Biography of Robert Masterson, Clay Co, AR

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From:
The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of N. E. Ark.
Biographical Information.

Robert I. Masterson (deceased) was born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., June 25,
1836, being a son of Samuel Masterson, who was a farmer by occupation. Robert I.
served a short time in the late war, and in 1866 removed to Clay County, Ark.,
locating where his widow and children are now living. At that time there was
only a small portion of the farm under cultivation, and but few improvements
made, but previous to his death, which occurred May 19, 1873, he did much to
better the condition of his farm. He was married, about 1857, in Cape Girardeau
County, Mo., to Miss Mary Collins, by whom he became the father of eight
children, four of whom are living: Sarah I., Mary L., Robert F. and John H.
After his death his widow, in 1878, married Elias Cunningham, who was shot
December 2, 1878, by outlaws, while sitting by a window in his home, and died on
the 8th of that month. The widow and family now live on the old homestead, which
consists of 160 acres, about eighty of which are under cultivation. Robert F.
and John manage the farm, and are experienced and intelligent young men. They
give the most of their attention to raising corn and cotton, their annual yield
being very large. It is one of the best farms in the northern part of Clay
County, and the house, which is on a high elevation, is surrounded by natural
shade trees.