, to Mississippi, in 1850, located at Mount Pleasant, and in 1855 commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. J. D. Sale, one of the most prominent physicians of Northern Mississippi. In the winter of 1856-57 he took his first course of lectures at the Memphis Medical College, and in March, of the last-named year, located at Des Arc, where he associated himself with Dr. J. C. Goodwin, with whom he commenced the practice of medicine. The following year, in July, he volunteered his services in the terrible epidemic of yellow fever, then scourging Vicksburg, Miss., rendering valuable assistance in fighting the same. In 1859 the Doctor returned to Des Are, resumed his practice, and on September 13, of the same year, was united in marriage to Miss Lucy C. Adams, a native of Tennessee, who was reared and educated in Memphis, and the daughter of H. S. Adams, a planter in Mississippi, a soldier in the War of 1812, and a participant in the battle of New Orleans. In 1861 the Doctor enlisted in the Confederate army as lieutenant in Col. Patterson's regiment, and the following year was promoted to the captaincy of Company E, Col. Matlock's regiment, by Gen. Hindman. He remained in active service up to 1864, when he resigned his commission and returned to Des Arc. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, and was in many severe skirmishes. After returning to Des Are he engaged actively in the practice of his profession, in which he continued up to the present time. He went to Philadelphia and completed his course, graduating from the Medical Department of that renowned university in the class of February, 1870. Before and since his gradustion he has enjoyed an extensive practice, proving conclusively that he is one of the most successful and skillful physicians in the State. He engaged in the drug business in 1881, and still continues that industry. Dr. Burney lost his first wife on August 6, 1878, and on December 7, 1880, he selected for his second wife Mrs. Hattie (Johnson) Richardson, a native of Alabama, but who was reared in Arkansas, and the daughter of Hanp Johnson. The fruits of this union have been two children: Alfred and Robert, aged, respectively, eight and six years. The Doctor was first vicepresident of the first medical society formed in Prairie County, and is president of the board of examiners of this county, discharging the duties of this, as in all other important positions to which he has been called, with honor, fidelity, ability, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a

Master Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For the past ten years the Doctor's name has been prominently mentioned by his friends in connection with a seat in our State legislature, but owing to private business and his extreme modesty, he has never given his consent to become a candidate for the position, although a prominent leader in the Democratic party. Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee during the dark days of reconstruction, he was ever at the helm, and landed the old scar-worn party safely and successfully to victory over all opposition. The Doctor's father, John Burney, was a native of North Carolina, and was reared in Guilford County, where he married Miss Matilda Young, a native also of North Carolina, and who was reared in the same county. The father moved to Tennessee about 1820, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also a mechanic, and died in Henry County. His wife survived him a few years. Their family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, three sons and three daughters now living, the three elder sons being deceased: J. T., R. W. and J. M. Burney. Those living are Mrs. E. [p.691] P. Warren (of Mississippi), Mary B. Burney (on the old home place in Maury County), Mrs. Sallie Glenn (of Tennessee), Thomas P. Burney (of Maury County, Tenn.), Prof. A. M. Burney (president of the Howard FemaleCollege, at Gallstin, Tenn.) and Dr. James W. Burney (the oldest of the three brothers, living at Des Are, Ark., actively engaged in the practice of medicine and the drug business). He has practiced medicine a greater number of years than any other man ever did in Prairie County. He never smoked a cigar, never took a chew of tobacco, never shaved his face nor never drank whisky. At this date (January 1, 1800) his weight is even 200 pounds, and he is six feet in height, stout and active, as all may be who will lead a temperate life.

Joseph W. Caskey, farmer and stock raiser, Hickory Plains, Ark. Agricultural pursuits has been Mr. Caskey's principal occupation in life, and the energetic and wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to the enhanced value of his property, has had a great deal to do with obtaining the competence which he now enjoys. He first saw the light in Maury County, Tenn., on August 6, 1847, and when ten years of age came with his parents, J. J. and Nancy J. (Foster) Caskey, to Arkansas, and there grew to manhood. He is the eldest of three children, two sisters: Sarah (deceased, wife of C. C. Broyles) and Martha E. (wife of C. C. Burton). The parents were natives of Tennessee, and in 1856 moved to Arkansas, locating in Prairie County, on the farm where Joseph W. is now residing. There were but slight improvements on the place at that time, but they began working on the same, and soon many changes were to be seen. The father died in Ringgold, Ga., in 1863, and the mother followed him to the grave in 1885. Joseph W. Caskey then took charge of the home place, has 160 acres of land, with eighty acres improved, and all his buildings are good and substantial. He was married on January 18, 1872, to Miss M. J. Burton, a native of Henderson County, Tenn., and the daughter of C. A. Burton. Five children have been born to this union: L. C., James A., N. E., W. J. and Harriet R. Mr. and Mrs. Caskey are members of the Baptist Church, and he is clerk of the same.

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M. M. Clark, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. Mr. Clark, another of the honored and much respected pioneers of Prairie County, was originally from Kentucky, where his birth occurred in Warren County, in April, 1829, and was the eighth in a family of thirteen children born to the union of Joseph and Sarah (Moore) Clark, natives of South Carolina. The parents were married in Warren County, Ky., in 1818, and the father followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife died in St. Louis two years later. The grandparents on both sides were pioneers of Kentucky, and the paternal grandfather, Micajah Clark, was in the Revolutionary War, as was also the maternal grandfather, Hugh Moore, who died in Kentucky, at the age of ninety-six years. M. M. Clark was early taught the duties of the farm, and received his education in the schools of Warren County, Ky. He came to Arkansas in 1854, settled in Mississippi County, near Osceola, where he purchased 161 acres of land, with ten acres cleared. He also entered 160 acres, making 320 acres in all, cleared the same, erected buildings, but in the freshet of 1858, lost everything he had. He was married in Mississippi County, Ark., in October, 1857, to Miss Temperance A. Herrell, a native of North Carolina, and in 1859 he sold out and came to Prairie County, Ark. In March, 1862, he enlisted at Des Arc, in Capt. Ball's company, McCarver's regiment, for three years, and was in the battle of Fort Pillow. After remaining there some time, he returned to Arkansas, and entered Gen. Hindman's division, Col. Glenn's regiment, participating in the battle of Oak Hill, Ark. He was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He was in the battle of Helena, where he received a bomb shell wound in the foot, and was paroled at the hospital at Helens, in July, 1864. He then returned to Prairie County, Ark., entered the cavalry service, and was in active duty during the war. After this he returned to Prairie County, Ark., and in 1870 moved into Wattensas Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and now has seventy acres cleared and under cultivation. [p.692] His principal crops are cotton and corn. He is active in politics, and votes with the Democratic party. He has been magistrate in his township. Mrs. Olark is a member of the Methodist Episoopal Church, South. To their nnion were born two children: John and Mary (now Mrs. George Ray). Mr. Clark has witnessed many changes in the country since his residence here, being one of the oldest settlers in the township, and has always taken an active interest in all matters relating to the good of the county. He is deeply interested in educational matters, and has been a member of the school board for sixteen years.

B. J. Collins, merchant, Hazen, Ark. Jared Collins, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina in 1807, was married in about 1832 to Miss Matilda E. Witty and reared a family of five children: Sally J. (deceased, married Dr. Jerome Cockran), J. W. (was killed in a battle at Jonesboro, Ga.), O. B. (is residing at Birmingham, Ala.), Emma C. (married Mr. Steadham and now resides at Pine Bluff, Ark.) and Mattie E. (now Mrs. Lawrence, resides at Memphis, Tenn:). Mr. Collins moved to Mississippi about 1835, and settled in Hernando County, where he was engaged in the tailor's business, but later became a tiller of the soil in the same county. His wife died and he married Miss R. J. Irwin, the mother of the subject of this sketch, in 1842, and the daughter of Bashford and Sophia Irwin, natives of that grand old mother of States, Virginia. B. J. Collins is the eldest of the following children: J. W. (who is married and resides in Birmingham, Ala.), Laura A. (deceased, was the wife of Mr. G. W. Guthrie), J. D. (resides in Shubuts, Miss.), M. J. (resides in Cotton Plant, Ark.), Minnie (is the wife of Mr. Dobbins, of Hazen, Ark.), and M. J. (married and resides at Cotton Plant, Ark.). B. J. Collins was reared and educated in Mississippi, and in 1862 enlisted in Company C, Fortysecond Mississippi Infantry, commanded by Col. Miller. He was discharged in 1863, and after the war was engaged in farming until 1869, when he went to Grenada, Miss., and until 1877 carried on the mercantile business. Returning to De Soto County he remained two years, and in 1879 removed to Brinkley, Ark. In 1881 he located at Batesville, Independence County, coming thence to Prairie County, in 1887, where he engaged in merchandising with Mr. Dobbins. Mr. Collins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is a Democrat in his political views and is one of the successful men of the county.

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William Cook, deputy county clerk, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. This representative gentleman is a native of Shenandoah Valley, Va., where his birth occurred in 1838, and is the eldest of five children, the fruits of the union of William and Sarah (Kelley) Cook, natives of the Old Dominion. The father was a merchant by occupation and followed this in Warren County, Va., for many years. William Cook, Jr., was reared in the Shenandoah Valley, received his education in his native State, and when fifteen years of age left home and went to Missouri. He then started to go overland to California, went as far as Salt Lake City, and then returned to Missouri, settling in Rockport, and was here engaged as clerk for different firms. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and soon after the battle of Wilson's Creek, he was assigned to Gen. McBride's regiment, Seventh Division, Missouri State Guards. He partioipated in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Pes Ridge, Ark., and Corinth. He was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri, and was taken prisoner at Lexington, in that State. He was taken to Johnson's Island, was paroled in 1865, and then came direct to Des Are, Prairie County, Ark., where he engaged in general merchandising under the firm of Wilson & Cook, and carried on business until 1868. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm he had purchased in the edge of Des Are, for some years, and later was made deputy clerk of Prairie County. He is a Democrst in his political principles. Socially he is a member of the White River Lodge No. 37, A. F. & A. M., and has served in every office in the lodge, having been Worshipful Master for ten years. He is a member of Iron Hall Lodge No. 109, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. He was married in Missouri in 1861, to Miss Mattie Lewis, a native of Virginia, who [p.693] died at Des Arc in 1874, leaving three children, the eldest, Lula, now Mrs. Vayden, of Des Are, Mr. Cook was married the second time in Des Are, in 1875, to Miss Can T. Allen, a native of Tennessee, and the result of this union was one child, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Cook was a member of the school board at Des Are for some years, and is now one of the progressive men of De Vall's Bluff. Mrs. Cook is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Joshua Davis. From his earliest youth, Mr. Davis has been familiar with the details of farm work, and since his fifth year has been a resident of Arkansas. He was born in Maury County, Tenn., in the year 1835, being the fourth child born to Joseph and Hannah (Lamb) Davis, the former a native of South Carolina, born in 1812. He was the youngest of his father's family, and when quite a young man he was left an orphan, and from that time onward was compelled to fight his own way in the world. He started westward, and finally settled in Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Lamb, by whom he became the father of nino children: Emma (decoased), Elizabeth, Thomas, John Abraham, Leonidas, William, all of whom are dead. Those living are: Joshua and Nancy (Mrs. Davis). Joseph Davis was a farmer and a practicing physician, and followed both these occupations throughout his residence in Arkansas, having first come here in 1840, settling in Monroe County. In 1849 he moved to Prairie County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and later bought eighty acres more, and here made his home until 1882, when he moved to Pulaski County, and here died the following year. He was very fond of the chase, and his desires in this direction were fully satisfied, for on first coming to the State, it was a splendid hunting region, Politically he was a Democrat, and for many years he had been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife, who was an earnest member of the Methodist Episeopal Church, South, died in Prairie County, Ark., in 1852. Joshua Davis was married in 1860 to Miss Emma Knowls, her people having been residents of Ohio. His wife died five days after her son Scott was born, and in 1866 Mr. Davis wedded Mrs. Sarah M. (Hendrix) Sparks, widow of S. M. Sparks, and by her has had the following children: William H. (deceased), Priscilla (Mrs. Davis), Lucretia (Mrs. Sales), Leonidas and Elmira. In 1861 Mr. Davis enlisted in Capt. Garrett's company, Fifth Arkansas Hegiment, and after serving until 1862, was discharged on account of ill health. Upon recovering, he enlisted in the Second Arkansas Cavalry, and in 1863 received a severe wound in the head at Big Shanty, Ga. He was also at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. Since his return home, he has given his time to agricultural pursuits, and now has a fine farm of 320 acres, with 120 under cultivation. Like his father he is fond of hunting, and in his political views is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

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Richard Dinsdale, county assessor, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. The locality in which De Vall's Bluff is situated is indeed fortunate in having among its citizens such a man as Richard Dinsdale is conceded to be, for his connection with the interests of the county in a quiet, but none the less effective way, has proven to be of much benefit and influence, and of no little importance. He was born in Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1835, and was the youngest of eight children, the fruits of the union of John and Isabella (Thwaite) Dinsdale, both natives of Yorkshire, England. The ancestors were farmers for generations back, and on both sides were of English descent. The father died in his native country in 1837, and the mother received her final summons in 1863. Their children were named as follows: Alexander (married at Brownmore, orkshire, England, was an extensive stock and dairy farmer and died, leaving one daughter, Isabella, now Mrs. Thomas Willain, of Brownmore, England), Simon (married and settled in Yorkshire, England, was a farmer, and died in 1887 or 1888, leaving one daughter, Rose, who is now Mrs. Hebden and resides in England), George (married and settled at Gale, England, was an innkeeper, and died in 1883), Ann (married Robert Pratt, and died in England in 1880), Fawcett (married, and settled near Melbonrne, Australia, [p.694] in 1851, where he is engaged in farming), Jane (died at the age of six years) and Richard. The latter was reared on a dairy farm in Yorkshire, England, received his education in the schools of that country, and, at the age of twenty-one years, left Liverpool, on a sailing vessel, and, after an ocean voyage of five weeks, landed at Castle Garden, New York City. From there he went direct to La Crosse, Wis., remained there one year, and, in the spring of 1857, in company with nine others, crossed overland to Blue Earth County, Minn., where he entered 120 acres, near Mankato. This he improved, and also speculated in buying and selling land. In October, 1861, he enlisted in an independent battalion of Minnesota Volunteers and was mustered into service at Fort Snelling, Minn., November 1. From there he was sent to Benton Barracks, Mo., and participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, after which he was engaged in guard duty as escort to the telegraph corps through Kentucky and Tennessee. He was discharged at St. Paul, November 80, 1864, remained there a short time, and, in January, 1865, started for De Vall's Bluff, Ark., where he was engaged in the general grocery business. This he continued until 1873. During this time he was appointed county treasurer by Powell Clayton, and served four years. He subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 400 acres of land, while his wife has 200 acres, making 600 acres in all, with about fifty acres under cultivation. He was married at De Vall's Bluff, Ark., in 1873, to Mrs. S. A. Brooks, a native of West Tennessee, and the result of this union has been two children: Isabella (died at the age of four years) and Maggie (who died at the age of eight years). Mr. and Mrs. Dinsdale are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Socially. Mr. Dinsdale is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hamilton Lodge No. 110, he being Worshipful Master of the lodge. He is also a member of the Chapter, a member of Occidental Council No. 1, Little Rock, and belongs to De Vall's Bluff Lodge No. 2172, K. of H., which he has represented in the Grand Lodge. He takes an active part in politics, and his vote is cast with the Republican party. He also takes a deep interest in educational matters and has been a member of the school board for years. He has been a member of the town council a number of terms. He was elected county assessor in 1888, which position he fills to the satisfaction of all.

Dobbins & Collins, general merchants, Hazen, Ark. W. G. Dobhins, senior member of the firm, was born in Warren County, N. C., in 1844, and was the fourth in a family of five children born to the union of N. J. and Rebecca (Baker) Dobbins, natives of Virginia and North Oarolina. The parents were married in North Carolina in 1830, and later moved to Mississippi, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits. Their children were named as follows: Elizabeth (deceased, was the wife of John E. Brown), John J. (married and resides in Mississippi), Edward B. (was killed at the battle of Shiloh), W. G. (our subject), and Joseph S. (who is married and resides in Mississippi). N. J. Dobbins is a member of the Baptist Church, is a public-spirited citizen and an earnest Democrat. His wife died in 1888. W. G. Dobbins moved to Mississippi with his parents in 1856, received his education in the common schools and began life as a sturdy son of the soil. He was married in 1877 to Miss Minnie C. Collins, daughter of Jared and R. J. (Erwin) Collins, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Virginia. To this union were born five children, two now living: Viola D. and Edward B. Those deceased were named: William I, Clyde and Ada I. Mr. Dobbins moved to Arkansas in 1888, and engaged in merchandising at Hazen, where he still continues. He is an active man in the building up of the country and is universally respected. He is Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In 1862 Mr. Dobbins enlisted in Blythe's battalion for twelve months, State service, and in 1863 he enlisted in Chalmer's battalion Eighteenth Mississippi Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Fort Pillow, Guntown, Harrisburg and several skirmishes. At the close of the war he returned to Mississippi and there remained until coming to Arkansas.

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James M. Dorris has been a resident of Prairie [p.695] County for twenty two years, but has been a resident of the State since 1859. He is a Kentuckian, born in Fulton County August 7, 1838, and is a son of Samuel H. and Auna (Howton) Dorris, who were also natives of the "Blue Grass State." The father, who was born in 1795, was a farmer throughout life, and a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and died in his native State in 1847, his wife's death occurring in 1846, she being born in 1799. James M. Dorris made his home with a sister in Kentucky until about sixteen years of age, then resided with different parties until he attained his majority. His early advantages for acquiring an education were not of the best, but he read with avidity such books as came in his way, and by the time he was ready to commence his medical studies he was a well-informed and intelligent young man. He became a disciple of Æsculapiue under the direction of Dr. J. B. Blanton, of Hickman, Ky., and was a conscientious and faithful student for over two years. In 1859 he came to Arkansas and located at Searcy, and until the opening of the war was occupied as a hardware merchant. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a member of Company A, of Col. Matlock's regiment, one of the best drilled, as well as one of the best fighting companies west of the Mississippi River. Capt. James A. Poe commanded the company, in which he served until the close of the war, being engaged in various detached duty the most of the time. He was a participant in a number of skirmishes, and while home in Arkansas on a furlough, the army was disbanded in Louisiana. He then returned to Searcy and again engaged in the hardware business, but sold out after one year's experience, and settled about six miles northwest of Des Arc, where he began the practice of medicine, and was one of the leading members of that "healing art" for about seventeen years. He also conducted a farm, and was engaged in raising stock, and in all these enterprises was extremely successful. During the war he lost all his property, but since that time he has accumulated a handsome competency, and is now the owner of about 1,500 acres of land, about 250 acres being in White County. His land embraces five farms, and he has about 300 acres under cultivation and well improved. He has always been a stanch Democrat in politics, and while a resident of White County served in the capacity of associate justice in the county courts, and in September, 1888, was elected to the last-named office in Prairie County, and in this capacity has shown sterling integrity, sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal views. His decisions are made after careful and painstaking study of the evidence and all feel that his judgment can be relied upon. While in White County the Judge was married on October 17, 1860, to Miss Fannie E. Old, a daughter of Thomas Old. She was born near Somerville, Tenn., and was there reared to womanhood. She and the Judge are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are the parents of the following family: James T. (deputy sheriff of Prairie County), Samuel H., Lucien A. and Rosie (who is attending college at Gallatin, Tenn.).

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Adolph Driehaus, at present a planter of Ulm, Ark., is one of the many excellent citizens of foreign birth now living in Prairie County, who, by their thrift and energy have become prosperous and subetantial residents in the commanity in which they make their home. He was born in the city of Leer on the river Ems, on the north seacoast (German Empire), on June 25, 1831, receiving his education at several of the schools in the city, and when hardly fifteen years of age went to ses, visiting most every navigable port in the world. He served nearly three years on the old frigate, Constitution, under Commodore Mayo, stationed on the west coast of Africa to suppress the slave trade, and was honorably discharged at Portemouth, N. H., in 1854, under F. Pierce's administration. He studied navigation and went, after a year's hard studying, to sea again for several years as second and first officer or mate, when, in 1859, he became master of the barque Five Star. After one voyage he was given command of the Goldfinder, in which vessel he went up the Pike River to Fienstien in September of 1862. When France and England were at war with China, on August 13, 1862, at 3 o'clock P. M., they were attacked by Chinese [p.696] pirates in the Gulf of Pichili and Mr. Driehaus was shot through the head and severely cut up with swords and left for dead. In 1863 he commanded the clipper barque, Flying Fish, under the Siamese colors, sailing mostly between Bankok and Shanghai, when, in 1865, she was sold at Hong Kong for $35,000. While in command of this craft he met with the Confederate crniser, Alabama, on the east coast of Borneo, commanded by Capt. Lemmon. He then paid his passage from Hong Kong to London, England, and later made a visit to his old home in Leer to see his father. In March, 1866, he left home again, being of a restlees disposition, and crossed the ocean to New York, trying hard to get command of a vessel again, but times being so very dull he remained quite a while in New York without success. He then went to Illinois and Iowa to grow up with the country and made several successful land speculations. On October 6 he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Rennan, who bore him eight children: Emma, Mary, Robert E., Adolph H., Bertha H., John T. and two other children who died in infancy. Mr. Driehaus' children are all at home with the exception of his oldest daughter, Mrs. Alf, Shriner, who resides in Nebraska, and is the mother of one child, a daughter named Mary. Mr. Driehaus has a good farm of 240 acres, eighty acres of which are improved and well stocked. He has an excellent orchard of 800 bearing trees, and is one of the wide-awake farmers of the county. After his marriage he resided in Iowa for a short time and then moved to Nebraska where he lived for twenty years, being one of the first settlers. The Pawnee Indians were numerous there at that time. Mr. Driehaus and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he takes a deep interest in educational matters. He came to this State in December, 1888, taking possession of the property he had bought the year previous, preferring the Sunny South of this locality to the North with its blizzards.

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W. T. Edmonds, farmer and ginner, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, supported by - persevering and continnons effort, are essential elements to success in any calling. Mr. Edmonds was originally from Shelby County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on October 14, 1845, and is the son of William T. Edmonds, a native of Tennessee, and one of the early pioneers of that State. He was married in Obion County, Tenn., to Miss Mary Ann Brown, also a native of Tennessee, and the fruits of this union were nine children. The father followed farming there until his death, which occurred in 1851, the mother surviving him until 1852. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was revered and respected by all acquainted with him. W. T. Edmonds, the fifth of the nine children born to his parents, was reared to farm life, educated in the schools of Obion and Shelby Counties, Tenn., and in August, 1861, at Dresden, Weakley County, Tenn., he enlisted in Company A, Thirtyfirst Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Capt. Tansey, as a private. He participated in the battles of Shilob, Corinth, Perryville and Murfreesboro, and after that battle, under the conscript act, he was discharged and returned to West Tennessee. He there joined Gen. Forrest's cavalry, and was in the battle of Harrisburg (Miss.), Price's Cross Roads, Memphis, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Pillow, etc. He was paroled at Gainesville, Ala, in 1865, after which he returned to Memphis and engaged as salesman in a wholesale tobacco house. In 1868 he was messenger on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad for the Southern Express Company, running from Cairo to Mobile, and in 1869 he came to Prairie County, settled in Lower Hill Township. where he remained engaged in tilling the soil until 1888. He then purchased 460 acres of land, with 150 acres under cultivation, and his principal crops have been cotton and corn. He has a good cotton-gin located one and a

half miles from De Vall's Bluff, and is considered one of the practical and progressive farmers of the county. He is a Democrat, politically, but is not active in politics. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, White River Lodge No. 41, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor, De Vall's Bluff Lodge. He was married at De Vall's Bluff, Ark., on December [p.697] 23, 1886, to Miss Sally Senter, a native of Hamblen County, Tenn., who was a teacher in the De Vall's Bluff schools when Mr. Edmonds met her. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Martin M. Erwin is one of the progressive tillers of the soil of Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Austin in what is now Lonoke County, December 9, 1828, being a son of Oliver Erwin, a brother of A. S. Erwin. He was reared on the home farm near Austin, and his knowledge of the world was only such as could be obtained while assisting his father in tilling the soil. He was married in Pulaski County in July, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth McCraw, a daughter of Pleasant McCraw, a prominent man and a pioneer of that county. After his marriage Mr. Erwin farmed for a short time near the old home place, but in 1853 he moved to Des Are where he has since made his home, and in addition to conducting his farm he also dealt in real estate, both occupations proving quite successful, and he is now the owner of several thousand acres of land, besides some valuable town property. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army and served until he received his discharge for disability the following year. After remaining idle until 1863 he re-enlisted and was on active duty until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife by death in 1855, and two years later he took for his second wife Miss Sania Bethell, a daughter of Dr. William Bethell, who is now deceased. Mrs. Erwin was born in Rockingham County, N. C., but was reared and educated in Dallas County, Ark. She and Mr. Erwin have one son, William Erwin, a merchant of Des Arc; and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Ambrose S. Erwin, retired merchant, Des Arc, Ark. In these days of money-making, when life is a constant struggle between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to lay before an intelligent reader the unsullied record of an honorable man. To the youthful it will be a useful lesson, an incentive to honest industry. Ambrose S. Erwin, the subject of this sketch, in a native of Arkansas, his birth occurring at old Austin, in what is now Lonoke County, on February 26, 1834, and is the son of Hon. James and Olivia (McCaleb) Erwin, both natives of North Carolina. The father was of Irish descent and grew to manhood in his native State, where he remained until 1822. He then moved to Arkansas, settled in what is now old Austin, and erected the first house in Lonoke or Prairie Counties, being one of the first actual settlers of these counties. He resided in that vicinity and carried on agricultural pursuits until about 1850, when he, in partnership with G. C. Watkins, of Little Rock, entered the land and laid off the town of Des Arc. He then settled there, erected a residence, mill and gin, and there died on January 1, 1853. He held several prominent official positions, and was the first man to represent Prairie County in the legislature. He contracted with the United States to assist in removing the Indians west of the Mississippi and was engaged in that business for a number of years. Mrs. Erwin survived her husband a few years, dying in 1859; she was of Scotch descent. Their family consisted of three sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to mature years, but Ambrose S. and an elder brother are the only ones now living. The former attained his growth in Des Are, and remained with his parents until they received their final summons. In 1855 he began clerking in Des Are, and continued at this until 1859, when he formed a partnership with a Mr. P. H. Haley, in the general mercantile business and which he has continued the principal part of the time since. He began as clerk, but by his good business management has made a comfortable competence which he now enjoys, and is one of the substantial men of Prairie County. He left his business during the war, and in 1861 enlisted in Col. Churchill's regiment, serving about three months, when he was discharged. In 1862 he re-enlisted in Col. Crawford's regiment and served until the close of the war. He entered the army as a private, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and at the close of the war had charge of a company. He participated in the following battles: Oak Hills, Poison Springs, Mark's Mill, and [p.698] was in all the battles of Gen. Price's raid through Missouri. He was captured with Gen. Marmaduke at Big Blue, but succeeded in making his escape within two hours afterward. He was at Camden and had command of couriers when peace was declared and he was disbanded at that place. Returning home after the war he formed a partnership with S. N. Jackson, which continued for three years, and then he and Mr. Plunkett formed a partnership in the mercantile business, which continued for about twenty years. Mr. Erwin was married in Des Arc, in February, 1859, to Miss Lucy Bethell, a native of Memphis, but who was reared in Arkansas, and the daughter of Dr. William Bethell. They have five children: Anna (wife of Reuben Lee), Albert L., Cartie (wife of F. P. Cates, of Little Rock), Mabel and Minnie (two young ladies at home). Mr. Erwin is a Master Mason, and he and wife and family are members of the Old School Preebyterian Church.

Albert L. Erwin, although a young man, is already recognized as a progressive and substantial merchant of Des Arc and has achieved a place among the business men of the county by no means an inferior one and one in which many older in years and experience might well feel prood to occupy. He has spent his life and received his education in Des Arc, his birth occurring here January 1, 1864, and he is a son of A. S. and Lucy Erwin, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Besides attending the schools of his native town he was also an attendant of Batesville College and after clerking in his father's store some time he formed a partnership with B. B. Bethel & Co., and was associated with this firm for two years. He then hegan business for himsalf and now has one of the best and most complete establishments in the county. His store is a long two-story brick 110×30 feet and is well fitted to supply the wants of the public. He has been married since September 20, 1885, to Iuta Ward, a native of Winona, Miss., where she was also reared and educated, being an attendent of the Ward Seminary, of Nashville, Tenn. She died September 22, 1889, leaving one son: Benj. A., a child of three years. Mr. Erwiu is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

B. W. Flinn, M. D., is a physician and surgeon of prominence in Prairie County, Ark., and although he is still a young practitioner he has been very successful in alleviating the sufferings of the sick and afflicted. He was born in Darlington District, S. C., February 19, 1861, and is a son of Dr. C. J. Flinn, a native of the "Emerald Isle," but who was reared and educated in Mississippi. He was a man of superior mental endowments, and for a number of years was professor in Charleston Medical College, becoming well known as an eminent physician. In 1869 he moved to Arkansas, and located in Lonoke County, and for two years practiced his profession at Austin, moving in 1871 to Des Arc, Prairie County, where he made his home until his death, November 24, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan A. Hearron, was born and reared in South Carolina, and their marriage also took place in that State. She now resides in Des Arc. Dr. B. W. Flinn spent the greater part of his youth in Des Arc, and received the best educational advantages the town afforded, commencing, after reaching a proper age, the study of medicine with his father, and took his first course of lectures in 1879 in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. During 1880 and 1881 he took a course of medical lectures in a College of Memphis, Tenn., graduating in the spring of 1881, but the following year returned to this institution and took the hospital course. He then located eight miles south of Des Arc, and has since been in active practice in the county, but since March, 1884, has been a resident of the town of Des Arc. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and in 1884 was appointed county medical examiner, and still holds this position. He was married in Prairie County, March 10, 1886, to Miss Lizzie Whyte, a daughter of J. F. Whyte, she being a native of this county, and by her he has one son: Heber, who is eighteen months old. The Dr. and his wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the K. of H., and is medical examiner of his lodge.

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F. H. Fransioli is a farmer of Belcher Township, Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1851, and was reared to [p.699] manhood in that county, being the third child born to J. A. and Mary J. (Thomason) Fransioli, the former a native of Switzerland. About the year 1820 he emigrated to America, settling in Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the queensware business and made his home for nearly forty years. In 1844 he married the daughter of John Thomason, a native of Mississippi, and by her became the father of the following family: Josephine (who is the wife of George Shutt and resides in Wilson County, Tenn.), Charles (who died in Arkansas County, Ark., in 1877) and our subject, F. H. Mr. Fransioli died in Cuba in 1858, whither he had gone for his health. His widow survives him and is a resident of Middle Tennessee. F. H. Fransioli spent his life, up to 1875, in the State of Tennessee, and after the year 1870 worked for himself, being engaged in farming in Wilson County. This occupation has received the greater part of his attention since coming to the State, and of his fine farm of 600 acres he has 150 acres under cultivation. He possesses those advanced ideas and progressive principles regarding agricultural life which has placed so many men at the top round of the ladder, and in looking over his well tilled farm we find that his days have not been uselessly or idly spent. He has done all in his power to promote an interest in the building of schools and churches, and has also been interested in local politics, being a member of the Democratic party. He is a Mason, and his wife, whom he married in 1879, and whose maiden name was Lucy Tittle, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of James and Margaret E. (Hurst) Tittle.

David Gates, De Vall's Bluff, Ark. A number of years passed in sincere and honest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty in the different lines of business to which his attention has been directed has contributed very materially to the success that has fallen to Mr. Gates' career in life. He was born in Bavaria, Gerrnany, in 1845, and was the fourth in a family of five children, the fruits of the union of Mayer and Henrietta Gates, natives also of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a stock breeder, a butcher and an extensive land owner. He died in 1881, and the mother in 1883, in their native country. Ferdinand, their eldest son, came to America in 1855, settled at Hickory Plains, Prairie County. Ark., and in 1865 engaged in business at Des Arc. Later he had four stores, one at De Vall's Bluff, another at Lonoke, another at Cotton Plant and still another at Des Arc. He is closing out the one at Des Are. He is now residing at Memphis. He was in the service for three years. Isaac, another son, came to Prairie County, Ark., in 1856, engaged in peddling until 1865, and then engaged as partner with his brother Ferdinand. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, was quartermaster and commissary in Bragg's division, and was wounded at Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. He suffered from paralysis and died in 1884. David Gates came direct to Prairie County, Ark., in 1857, and although but little over twelve years of age he commenced working for his brother on a salary. He was educated at Hickory Plains, Ark., and in 1862 he donned his suit of gray, shouldered his musket, and enlisted in Company A, Col. Glenn's regiment of infantry. He participated in the battle of Little Rock, and afterward was placed in Woodruff's battalion of artillery. He was in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, and was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex, in 1865, after which he returned to Prairie County, but in 1866 went to the Lone Star State, where he was engaged in the stock business and in running a wagon train. In 1868 he returned to Prairie County, and was engaged on a salary for his brother as collector and outside manager. They own a stock ranch of 480 acres, and make a speciality of raising blooded stook, especially Hereford and short-horned cattle. They also raise cotton, corn, millet and peas. The subject of this sketch owns individually about 1,200 acres, with 450 acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in raising horses. Mr. Gates was married in Des Arc in 1881 to Miss Carrie Greer, a native of Des Arc. They have two children: Stella and Fannie Pearl. Mr. Gates is a member of the K. of H. in Brinkley, and is also a member of De Vall's Bluff Lodge, No. 41, K. of P.

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[p.700] Dr. W. R. J. Gibhon, planter and stock raiser, Roe, Ark. Every life has a history of its own, and although in appearance it may seem to possess very little to distinguish it from others, yet Dr. Gibbon's career as a planter and physician, as well as his experience in the political affairs of the community, have contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of Prairie County, if not personally, then by name, and serves to make his career a more than ordinary one. Dr. Gibbon was born in Brunswick County, Va., on March 19, 1832, and is the son of Thomas Gibbon, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1772. The father was educated in his native State, and in 1811 was there married to Miss Mary Mabry, who was born in Virginia in 1782, and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Dorotha Mabry, early settlers of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbon were born eleven children, five of whom lived to be grown: James L., Thomas, Lucy J., W. R. J. and Charles. The remainder died in infancy. The senior Mr. Gibbon was quite a prominent man in Brunswick County, held the office of sheriff of the same for two years, and filled many other prominent positions. He was in the War of 1812, held the position of captain, but on account of poor health was released from duty. He was member of the Masonic fraternity for about fifty years, and held most of the offices in that order. He and wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a planter by occupation, and owned about 1,300 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1859. His wife died in 1867. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon received his education in Stony Mount Male Academy, Brunswick County, Va., and the Virginis Military Institute, and later attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating during the session of 1854-55. In June of the same year he immigratd to Fayette County, Tenn., practiced his profession there until December, 1856, when he immigrated to Arkansas and located in Monroe County, at Indian Bay. He was married April 24, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Wilie, a native of Pontotoc County, Miss., born March 1, 1839, and the daughter of Oliver and Susan Wilie. On May 28, 1860, a son, Thomas E., was born to this union, and he is now residing at Los Angeles, Cal. He was educated at Austin and Lonoke, and has been practicing law for the past eight years. He is a brilliant young man and was elected to the legislature from Pulaski County, in 1885 and 1886. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon is an extensive planter and stook dealer by occupation, and has about 320 acres of good land, with 125 acres under cultivation. He is one of the prominent men of Prairie County, has represented the same in the legislature, and is at present filling that honorary position. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, in the Masonic order, and has held the office of Master for four years of Lodge No. 185. He is also a member of the Good Templars' lodge, and is a man who takes an interest in all laudable enterprises. He and Mrs. Gibbon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and both are liberal contributors to the same.

page 701

J. W. Grady is one of the well-known farmers and stockmen of Prairie County, and is highly respected and very popular, for his career has been of much valne to this community, both in material affairs, as a public spirited citizen and otherwise. Since 1867 he has resided on his present farm of 160 acres, seventy acres of which are under cultivation, and has continuously given his attention to the calling to which he was reared, that of farming and stock raising. After coming into this new country, he had many discouragements to overcome, and many obstacles to meet in securing for himself and family a comfortable home, but this did not deter him from putting forth every energy toward the ambition of his hopes. In his offorts he was warmly aided by his good wife, whom he married in August, 1865, and whose maiden name was Sarah J. Collier, a daughter of V. H. and Hannah Collier. To Mr. and Mrs. Grady have been born eight children: William L., Caroline (now Mrs. Petty of Prairie County), James, Anna, Francis, Joseph, Mary and Jackson. The mother of these children died at her home in Prairie County, in 1887, and the following year Mr. Grady esponsed Lou E. Petty, a daughter of George I. Petty, of Prairie County. Mr. Grady is a Democrat, [p.701] a Master Mason, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He was born in Alabama in 1841, and was the second child born to William J. and Caroline E. (Brown) Grady, the former of whom was born in the State of North Carolina about 1815. He was married there in 1835, to a daughter of Leroy Brown, a South Carolinian, and he and his wife became the parents of twelve children: Sophia E. (of Texas), J. W. (our biographical subject), Samuel H. (who lives in Mississippi), Nathaniel (also of Mississippi), Zachariah T. (of Alabama), Leroy (of Alabama), Caroline E. (Mrs. McKinney, of Alabama), Florence (Mrs. Tramell, of Alabama), Frances (who died at the age of seventeen years) and three infants (deceased). Mr. Grady moved to Alabama, shortly after he was married and reared his boys to a farm life in that State. He was a prominent Mason, and besides holding a number of official positions, be was Master of his lodge for a number of years. He was magistrate in the town where he lived, and was possessed of a keen insight into business, and very prosperous in farming. He died in Chambers County, Ala., in 1880, his wife following him to the grave five years later. The Grady's are of Irish descent, the grandfather, John Grady, having been born in the "Emerald Isle." In 1861 J. W. Grady took up arms in defense of the South, and enlisted in Company D, Eighth Confederate Cavalry, and was under Wheeler, taking part in all the engagements in which the Army of Tennessee

..

. participated.

Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas

PHRSONAL SKETCHES.

Thomas F. Greer, farmer, stock raiser and ginner, Des Arc, Ark. Tennessee has given to Prairie County, Ark., many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected or for conscientions discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than the subject of this sketch. He was born January 14, 1829, in Rhea County, and is the son of William and Tempie (Presley) Greer, both natives of Tenncasee. The father followed agricultural pursuits in Tennessee a number of years and then removed to Alabama, thence to Arkansas in 1851, and settled in Prairie County, where he resided for some time. Later he removed to White County. He died at the residence of his son, Thomas F., in 1885, and his wife died two years previons to this. Thomas F. Greer's time was divided in early life between assisting on the farm and in attending school in Alabama. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he moved with them to Arkansas in 1851, engaging in the livery business at Des Arc, and continuing it until about 1873. He then bought land where he now resides, cleared it, and has since added to the same until he now is the owner of 640 acres of good land, with about 250 acres under cultivation. He has a good gin, ten or twelve tenement houses, and his land lies about two miles from Des Arc. Mr. Greer served about two years in the ordnance department of the Confederate army during the war. He has been twice married, first about 1853 to Miss Sarah Goodwin, a native of Middle Tennessee, who bore him four children; Isabella (wife of G. W. Blakemore), Floyd. (married, and resides at Des Are, Ark.), Annie (wife of John Thomas) and one died in infancy. Mr. Greer's second marriage occurred about 1875, to Mrs. Eilen (Brown) Bethell, a native of Memphis, Tenn., and the daughter of Col., Samuel Brown. To this union have been born two children; Daisy and Birdie. Mr. Greer is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife of the Old School Preebyterian Church. He is now also engaged in the saw-mill business.

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J. A. Harr is a real-estate dealer of Fairmount, Ark., and was born in Maryland in 1854, being the fifth child born to Everhard and Martha (Coffman) Harr, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia, Penn., being one of nine children born to Isaiah Harr, an Englishman. Everhard Harr was a manufacturer of edge tools, and after working in his native city for many years he moved to Maryland. He was born in 1790, and about 1835 was married, his wife being a native of Philadelphia, and a member of the Coffman family of that city. Their children were: Isaiah (who is married and lives in Phillipsburg, Penn.), J. A., Sanford L. (a resident of Fairmount, Ark.) and James, Mary, Martha and Margaret (deceased). The early days of our subject were spent in Maryland, and his schooling was obtained in the Milleraville State [p.702] Normal School of Pennsylvania. After teaching school for a number of years he determined to take Horace Greeley's advice and "Go West," thinking the advantages for a young man of push and enterprise much better here than there, and in 1877 settled in the State of Nebraska, in Colfax County. In 1882, however, he came to Fairmount, Ark., and has since been actively and successfully engaged in the real-estate business. He has under his control 240,000 acres of land, and in his deals commands the public confidence in a marked degree. He is a director of the Little Rock & Mississippi Railroad, and being public spirited and enterprising, is deeply interested in the upbuilding of the county, and is a special advocate of schools and churches. He is a Republican in his politieal views.

John R. Harshaw, merchant, farmer and postmaster, Hickory Plains, Ark. A number of years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty in the different branches of business to which his attention has been directed has contributed very materially to the success that has fallen to Mr. Harshaw's career in life. He came originally from Mississippi, where his birth occurred in Marshall County, on September 4, 1852, and is the son of Daniel Harshaw, a native of South Carolina. When a young man the father married Miss Mary N. Dowdle, also a native of South Carolina, and they afterward moved to Mississippi, where they resided for fifteen years. In December, 1852, they moved to Arkansas, located at Hickory Plains, Prairie County, and there the father cnltivated the soil for a several years. In

1866 he engaged in mercantile pursuits with his son at this place and continued business here up to 1883. He was postmaster from 1865 up to the time of his death and was a man who had the confidence and esteem of all. His wife survives him at this writing and is now seventy years of age. Their family consisted of two sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to mature age. One son, Leroy D., was the second merohant at Hickory Plains. He went to California for his health in 1873 and died there soon after. Three of the sisters are living: Mrs. E. S. Davis (a widow), Mrs. A. C. Harrison (also a widow) and Mrs. A. S. Reinhardt (of Des Arc). J. B. Harshaw attained his gr