BIOGRAPHIES

BIOGRAPHIES

Izard County Arkansas Genealogy Trails

P. H. Jeffery, farmer, Mount Olive, Ark. Jeffery is a representative of one of the oldest and most respectful families of Arkansas, and was born in Izard County 1851. His Parents, Miles and Sarah (Williams) Jeffery, were natives of Missouri and Arkansas, respectively, the former having been born in Missouri, while on the way to Arkansas in 1818. His father, Jeohiada Jeffery, came to Arkansas in 1818, settling on White River, near Mount olive, and was one of the very first settlers of the county. He purchased a little claim, improved it and accumulated considerable property previous to his death which occurred sometimes in the 1850's. His wife originally Miss Polly Wair, and they reared a large family of honorable men and women, who are scatted through out the Izard County. Jeohiada Jeffery was one of the first justices of the peace of this county after the State was admitted. He was in the War of 1812 and was in the battle of New Orleans,under Gen. Jackson. Miles Jeffery was reared to farm labor and was not an educated man, although he had better advantages then most boys that day. He was married about 1836, to Miss Williams and to them were born fifteen children, ten of whom lived to be grown, and eight are now living: Ambrose, Asa, Robert E, Attie, Mary, P H, Finnis E, and R J. all of whom lived in this, Independence and Stone Counties. Miles Jeffery represented Izard County in the legislature Two terms before the war, in 1856 and 1858, and also filled the position of sheriff in 1844. He was a strong Democrat, and took an active part in politics. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was an honest, upright citizen, having a host of friends. He died in 1868. The mother died in 1876, at about the age of fifty-five years. She was an excellent woman, firm and dedicated in her views. P H Jeffery , like his father was reared and educated in this county, although his education was rather neglected, on account of the breading out of the late war. When eighteen years of age, he started out on his own responsibility; rented land, and tilled the soil for three years. He then purchased a far of 345 acres, with twenty-five under cultivation, and still owns this tract of land. He now has about fifty acres cultivated, and is deeply interested in stock raising. His land is on the White River, and is excellent for stock raising. By his marriage, which was consummated in 1876, to Miss Carrie E. Perrin, he became the father of five children; Henry E., Frank P, Charles E, Richard R, and Sallie. Mr and Mrs Jeffery are both members of the Cumberland resbyterian Church and he is a Democratic in his political views.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 950 original published 1889 .

John W Jones, M D, is one of the oldest and best own physicians in Izard County, Ark, and was born in Giles County , Tenn, on the 1st of March, 1832. He inherits Welsh blood from his paternal ancestors, his grandfather Wiley and his great-grandfather, John Jones, having been born in that country. They came to America a short time prior to the Revolutionary War and John took an active part in that struggle, taking sides with the colonist in their struggle for liberty, serving throughout the entire war as private. He afterward settled in Virginia, near the north Carlina line, but after these two States were divided his home was found to be on the North Carolina side, and in this State. He died near Charlotte in 1807. Wiley Jones and his wife who was also born in Wales, removed to the State of Tennessee at a very early day and there he reared his family and engaged in farming being the owner of a large amount of property, both personal and real. He died in 1827. His son Cebern was born in North Carolina, and in his youth learned the boot and shoe maker's trade, which business he conducted in Nashville from 1863 to 1871, his death occurring in the late year. He was married in 1827, to Miss. Selina W Mealor, and their marriage was bless in the birth of four children, John W and William being the only ones now living, the latter a farmer in Greene County, Mo. The mother's death occurred in 1837, and Mr Jones took for his second wife Miss Sarah Stephens, and their union resulting in the birth of four sons and three daughters: Mary A, the widow of James Cash; Sara A; Christina; George W; Thomas N; Newton : Louise E.. Mr Jones and his wife were divorced, and he espoused his third wife in Nashville, Tenn. He was of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and in his political views was a Whig. His son, Dr John W Jones was reared to farm life, but lived in the villages of Louisburg and Connersville, receiving his early scholastic advantages in the schools of those place and Jackson College, at Columbia, Tenn., whish institution he entered when seventeen years of age, remaining one term. Upon leaving the school he learned the harness marker's and saddler's trade, but after following this occupation two years he came to Arkansas in 1855, and settled in Independence County, where he was engaged in teaching school following this occupation in Polk Bayou and afterward in Searcy County. During his days of pedagoguing his leisure moments were devoted to the study of medicine with the view to making it his calling through life, and in 1860 he entered upon his practice containing until the opening of the rebellion, when he joined the Confederate forces as a private, and after serving one month was promoted to the position of assistant surgeon and filled the position three years. He took in a number of battles, Pea Ridge, Iuka, and Corinth being among the number. He was taking prisoner at Port Hudson, but after being kept in captivity for six days he was paroled and returned to Searcy, County, Ark, where he again resumed the practice of his profession. In 1865 he located at Evening Shade, and after teaching school for twenty months he again entered upon the practice of medicine, being in partnership with Dr. Hill, but this connection only continued a short time. He moved to near La Crosse in 1868, but in 1873 he came to Izard county and settled on the old Langston place, where he remained seven years. He purchased his present property at the end of that time, and by adding forty acres now has a far comprising of 100 acres, with about twenty acres under cultivation. Prior to the war, in 1861, he attended the Medical College, of St. Louis, MO., but owing to some disagreement between Prof. McDowell and some of his German and Irish students the institution was closed. Dr. Jones is a member of the A F & A M, the I O O F, and in his political views is a Democrat. He was married in October 1866 to Miss. Martha Taylor, of Izard county, and by her is the father of ten children: Mary F, wife of Robert Guest; John W; Cebern S; James T; Margaret J; Samuel T; Wiley N; Martha C; Nancy A and George H. Mrs Jones is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr Jones is a physician of acknowledged merit, and an excellent proof of his ability is shown in the extended territory over which he goes to alleviate the sufferings of the sick.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 951 original published 1889 .

Prof. Michael Shelby Kennard is principal of the Collegiate Institute at La Crosse, Ark, an institution established by him in 1868, which has become noted as an excellent business training school, and is largely patronized by the best youth of which the State of Arkansas can boast. Prof. Kennard was born in Sumter County, Ala., in 1833, and is the sone of George W. Kennard, who was born in Williamson County, Tenn, in 1801, which State he made his home until 1821, at which time he emigrated to Alabama. Up to this date, owing to his services being required on his father's farm, he received a limited education, but in 1843 he began studying for the Baptist ministry in his adopted State, was ordained in 1847, and in 1852 emigrated to Arkansas, and located in Batesville, where he continued to resided until his death, which occurred in May, 1864. He was an earnest and faithful minister of the Gospel, and his influence in the Baptist denomination was widely felt. He was a member of the Masonic order for some thirty-five years. He was married in Perry County, Ala, in 1828, to Eliza Hopson, a daughter of Bluford and Nancy Hopson, whose death occurred in Batesville, Ark., in 1860. They had two children: Octavia C and Michael S. The latter, the subject of this sketch, had the best advantages in obtaining an education that his State afforded. He graduated with honor at the University of Alabama in 1852, at the age of nineteen, and some years after received from the institution the degree of A M. In Sept, 1852, he was married in Sumner county, Tenn., to Mary E Saunders, daughter of Joseph P and Ellen D Saunders, of that County. In 1852-1853 he was engaged in teaching in Louisiana and Mississippi, part of the time as private tutor in the family of Gen. Minor, of Natchez, Miss. In 1854 he removed from Mississippi to Arkansas and settled at Batesville, where he spent two years teaching, in the meantime pursuing the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, but soon abandoned the law to engage in the newspaper business. From 1857 to 1861 he was the editor and proprietor of the Independent Balance, a newspaper published at Batesville. When the war broke out he join Sweet's Cavalry regiment, and served as adjutant, with the rank of major, and participated in the many skirmishes, until January, 1863, when he was severely wounded in the head by a fragment of a shell, at the battle of Arkansas Post, and was made a prisoner of war. At the close of the war he determined to devote the remainder of his life to teaching, and engaged in the work of that profession again, at Batesville, but in 1868 he moved to LaCrosse, where he stated above, he established the Collegiate Institute. He has been the principal of the same since that time. With the exception of five years spent in Bradley County Ark. He is a member advanced to the Council, and has filled the offices of Worshipful Master and High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter. In earlier days he was a follower of the Whig Party, but since the disruption of that party has been a stanch Democrat. His children are as follows: Mary E, wife of T B, of La Crosse, Ark.; George S, who was first married to Miss Maud Cunningham, a daughter of Hon. J F Cunningham, but after her death in 1884, he married Miss. Annie Collins of Van Buren, Ark.; he is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., and is now pastor of the Baptist Church at Bentonville; John F, who married Miss Mary Watkins, a daughter of Dr. O T Watkins, is engaged in the mercantile business at Fort Smith, Ark; Ralph E, who married Miss. Henry Lee Powell, a daughter of Judge R H Powell, of the fourteenth judicial district, is a druggist at LaCrosse; Joseph A married Miss Carrie W Hunt, a daughter of Dr O T Hunt of La Crosse, and Edward L; Ruth and Robert S are still unmarried.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 952 original published 1889 .

Dr. J A Kerr, physician and surgeon, Newburg, Ark. Among the younger members of the medical profession in Izard County, Ark., is he whose name heads this sketch, already well established as a physician and surgeon of merit and true worth and regarded with favor by those older in years and experience. He is a native of this state and county, and is one of nine children, seven now living born to John and Ann (Mennox) Kerr. The children are named as follows: B W, resides in Izard County; J A; Mrs Mary J Hayes of this county; Mrs Indiana Evans, of this County; John M, of this county; R J, resides in Newburg; Mrs Maggie Stroud, wife of D J Stroud of this county: Benjamin F, died in 1869 at the age of eleven years, and one that died when quite young. The parents were natives of Ireland, and the father came to America about 1842. He landed in New York, but immediately made his way to Nashville, Tenn., where he remained for seventeen years, and where he was engaged in the carpenter's trade exclusively. He was there married to Miss. Mennox, who came over from Ireland when he did, and who settled in Nashville, Tenn. Both he and wife were orphans, and came from the old country with an old man and his family. In 1860 they settled at Batesville, Independence County, remained there for some time, the father engaging in the carpenter business, and then moved to Izard County, where he still continued his trade up to 1870, after which he embarked in the mercantile business. In 1884 he retired to private life on his farm, and there received his final summons, in 1886, at the age of fifty-six years. Mrs. Kerr still survives and resides on the old homestead. Mr. Kerr was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which his wife is still a member. Dr. J A Kerr received his education in the public schools of his county until 1880, when he entered the Medical College at Louisville, and attended regularly until 1882 when he graduated. He then returned immediately to Izard County and entered upon practice of his profession at this place and his reputation as a physician and surgeon, as well as in private life, is an enviable one. The Doctor is yet a young man, as his birth occurred in 1857, and he was married in 1882 to Miss Emma Wood of this county. The fruits of this union have been four children, three now living: Clarence E (deceased): Neely T; Oscar and Roscoe (twins). Mrs Kerr was born in 1863 and is the daughter of William and Sarah (Benbrook) Wood, natives of Tennessee who came to Izard County an early day. When Dr Kerr first commenced the practice of medicine his financial resources were rather limited, a horse, saddle, and bridle, and a pair of pill bags, filed, completed his outfit. He is now owner of some 500 Acres of land, with about 135 acres under cultivation, and is also the owner of property in Newburg, consisting of house, store-house, office, vacant lots, and besides plenty of personal property. He is building on his farm a rind residence and already has a good barn and out buildings. The Doctor has made all this with in the last ten years, and by energy and perseverance. He is a member of the I O O F, and politically he is Democratic. Mrs Kerr is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 952-953 original published 1889 .

Rev H T King, minister, Melbourne, Ark. This much revered and esteemed gentleman is only one of the many citizens of Izard County, who owe their nativity to Tennessee, where his birth occurred in 1853. He is the son of John A King, a native of Virginia, who, when a young man was united in Marriage to Miss. Dedama Sutton, also a native of the old Dominion. The parents moved to Tennessee at an early day, and here the father purchased land, which he tilled until 1856, after which he moved to Crittenden County, Ky. He remained in that State for four years, and then being particularly satisfied, he moved from there to Clay County, Ill., thence to Jefferson County, where his death occurred in 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. King still survives and resides in Baxter County, this State. She is a member of the Christian Church, and a pleasant, agreeable woman. They were the parents of eleven children, four now living: Nancy J, widow of John Welch is now living in Fulton County, Ark: Sarah A., wife of G. W Selph, resides Baxter County; Rebecca M, wife of G. W Lundy, resides in Baxter County, and Rev H T. The father of these children was fairly educated, and during his life time accumulated considerable property, the principal part of which was lost during the late unpleasantness between the North and the South. Rev. H T King acquired but a limed education, as during his boyhood days he only attended one month of school, and this was all the education he received until after his marriage, when he attended school two terms. He is quite studious and applies himself to his books t home and is probably better informed than many who have had every advantage. He expects to attend school during the fall and winter of this year (1889), and is now studying law with a view to making it his profession. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. King commenced life for himself, and at that age was united in marriage to Miss E E Taylor, by whom he had six children, five now living: W C; R J; Auscar and Oscar twins, and Mary L. Mrs King died in 1884, a devout member of the Christian Church. Mr. King took for his second wife Mrs Mary a Harlin (Conklin) a widow. She was a member of the Christian Church, and died in 1880, at the age of thirty-seven years. By her first marriage she became the mother of nine children, eight sons now living: James P; W T; J H; Joe E; L D; C C; J C and Frank H. Mr King moved to Arkansas in 1876 settling in Baxter County and there remained until 1887 when he moved to this place. He had very little means when first coming to this county, gut he is now the owner of a fine residence with some three or four acres of land worth about $1,000 or $1,200. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, R A M, and also a member of I O O F. In politics he is a republican. He is a minister in the Christian Church, and was ordained in 1881.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 953 original published 1889 .

K L Lacy, blacksmith and farmer, Newburg, Ark, came originally from Tennessee, his birth occurring in 1830. Mr. Lacy has won and enviable reputation as a farmer, and none the less is his reputation established as a first-class blacksmith. His father, Robert Lacy, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1793, and came to Tennessee about 1813 or 1814, where he was united in marriage to Miss. Annie Miller, in about 1816. He was a farmer by pursuit, and was also a minister in the Methodist Church. After remaining in Tennessee until 1861, he settled on the White River, in this county, but afer a residence there of only a year, moved to Knob Creek, where he purchased a farm. There he closed his eyes to the scenes of the world in 1870. He still continued to preach after coming to this State, and was associated with the American Tract Society for a number of year previous to his death. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife was a native of Georgia, and died in 1870 at the age of seventy-three years. She was consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family there were the following children: W Mc; Mrs Mary A, wife of George Bussey; Mrs. L J, widow of John Bussey; Kibble J. (The subject of this sketch) and James W. The paternal grandparents were from Ireland and England, respectively. The maternal grandfather was a German by birth, and came to this country when a boy. He served during the greater portion of the War for Independence. At the age of twenty years K J Lacy began learning the blacksmith trade and at that age he commenced life for himself, doing journeyman's work in Tennessee for fifteen years. In 1860 he came to Arkansas, and took charge of Col. Black's farm on the White River where he was overseer of the negroes for one year. He then went to Lunenburg, opened a shop, and continued there until 1870. He joined the army in 1862, but was discharged out account of disability. He was conscripted two or three times afterward, but succeeded in being released, and was taken prisoner one time by the United States soldiers, but was soon released by the Confederates. In 1870 he rented a farm from Dr Watson on the White River, and remained there for ten years when he bought a farm on Knob Creek. At the end of four years he sold out, purchased another farm, improved the same and built good houses, barns, etc. He made two trades afterward, one for the farm on which Judge Grimmett now lives, and the other for his present property. This farm consists of 100 acres with thirty-five under cultivation, with fair house, etc. Mr. Lacy has been twice married; first, on the 15th of November 1853, to Miss Mary E Hairendon, and four children were the result, three now living: William H, lives in this county; Robert F; James M and Sarah J, wife of Ole Brown, and lives in the county. Mrs. Lacy died in 1870 and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Lacy's second marriage was to Mrs. Martha A Womack (Wolds), and two children have been born to them: Laura B and George T. Mr and Mrs Lacy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Socially he is a member of the A F & A M and the I O O F and Encampment of that order. He has filled the office of Worshipful Master in the Masonic fraternity, and nearly all others of this order, and has held the office of N G in the I O O F. He is Democrat.

Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 954 original published 1889 .

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