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BIOGRAPHIES
Izard
County Arkansas Genealogy Trails
Henderson S. Lafferty was born in Georgia circ. 1798, was a son of the
Arkansas Pioneer JohnLafferty a Scot-Irish born in Ireland 1759 and
Sarah Lindsey who was of pure Scottish blood born in the US. John
Lafferty and his wife removed to Franklin County, Georgia and there
started their family of 7 children. The last one being born in Sumner
County, Tenn. John and Sarah's children were: Elizabeth, Margaret, John
Lindsey, Austin R., Jacob Binks, Henderson S., and Lorenzo Dow.
The person of this sketch, Henderson, attended common school Franklin
County, Georgia and later in Sumner Co. Tennessee. At the age of 13
with the help of his brothers he helped the family bring their cattle
from Tennessee to Arkansas. Where in 1811 they settled on the White
River.
In Izard County Henderson finished his education. His schooling came
from Eli Lindsey the first Methodist preacher of Arkansas who was
either a brother or a cousin of Sarah Lindsey Lafferty. Henderson
become a pioneer Methodist preacher and was license to preach when he
was 20. He also was a taught school.
On the 16 of Aug. 1821, In a double wedding with his brother, Henderson
S. Lafferty married Nancy Craig the daughter Colonel Craig of
Greenbrier, Arkansas. His brother Jacob Binks Lafferty married Sarah
Miller daughter of James Miller of Miller's Creek.
Henderson and Nancy had three children: A daughter Lucinda, a son (name
unknown) and their youngest a son M.H. Lafferty.
Henderson started his preaching career in Izard County and after 1830
he relocated to was in Washington County with his family. He later move
his family Carroll county. In 1833 Carroll
County, Arkansas, was formed and included, Boone County, and a Part of
Newton, Madison,
Marion Searcy Co.
By 1840 Henderson and his family and his brother Binks and his family
were in Carroll County. Where he was instrumental in evangelizing the
word of God through those areas of Arkansas.
Both Henderson and Binks bought land at the bottom SW corner of the
present day Boone County, in what is a Community of Capps.. They both
registered their claims 1 Mar 1843 in Fayetteville, Ar. There they
followed the vocation of their father and farmed and raised cattle.
Henderson had extensive knowledge of the Carroll Co. Territory . He was
a shrewd
businessman being the first merchant of in Carrollton. He successfully
impressed the County Commissioners Henry Keys, John S. Blaire, and
Barnett Cheatham that Carrollton was the logical location for the new
county seat. He purchased 80 acres of land from James Jones. The
Commissions paid Henderson $1,000.00 for the land for the county seat
center. At that time this was considered a big sum for the land.
Henderson continued Preaching and first church services were held in
the Court House. Carrollton Methodist church was organized in 1836.
Henderson's Preaching Circuit included more than a dozen stops in the
area. He reached by horseback.
In 1848 Henderson was transferred to the West Texas Conference of the
Methodist Church, South. Where he took his family and along with them
came his daughter Lucinda and her husband Albert Greer Adams and their
son Matthew Henderson Adams.
They first moved to Austin, Texas where, with a partner, he started a
school. There he taught school and was a minister of the Gospel.
On 19 Dec 1849 he purchased 320 acres in Rusk District, Rusk Co.,
Texas. This area was mostly farm land where livestock along with corn,
cotton and wheat were grown. It is not known what Henderson did with
this purchase. Since Henderson's family had been in the cattle and
horse business it is possible that he ran cattle and horses on this
land. This could have very well been affected by the 1860 drought.
Later Henderson was transferred to Corpus Christi. There he preached
the Word of God and taught school. In Corpus Christi he assisted in
building the church with his own hands. He was superintendent of the
area in 1867 and retained this position until his death in 1870. For 52
years he had been a faithful minister of the Gospel. Lucinda his
daughter died the year her father
died and Lucinda's husband Albert Greer Adams took their son Matthew H.
Adams to live Oak
County, where Albert raised his son and lived out his years. Nancy,
Henderson's widow, went to live in DeWitt County Texas where in 1880
she was a guest in the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Wofford and their family.
During his stay in Texas Henderson kept touch with his brother Lorenzo
Dow Lafferty who had moved to Texas. When L.D. was incapacitated by
Indian arrows and took a while to recuperate Henderson went to the home
where L.D. was recuperating and provided money for his care.
Source: Lafferty, Genealogy, History Legend and myth by Wilson and
Redman 1995. Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas; by Josiah Shinn 1908;
Arkansas History Commission: Little Rock Arkansas. Izard Co. Historian,
article by Lorenzo Dow Lafferty IV. Courtesy of his daughter Kathryn
Lafferty of Melbourne, Arkansas; Austin Texas State Gazette. Courtesy
of Lynda Matthews. Transcribe by Mary Lafferty Wilson.
Source: This next piece was written of Henderson by A.C. Jeffery 1877
in the Historical and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlement of
the Valley of White River with a History of Izard County: "Henderson
Lafferty was the Methodist minister and pastor of the church and was
teaching a school near Hively's mill. During recess he was walking in a
very thick, brushy
woods, when he heard a great racket coming toward him. It proved to be
Hively trying to drive an unruly cow home: the preacher stood still and
the cow ran past him. Very soon Hively came running on her trail but
had lost sight of her about the time he was passing the preacher, who
was hidden in the brush. Hively jumped up on a log to look for the cow,
but she was out of sight, and then he burst into a great rage. "G-d D-n
you to hell," he said to himself. Immediately he hung his head and
continued: "there old devil, you have gotten one oath out of me, take
it and go to hell with it." [Hively Mill was at the mouth of Piney
Creek, Izard County off the Strawberry River]
John and Sarah Lafferty. From Historical and Biographical Sketches of
the Early Settlement of White River, Together with a history of Izard
Co. by A.C. Jeffery written 1877---- "On South Bank of the White River
old man Lafferty settled opposite the south mouth of Lafferty Creek,
bringing with him from East Mississippi River, considerable livestock.
He was living at this place in the time of the earth quake of 1811, and
reported he saw the bottomless well near his landing blown out. He said
there came a terrific shock , and muddy water raised from one side of
the river to the other with a great explosion near the south bank where
this well appeared. It is about the size of a small cabin at the mouth,
and has been sounded over two hundred feet without finding any bottom.
This well remains to be seen, a silent witness of God's Power." After
her husband died Sarah Lafferty became a Pillar of the Methodist Church
in Independence County, always kept an open house and fed all who came
there, Indian and White alike. "On descending five miles, we stopped at
Mr. Williams's to prepare breakfast. Here some hunters were gathering
to hear an Itinerant preacher. Thirty miles below we stopped for the
night at widow Lafferty's, on the right bank of the river. Some
excitement prevails among the people occupying the right bank of the
White River, on account of the recent treaty concluded with the
Cherokee Indians. By it those Indians relinquish certain tracts of land
in the state of Tennessee, but are to received in exchange the lands
lying between the north bank of Arkansas, and the south bank of the
White River. Those people, therefore who have located themselves up on
the right bank of the river, and improved farms, are not necessitate to
relinquish them, which is considered a piece of injustice." Sunday Jan
17 th 1818. (by Schoolcraft)
Source:
From Historical and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlement of
White River, Together with a history of Izard Co. by A.C. Jeffery
written 1877 Schoolcraft in the Ozarks, reprint of Journal of a Tour
into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansas in 1818 and 1819 by Henry R.
Schoolcraft.
R L Landers, sheriff, Melbourne,
Ark. R. L. Landers, was born in Bedford County, Tenn, in 1845, and is
the son of George T. and Jane Browning) Landers, natives of
respectively, of North and South Carolina. The parents came to Arkansas
in 1861, and settled in Izard County where they reared a family of five
children, four now living: Robert L.; Nanny J, wife of Guston Rose;
Mary T, wife of J F Driskill; and G R, a farmer of this county. The
father, George T. Landers, only lived three years after coming to
Arkansas. He was a Democratic it his political prinicples. When he came
to this state he brought with him fourteen Negroes and considerable
money, and was quiet successful, financially, after coming here. The
mother died in 1885. R. L. Landers was early taught the principles of
farm life, and a limited education was obtained in the subscription
schools of Tennessee, and Izard County, Arkansas. When seventeen years
of age he superintended his father's plantation, and at the age of
twenty-one, he commenced life for himself. In 1862 he enlisted as a
private in Company E, Forty-seventh Arkansas infantry, under Capt.,
Gibson, and served west of the Mississippi River, until 1864. He was
sergeant of his regiment at the time he was discharged. After the war
he commenced tilling the soil, which occupation he followed until 1869,
when he was elected sheriff, and held the office until 1875. He then
returned to the farm and cultivated the soil until 1881, when he was
again elected sheriff, and held this position for one term. In 1886 he
was again chosen to discharge the duties of this office, and is present
incumbent. Mr. Landers seems to have a peculiar fitness for this
position, and his long service in this capacity has proven that he is
surely the right man in the right place. During 1884 and 1885, he
served as justice of the peace. By his marriage, which occurred in
1864, to Miss Sarah E. Shannon, were born the following living
children: Mary E, wife of A. E. Felty; W. T., G. R., Frances T. and
Rosa L. Mr Landers is the owner of about 5000 acres of land, with 140
acres under cultivation, and also has considerable town property. He is
a Democrat in his political views, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a
member of the Odd Fellow order. He and wife are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 955
original published 1889 .
E G
Landers, merchant, Melbourne, Ark. In the publishing an account of the
industries and mercantile resources of the town of Melbourne, the house
of Mr Landers; must not be forgotten, as it constitutes a most
important factor in the commercial fabric of the town. Mr Landers was
born in Bedford County, Tenn, on the 7th of May 1846. He attended the
subscription schools, but only received a limited education and at the
age of twenty-two started out in life for himself, first as a laborer
in a gin. He then followed the carpenters trade for some time, and in
1864 joined the Confederate army, remaining in the service until June
1865, when he surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark. He was with Gen. Price
on his raid through Missouri, in 1864 and 1865, and participated in
nearly all the battled fought on the raid. In 1877 he engaged in
merchandising at Lunenburg, under the firm title of Landers &
bros., and continued thus until 1880, when his brother sold out and a
new partner, S. R. Hinkle ,took his place. The firm is now Landers
& Co., and do the largest business in the pace. They carry
stock of goods that invoices at about $10,000 at the least, enjoying an
annual trade of about $40,000. When first starting out in this business
the firm had a capital of $1,000, Mr Landers putting in $750. Aside
from his flourishing mercantile business, he owns about 400 acres of
land and considerable town property. His marriage was consummated
November, 1867, to Miss Martha A Hinkle , and by her he became the
father of six children, five now living: Leanora (wife of William
Blair); Robert O. (Deceased); Maggie; Effie G; J.H. and Maudie. Mr. and
Mrs Landers, with the two eldest children, are members of the
Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. Mrs
Landers is a member of the lady's department of the Masonic fraternity,
and also of the Odd Fellow's order. Mt. Landers started with very
little means, but he is now one of the most successful men of the
county. He is the son of Roland and Martha G. (Landers) Landers,
natives of north Carolina. The father was born in 1810, and died in
1878, the mother birth occurred in 1813 and she died in February, 1884,
Roland Landers was coroner of Izard County for several years and was a
cabinet maker by trade, although in his latter years he was engaged in
tilling the soil. He accumulated considerable property previous to the
war, but was not a slave holder. By this marriage which occurred in
Tennessee, he became the father of these children.: Rebecca J. (Wife of
Joe Arnold, of Melbourne); Sarah A. (Wife of G.W. Gray); Mary Francis
(wife of G.W. Owens); H. B. (Farmer); Charlotte T. (Wife of T. H.
Adams), E. G.; Genora D (wife of W.Z. Craig,) George W (of Batesville);
John F. (Farmer) and Joe L (farmer).
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by
Goodspeed page 955 original published 1889 .
Nathan J. Langston is one of the oldest native residents of Izard
County, and when his parents Nathan and Patty (Weir) Langston, made
their first settlement in this region, Arkansas was a territory. They
came here from their native State of North Carolina in 1814, and Mr.
Langston and Col. Steward erected the first mill in the county, he and
his four brothers being the ones to build it. They carried the logs on
their shoulders, and had the mill completed in six days, and although
it was a very rude construction, and only ground about a bushel of corn
a day, yet it was sufficient to supply the demand, as the settlers at
that day were very few. Nathan Langston, Sr. was only connected with
this mill for about six months, when he turned his attention to
farming, at which he was fairly successful, and in early days he also
carried the mail for twelve years from Mount Olive, in Izard County, to
Thomasville, MO., a distance of 160 miles, there being only four
offices on the entire route. According to Mr. Langston the first post
office in this county was at North Fork, which was also the first
county seat. In 1838 it was moved to Calico Rock, afterward to Athens,
at the mouth of the Piney Bayou, next to Mount Olive, and thence to
Melbourne, where it now is. When Mr. Langston first came to Arkansas
Batesville consisted of two pole cabins, and from Batesville to the
mouth of the Big North Fork there were only five families living on the
east side of the River. The west side was inhabited by Indians, who
were very numerous at the time. The first year of his location Mr.
Langston had to go to Helena, Ark, for flour and to Little Rock, Ark.,
to attend circuit court. He died in 1870 at the age of seventy - nine
years. He was married twice, and by his first wife became the father of
sixteen children, and by the last three. Those living are Absalom;
Thomas B.; and Nathan J. whose name heads this sketch. The latter was
born in the year 1830, was reared to a farm life, and at the early age
of nineteen years was married to Miss. Rachel Adams, who died in 1856,
three whom are living: Alex.; Mary, wife of Johnson Holfora; and
Matthew R. Mr Langston married his second wife in 1859, she being a
Miss Lucy A. Churchill, and five of the eleven children yet survive:
Luvinia J., wife of James Brothers; Dempsia M.; Rebecca A.; Acenith B.;
and Albert W. Mr and Mrs Langston are members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, and in his political views he is a Democrat. He
owns a good farm comprising 120 acres, and has twenty-five acres under
cultivation. Among his numerous acquaintances and friends the respect
shown him by them is in full keeping with his well-established
reputation for honesty of purpose and hospitality. Mr. Langston
remembers many interesting facts connected with the early history of
this county, which the limited nature of this volume will not admit of
insertion.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of
Arkansas by Goodspeed page 956 original published 1889 .
William Lawrence, farmer,
Melbourne, Ark. In the early settlement of Izard County, Ark. Mr
Lawrence bore a prominent part in developing and opening the way for
civilization and is one of representative men of the county. He was
born in Alabama, in 1823, and is the son of James and Cynthia (Franks)
Lawrence, natives of Tennessee. James Lawrence moved to Alabama, in
1822, settling in Marion County, and after remaining there a short time
removed to Fayette County, where he remained in 1839. From there he
journeyed to Louisiana, entered land and followed farming for about two
years, he moved to Izard County, Ark., and settled in Sylamore, now in
Stone County. After a residence there of two years, he moved to the
western part of the county, where he improved some government land. Two
years later he moved to eastern part of the county and remained there
until a short time previous to his death, when he went to live with his
son, William Lawrence, and died there in 1859 , at the age of
sixty-five or seventy years. He had held the office of justice of the
peace in the county for four years, and ws an excellent citizen. He was
twice married, his first wife being a Miss Tucker, who bore him five
children, two sons and three daughters, all living at late accounts.
They are named as follows: Martin; Edward; Sarah; Catherine and Mary.
His second married was to Miss Cynthia Franks and to them were born
nine children, two now living, William and James, who reside in this
county. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1865. Both were members were members of
the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. William Lawrence
was married in his twenty-third year and commenced work for himself by
farming his own land, which he had purchased in the central portion of
the county. He sold this farm in 1850 and entered his present property,
which he has improved and which consists of 200 acres. He now has about
seventy of seventy-five acres of cleared land, all the result of his
own efforts, unassisted by any of his family. In 1862 he joined the
Confederate army and served under Gen. Thompson and Capt. C. C. Cook
until the close of hostilities, when he returned to his farm. He has
been there times married, his first wife being Elizabeth King, whom he
led to the alter in 1846, and the fruits of this union were six
children, all living: James; G.E.; John, Isaac; Thomas and Edward. Mrs
Lawrence died in 1859, a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His
second marriage took place in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Clark, who bore
him five children, all living: Henry; Cynthia A., wife of J. W.
Freeman; Mary F., at home; Rebecca J., at home; and Walter, also at
home. The mother of these children was a member of the Baptist Church,
and died in 1879. Mr. Lawrence's third marriage was to Mrs. A. N. Ivins
(Bryant), a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the
Baptist Church, belongs to the Masonic Fraternity, and in his political
views is a stanch Democrat.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 957
original published 1889 .
Dr.
Samuel M. Lewis, Farmer and physician of Izard County, Ark., was born
in Bledsoe County, Tenn, Dec 14, 1832 his parents, Reason and Patience
(Peters) Lewis, being also natives of that state, The former's birth
occurring in Bedford County, in 1809. Their union took place in
Bledsoe, county, and to them were born four sons and five daughters,
seven of their family being now alive, and all residents of the State
of Tennessee except our subject. The father yet lives in Tennessee, and
owns 6000 acres of as good land as there is in the State. He is a
member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife who died in 1875. Dr
Samuel M. Lewis, after acquiring a good common school education,
entered the Hamilton College with the intention of studying medicine,
having chosen that profession as his calling through life. After his
marriage, which was celebrated on the 19th of September, 1858, to Miss
Margaret Turk, he remained in his native State until 1867, at which
time he settled in Maxfield, Sharp County, Ark., but for a long time
has been a resident of Izard County. He has been very successful in his
practice, and has always commanded a large and paying patronage, and
occupies an enviable place among the medical brotherhood of Izard
County. In addition to this work he has been engaged in farming, and is
now the owner of about 640 acres of land, with about 330 acres under
cultivation, of which 150 are in Sharp County. He has shown his
approval of the secret organizations by becoming a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and in the order has held the highest office. He
and wife are classed among the worthy citizens of the county, and are
consistent members of the Methodist Church. Their Children are as
follows: Charles W.; Henry R.; James J.; George T; Joseph R.; William
D.; John R.; Aque M.; and Lora A. Mrs Lewis is a daughter of George and
Malinda Turk, both natives of Tennessee.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by
Goodspeed page 957 original published 1889 .
Capt. Ransom W. Luther was born in the "Keystone State" in 1837, and is
a son of Enoch Luther, whose birth occurred in Sugar Creek, Penn, in
1787. The latter received a limited education ,and when quiet a youth,
learned the carpenter's trade. Which occupation he followed for a
number of years, then learning the wheel write's trade. He was married
in his native State , in 1807 to Miss Polly Bennett, her father being
Elisha Bennett, and to them a large family of seventeen children were
born, then of whom are living at the present time: Roswell; David;
Enoch; Elliot; Ransom; Burton; Laura; Mary; Angeline; and Adeline. Mr
Luther served in the War of 1812, and after hostilities had ceased, he
returned home, and entered a tract of land embracing 160 acres, which
he farmed for several years; then erected two large saw-mills and a
grist- mill, which have been rebuilt and in good condition at the
present time. For services rendered in the War of 1812, he received a
grant of 160 acres of land in Knox County, Ill., from the government
and at the time of his death, on the old "Luther's Mill Farm," in
Pennsylvania, in 1859, he was the owner of 300 acres of land. Capt.
Ransom Luther received a good business education in the "Luther's Mill
Farm" school, and he has since put the education he acquired in this
institution to the best use. He learned the millwright's trade under
his father, afterward worked at the carpenter's trade and in time
became a very fine architect, although in more recent years he has
given his attention principally to milling as his chief calling. He is
an experience carpenter and builder, and many evidences of his ability
and skill in this direction are to be seen in his native State,
Illinois, Iowa and Arkansas. He has always been an enterprising
disposition, and in 1856 started out live for himself and moved to the
State of Illinois, but two years later went back to his old home and
was married there, in 1859 to Miss Sarah Knapp, a daughter of Charles
Knapp, by whom he had one child Alice. He wedded his second wife, Miss
Edna C. Scott, of Cherokee, Iowa, in 1871, and two interesting
children, Eugene W. and Maud S., have bless this union. Capt. Luther
removed from the state of Iowa to Benton County, Ark, in 1878 and
purchased eighty acres of land near Marysville, which he used as a
small cattle ranch. From this place he went to Eureka Springs in 1880
and erected a neat little cottage on Spring Street, near Crescent
Spring, his place being generally known as " Eagle Cottage," and it is
of his own architecture. Here he resided until 1883, whe he sold out to
Dr. Swartly, of Chicago, for $2,350. After this the Captain and his
family traveled for some months, and visited places of interest in
Missouri, Illinois, Dakota and Arkansas, and in 1884 returned to this
State and located on Lafferty's Creek, six miles west of Barren Fork,
where with his brother-in-law, Mr Scott., He erected a large saw mill,
which has been of great benefit to the surrounding country. In 1889 he
sold his interest to Mr. Scott, and erected a grist-mill and cotton-gin
just south of his former place of business, and at the present writing
he is preparing to erect a commodious residence, and build a large dam
to afford water power for his mill. In 1888 he gained 150 bales of
cotton, and in his new mill he expects to bale at least 300. Capt.
Luther is a jovial and hospitable gentleman, a throughly capable
business man, and is ever ready to assist any good cause, either
practically or financially. He approves of secret organizations, and is
an active member of the I O O F. His wife and daughter, Alice, are
consistent members of the Baptist Church. In 1861, upon the bursting of
the war cloud, which had threatened the country for some time, he
enlisted in the infantry, under Col. Dodge, of Pennsylvania, and was in
the battles of Williamsburg, Four Oaks, Richmond, and Melbourne, and
was also in the seven days retreat at Harrison's landing. He entered as
a private, but for gallant services rendered, he was promoted to the
rank of captain. He was honorably discharged in 1865.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of
Arkansas by Goodspeed page 958 original published 1889 .
T. J. Mathews is a merchant and
a farmer and residing at Calico Rock, and was born in Benton County,
Tenn., being a son of Capt. R. D. and Nancy (Migell) Mathews, who were
also Tennesseeans, and came to the State of Arkansas in 1860, settling
in Izard County. Mathews embarked in merchandising in the house in
which his son T. J. is now doing business, and he was also engaged in
farming. In the spring of 1861 he moved to Pineville, where he
conducted a general store for about one year, then joined the
confederate army, and was elected captain of his company. After serving
one year he was taken sick and returned home, and here continued during
the remainder of the war. After the cessation of hostilities, he again
embarked in merchandising , and continued this occupation with success
for twelve or thirteen years, when he sold out to his sons, S. E.
Mathews, and turned his attention to farming and stock raising, on the
property where he now lives. His business ventures have been attended
with good results, and the property he now owns has all been acquired
since the war, as his losses during that time were very heavy. He was
married about 1835, and his children's names are as follows: Margaret
E,
wife of W. McNeil; S. E, a merchant of Pineville; Clarissa E., wife of
Dr. J A Schanks; Mary A, wife of Rufas P. Jones; and T. J., the subject
of this memoir. Mrs. Matthew died in March, 1879, having been member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years, her death
occurring on the birthday, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Mathews is a
Democrat, and belongs to the F & A M. T J Mathews birth
occurred on the 6th of September, 1855, and his early education was
received in the school of LaCrosse, Prof. M. Shelby Kennard being his
instructor, and at the age of Twenty-five years he began life for
himself as a merchant, this being the occupation to which he was
reared. He has continued to follow this business up to the present
time, and has been remarkably successful for, on starting for himself
in 1880, his stock of goods amounted to $160, and his annual sales now
aggregated between $12,000 and $16,000 , and he has an excellent tract
of land, amounting to 538 acres, with nearly 164 acres under
cultivation, all of
which he has earned by good business management and industry, since the
above-given date, and with the aid and assistance of his worth wife.
Her maiden name was Mollie Wood, their union taking place on the 30th
of October 1879, and they have an interesting little family of four
children: Henry H, born October 4 1880; Shelby S, born December 15,
1882; Troy G, born February 3, 1885; and Winford F, Born May 23 1887.
Mrs. Matthews was born in Izard County, on the 28th of November, 1863,
and she and Mr Matthews are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he belongs to the F & A M and is a Democrat
politically.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of
Arkansas by Goodspeed page 960 original published 1889 .
Dr R. H. Morton, Franklin, Ark.
Dr. Morton is one of the oldest practitioners of Franklin Township, and
one of the oldest in the county. He owes his nativity to Bedford
County, Tenn, and is the son of Jacob and Annie (Fisher) Morton,
natives of North Carolina. Jacob Morton received the average education
in his native State, and came to Tennessee at an early date. He
purchased a farm in Bedford County, and was one of the first settlers
of Shelbyville. In connection with farming he also carried on the
blacksmith trade, but his principal occupation was tilling the soil,
which he gave his attention until his death in 1857. He was married in
Tennessee, and he and wife commenced housekeeping on the Duck River,
where they reared a large family of children, eight now living:
Minerva, wife of B F Whitworth; Sophronia (deceased) was the wife of
Michael Shofner; G W C (deceased), whose family resides in Bedford
County, Tenn.; Daniel C resides in Coffee County, Tenn.; Nancy, wife of
Edward Whitworth; Christina, wife of W. Tune; Emily, wife of Newton
Neal; Ann, wife of B F Smawling; D E resides in Bedford County, Tenn.;
Dr. R. H.; Jessie E, wife of T N Smith; Elijah A resides in Bedford
County, Tenn, and Martha (deceased, wife of T. N. Smith. The father of
these children served in the War of 1812, as a private and participated
in the Battle of New Orleans. Mrs Morton died about 1869. Both were
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Morton took an
active interest in politics and was a very strong supporter of Old
Hickory. Dr. R.H. Morton divided his time in early youth between
assisting on the farm and in attending the free and subscription
schools of Tennessee, where he received a good English education. He
attended medical lectures at Nashville, Tenn., in 1856 and in 1857, and
opened his first office at Poplin's Cross Roads, where he practiced for
two years previous to graduating. He was then located in Missouri from
1858 to 1861 (Texas County). In the spring of the last mentioned year
he served in the Confederate service as surgeon, and thus continued
until 1863, when he resigned and located in Izard County, where he has
since resided. He graduated at the American Medical College , at St.
Louis in 1878 and is the oldest practicing physician in the county. He
has almost abandoned the practice of his profession in the late years,
and is not interested in agricultural pursuits. The Doctor was married
in September, 1857, to Miss Emma A Nichols, of Tenn., but they have
never had any children. He is quite well fixed financially, and enjoys
life to the fullest extent. He is a member of the A F & A M, is
also a member of the I O O F, and has been treasurer of the former
lodge, holding the position of the Vice-Grand, Commander, and others in
the latter lodge. He is a Democrat in Politics, but has never been an
office seeker. He is a member of the Christian Church. The Doctor owns
considerable land, and has on his home place about seventy-five acres
under cultivation. He has good barns, out buildings etc. His residence
is one of the finest in the county, and there he entertains his friends
in the social pleasant manner peculiar to him, and the stranger also
meets with a ready welcome from the Doctor and his agreeable wife.
Although children were denied their union, the Doctor and wife have
reared several who were left orphans.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 961
original published 1889 .
Jacob
Mosier, Sr., was born on the Potomac River, in Lincoln County, N C, in
1821. His Father, Barnett M.Mosier, was also a native of that State his
birth Occurring in 1799, and was married to Margaret, a daughter of
Corb. Gobble, Their union taking place when he was eighteen years of
age. In 1832 he removed with his family to Independence County, Ark.
And purchased and entered land there to the amount of 320 acres, which
land he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death, in 1864.
His children are: Mary J; Allen B.; George W; Henry A; Jacob and Jack.
Jacob Mosier removed to Arkansas with his parents, and on his father's
farm in, Independence County, he learned the details of farm work,
which occupation has received his attention up to the present time. He
is one of the leading husband men of this vicinity, and has 250 acres
of well improved and well cultivated land. He was one of the pioneer of
the State, and during his early history he carried the surveyor's chain
through this section, this being some fifty years ago. He is one of the
hard-working men of Izard County, and owning to his many worthy
characteristics, chief among them may be mentioned his generosity and
honesty, he is respected and esteemed by all. In 1854 he took a trip to
California. He was married, in 1846 to Miss. Melissa A. Romenor, by
whom he has a family of seven children: Mary J.; William H.; Jacob;
Charles M.; Cordelia; Sarah A. and Martha. Mr Mosier and his wife are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and he belongs to the I O
O F.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by
Goodspeed page 962 original published 1889 .
James
H. Mullins was born in the "Old Dominion," on the 18th March, 1839, and
is a son of
Hiram R. Mullins, who was born in North Carolina, in 1794, and was
educated in that State. He moved to Tennessee in 1815, and was there
married to Nancy Shingleton, a native of Virginia and to their union
eleven children were born, six of whom are living, three being
residents of Arkansas and thee of Kentucky. The father was one of the
honest sons of the soil, and upon his death, in 1850, was the owner of
220 acres of productive and valuable land. His wife died in Arkansas,
Aug 13, 1886, both having been members of the Methodist Church, and he
a member of the Masonic lodge. James H. Mullins was an energetic and
enterprising disposition he determined to seek his fortune in what he
considered a more favorable locality, and accordingly, in 1863, moved
to the State of Arkansas and engaged in business for himself, his
capital consisting of a span of horses and the energy and pluck which
nature has bestowed upon him. He immediately engaged in farming, and
that he was been successful in shown when the fact is mentioned the he
owns 250 acres of land, with about 125 acres under cultivation.
Notwithstanding that he was severely wounded in the left writes in the
year os 1862 at the battle of Oak Hill, being left a cripple for life,
he has succeeded far beyond his expectation, and can look back over a
useful and well spent life. He and wife, whose maiden name was Minerva
Kings, and whom he married on the 23d of June, 1863, are worth and
consistent members of the Baptist Church, and both are liberal
contributors to all charitable and worth enterprise. He is a Mason, has
been postmaster of Evening Shade for three years, constable two years,
and deputy sheriff six months. His children are: Eliza A. (Mrs. T. D.
Starkey); Albert F.; Hiram R.; Josephine; Robert C.; Nancy M.; Sarah R;
and William E. In the late war Mr Mullins served from 1862 till
November 1864.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of
Arkansas by Goodspeed page 962 original published 1889 .
William S. Nail was born in Lawrence
County, Tenn., in 1820, and his father Archie, was a
native of Alabama, but was married in Tennessee to Miss. Morrow, by
whom he reared a family of four Children: William; Franklin; Thomas and
Mary A. Archie Nail was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in the
State of Tennessee, in 1830, he having followed the occupation of
farming and black smithing all his life. William S. Nail learned these
occupations of his father and in addition to farm work, which has
always received his attention, he has been faithful to the hammer and
anvil also. In 1845, he moved from Tennessee to Mississippi, ane there
engaged in black smithing until 1856, and when he came to Independence
County (now Izard County, Ark, and purchased land to amount of 120
acres, and in 1867 built a cotton-gin on this farm which has been in
operation ever since. His land now comprises of 280 acres, seventy
-five being in a tillable condition, and a portion of his of his
mountainous land is underlaid with valuable minerals. He raises,
cotton, corn, and small grains on his cultivated lands, and is
acknowledged by all to be one of most reliable citizens of LAFFERTY
Township. In 1840 he was married to
Miss Melinda, the daughter of Thomas Williamson, of Mississippi, and of
eight children born to the following are living: Thomas; Mary E.;
Catherine F. and Charley L. Mr. Nail belongs to the I O O F, and he and
his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source:
Biographical & History of Arkansas by Goodspeed page 963
original published 1889 .
Thomas A.
Nail is one of the industrious farmers and law-abiding citizens of
Izard County, Ark, and has a good farm of 160 acres, which he has
acquired by his own energy and good management since the close of the
Civil War. His property is located on Lafferty's creek and is
considered very valuable underlaid with miner ore in paying quantities.
Twenty-five acres are under the plow, and are in exceedingly fertile
condition. Mr. Nail was born in the State of Mississippi in 1842, and
at an early age of eighteen years he was united in the bonds of
matrimony to Miss Sallie Brown, a daughter of Levi Brown, of Izard
County. To them were born a family of three children: William A.; Mary
F. and Charles F. When the Civil War broke out he, in 1862, joined the
calvary under Capt. George W. Rutherford, now of Indecence County Ark.,
and was in many important engagements during his service. He
surrendered at Jacksonport
and returned home, and has since given his attention to farming with
the above mentioned
results. He is a son of William S. Nail, whose sketch precedes this.
Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of Arkansas by
Goodspeed page 963 original published 1889 .
Joel
D. Patterson has been familiar with far work from his earliest youth,
and is now ranked among the prosperous farmers of Izard County. He was
born in North Carolina in 1826 and is a son of David and Mecca (Holder)
Patterson, who were also born in the "Old North State." In 1846 David
Patterson removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming, having
previously worked at house carpentering and cabinet making in his
native state. He was also married there in 1825, and to him and wife
were born eight children, five of whom are living: J. D.; Caroline,
wife of La Fayette Wright, of Kentucky; Susan, wife of M. V. Belma, of
Kentucky; Francis M, a blacksmith, also residing in Kentucky, and Mary,
wife of C. C. Ashworth, of Tennessee. Mr. Patterson volunteered, but
did not serve in the war of 1812. He died on 16 of May, 1855, at the
age of sixty-six years followed to his long home by his wife in 1883,
her death occurring at the age of seventy-eight years. They were
members of the Baptist Church, and were worthy and honored citizens.
Joel D. Patterson attended the common schools of North Carolina, and
after his removal to Kentucky with his parents, he gave his attention
to agricultural pursuits, with the
exception of two years, when he worked in a wagon shop. In 1859, he
moved to Izard County, Ark and entered 160 acres of land now near the
town of Philadelphia, where he resided two years, then upon the opening
of the Civil War, he returned to Kentucky, where his attention was
given to farming for four years. He then came back to his farm in Izard
County, but about two years later traded it for another place, but also
disposed of this at the end of two years. He then purchased and has
since resided in Fulton County. He was married, in 1853, to Miss
Miranda Egbert, of Kentucky, and five of their eight children are now
living: James R. who is now residing in Smithville, Ark, but expects
soon to go to Texas; Joel B, residing in Indian Territory; Francis L,;
Marcus L. and Hiram E. Mr and Mrs Patterson are members of the Baptist
Church, and he is a Democrat politically, and is decidedly in favor of
all movement which promise to benefit the community in which he
resides.
Transcribed
by Mary Lafferty Wilson. Source: Biographical & History of
Arkansas by Goodspeed page 963 original published 1889 .
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