Biography of W R Paty, Clay Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Date: Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** From: The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of N. E. Ark. Biographical Information. W. R. Paty, of Corning, Ark., was born in Humphreys County, Tenn., August 28, 1849, his parents being Matthew and Priscilla Roberts, of Tennessee. The former's birth occurred about 1814, and in 1838 he was married to one Miss Hendrix. They had three children born to them, of whom two are yet living. The wife died in 1845, and in 1847 he was married to Miss Priscilla Roberts. They had nine children, of whom W. R. Paty is the only living member. Matthew Paty was a land holder in his [p.237] native State. In the spring of 1858 he moved to Ripley County, Mo., where he bought a tract of land, consisting of 120 acres, on which he resided three years, and then moved to Butler County, of the same State, where he made his home until his death, on the 15th of February, 1865. He was a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife were members of the Methodist Church. In the spring of 1867 the widow, with seven children, moved to Randolph County, Ark., and by the 10th of May, 1884, they all had died, except W. R. Paty. On the 30th of November, 1873, he was married to Miss Caroline Watson, of Clay County, a daughter of Rev. Peter Watson. They had five children born to them, all of whom died in their infancy. Caroline Paty died October 12, 1883. On the 14th of September, 1884, W. R. Paty was married to Mrs. Ruth A. Alexander, a native of Tennessee. She was a widow with one child. Mr. Paty now owns a farm, and lives on the same, ten miles west of Corning, in Clay County, Ark., where he intends to remain the rest of his days. He received very little education in his youth, just learning the forms of the letters, but by self application he has made rapid strides in the acquirement of knowledge and acquaintance with current events. He is independent in his political views, and has served as school director an road overseer. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel.