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BIOGRAPHIES
Izard
County Arkansas Genealogy Trails
William Davis is one of the old
and highly honored residents of Izard County, and during the many years
devoted to agricultural pursuits in this region he has become well and
favorable known. His far compromises 252 acres, of which eighty acres
are under cultivation and it is well improved with good buildings and
orchards. Some portions of his land are underlaid with minerals and are
considered very valuable. He was born in Campbell County, Tenn, in 1815
and is a son of James Davis, who was born in Kentucky. The later
received a liberal education in his youth, and gave attention to the
occupation of farming. He served in he war of 1812, was a member of the
Primitive Baptist church, and after his marriage to miss Sallie
Cushenbury, of Tennessee, he was removed to Kentucky (in 1829), where
he purchased land and reared his family of six sons and six daughters:
Patsey, Nancy, Baxter, George, Anna, James, Ursula, William Ferroby,
Joseph, John and Emanuel. William Davis, the immediate subject of this
sketch, was married to Miss. Bethenia Dobbs, of Kentucky, in 1835, but
her death occurred in 1858 she having borne a family of eleven
children, eight of whom survived: Mary A, James, Emanuel, Ferroby,
Simon, Mark, Ollie, and Nancy. In the later part of 1858 Mr Davis took
for his second wife Harriet A, the daughter of Isaac Bettis, of Izard
county, Ark. This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven
now living: William A, Baxter, Rufus M, Martha E, Anthony W, Tennessee
and Minnie L. Their son Rufus M, was married in 1888 to Miss. Julia
Cunningham, of Izard County, and they reside on the homestead with Mr.
Davis. They have one child, Willie. The family attend the Missionary
Baptist Church, of whom Mr. and Mrs. Davis have long been members.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed History of
Arkansas, page 939
W
O Dillard. The family of which the subject of this sketch is a
representative, is one well known to the People of Izard County, for
one or more of its members have been identified with its agricultural
interests since 1849, when Alex. Dillard and his family located here.
The latter was married to Delilah Legan, both being natives of
Tennessee, and, throughout his entire life, he was engaged in farming
and merchandising, following the latter occupations at Spring Creek and
Flat Woods after coming to the Arkansas. He served as justice of the
peace and deputy sheriff of his county, and during the time he served
in the latter capacity, he transacted the greater portion of the
business which should have been attended to by the sheriff. He was
quite a wealthy man prior to the war, and owned several negroes, but
his losses during the rebellion were very heavy, and these he never
fully regained. He died in 1867, at the age of fifty-nine years. To
this marriage, which occurred in 1825, were born a family of seven
children, three of whom lived to be grown, and two now living: J A, a
resident of this county and W O. John C died while serving in the
Mexican War, being sergeant of his company. Both parents were members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the mothers death
occurred in 1837 or 1838. Mr. Dillard's second wife was Mary Wood, of
Tennessee, and is now the wife of John Anderson. W O Dillard remained
with his father until twenty seven-years of age, then commenced for
himself, farming on his own land, which was situated on the White River
in Izard County. This property he sold in 1866, and bought 202 acres on
another portion of the White River, about eighty acres of which are
under cultivation, and in addition to this owns 1,000 acres, the entire
amount of this land under cultivation amounting to 250 acres. In 1862
he joined the Confederate army as a private, but was afterward promoted
to the rank of second lieutenant, and served three years under Col.
Freeman, and was with Price on his raid though Missouri. He surrendered
at Jacksonport, Ark, on the 5th of June, 1865, and returned home and
resumed farming. From 1869 to 1875 he was successfully engaged in
merchandising, and since that time he has been occupied with farming.
He was married in 1857, to Miss. Averilla Jeffrey, but she died in
1868, after having borne four children, three now living: James L,
Nancy J, wife of Neely Talley, and Alex. Mary E is deceased. In 1869
Mr. Dillard wedded his second wife, she being a Mrs. Sarah Slavens, and
to them three children have been born: J J, John C and W O. Mr. Dillard
was called upon to more the death of his wife in 1879, and in 1881, his
third wife, who was Miss. Sallie Harris, also died, their marriage
having been consummated in 1880. His marriage to his present wife who
was a Miss. Adelaide Cantrell, took place in 1883. They have two
children: George C and Charley R. Mr. Dillard's first two wives were
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, his third wife was a
Cumberland Presbyterian, and he and his present wife belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat, a member of the A F
& A M, and is a man who favors and support all laudable
enterprises, especially those connected with churches and schools.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed
History of Arkansas, page 940
George J Dillard is a
native-born resident of Izard County, Ark, and was born in the year
1850. He is the son of Hill and Eliza (Creswell) Dillard, the former's
birth having occurred in the "Old Dominion" in 1814. The father was one
of the leading farmers of the section in which he resided, and during
slavery times, owned a great many negroes. Although he received a
limited early education, he possessed sound judgment and a keen and
active intellect, and was a man who stood well in the estimation of all
who knew him. The following family were born to himself and wife:
Elizabeth, the wife of B T Rose; Martha, also married; Sarah, now Mrs.
Billilngsley, all of whom reside in this county. Mr. Dillard removed to
this county and State in 1836, coming overland, and entered a large
tract of land, and at the time of his death, owned about 1,000 acres.
He built himself a cedar log hut in the woods and in this primitive
structure, his son, George J Dillard, was born. After making this
county his home until 1863 he moved to the State of Texas, where he
died two years later. George J Dillard, like his father has followed
the occupation of farming all his life, and like him, has been
successful. His farm, which comprises 264 acres, of which 130 are under
cultivation, he devotes chiefly to raising cotton, corn, and small
grains, and throughout the county he is well and favorably known.
Although he attended the la Crosse school for some time, which was
under the management of Prof, Kennard, his early education was somewhat
limited, but by reading and contact with the world he is considered one
of the well posted men of the county. In 1872 he was married to Miss
Rebecca Shell, a daughter of William and Catherine Shell, of Izard,
County, and by her has a family of seven children: Edward, William D,
Ollie, Elizabeth, James, Hubbard and Catherine.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & Goodspeed History of Arkansas, page 940
William K
Estes, county and circuit clerk, Melbourne, Ark. In his present
position as clerk of the county and circuit court of this county, Mr
Estes is proving himself to be efficient and popular, and the manner in
which he has acquitted himself justly won him then name of being
possessed of more than ordinary business ability. He is a native-born
citizen of the county, his birth occurred on 5th September 1853, and he
is the son of Thomas N and Lucy R (Johnson) Estes, the grandson of
Burris and Martha (Morris) Estes, natives of North Carolina. The
grandfather came to Tennessee at an early day, and was then married
about 1825. He was a leading agriculturist, and died near the close of
the late war, laving considerable property in land and slaves. He was a
member of the Baptist, Church, as was also his wife who died shortly
after hid death. The paternal great-grandfather of William K Estes was
an offer in the war for independence, and had in the same army with
himself eleven cousins of the same name and sons of one father. He drew
from the government 600 acres of land, and located his claim in Henry
County, Tenn., where he passed his last days. Thomas N Estes was born
in Tennessee, but moved to this State in 1852, and was married that
year to Miss. Lucy R Johnson, who bore him three children: W K, John J
(who is a bookkeeper at Evening Shade, Sharp County, and Samuel C (who
is clerking in a drygoods store, at Ash Flat, Ark). The mother of these
children died in 1858. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Estes was married the second time, in 1869, to Mrs. Minerva R. Wilson
nee Kimmins: both are members of the Baptist Church. The same year they
moved to Izard County, where Mr. Estes has under cultivation, and on
which are good buildings, etc. In 1849 he crossed the plains to
California, and after suffering untold hardships and after being on the
road over six months, reached that State. He then followed mining until
1852, met with reasonable success and returned to Arkansas in the above
mentioned year. He was county clerk of Fulton County from 1862-1864, an
also served in the Confederate army. William K Estes' early life was
divided between assisting on the farm and in attending the common
school of his county. At the age of twenty years he started out for
himself by continuing the pursuit to which he had been reared, and
followed this occupation uninterruptedly for a long time. In 1879 he
moved to the city and served as deputy clerk from that time until 1884,
when he was elected county clerk, though he had first been deputy clerk
in November, 1876. He filled this office in such a capable and
efficient manner, and so popular did ne become, that he was
complimented by being re-elected in 1886, serving until 1888. He has
been twice married; first, in 1873, to Miss. Lurana E Wilson, by whom
he had five children: Lucy E, Walter H, Jasper M, Allie M, and Ford W.
Mrs. Estes was born on the 3d of March, 1855, and died on the 13th of
August, 1886. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Estes' second
marriage was to Miss. Nancy C Kitchens, on the 30th January, 1887. They
have one child, Earl T. Mr and Mrs. Estes are both church members, she
of the Christian denomination and he of the Baptist. He is a member of
the A F & A M and R A M, and also a member of the Subordinate
Lodge and the Encampment of Odd Fellows. In politics he is Democrat.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed History of
Arkansas, page 941
B
F Garner was born in the state of Tennessee, and in 1836, his parents,
William P and Harriet (Greer) Garner, being also natives of that State,
the former's birth occurring in 1813. They were married in their native
State in 1835, she being the daughter of Joshua Greer, and in 1859 they
removed to Izard County, Ark, and purchased a farm of 240 acres, and
here he was engaged in farming and preaching (he being a minister of
the Christian Church) up to the time of his death, in 1870. His wife
died in 1860 and three or four years later he wedded Miss. Martha
Murphy, who died the same year as himself. His first union resulted in
the birth of twelve children, six being now alive: B F Garner removed
to this county in 1869, having begun life for himself in his native
State at the age of twenty-one years, his first business venture being
to engage in saw- milling. This enterprise he continued to follow until
1864, when he turned his attention to farming. He was married there, in
1858, to Miss. Elizabeth J Wade, and by her has four children: William
L, A B, J T and U S. The two eldest engaged in saw-milling, on a large
scale, in what is known as "Dry Hollow," Izard county, and are
enterprising young business men. Upon Coming to the State of Arkansas
Mr. Garner entered and purchased land to the amount of 410 acres, and,
with the exception of 100 acres, has divided his land among his sons.
He has forty acres of his land under cultivation, and since 1879 has
been engaged in the mercantile business, at Oxford and does a business
of about $4,000 per annum. He is also interested in the mercantile
business with his sons, J T, at Wideman. He supports the principles of
the Republican party, and he and wife are members of the Christian
Church, as are three sons: A B, J T, and U S.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & Goodspeed History of Arkansas, page 942
James H
Garner was born in Tennessee, in 1834, and is the son of John Garner,
whose native state was North Carolina, where he was born on the 1st of
August, 1808. It his youth he moved to Tennessee with his parents, and
in this State he received the advantages of common school, and as far
back as he could remember hi had been familiar with farm work. In 1831
his marriage with Miss. Sarah B Greer was celebrated, she being a
daughter of Joshua and Polly Greer. Five sons and three daughter were
born to John Garner and wife; William T, Washington L, Edward P, John
D, Mary E, Francis and Lucy C. Mr Garner removed from Tennessee to
Izard County, Ark, in 1858 and purchased a farm of eighty acres, which
he successfully conducted until his death on the 21st of August, 1872.
His wife, who was born in Tennessee, February 19, 1816, Still lived on
the old homestead, and both were members of the Christian Church. James
H. Garner's youth was spent in his native State, and in 1859 he
followed his father to Izard County, Ark, and purchased a woodland farm
of 120 acres near him. On this he built a house and established his
family, and in time became able to purchase 280 more acres more, of
which he has 150 acres under the plow. On this he raises corn and
cotton, as a large portion of his far is underlaid with mineral ore it
is very valuable. He has now in process of erection a commodious frame
residence on his Piney Creek farm and in looking over Mr. Garner's
domains it can easily be seen that he throughly understand his business
and is thrifty and energetic. He was married to Miss Mary E Murphy a
daughter of Gilston Murphy, of Illinois, and by her has a family of
seven children; John R, Nathan F, William L, Jessie B, James E, Henry
B, Thomas F and Edwin L. When the war broke out he joined Company E,
and was two years in the infantry under Capt. Gibson and from that time
to the close of the war he was in the cavalry under Capt. Powell. He
was at Little Rock, Independence, and Kansas City, and surrendered at
Jacksonport in 1865. He is a Democrat in his political views, and from
1872 to 1876 served as justice of the peace; in 1887 he was appointed
deputy sheriff under R L Sanders, of Izard County. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, having been Master of his lodge two years.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed History of
Arkansas, page 942
John
D Garner has spent his entire life in the occupation of farming, and
the manner in which he has acquired his preset possessions denotes him
to be a man of energy, push and enterprise. He was born in Tennessee,
in 1852, and since 1858 has been a resident of Izard County, Ark, and
here received a somewhat meager education in the common schools in his
youth. In 1871 he married Miss. Ellen Langston, a daughter of John
Langston, of Izard County, and to them have been born two children:
Lafayette and James E. Mrs. Garner died in 1876, and he afterward
married Miss. Sarah Niblett, a daughter of Samuel Niblett, to their
union taking place in Fulton County, Ark. In 1878. Six children have
been born to them: Lucy C, Silas M, Joseph, Coral, Harvey and Richard.
After Mr. Garner's marriage to his present wife he resided for some
time in Fulton County, but is now located permanently in Izard County,
and is negotiating for the farm he is now working. He raised a good
crop this year and is a thrifty and industrious farmer. He is a
Democrat politically, and he and wife are members of the Christian
Church. He is a son of John Garner, whose sketch appears elsewhere in
the work. Page 934
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed
History of Arkansas, page 943
Dr. Thomas K Goodman, of the
mercantile firm of Goodman & Schenck, of Calico Rock was born
in Polk county, MO, in 1849, and is one of nine surviving members of a
family of twelve children, eleven who lived to be grown, born to the
marriage of Sampson Goodman and Sarah Lyngar of English and French
descent, respectively, and native of Tennessee. The father removed to
Polk County, MO, when the country was almost a wilderness, and resided
in this county until his death, which occurred in 1888, at the age of
eighty-two years. His wife died in 1869. He was a farmer and a stock
raiser of moderate means, and although a man of not much education he
possessed sound judgement, and was an individual of more than ordinary
intelligence. He and his wife were married in 1827 and were members f
the Baptist Church for a number of years. Their children were as
follows: F M, who died in Missouri, in 1888, leaving a family;
Elizabeth wife of George Slatten; John F, James who went to California
in 1852, and has not been heard from since; Isaac J, Newton J, Mary E,
wife of S C Chumbley; Harvey C, Thomas K, Edward M. Dr. Thomas K
Goodman received his early education in the common school of his native
county and afterward completed his education in the academy at
Greenfield, MO, which institution he entered in 1866. He began studying
medicine at Springfield in the following year under Dr. W A Hyde, and
in the spring of 1879 graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of
Missouri, at St. Louis, but previous to graduating had practiced in
Newton and Izard Counties, Ark, having located in the latter county in
1872. He continued his practice here until 1885, when he embarked in
the mercantile business with Dr. Schenck [see sketch]. Upon coming to
this county Doctor was rather poor financially, but he now owns 248
acres of improved land, and his interest in his mercantile
establishment. He is a Republican in his political views, is a member
of the A F & A M, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was
Elizabeth Greenhaw , and whom he married in 1871, are the parents of
three children. Oliver S, Homer H H, and Albert A T.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & Goodspeed History of Arkansas, page 943
Robert Gray
was born in Wilkes County, N C, July 11, 1838, and is one of the twelve
children, six living, born to Constant and Jane (Sale) Gray, who were
also North Carolinians, and were there reared, educated and married. Mr
Gray was successful farmer, at his death, in 1862, owned 1,800 acres of
good land. His wife died in 1873, in the full faith of the Baptist
Church. Robert Gray was educated in Wilkesboro, N. C., and in 1859
moved to Arkansas, settling in Izard County, he at the time owning but
one horse and about $75 in money. He was married here on the 15th of
June, 1861, to Miss. Rachel E Gray, who was born in the "Old North
State," but her death occurred in January, 1864, leaving one son,
William R, who died on the 8th of February, 1875. June 14, 1868, Mr.
Gray wedded his second wife, Martha Hinkle by name, she having been
born in Tennessee; and of their family twelve children, eleven are
still living, and ten reside at home; Thomas J, Arens J, John, Mary E,
Ida K, Bertha L, James F, Walter N, Robert E, Amanda E, Annie M, and
Jesse A. Mr. Gray, like his father, has always been engaged in farming,
and owns about 700 acres of good land, of which 250 acres are under
cultivation. He has been a member of the I O O F for the past nine
years, and has held a number of offices in the county, such as
assessor, and while residing in Sharp county held the office of County
treasurer for two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the confederate Army
under McBride, and was severely wounded at the fight at Mansfield,
losing his left leg and one finger on his left hand. He also received a
shot in the left side and received his discharged in 1865. He followed
the occupation of school teaching for some time after returning home,
but, as stated above, has given the most of hie attention to farming at
which he has been remarkable successful. He and wife worship in the
Baptist Church.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed History of
Arkansas, page 943
W
Grimmett, ex-county judge and farmer, Newburg, Ark. A plain untarnished
statement of the fact embraced in the life of W Grimmett, a man well
known to the people o Izard County, is all that we profess to be able
to give in this history of the county; and yet, upon examination of
those facts, there will be found the career of one whose entire course
through the world has been marked with great honesty and fidelity of
purpose, as well as sincere and effective service to those whom he has
been called upon to represent in different capacities. Mr. Grimmett was
born in the Blue Grass State in 1840, and his parents, Andrew and Mary
(Wilson) Grimmett, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively.
Andrew Grimmett came to Kentucky at an early day, worked as a farm
hand, and was here married to Miss. Wilson. He moved to Arkansas in
1855, settled first in Fulton County, and one year later moved to this
county, where he remained for five years. He subsequently located in
Van Buren County, resided there four years, and then returned to this
county, where his death occurred in 1878, about the age of sixty-six
years. Mrs. Grimmett died in 1887, at the age of seventy -two years.
They were the parents of these children: Harvey Watson (the subject of
this sketch), Samuel (deceased), Wilson (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth
Reynolds, W T, Mrs. Minerva Billingsley. Mrs. Grimmett was a member of
the Baptist Church. At the age of eighteen years W Grimmett commenced
life for himself by farming, and in 1858 was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah A Hamond. He has followed agricultural pursuits ever since, with
the exception of three years, where he was engaged in merchandising at
Newburg (1876-1878), but he soon closed out his business and returned
to the farm. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two
terms four hears in all, two terms county and probate judge, and has
since resided on and attended to his farm. In 1862 he joined the
Confederate army, Company C, Shaler's regiment, under Capt. Gibson, and
served until the close of hostilities, when he surrendered at
Jacksonport on the 5th of June, 1865. He was engaged in some severe
skirmishes, notably Augusta and at Village Creek. After the war he came
home, and went immediately to farming. Although starting with limited
means the Judge has been quite successful, and is now the owner of 190
acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. To this marriage were
born the following children; Amanda M, wife of J O Hammond; Caldona,
wife of R F Lacy; Charles M; Averilla, C E, at home; George A, Amos J.
And Joseph Roscoe. Judge Grimmett is a man who favors all public
improvements, and is a great friend to education. He is a member of the
I O O F lodge and in politics casts his vote with the Democrat party.
Mrs. Grimmett is a member of the Baptist Church.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & Goodspeed
History of Arkansas, page 944
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