Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Judge Alfred Burton Greenwood

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Judge Alfred Burton Greenwood. Prominent among the old and much 
respected citizens of Benton County, Ark., stands the name of Judge 
Alfred Burton Greenwood, who was born in Franklin County, Ga., in 
1811, son of Hugh B. and Elizabeth (Ingram) Greenwood. The father was 
born in North Carolina, was of Irish descent, and a carpenter and 
cabinet-maker by trade. He went to Virginia when a young man, was 
there married. and soon after immigrated to Franklin County, Ga. Later 
he moved to Lawrenceville, Ga., where he died, August, 1825. Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Ingram) Greenwood was born in Mecklenburg, Va., and died in 
1838. They were the parents of five children, the subject of this 
sketch being the eldest. He was educated at Lawrenceville, Ga., and at 
the age of eighteen became a disciple of Blackstone, his preceptor 
being William Izzard, and was admitted to the bar at Monroe. Ga., in 
1832. He immediately located at Decatur, De Kalb Co., Ga., and there 
continued until 1838, when he immigated to Bentonville, Ark., where he 
located, and where he resumed his practice. In 1833 Judge Green wood 
married Miss Sarah A. Hilburn, who was born in Union District, S. C., 
in 1819, and twelve children were the result of this union, eight of 
whom lived to maturity: Mrs. Mary Hollingsworth. Mrs. Sophia A. Black, 
George (deceased), Mrs. Georgia A. Arrington (widow of John A. 
Arrington), John. Mrs. Sarah A, (widow of V. M. Lassater), Alfred W., 
and William (deceased). In 1846 Judge Greenwood was elected by the 
State Legislature as prosecuting attorney, and represented ten 
counties in North. west Arkansas. In 1848 he was elected to the same 
office by the people, and re-elected in 1850. In 1852 he was elected 
circuit judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit of the State of Arkansas, 
which composed ten counties, or the same he represented as prosecuting 
attorney. In 1853 he resigned as circuit judge, and was nominated to 
Congress from the First Congressional District. which comprised all 
territory north of Arkansas River, or about thirty counties, there 
being but two districts at that time in the State. Soon after his 
nomination Judge Greenwood threw up his judgeship and entered the 
canvass. At the November election he was elected by a majority of 
about 10,000. He was re elected in 1854 and 1856, and served in all 
six years. In 1858 Judge Greenwood was appointed by President Buchanan 
as commissioner of Indian affairs, and held the office during the 
remainder of Buchanan's administration. While commissioner of Indian 
affairs the Secretary of the Interior, Jacob Thompson, resigned, and 
Judge Greenwood was tendered the position, but declined to accept the 
office. During the war he was appointed by Jefferson Davis Confederate 
tax collector of the State of Arkansas, and during the month of 
December, 1864, he collected over $2,000,000, being located at 
Washington. Hempstead Co., Ark. Since the war the Judge has devoted 
his time and attention to the practice of law. He is the oldest 
resident citizen of Benton County. and the oldest member of the Benton 
County bar. He came to this county when the county seat contained only 
thirty people, and during his residence here has witnessed its growth 
and development. He was continuously in office for over twenty years, 
and during all that time his official as well as private life was 
above reproach, thus forcibly illustrating his marked ability as an 
able and efficient public officer. He is a Democrat in politics, and 
has gained a national reputation, being one of the most influential 
men in Northwest Arkansas. September. 1884, Judge Greenwood lost his 
wife, and since then his two daughters, Mrs. Lassater and Mrs. 
Arrington, have been making their home with him. During his 
congressional career he served with Vice-president Hendricks. Charles 
Sumner, John Scott Harrison, father of ex-Senator Benjamin Harrison, 
John C. Breckenridge, etc. He is a charter member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
of which he was a steward for several years.