Baxter County Arkansas Biographies and Biographical Sketches

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ADAMS, John Q., Biography

JOHN Q. ADAMS. This gentleman owns and resides on the farm in Baxter County, Ark., on which he was born in 1854, his parents being Alexander and Syrena (Kellough) Adams. The father was born on this farm also and died in 1866 at the age of forty-two years. His father, John Adams, came to this neighborhood many years ago and located among the Indians, three miles above the mouth of North Fork, in what was then Izard County. At that time the Talburt and Wolf families were the only ones living here, and for many years, until the tide of emigration set in, Mr. Adams and his family had to put up with many inconveniences and hardships, but he was possessed of the sturdy perseverance of the successful pioneer, and here he continued to live and labor, and witnessed quite a transformation in the country prior to his death. He successfully tilled the soil, and in this respect his son Alexander followed his footsteps, also becoming extensively engaged in the raising of stock. During the Civil War he served in the Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry, and was a participant in a great many battles. Just before the war he was sheriff of Izard County and held other positions of trust and honor. He was a Mason, a member of Adams Lodge, and located on White River below the mouth of North Fork where his home now is. He has always been a Democrat, but has never been an official aspirant. His wife was born in Kentucky, and came to this section with her people in a very early day. She died in 1862 after having borne her husband five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. After the death of their parents, the children made their home with Wythe W. Adams, an uncle, on White River, and during this time the subject of this sketch attended the common schools and when old enough commenced farming for himself. He and a brother and sister afterward secured possession of the old Adams homestead, and later he bought their interests and is now the sole owner, besides which he owns a. good farm on Gobler Flats, which he has improved with buildings, etc. In 1879 he was married to Miss Mary E. Sowell of this county, by whom he has three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Christian Church, and politically he is a Democrat. His sister Ann is the widow of William Nelson and lives at Buford,this county; Robert, his brother, resides near Mountain Home, and his sister Betty is the wife of Jesse N. Nelson. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

AYLOR, William L., Biography

WILLIAM L. AYLOR. Among those who have fought the battle of life bravely and are now enjoying the comforts and pleasures that wealth brings, is William L. Aylor of Grover Township, Baxter County, Ark., who can point back over a well-spent life. He was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1833, the son of George W. Aylor, who it is supposed was born in Georgia. He was a farmer by occupation and made his home in Rutherford County until his death, which occurred about 1842. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and also helped to remove the Indians from Georgia and Tennessee to the reservation west of the Mississippi River. William L. Aylor remained in Tennessee until sixteen or seventeen years of age, then came to Izard County, Ark., with an elder brother, Charles Aylor, and there made his home until the opening of the Civil War, when he became a member of the Ninth Arkansas Infantry, but after the battle of Chickamauga his command became a part of the Eighth Arkansas Infantry, and with this he continued to serve the Southern cause until the close of the war, surrendering at Greensboro, N. C. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Perryville, Ky., Murfreesboro, all the engagements of the retreat from Dalton to Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Shiloh and at Smithfield, N. C. When the war closed he turned his sword into a plowshare and from that time until the early part of 1871 continued to till the soil there quite successfully. He then located in what is now Baxter County, on the farm where he now lives, which was then quite heavily covered with timber. His home place comprises 230 acres, some of which is rich river bottom land, lying along the White River, and by the most untiring effort and persistent energy has succeeded in clearing a large portion of it, improving it greatly in the way of necessary farm buildings and putting the cleared portion in an excellent state of cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never taken an active part in political matters although he served ably on the Equalization Board of Baxter County for several months. In 1861 he was married to Phcebe Ann Sublett of Tennessee, but who was at that time residing in Izard County. She died in 1863, leaving one daughter, who is now the wife of W. G. Finley of Grayson County, Tex. In 1867 Mr. Aylor wedded Celia Ann Sugg of Izard County, by whom he has two children: Robert Hill and Henry B. Another son, J. R., died in infancy. Mr. Aylor and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Rockdale, in which Mr. Aylor has held the office of trustee. He became a member of the A. F. & A. M. in Izard County in 1868, and now belongs to Mountain Home Lodge No. 225. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

CASEY, Dr. John M., Biography

DR. JOHN M. CASEY. This gentleman is one of the best known physicians of Baxter County, Ark., for he has been unusually successful in the practice of his profession, and that he deserves the good fortune that has attended his efforts is indisputable. He is not only honest and reliable, but he has ever been sympathetic, yet cheerful, in the sick room, and possesses the happy faculty of winning the confidence and liking of his patients, which has much to do with their restoration to health. The Doctor first saw the light of day in Hardeman County, West Tenn., September 22, 1839, and he was reared by his grandmother, the wife of Hiram Casey, the pioneer Baptist minister of West Tennessee, who was probably as well known as any divine in the State at that time. His school days were spent in his native State, but on the nth of December, 1855, he made a settlement in the vicinity of Mt. Home, Ark., and the first season that he arrived here he made a crop. Later he taught a three months subscription school at Pearson's Landing on White River, where he had for his pupils many of the best citizens of this county. In 1857 he began teaching in the Tolburt School House at Tolburt Springs, and later in the same year entered Head's Collegiate Institute at Batesville, where he pursued the paths of learning for some time. In 1858 he again began teaching, and conducted a subscription school at Job Teverbaugh's place, and in January, 1859, taught a school on Little North Fork in Ozark County. In July, 1859, he went to Welaka, Fla., and entered the Hotel Drug Store of Dr. Hamilton Black, on the St. John's River, and at the same time pursued the study of medicine. In 1860 he returned to Rapps Barrens and here taught school again until the latter part of 1860, when he began attending lectures in Pope's Medical College of St. Louis. He returned home in 1861,and practiced his profession up to the opening of the Civil War, and in July joined the Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, being in Capt. Adams' company. He was soon promoted to assistant surgeon of the regiment, and at the battle of Elk Horn had charge of the hospital there. He later rejoined the army at Corinth, where he remained until the summer of 1862, when he returned home and here remained until September 4. He was married to Miss Mary C. Wolf, the youngest daughter of Maj. Jacob Wolf, and from 1863 to 1870 he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, and opened the first drug store of Mt. Home, a well-appointed establishment, of which Don J. is proprietor. He was postmaster of the place from 1870 to 1877, and was instrumental in having an office established at this point. He now again holds the responsible position of postmaster. When a boy, in 1858, he carried the mail from Big North Fork to Rockbridge, in Missouri. The Doctor is temperate in all things, is a Prohibitionist in sentiment, and socially has been a member of Huntsville (Ark.) Lodge of the A. F. & A. M.; is a member of the Chapter and has represented both in the Grand Lodge of the State. He has always been a Democrat politically, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he has for many years held various offices in the church. Of seven children born to himself and wife, six are living: Albert M., who is assistant postmaster of Mt. Home; Don J., proprietor of the drug store; John R.; Emmet Y.; Irene, Beulah, and Ada, who died when about five years old. Dr. Casey and his family are highly respected throughout the county and are useful, progressive and public-spirited citizens. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

CLENDENIN, Maj. John P., Biography

MAJ. JOHN P. CLENDENIN. This gentleman, the register of public lands at Harrison, Ark., is capable, efficient and trustworthy, and in the discharge of his official duties has shown that he is the "right man in the right place." The Major was born in Louisville, Ky., September 4, 1839, a son of James M. and Eliza (Peay) Clendenin, the former of whom was born in Harford County Md., in 1796, and was a son of John Clendenin who was also born in that State and who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The name is of Scotch origin, and the family has for many generations resided in this country. James M. Clendenin was a soldier of the War of 1812 and with Jackson in the famous battle of New Orleans. He became a resident of Kentucky when a young man, was married in Louisville, and in 1846 removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he became a very prominent man and president of the first Board of Underwriters in that city. He was president of the United States Insurance Company from its inception up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1859. He and his wife reared a family of six children: Mrs. Courtenay, of Allegheny City, Pa.; William A., who is connected with the Boatmen's Bank of St. Louis, and John P. Mr. Clendenin held to the principles of the old Whig party, and was a clear-headed and practical business man. The early literary education of Maj. Clendenin was obtained in the public schools of St. Louis and in St. Paul's College of Marion County, Mo., till 1857; he then took a commercial course with Jonathan Jones, of St. Louis. He made his home in St. Louis up to 1861, when he enlisted in Bowen's First Missouri State Guards, after which he became a soldier of the Confederate States Army under Gen. J. O. Shelby, and was in service until the war closed, holding the position of inspector general of Shelby's Cavalry Division. Some of the principal engagements in which he took part were Shiloh, Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Pilot Knob, Independence, Big Blue, and others of less importance. He surrendered in June, 1865, came to Arkansas and located in Independence County, where he had been married in 1864 to Miss Emily S. Hynson. He made his home in that county until 1886, when he removed to Baxter County, Ark., where the Major followed the calling of a book-keeper. Upon being appointed to the position of register of public lands by President Cleveland, in December, 1893, he took up his residence in Harrison and entered upon duty February 1, 1894. He has always been a stanch Democrat, an active worker for the party, and is a Mason of thirty years' standing, being a member of Mt. Home Chapter, of Baxter County, Boone Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and St. Aldemar Commandery No. io. at Harrison, Ark. In 1879 Maj. Clendenin was left a widower with five children, and in 1887 he wedded Miss Lucy Curlee, of Baxter County, a native of Bond County, Ill., and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Washburn) Curlee. By his present wife Maj. Clendenin has two children. The Major has been a member of the Episcopal Church for thirty-seven years, and while his walk through life has been characterized by the usual mistakes, the result is that he is universally esteemed and respected. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

HANCOCK, Robert M., Biography

ROBERT M. HANCOCK. It is a pleasure and a privilege to record the character and enterprise of men of business who have made their own way in life, and no more efficient man could have been found for the office of circuit and county clerk than Robert M. Hancock. He is keenly alive to his responsibilities, fulfills them in the most prompt and thorough manner, and even his political enemies have come to understand that he is the "right man in the right place." He owes his nativity to Coffee County, Tenn., where he was born February 11, 1847, a son of William A. and Elizabeth (McCrary) Hancock, both of whom were natives of Middle Tennessee. After their marriage they moved to Gibson County, West Tenn., and from there to Arkansas in 1861, locating on a farm a little over a mile from Mountain Home. There the father died in 1876, at the age of fifty-two years, and his widow at Potterville, Mo., in 1879 while trying the waters of the medical spring of that place for her health. William A. Hancock was a stanch Democrat in politics, was active in political matters and successfully filled the offices of deputy sheriff and justice of the peace. In 1861 he joined Shaver's regiment as first lieutenant of his company and was with that command until taken prisoner below Little Rock. He was sent to Rock Island, Ill., thence to Ft. Delaware and other places, and after eighteen months of hardships and privations was released. He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and socially was a member of the A. F. & A. M. His marriage resulted in the birth of seven children: R. M., the eldest, received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and in the summer of 1863 joined Schavell's battalian [sic] of cavalry, with which he served until shot at Ashly Station in the latter part of 1864. He was shot through the lungs and was left on the field of battle for dead. After the war was over he returned home, and up to 1874 was engaged in farming. The three subsequent years were spent in Northwest Texas, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, and he continued to follow this occupation for a number of years after his return to Baxter County and built many houses throughout the county. He has for some time held the office of county and circuit clerk and has made an A No. 1 official, faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, and as a result he has made many friends. In 1876 he was married to Miss Sarah Moody, who was born in Arkansas, and four sons and a daughter have blessed their union. Mr. Hancock is a member of Mountain Home Lodge No. 225 of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and in the latter has filled all the chairs, is a member of the Encampment, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. Politically he is an enthusiastic Democrat. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

HARPER, Capt. James Berrien, Biography

CAPT. JAMES BERRIEN HARPER. He whose name heads this sketch is one of the substantial citizens and successful agriculturists of Barren Creek Township, Baxter County, Ark., but was born in Franklin County, Ga., November 17, 1833, a son of Andrew Knox and Anna (Little) Harper, natives of Virginia and Georgia, respectively. When a young man the father went to Georgia and was married in Franklin County, and in 1839 moved to Pontotoc County, Miss., where he made his home until his death in 1851, at the age of fifty-six years, his wife having died in Pontotoc County when forty-one years old. The father was a successful business man, was original and independent in his views, and was an active and earnest member of the Methodist Church. Six children were born to himself and wife, only two of whom are now living: James Berrien and Hattie T. (Bacon), the latter residing on Florida coast. The Harpers are of Irish origin. Capt. James Berrien Harper was educated in the common schools of Pontotoc County, and since his sixteenth year he has had the cares of a family on his shoulders, for after the death of his father, he took his place as well as he could and cared for the younger members of the family. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, of the Third Mississippi Infantry, but after the capture of Ft. Donelson he became a part of the Forty-third Mississippi Infantry, and was elected first lieutenant of Company E, just before Gen. Grant closed the lines around Vicksburg. He was also at Corinth, Abbeville and Grenada, was in all the engagements of the Atlanta Campaign, Jonesboro, Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. At the close of the war he was with Capt. Gamble. He was captured twice during the war but succeeded in making his escape each time, and was not wounded during his service. He returned home to find himself totally without means and once more had to begin at the bottom of the ladder. Instead of being discouraged he at once began the work of hauling cotton to Memphis, at which time that commodity brought a large price. In that humble way he once more secured a start in the world, and in 1866 he made a fair crop. He then sold out and came to Arkansas, locating on the farm where he is now living, where he owns 240 acres of fine farming land, of which 135 acres are under cultivation, although at the time of his purchase but twenty acres were under the plow. Aside from this all the improvements on the place have been made by him and are of such a nature that the place has been greatly increased in value. On May 20, 1856, he led to the altar Miss May C. Little, who was born in Georgia, and to them seven children have been given: J. K., who is a tiller of the soil and makes his home with his parents; C. B., is in the stock business in Marion County, Ark.; Crawford Winston is a farmer of Ellis County, Tex.; Lily Maud is the wife of Lee Gardner, of Laclede County, Mo.; Anna Dora, is the wife of Ham Strait, of Johnson County, Tex., and Minnie, is the wife of Hiram Irvin, of this county. Lula (deceased), was the wife of L. E. Hopper, of Mountain Home. Capt. Harper and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a steward, and politically he has always been in sympathy with the Democrat party. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]

JORDAN, Col. William B., Biography

COL. WILLIAM B. JORDAN. This gentleman is one of the leading farmers of Independence Township, Baxter County, Ark., and has followed this calling from his earliest boyhood, having been initiated into its mysteries by his father. He was born in Lunenburg County, Va., in 1808, to Baxter Jordan, who was born in the same county in 1777 and died in 1823, having followed the calling of a merchant and farmer. His marriage resulted in the birth of two children, William B., and Thomas, who died in Alabama. The subject of this sketch was educated in his native county and an adjoining county, and upon attaining his twentieth year he began farming. In 1835 he left the State of his birth and went to Greene County, Ala., where he gave his attention to planting and milling, carrying on the latter occupation very extensively. He remained there until the war closed, during which time he lost property to the value of about $40,000. He afterward came to Arkansas and located in Marion county, but now in Baxter County, which was then covered with primeval forest, and this county he has helped to clear and develop. His estate comprises 1,000 acres of as fine land as there is in the county, and he has 400 acres under cultivation. Unlike many who started out in life with some capital, he did not squander it, but put it to the best use he could, and being a careful business man he has become wealthy, and now deserves to rest from the burden and heat of the day. Since his residence in this county he has served as justice of the peace, an office he also held in Alabama for many years. While in that State he commanded a regiment of militia, having held all the lower offices of rank. In 1829 he was married to Miss Phaup, who died after having borne him two children: Mrs. Sarah Rose, who lives in Greene County, Ala., and one that died there leaving four children. In 1839 he wedded Miss Martha Gammil of Greene County, Ala., who bore him three sons and two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Hon. C. A. Eatman. Col. Jordan is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and politically is a Democrat. His grandfather served in the Colonial Army during the Revolution, was an officer and bore the name of Edward Jordan. The maternal grandfather, John Pettus was also a soldier in that war, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House, N. C. The Jordans originally came from England, and down to the present day have been honorable, useful and law-abiding citizens. [A reminiscent history of the Ozark region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties, Chicago : Goodspeed Bros., Publishers, 1894]