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BIOGRAPHIES
Izard
County Arkansas Genealogy Trails
W. E. Sanders, M. D., of Oxford,
Ark., was born in the "Palmetto State" in 1846, and is one of six
living members of a family of seven children born to the marriage of
Dr.W. R. and F. H. (Simons) Sanders, the former whom removed to Georgia
in 1851. He was a graduate of the Charleston (S. C.) Medical College in
1838, and was an extensive and successful physician. He was married in
1839, and died in 1858, being a member of the Old School Presbyterian
Church, and a member of the A. F. & A. M. In this political
views he was a democrat. His wife died in 1869, at the age of fifty-two
years. Dr. W. E. Sanders attended the graded school of Newman, Ga., up
to the breaking out of the late war, and at the early age of fourteen
years and eleven months he joined Company E., Twentieth Alabama
Infantry, and wan an active participant in forty-six hotly contested
engagements, among which were Baker's Creek, Chickamauga, Lookout
Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Raymond, Dalton, Vicksburg, and was in all
the battles from Dalton to Atlanta, Ga. At the battle of Franklin he
was bounded by a bayonet, while his comrades were trying to take
possession of the Federals' ditch. Thirty days afterward he took part
in the battle of Nashville, although he had not fully recovered from
his wound. He surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. He served as a private,
and on five different occasions, when the color bearer was shot. Dr.
Sanders carried the colors of his regiment out of the engagements, and
was offered the position of color bearer by his colonel, but declined,
saying he would rather carry a gun. After his return home he began the
study of medicine, and for some time before entering college he was
engaged in practicing, and was well fitted to perform the duties of a
physician for the fact that his father and all his brothers were
practicing physicians. At the age of twenty years he entered the
Medical University at New Orleans, but at the end of one term entered
the Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1868, and
immediately began practicing in Clinton, Ala. At the end of five years
he moved to Fayette County, Texas, and three years later settled in
independence County, Ark. In 1878 he came to his present location, and
the same year opened a mercantile establishment in Union, Fulton
County, Ark., but removed his good to this county in 1884, and formed a
partnership with J. E. Ford. This partnership was dissolved in 1888,
and the Doctor has since been connected with E. S. Pearson, the style
of the firm being Sanders & Pearson. They are doing a
prosperous business, and fully deserve the patronage which they are
receiving, for they are honest and upright in all their dealings, and
are accommodating and agreeable gentlemen. The Doctor was married, in
1876, to Mrs. Addie Hodges, of Independence county, but a native of
Tennessee, and to them have been born four children: Mary A.; William
C.; Edward C.; and Kittie. Dr. and Mrs. Sanders are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a member of the I. O. O.
F., and is a Democrat politically. He is now examining physician for
the Pension Bureau, and a throughly reliable, successful physician.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 971 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
Dr.
Joseph A. Schenck is a leading Physician of Calico rock, and in
connection with his practice is also engaged in merchandising. He was
born in Owen County, Ky., in 1847, and is a son of Julius P. and
America (Applegate) Schenck, natives of Kentucky. The father was a
captain on a steamboat plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans, and
he was also engaged in farming and merchandising, following the latter
occupation in Vevay, Ind., while at work on the river. He owned a
one-half interest in the "Switzerland," which was the name of his boat,
the other half being owned by Jesse Teets, and they also the
proprietors of several other boats which plied on the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers, in the interest of the Government during the war.
He died in 1862, leaving his family well provided for, but during the
war much of their property was lost. He was married about 1842, and he
and wife became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living:
J. P., who is a merchant of Wothville, Ky.; Della, the wife of Dr. J.
F. Costillo, resides in Kansas; Amy is the wife of James Grubbs, a
telegraph operator, and J. A., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Schenck
died in 1887, having been a worthy member of the Christian Church for
many years, her husband being a member of the Baptist Church. He was a
Democrat politically, and belonged to the I. O. O. F. Dr. Joseph A.
Schenck received his early schooling in Vevay, Ind., and in 1873 he
took his first medical lectures in the University of Louisville, KY.,
and graduated from the institution in 1880. He had, however, begun
practicing in Jackson County, Ark, in 1874 but at the end of one year
removed to Izard County, Ark. And has been successful practitioner at
Pineville ever since. Since 1885 he has been engaged in merchandising,
in partnership with Dr. T. K. goodman, their paid up capital upon
starting in business, amounting to about $300, but on the 6 th of
October, 1886 they were burned out with a loss of about $1,600, Their
insurance reaching the sum of $1,000. They opened their store on the 12
th of the same month, with a stock of goods worth $200, and have since
been very successful, and are now doing an annual business of $18,000.
In addition to this property Dr. Schenck owns 288 acres of valuable
land, with 150 acres under cultivation, and all this property he has
earned since coming to the State of Arkansas, as he then (in 1874) only
owned a horse and saddle and about $150 worth of drugs. The Doctor
still continues to practice his profession, but not so extensively as
formerly. He was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen Matthews, a daughter of
Capt. R. C. Matthews. She was born in Tennessee in 1849, and by Dr.
Schenck is the mother of the following family: Amy D.; Rena Z.; Joseph
E. and America E. (twins); Lunford P.Y.; Caarrie M.; Julius P.; John
M.; and Robert C. Mrs. Schenck is a member of the Methodist episcopal
Church, south, and the Doctor belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and
I. O. O. F., having advance to the Encampment in the latter order.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 972
original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
John
Sharp, farmer and stock raiser; Evening Shade, Ark. Originally from
Independence County, Ark, Mr. Sharp's birth occurred on the 15th of
September, 1843, and he is the son of Hon. William and Catherine
(Barnes) Sharp, the former born in Indiana, and the latter in Ohio.
William sharp came to Independence County, Ark. (Near Sulphur Rock), in
1838, and engaged first in farming, which occupation he continued for
two or three years. He then embarked in the tannery business, and
established the second yard in the county. It is now known as the
Gelpin tanyard. Mr Sharp was a practical tanner, and followed this
pursuit until 1852, when he moved to what is now Sharp County, and
settled close to Evening Shade. He purchased a mill, rebuilt it, and it
is now known as Sharps mill. This business he followed until his death,
which occurred in 1864. In 1860-61 he represented Lawrence County in
the legislature, was a member when the State seceded, but was opposed
to secession. During 1863 and 1864 he was at home attending to his
mill, and was also engaged in tilling the soil. He was the one of the
old land-marks in the early settlement of the Northeast Arkansas, and
was one of the prominent men of his section of the county. He was a man
well read, and although he had never attended school but about three
months, he was much better informed man than many who had every
advantage for schooling. He died in his fiftieth year. He was a
Democrat in politic. He was married in Ohio, about 1835, to Miss
Catherine Barnes, and eight Children were the Fruit of this union, five
of whom lived to be grown: Isaac E. died in 1875, and was quite a
prominent man in North east Arkansas after the war; Zaccheus
(deceased); Mary (deceased); John; Rachel, wife of E. Berry, resides in
Dent County, MO.; Margaret, wife of William Martin, resides in
Independence County; Elijah, resides in Dent County, Ark.; and Ephraim
(deceased). Mrs Sharp died in 1855, in full communion with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857 or 1858 Mr. Sharp married Mrs.
Louisa Simpson, nee Douglas, and they became parents of four children,
one now living, Samuel residing in Washington Territory. The second
Mrs. Sharp died in 1864. John Sharp, the subject of this sketch, joined
the confederate army in 1861, under Capt. Nunn, and served east of the
Mississippi River until after the fall of Vicksburg. He was engaged in
two prominent battles, Champion's hill and Black River bridge. He has
taken prisoner at the last named place the day before the siege of
Vicksburg, and was sent to Fort Delaware, thence to Point Lookout, Md.,
and was retained there for the 17 th of October to the 24 th of
December when he was paroled. He then returned home, remained there
until 1864, when he enlisted the second time as a private under Capt.
Huddleson and served the remainder of the war, surrendering at
Jacksonport on the 5 th of June, 1865. He was with Gen Price on his
raid through Missouri in 1864, and after the surrender he returned
home, where he worked in the mill until 1867. He then engaged in
tilling the soil on his present farm which now consists of 800 acres,
with 300 under cultivation. Part of this is in Sharp County, but all
joins except one tract of 253 acres which is however, within one-
fourth of a mile from the home place, with eight-five acres under
cultivation. Mr. Sharp was married the first time in 1865, to Miss
Catherine Summers, and they became the parents of these children:
William married and resides on the farm; Anna, wife of Dan T. Taylor,
resides on the home place; Mary E. wife of Jeff. Davis, resides in this
county; Emma died at the age of nine years; Robert I, at home; and one
unnamed. Mrs Sharp died on the 13 th of December, 1876. She was a
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sharp's second marriage was to Miss.
Susan J. Yeager, in 1878, and they have a family of five children (two
being deceased): Katie; Prussia: John C.; Frank; and one unnamed. Mr.
Sharp is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor.
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a
Democrat politically, but though well posted, does not take an active
interest in politics.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas
by Goodspeed Page 973 original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson
J. M. Shaver ranks among the
successful farmers of Guthrie Township, Izard County, Ark, and is now
residing on the farm on which he was born in 1853, his parents being
John S. and Mary (Cox) Shaver, Tennesseans by birth. John Shaver came
to the State of Arkansas in 1851, and purchased the farm in Guthrie
Township in connection with which work he was engaged in merchandising.
Here he made his home until 1862, when he was killed by Federal
soldiers, he previously served in the Home Guard Confederate service.
He was also a soldier in the Mexican War, holding the rank of captain,
and when returning home came via New Orleans. He was married in 1848,
and he and his wife became the parents of seven children: D. C.;
Marietta (wife of J. R. Metcalf); J. M.; Mattie (wife of E. A. Taylor);
Addie (widow of T. H. Montgomery); Hattie (wife of Will Collins); and
Belle ( wife of C. E. Taylor). Mrs Shaver still survives her husband,
and makes her home with her children. She is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Capt. Shaver was a member of the A. F.
& A. M., and in 1858 was elected to represent, Fulton County,
in the Sate legislature. J. M. Shaver, the immediate subject of the
memoir, received his early schooling in Izard County, and made his home
with his mother and sisters until 1884, when he was married to Miss
Georgia Smith, and mad a home for himself. He has now seventy-five
acres of his land cleared, and besides making a good living is slowly
but surely laying by capital for a rainy day. He was at one time
engaged in merchandising in Oxford, but has given his attention to
farming, only for sometime. He is a Democrat politically, and on that
ticket was elected to the office of deputy sheriff of the county for
four years. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. His wife
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and they are the
parents of two children John S. and Mamie L. Mrs. Saver is a daughter
of S. J. and Levica (Chastine) Smith, native of Georgia.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 974 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
John J. Shultz was born in the
State of Illinois on the 16 th of August, 1851, and like the majority
of the German-American is one of the substantial residents of the
county, and is industrious and frugal. By energy and close attention to
the details of farm work he has become the owner of 100 acres of good
land, and of this there are about fifty acres under cultivation, well
improved and well stocked. He is now filling the office of justice of
the peace, which positions he has occupied for the past fourteen years
and he and wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Bean, and whom he
married on 11 of October, 1865, are members of the Christian church. Of
six sons and five daughters born to them only nine are still living and
all reside at home: William A.; Walter E.; John M.; Caswell B.;
Mordecai M.; Mary E.; Amanda V.; Albert F.; and Maggie E. Mr. Shultz is
a son of John Shultz, a native German born in 1784, he being educated
in his native land. He was also married there to Holy Homsan by whom he
became the father of seven children six sons and one daughter. Six of
this family are still living, three being residents of the State of
Kansas, two of Illinois, and one of Arkansas. The father was a farmer,
and at his death in 1838, he owned a good and fertile farm of 160 aces
in Illinois, he having moved from Germany to the United States in 1832
His wife died in 1871 both belonging to the German Lutheran Church.
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of
Izard County, c1899, Goodspeed Publishing Co, Page 974 transcribed by
Mary Lafferty Wilson
William C. Sims is a worthy of
being classed among the many prosperous farmers of Izard County, for by
his own exertions he has become the owner of 420 acres of fertile land,
of which 300 are in Izard County and the rest in Sharp County. One
hundred and seventy acres of this farm are under cultivation, and in
addition to his farm work he give much of his attention to raising a
good grade of stock. He was born in Itawamba County, Miss., on the 7 th
of September, 1844 and is a son of Gray and Marinda (Mann) Sims, who
were from the State of Alabama. Of two sons and four daughters born to
them, the two sons only are living. The father, at the time of his
death, was the owner of 160 acres of good land. He and his wife were
members of the Baptist Church, and after his demise, in 18546, his
widow became the worthy companion of
John Pressley, to whom she bore a family of four sons and three
daughters. The mother's death occurred on the 22 d of June, 1863.
William C. Sims was educated in Mississippi, and at the age of fourteen
years moved to Van Buren County, Ark., remaining there until 1861.
After the war he located in Sharp County, and was married to Mrs. Sarah
Wainwright, who was a Tennessean, in their marriage being consummated
September 4, 1867. This union resulted in the birth of eleven children,
three sons and eight daughters, but only two of the family are now
living. After the death of Mrs. Sims, on 18 th of March 1881, Mr. Sims
was married, Aug 10 of that year to Miss Sallie P. Haile, a
Mississippian. He has attained a high rank of in the I. O. O. F., and
he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Source:
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Izard County, c1899, Goodspeed
Publishing Co, Page 974. transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
Ephraim Sipe
has been a resident of his present well cultivated and fertile farm of
240 acres in Izard County, Ark., since 1857, and has about 100 acres in
an excellent state of cultivation. Like the majority of
German-Americans he is thrifty, industrious and enterprising, and his
property has been acquired through his own good management and business
ability. After remaining single until 1865, he was united in marriage
to Miss Betsey Deal, their union taking place in Independence county,
Ark. Four children are the result of their union: Martha M.; Malinda
E.; Ephraim; and Robert R. He and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist
Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a son of Jacob
Sipes, who was also born in Lincoln County, N.C., his wife, Mary Delp
being also born there. John, Jacob, Joseph, Abraham, Ephraim Peter,
Franklin, Noah and Susan are their children. The father died in 1846.
Our subjects wife was the daughter of Robert Deal and wife, the latter
of whom was born in North Carolina in 1896 and is still living, and
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Sipe. Although she has passed
her allotted three-score years and ten, she is still active and bids
fair to reach one hundred years.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page
975original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
E.
F. Smith, farmer and miller, Melbourne, Ark. All his life Mr. Smith has
followed, with substantial success, the occupation to which he was
reared and in which he is now engaged- farming-but in connection has
also been largely interested in the milline business. He was born in
Massachusetts, in 1833, and is the son of Roswell and Jane E. Smith,
who were also natives of Massachusetts. Roswell Smith was a farmer by
occupation, and was a man only limited education. He was drafted in the
War of 1812, but was not in any engagements. He was married about 1807
and became the father of fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to be
grown, E. F> Smith being the only one residing in the south. At
the age of seventeen the latter came to this part of the united states,
located first in Tennessee, and later or in 1859, in Arkansas. He was
employed on the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad and after that
was finished he settled in Jacksonport, where he followed the
carpenter's trade. In 1861 he joined the confederate army under Gen.
Hindman and served on the west side of the Mississippi River
participating in the following battles: Pea Ridge and pleasant Hill,
and was in the quartermaster's department. He surrendered at Marshall,
Tex, in 1865, returned home and located at Evening Shade where he
engaged in merchandising and in which he continued for two years. He
then resumed the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1880, when
he commenced farming. He bought his present property, consisting of a
merchant-mill and cotton-gin combined, with a nice residence. He owns,
besides this property, two farms in the county, with about eighty acres
under cultivation, all the result of his own labor since the war, for
at the close of that eventful period e had but $2. He was married on
the 18 th of October, 1866, to Miss Melissa J. Wasson, and they are the
parents of two children: Ella G., at home and Leander G., also at home.
Mrs Smith is the daughter of Lee and Jane (Mathews) Wasson, natives of
Tennessee. Mr. Smith votes the Democratic ticket, is a member of the A.
F. & A. M., and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South.
Source:
Biographical and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by
Goodspeed Page 975 original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson
Mr. James L. Smith has acquired an
enviable reputation in Izard county., Ark., as an able physician and
surgeon, and the extensive territory over whish he travels to alleviate
the suffering of the afflicted is a sufficient proof of his popularity.
He was born near Melbourne, and is a son of S. R. and Jane (Walker)
Smith, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Arkansas. In
1849 S. R. Smith came to Arkansas, and settled on the farm he now
residing. Five miles southwest of Melbourne. He served in the
Confederate Army during the rebellion, and was with Price on his raid
through Missouri, but in 1864 he was severely wounded by a gun-shot,
which resulted in the loss of his left leg. He was captured and taken
to Alton Ill., then to St. Louis , and received his parole from this
city in 1865. He returned to his farm in Izard County, only to find it
destitute of buildings, fences and stock, but he set manfully to work,
and by good management he is now comfortable circumstances. He and Miss
Walker were married in 1855, and moved to the farm where he is now
living, and eight of the nine children born to them still survive:
James L.; Joseph M.; Mary E. P., wife of J. P. Gray; W. T. (deceased);
W. A.; Jeff D.; John H.; Solomon and Robert L. Mr. Smith has been
constable of Lunenburg Township for several years, and is a member of
the I. O. O. F. His wife belongs to the Christian church. The paternal
grandfather was a soldier in the Mexican War, and bore the name of
James. His wife was a Miss Orphia Byler. The maternal grandparents were
Joseph and Sarah (McCubbin) Walker. Dr. James L. Smith remained with
his father on the home farm and attended the common schools until 1876,
when he engaged in farming his own responsibility, continuing two
years, and in the meantime he was engaged in the study of medicine
under Dr. J. K. P. Black. In 1880 and 1881 he attended his first course
of lectures in the Hospital of Medical College of Memphis. Tenn., and
in 1881 entered upon his practice, continuing until 1887, when he again
returned to Memphis and graduated from the same institution in 1888. E
has been very successful and is held in the high esteem by the medical
brotherhood of Izard County. The Doctor is a Democrat, a member of the
I. O. O. F., and he and his wife whom he married in 1883, and whose
maiden name was Mary Croom, are members of the Christian church. Dr.
and Mrs. Smith have three interesting little children: Robert O.;
Bertha J.; and Erskin. Mrs Smith was born in Izard County, January 28
1865, and is a daughter of Wiley and Sarah J. (Pearson) Croom, both
Tennesseeans, and the parents of nine children; Mary; D. F.; H. F.; Ida
J., wife of A. H. Colwell; Benage; Susan E; Annabel; Thomas W. and
Grover.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by GoodspeedPage 975 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
William
A. Spence is one of the enterprising agriculturists of LaCrosse
Township, and since 1868 has been the owner of an excellent farm of 187
1 /2 acres in Izard County. He was born in Davidson County, N.C., in
1837, but in his youth which was spent in that State, he received a
limited education. Upon emigrating to Arkansas, in 1862, he settled in
Independence County, but since 1868 he has been a resident of the farm
on which he is not residing. In 1857 he was married to Miss Emily C.
Grills, a daughter of William D. Grills, and by her he is the father of
six children: Mary; Harriet G.; Martha T. L.; Ive T; James D. and
William E. Mr Spencer is one of the live farmers of his community and
the success which has attended his efforts is fully deserved, for
throughout life he has been industrious and frugal. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He began doing for himself
in 1857, in Wright county, Missouri, when he homesteaded eighty acres
of land, but in 1862 moved to Independence County, Arkansas, as above
stated. He is a son of Joseph Spence who was born in North Carolina and
the latter was married in his native state to Miss Rachel, a daughter
of James Hurley, and by her became the father of three children. Their
union took place in 1834. In 1855 Mr. Spencer moved to Wright county,
MO, and was engaged in farming there until 1863, at which time he moved
to Independence county, Ark. And bought 160 acres, which he farmed
successfully for several years. He died here in April, 1878 at about
the age of seventy-three years.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 976
original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
O.P.
Stroud is a prominent farmer and stock man of Izard County, Ark., and
is one of the old settlers of Guthrie Township, having come in 1851,
and has been residing in the house in which he now lives since 1857. He
was born in Tennessee, August 10, 1820, and was reared on his fathers
farm receiving a common school education and at the time of his
location in this State the country was almost a wilderness, and wild
game was quite abundant. Mr. Stroud was found of hunting and on one of
his hunts killed six deer in one day, this being in 1856, when the show
was very deep. At one time he took fifty-three deer hams to Mount
Olive, to market, receiving for them $53. The woods abounded with wild
turkeys and Mr. Stroud says they were easier killed then the common
domestic fowl of to-day. Although he did not take an active part of the
Civil War he served in the commissary department for two years. He lost
heavily during the war, principally in personal property, however he
owned 800 acres of good land. He now has 400 acres with about 140 acres
under cultivation, furnished with good building and otherwise well
improved. He was married in 1844 to Miss Martha Jourdan, of
Mississippi, and to them have been born a family of fourteen children,
eleven of whom are living: John A.; William L.; George R.; Martha E.
(wife of W. Pierson); James M.; Lawson R.; O. H.; Mary F.; Richard A.;
Robert H. and Taylor M. Mrs. Stroud is a daughter of John and Edith
(Alexander) Jourdan, who were born in the State of North Carolina, and
became the parents of nine children. Both parents died in Texas in
1856. Mr. and Mrs Stroud are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and he is a Democrat in his political views. His parents, Thomas
and Lucy (Jarvis) Stroud, were of German descent, and were born in the
"Old North State." At an early day Thomas removed with his father to
Tennessee, and was there reared to manhood on a farm. He served in the
war of 1812, under Jackson, and was in the battle of New Orleans, his
father also being in the service in that war. Gen. Jackson was an
intimate friend of the Strouds, and made their house his home a great
portion of the time, and lived with them during a period he was making
the race for presidency. Thomas Stroud became a wealthy man, and to his
marriage which occurred in 1813 a family of fourteen children were
born, ten of whom are now alive; Sarah, wife of William McSpade; S. L.;
O. P.; Elizabeth, widow of John McAfee; Thomas J.; Resi; Marcus L.;
Fannie, widow of William Sapp; Hettie and Minerva, wife of Robert
Henderson. In 1872 Thomas Stroud died on the same place he settled when
he first came to Tennessee. His fathers death occurred in 1840, at the
age of seventy-four years. The maternal grandfather was in the
Revolutionary War, being severely wounded in one of the battles. He
settled in Tennessee, also, and there died.
Source:
Biographical and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by
Goodspeed Page 976 original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson
J. A. Stroud is one of the rising
and energetic young agriculturists of Izard County, and was born in
Mississippi in 1846, being a son of O.P. Stroud, who sketch precedes
this one. In 1851 he removed to Arkansas with his father, and remained
with him, assisting on the farm until he was 21 years of age. Besides
working at the farm labor his youth was spent attending school, and he
acquired a fair practical education in the subscription schools of
Izard County. Upon attaining his majority he began farming on rented
land, continuing for two or thee years, then purchased his present
property, which consists of 236 acres. There were only about then acres
of this improved, and on the land were no buildings, but by industry he
has put sixty-five acres in good farming condition, and has erected a
good frame residence and barns. His property is also further improved
by a small orchard with wich in time will bear an abundance of fruit.
Mr. Stroud is a Democrat, a member of the A. F. & A. M., and
donates time freely to churches and educational institutions. Like his
ancestors, he is quite fond of hunting and fishing and, as good sport
can still be had in the vicinity of his home, he frequently indulges in
those amusements. Miss Euphemia Guest became his wife in 1874, and by
her he has an interesting family of five children: Jeffie A.; Lillie
B.; Dorothea N.; Perry L. and Fanny C. Mrs. Stroud was born in
Tennessee, and is a daughter of Morgan and Eliza (Dennison) Guest, who
were also Tennesseans. In 1859 they came to Arkansas, and from this
State Mr. Guest enlisted in the Confederate army, and died during the
war. Of the four children born to them Mrs. Stroud and Robert M. Guest
are living. Mrs Guest still survives, and makes her home with Mr.
Stroud.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 977 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
John K.
Suttle is a well known merchant of Izard county, Ark. , and was born in
Henry County, Tenn, Sept 24 1850. His father, Edward J. Suttle, was
born in Pennsylvania County, Va., and he was reared and educated in
that State, being also married there to Mintie Marrow, a native of the
State. The ten children born to them (five sons and five daughters) are
all living, and four reside in State of Arkansas. Mrs. Suttle removed
from Virginia to Tennessee, and from that state to Arkansan, in the
fall of 1854, locating in Big Spring Township, Izard County, where he
entered a large tract of land consisting of 460 acres, on which he made
his home until he was called from earth Oct 20, 1862. He was followed
to his long home by his wife October 23, 1872, they having been earnest
members of the Hard Shell Baptist Church for many years. The father
served for a short time in the Confederate army during the rebellion,
and after his death his property was divided among his children. John
K. Shuttle was educated in the Mountain School house, in Izard County,
his early days being employed in the assisting in tilling the home
farm. In March, 1873 he was married to Miss Sarah Edwards, a daughter
of Wiley and Martha Edwards , and a native of Tennessee. Of four
daughters and three sons born to them, only three children are no
living: Ora A.; Dee E.: and Archie. Mr. Suttle has been engaged in
merchandising at Barren Fork for some time, and his stock of goods will
invoice at about $1,500, his annual sales netting him a fair income.
His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 978
original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
James
J. Vest born in Alabama, in 1821, and is a son of James and Sallie
(Harvey) Vest, the former a native of Georgia, born in 1791, and to
their union, which occurred 1809, a family of eight children were born:
Albert; James; John; George; William; Lucy; Martha and Nancy. The
mother of these children died in Alabama, in 1827, she having been a
worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr.
Vest wedded the second wife Margaret Canady, and the following children
were born to their union: Henry; Martin; Jonathan and Sarah. Mr. Vest
from earliest boyhood was reared to a farm life and received his early
education in the common schools of Georgia. He served as a captain in
the Alabama State Guards, State Militia, and in 1833 was elected to the
office of constable of Morgan county, Ala., and after remaining in the
office for several years he was (in 1838) elected sheriff of the same
county, holding the position until 1840. Two years later he was elected
to represent Winston County, Ala., in the State legislature, and died
in that county in 1868, followed by his wife two years later, and they
lie side by side in the old Mount Nebo Cemetery, Ala. James J. Vest
received his early instruction in farming from his father, and in 1857
removed to Izard County, Ark., from which state he enlisted in the
confederate Army in 1862, under Gen. Price, and after serving for a
short time in the infantry he joined the cavalry, and was a participant
in all the principal battles which occurred west of the Mississippi
River. He surrendered at Jacksonport on the 25 th day of June 1865.
When a young man in his native State, he studied for the ministry, and
in 1838 was licensed to preach in the Methodist Church, and was a
minister of that denomination for several years. In 1865 he was
ordained to preach in the Baptist Church, and although he was the owner
of a tract of land, he has divided it among his children, and devotes
his time to the cause of Christianity. He is a stanch Democrat, a Royal
Arch Mason, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. His wife, who was
formerly a Miss Delaney Kent, and whom he married in 1840 was born in
the State of Alabama, and she and Mr. Vest are the parents of the
following family: Albert; James; William; Martha and Mary living, and
John; Malviney and Sallie deceased.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas
by Goodspeed Page 978 original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson
James A walker is a native of
Izard County Ark., born in 1849. His father who was born in the state
of Kentucky in 1897, was reared to a farm life, and after he attained
his majority he learned the blacksmith's trade. As early as 1820 he
removed to the State of Arkansas with his parents, the country then
being a territory, and from that time up to the day of his death was
engaged in farming, becoming one of the leading agriculturist of this
region. He owned an excellent farm of 200 acres, the principal part of
which he devoted to the raising of cotton, corn and tobacco. He was
married, in 1830, to Miss McCubbins, whose people were residents of
Marion County, Ark., and to their union a family of ten children were
born, six sons and four daughters, all of whom live to maturity: Robert
R.W.; William M.; John A. W.; Greene; James A.; Jane; Phoebe;
Elizabeth; Harriet C. and Mary L. In 1869 James A Walker married a
daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody, of Izard County, but Tennesseeans
by birth. Her name was Izora E. Woody and by Mr. Walker she became the
mother of four children: Lillie; Leroy; Oleen and Charley. Mr. Walker
has devoted his attention to farming from his youth up, and by paying
strict attention to his work, and being ever ready to adopt new
methods, he has met with good results, and now has a fertile farm of
127 acres on Rocky Bayou, the fifty acres which are under the plow
being devoted to the raising of cotton, corn, and small grain. Mr.
Walker is a gentleman who posses many worthy qualities, and he and wife
make the best neighbors, and are very hospitable. They are members in
good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the
I. O. O. F. [The Independent Order of Odd Fellows]
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 978 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
T. J.
Williamson is a man who seems to be especially fitted for the
occupation of merchandising for he has met with more than the average
degree of success, and his earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in
life is well worthy of imitation. He was born in Independence County,
Ark., December 22, 1852, and is a son of R. P. and Catharine (Bowman)
Williamson, who were born in Franklin county, Tenn., and North
Carolina, respectively, the former's birth occurring November 15, 1819.
He was educated in Hardeman County, Tenn., near Bolivar, and after his
removal to Arkansas, in 1849, he settled in Independence county, and
was there married. He and wife became the parents of two sons and two
daughters, and being people of wealth and position, they have given
their children good educational advantages. They own about 1,500 acres
of land, and have some 759 under cultivation. The mother is a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. T. J. Williamson, their son, was
educated in Bellefonte, Boone County, Ark. And he was married there to
Miss Sarah Murray on the 20th of December, 1877, she being a native of
that state, and a daughter of Alfred Murray, who was a Tennesseean. To
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were born seven children, of whom four are
still living: Clarence R.; Kittie N.; Pauline and Alexander; those
deceased are: Oscar W, who died June 14, 1889; Viola, who died October
5, 1883; and Elloena, whose death occurred on the 14th of September,
1888. Mr. Williamson has been engaged in merchandising since he was
twenty-one years of age. He holds the highest office in the I. O. O.
F.[The Independent Order of Odd Fellows], and has been delegated to the
Grand Lodge. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and are
well known and highly esteemed citizens.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 979
original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
W.
H. Winkle was born in Iredell County, NC., July 8, 1838, and is one of
the five surviving embers of a family of ten children born to Harvey
and Sarah Winkle, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, The
former's birth occurring in 1806. Harvey Winkle was educated in his
native State, and his occupation though life was that of a farmer and
mechanic. His death occurred March 24, 1866, and his wife's in April,
1850, she being a member of the Lutheran Church at the time of her
death. After receiving the advantages of the common schools and
attaining manhood on his father's farm, W. H. Winkle was married on the
14 of February, 1861, to Elizabeth Fulbright, who was born in the State
of Arkansas, but her death occurred on the 28 th September 1863, she
leaving him with an infant daughter, Mary Jane, to care for. His second
wife, Sarah Jackson, was also born in the State of Arkansas and their
marriage was consummated on the 24 of January , 1866, his wife being a
daughter of John and Mary Johnson. The second union was also resulted
in the birth of one daughter, who died on the 19 th of November, 1872.
Mr. Winkle possesses an exceedingly fertile farm of 160 acres, of which
eighty acres are under cultivation and much of the attention is given
to raising a good grade of mules and other stock. He has attained a
high rank in the I. O. O. F. [The Independent Order of Odd Fellows].
And in every enterprise in which he engages he is progressive and
energetic, and consequently is successful as a rule. He and wife belong
to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas
by Goodspeed Page 979 original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary
Lafferty Wilson
James B. Woods, farmer, Melbourne,
Ark. Among the prominent young farmers of Izard County appears the name
of James B. Woods, who, like many others of the representative men of
the county, is a native of Bedford county, Tenn. His parents, John and
Lucinda (Richardson) Woods, are natives of the same State, John Woods
came to Arkansas in 1854, settling in Izard County, and brought a farm
near Melbourne, or rather near the present site of Melbourne, where he
resided until he death in 1860. He was in his twenty-ninth year at the
time, and was a member of the Christian church. He had always taken an
active interest in politics. In 1858 he had been elected sheriff of the
county, and had just retired from office at the time of his death. The
mother died in 18789 at the age of forty-eight years. To their union
were born six children, four now living: Margaret, wife of Alex L.
Sublett; James B.; Mary, wife of W. L. Stroud: Sarah J. (Deceased), and
Martha C., wife of Daniel S. Freeman. James B. Woods was born in
February, 1852, and was reared to agricultural pursuits in the county.
He received a good practical education in the subscription and free
schools of Arkansas, and when twenty-one years of age started out to
fight life's battles for himself. He first tilled the soil on his
mother's farm, but two years later bought a house in Melbourne, moved
there, but rented land and still cultivated the soil. In connection
with this he also teamed and followed the carpenter's trade for two
years, after which he sold out and bought his present property. This
consists of 151 acres, with about forty or fifty acres cleared, and
with good buildings, etc. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Fannie Dixon
daughter of W. C. and Eliza (Clarada) Dixon, native of Tennessee. To
this marriage have been born five children: Ora A; Lillian A.; Owen D.;
Robert L.; and Margaret. James B. Woods is among the prosperous young
farmers of the county and deserves especial credit for the state he has
made in life. He is public-spirited and takes an active interest in
educational matters as well as al other public enterprises. He and wife
are both members of the Christian church. In politics he is a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
Source: Biographical and Historican Menoirs of
Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 980 original published 1889 .
Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
S. H. Wren
is the oldest living pioneer of Izard County, and was born in Warren
County, KY., near Bowling Green) in 1824, and at the age of six years
was brought by his parents, James and Elizabeth (Hightower) Wren, to
Izard County. James Wren was born in North Carolina and in 1819 moved
to Kentucky and settled in Warren County, where he engaged in farming
and lived until the above mentioned date at which date he located in
Arkansas, near Lunenburg, and gave his attention to farming. He served
as justice of the peace of the county several terms, and held the
office of county judge from 1842 to 1847, having no opponents during
this time. He was also elected to the office of county trustee, to
distribute the international and school fund for the purpose of
improving the public roads, there being three candidates, and Mr. Wren
received every vote polled in the county with the exception of one--the
only case of the kind on the county records. He was popular with all,
and justly so, for he was every very public-spirited, and his efforts
in aiding in the improvement of the county will always be highly
appreciated. His death which occurred on the 28th of April, 1888, at
the age of ninety-seven years and twenty-eight days, was much regretted
by all who knew him. He had been a member of the Missionary Baptist
Church from the time he was thirty-two years of age until his death,
and in his political views was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and during the
war a leading Secessionist. His wife, who was born in the "Palmetto
State," died on the 6 th of June, 1883, at the age of eighty-eight
years. Their son S. H. Wren, began life for himself at the age of
twenty years, first as a farmer, and October 6, 1845, he moved to the
Platte Purchase, in Missouri, remaining there about one year. Upon his
return to Izard County, Ark., he was engaged in rafting lumber for two
years. In 1861 he was living in Fulton County, Ark., and was a
candidate on the Union ticket for a seat in the convention opposed to
secession, and was victorias over his opponent, but the county clerk
gave the certificate of election to the defeated candidate. The race
was made three times and each time Mr. Wren secured the greatest number
of votes, but before the case was finally settled the State seceded.
Owing to the views held by Mr. Wren in regard to succession, he was
arrested and tried for treason to the confederate government, the trial
being held at Little Rock, before Judge Ringo but he was acquitted
after they examined two prosecuting witnesses. He returned home, in
February, 1862, ad remained here until the arrival of Gen. Curtis, when
he went to Rolla, Mo., and remained connected with the Union army for
two years, selling goods at Batesville, After his return home at the
close of the war, he found all his buildings and fences destroyed, but
he set to work to again improve his property, and now has his farm,
which consists of 120 acres, well improved with good buildings, and has
eighty one acres under the plow. He has owned 1,200 acres, but has lost
most of it in going security for friends. His wife owns 146 acres, with
100 under cultivation. He was elected to the office of justice of the
peace two terms, making six years in all and during that time did not
have a decision revered or a change of venue taken, and not a cent was
charged up the State of Arkansas. He is a Republican in h is political
views, but usually votes for whom he considers the best man, regardless
of party. He has been twice married, the first time to Miss Nancy J.
Hayley, in 1854, and of the six children born to them, three are
deceased: James M.; William C.; and Martha J. (Mrs. James Cole) living
in Franklin County, Ark. Mrs. Wren was a member of the Missionary
Baptist church, and died in 1865. Mr. Wren's second union took place on
the 24 th of November, 1867, his wife being a Miss Margaret Evans, and
of nine children born to them, for are living: W. G.; S. R.; Thomas H.;
and Mary C. Mrs. Wren is a member of the Christian Church and he is a
member of the I. O. O. F., and the Agricultural Wheel, taking a warm
interest in commendable enterprises.
Source: Biographical
and Historican Menoirs of Izard County, Arkansas by Goodspeed Page 980
original published 1889 . Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson
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