Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas Copyright 1890 Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co.; Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis Biographical Sketches A through C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGenWeb NOTICE: Libraries and individual researchers may download this file for personal, non-commercial use only. Any other use requires written permission from the transcriber. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY OF ARKANSAS. CHAPTER XXV CLEVELAND (FORMERLY DORSEY) COUNTY-DESCRIPTION-STATISTICS- ORGANIZATION-COUNTY SEAT AND BUILDINGS-SEAT OF JUSTICE-DIVISION INTO TOWNSHIPS-BOUNDARIES-CHANGES OF TOWN- SHIP LINES-LIST OF SUCCESSIVE COUNTY OFFICERS-CIRCUIT COURT-RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT-VILLAGES AND POST-OFFICES EARLY SETTLERS-TIIE CIVIL WAR-THE COUNTY PRESS -RAILROADS AND GENERAL PROGRESS- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Extremes of fortune are true wisdom's test, And he's of men most wise who bears them best.-Cumberland. William L. Ashcraft is an old and prominent resident of Cleveland County, Ark., and, September 4, 1828, was born in York District, S. C. , a son of Joel and Patsy (Ferguson) Ashcraft, who were born in York and Cheater District in 1798 and 1803, and died in South Carolina and Cleveland County, Ark., in 1856 and 1868, respectively. They were married in South Carolina, but after the father's death, or abort 1866, the mother came with her children to Cleveland County, Ark. She, as well as her husband, was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and he was a conservative Democrat in his political views. He was a farmer, and came of a family of farmers, of English descent, noted for their longevity. Eleven of his thirteen children grew to maturity, and five are living: Uriah, William T., Rebecca (wife of Eldridge Haynes, a farmer and merchant of the county), Thomas K. (of Cleveland County), and J. A. (a farmer of Perry County, Ark.). William L. Ashcraft received a fair education, in the schools of York District, S. C., and remained under the shelter of his father's roof until his marriage, when he began to till the soil on his own responsibility, and has been more than usually successful. In 1853 he left his old home to come to Arkansas, and the same year located on the farm on which he is now living, which then consisted of eighty acres, and has since added the balance of 640 acres, of which 125 are under cultivation. June 16, 1851, he was married to Miss Sarah Ashcraft, who was born in Chester District, S. C., in 1833, and died, in Cleveland County, Ark., in 1881, having become the mother of three children-two now living: Melissa C. (Reap) and Martha J. (Holbrook). Cynthia E. died at the age of twenty-eight years, the wife of L. C. Cooper, of Cleveland County. On June 16, 1862, Mr. Ashcraft enlisted in the Confederate Infantry, TransMississippi Department,. and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in May, 1865. When at Fort Smith, Ark., he was taken prisoner, in August, 1863, but was released after being kept in captivity about one month. Mr. Ashcraft has long been identified with the Democratic party, and is a man who is deeply interested in the welfare of his county, and is a liberal contributor to worthy enterprises. James H. Atkins, a well-known resident of Hurricane Township, Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Lincoln County. Ark., January 19, 1857, being a son of Newton and Frances (Owen) Atkins, who were born in Mississippi. The father died in Drew County, Ark., when James H. was a small lad, but the mother is still living, and is now the wife of Rev. J. B. Searcy, of Hope, Ark. They were married in Arkansas, and the father was a farmer and merchant by occupation, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views a Democrat. He and wife became the parents of two children: James H. and William N. (who is an educator of note, and is now at the head of Hope Female Institute, Hope, Ark. James H. Atkins spent his school days in Warren College, and after leaving this institution be began farming on his present property, and is now the owner of 310 acres of land with about 130 acres under cultivation. On January 19, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie M. Childress, a daughter of Thomas Childress, of Bolivar County, Miss. She was born in 1861, and to her union with Mr. Atkins a family of three children have been born: Annie May, Jamie and Docia. Mr. Atkins and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat, and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young man of the county. His property has been acquired through his own exertions, for on starting out in life for himself it was without means. In addition to managing his farm he has been engaged in ginning cotton for the past fourteen years, his mill being fitted up with all the latest improved machinery. Curtis B. Attwood, farmer and real estate dealer, Rison, Ark. In a country like that of Arkansas, with so much land still unoccupied or not built upon, the office of the real estate agent is an important one, and exercises considerable bearing upon the welfare of the community. Among those interested in this line of business, is Mr. Attwood, who is thoroughly conversant with all the details of his business. He was born in Newberry District, S. C., in 1846, and is the son of Capt. R. F. and Jane (Clark) Attwood, natives also of Newberry District, S. C. The parents were married in their native State, and in 1865 came to Arkansas, settled in what is now Cleveland County, and there Mr. Attwood died in 1867. His wife is still living, is about sixty-five years of age, and is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Church. The father was a successful agriculturist, was a railroad man, and was also a prominent banker. He commanded Company F, of a South Carolina Regiment in the Confederate army. He was the son of Dr. Curtis B. Attwood, who was originally from Watertown, Conn., where he was born and reared, but who went to South Carolina, when a young man. He graduated in medicine from Yale College, and was one of the leading physicians of his county in South Carolina. He amassed a fortune and died in that State. His father, Noble Attwood, passed his entire life in Watertown, Conn., where he was born. The maternal grandfather of Curtis B. Attwood, Rev. George Clark, was born in Maryland, and was a Methodist minister of considerable note. The first conference in South Carolina was held at the house of our subject's maternal great-grandfather, Rev. Edward Finch, who was one of South Carolinas' able divines and educators. He established Mount Bethel Academy at Mount Bethel, S. C., and during the Revolutionary War was in the battles of Eutaw Springs, Yorktown and Cowpens. Curtis B. Attwood was the eldest of six sons and one daughter born to his parents. He attended the common schools until January, 1861, when he entered Furman University of South Carolina, but about one month later flung aside his books, donned his suit of gray, and enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. He served for about two years in South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, and participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Altoona, etc. He was then transferred to Company C, Nineteenth South Carolina Cavalry, and soon after was detailed as a scout and commanded about a dozen men until the close of the war. He came with his parents to Arkansas, and was assessor of Cleveland County. from 1872 to 1880. A member of the Masonic fraternity, he was secretary of his lodge six years, and was once senior warden for three years. He is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Kingsland, and has held prominent offices in the same. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley in 1868. He is the owner of About 2, 500 acres of good timbered land, and has been real estate agent for a number of years. Rev. Joel L. Baggett, minister and farmer, Rison, Ark. This reverend and much esteemed gentleman was originally from Choctaw County, Miss., where his birth occurred in December, 1837, and is the son of Silas and Pharby (Williams) Baggett, natives of North Carolina. The parents were married in Mississippi, and moved from there to Arkansas when the subject of this sketch was but four years of age. They settled in the woods near Rison in 1845, and there passed the remainder of their days, with the exception of about two years, 1856 and 1867, when they resided in Texas. The mother died in the last named State in 1856, and the father then returned to Arkansas, where he received his final summons on the farm his son, Rev. J. L. Baggett, now occupies, in 1871. He was a farmer and mechanic by occupation. He was in the War of 1812 with Gen. Jackson. He was married three times, and his second wife was our subject's mother. He became the father of six children by his first wife, seven by his second, and four by his third. He and second wife were members of the Baptist Church. Rev. Joseph L. Baggett was the second of seven children, and received but very little schooling his education being principally obtained at home, and by his own exertions. He began for himself at the age of twenty, was in the furniture shop with his father for one pear, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until the breaking out of the war. In 1881 he joined Company C, Third TransMissisaippi Infantry, and operated in Arkansas. He participated in the battles of Prairie Grove and Back Bone, and in 1884 he was cut off from his command, between Little Rock and Pine Bluff, never getting back to it. He was captured near Saline River, paroled, and afterward returned home. He was married in 1861 to Miss Nancy J. Donham, a native of Mississippi, and the daughter of Zachary and Polly Donham, who came from Mississippi to Jefferson County. Ark., where they died in 1885 and 1868, respectively. Mrs. Baggett died in 1879. She was the mother of seven children, five now living. Mr. Baggett's second marriage took place in 18 79. to Mrs. Alice Marshall, daughter of Solomon and Jane Sparks, of Tennessee. After moving around for sometime, Mr. and Mrs. Sparks settled in Cleveland County, where they died in 1871 and 1881, respectively. Mrs. Baggett was born in Dallas County, Ark., and died January, 1889. She was a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Of the two children born to this union, only one is now living. After the war Mr. Baggett lived in Little Rock for some time, engaged in stock dealing, etc., after which he farmed in the Arkansas River bottom, below the city. In 1871 he settled on his present farm of 160 acres near Risen, and has about eighty acres under cultivation. In 1884 he united with the Missionary Baptist Church, and at once took a deep interest in religions matters, prepared himself for the ministry, and in March, 1880, was ordained. He has since devoted his attention largely to that calling. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Culpepper Lodge No. 186, Risen. William H. Barnett, coroner and druggist, Kingsland, Ark. Among the most important as well as popular drug stores in Kingsland is that of Mr. William H. Barnett, which contains every requisite and convenience in this line of business, and has the reputation of being one of the beat and most reliable in town. This gentleman is a native of Bradley, now Cleveland County, born in 1853, and the son of Dr. William David Barnett, a native of Alabama, and one of the most prominent and successful physicians and surgeons of his day. He was married in Louisville, Ky., to Miss Lydia G. Green, a native of Pennsylvania, and then settled in what is now Cleveland County, and there the Doctor died in 1882, and his wife in 1884. She was formerly a member of the Episcopal Church, but later joined the Methodist. The Doctor was a graduate of the University of Nashville, Tenn., also of the University of New Orleans, the Philadelphia School of Medicine, and the Louisville, Ky., school. In the last he was demonstrator of anatomy for some time, and was also one of the founders of the Little Rock Medical College, to which institution he rendered considerable valuable assistance. He was a man of decided intellectual ability, and his success as a physician was probably second to none in South Arkansas, and few were better known and esteemed. He at one time represented Bradley County, in the Legislature, and was major in an Arkansas regiment in the Confederate army. He participated in the battle of Corinth, after which he was detached to look after the destitute widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers. From the age of twenty two years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, a high standing member of the Council. In politics he was a conservative Democrat. His father, Nathaniel Barnett, was born in Montgomery County, Ala., and there remained until about 1838, when he moved to what is now Cleveland County, was among the first settlers, and there passed the closing scenes of his life. He was of English descent, and a successful planter by occupation. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Hugh Green, was born in Pennsylvania, and married in Kentucky where he had interests in a paper mill on blue River, and also interested in a steamboat on the coast. He was also of English descent, and died in Indianapolis, Ind., at the beginning of the war. W. H. Barnett, the second of four children, received the rudiments of an education in the common school, and after the war attended school for about twenty months at St. John's College, at Little Rock. In 1872 he embarked in the drug business at Pine Bluff, and there continued until 1876, when he returned to near where he was born and reared, tilled the soil for a year, and then engaged in the drug business at New Edinburg, where he continued until 1882, when he established his present store at Kingsland. He was married on November 22, 18 73, to Miss Ella T. Marks, a native of Cleveland County, and the daughter of John H. and Nancy C. Marks, who came from Mississippi, to what is now Cleveland County, at an early day. Mr. Marks was a farmer and miller and an upright, honorable citizen. He died in 1872. He was a member of the Arkansas Legislature at one time. Mrs. Marks is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnett were born five children-two sons and three daughters. Mr. Barnett owns a good farm of 279 acres, and aside from this has a good home and considerable town property in Kingsland. He is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is past master, and also a member of the Council and K. of L. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. Sidney O. Barnett, farmer, Bison, Ark. Mr. Barnett owes his nativity to Cleveland County, where his birth occurred on November 7, 1862, and is now following a calling that has for ages received undivided efforts from many worthy individuals, and one that always furnishes sustenance to the ready worker. He is the son of Hon. Nicholas V. and Olive A. (Matthews) Barnett, natives of Montgomery, Ala., born in 1828, and Hernando, Miss., respectively. When but seven years of age, Nicholas V. Barnett came with his father, Nathaniel Barnett, a native of Alabama, to Arkansas (1835), when the country was a wilderness, inhabited by wild animals and Indians. The grandfather assisted in cutting a road from Pine Bluff to Warren, the former being the nearest trading point and post office, and the principal part of the trading was done at New Orleans by flatboat. Nathaniel Barnett died in Red Land Township, in 1852. He was a very successful farmer and hunter. He was of English descent. The father of our subject was reared in what is now Cleveland County, and became, one of the leading land owners and stockraisers in the same. He owned, at one time, 9,000 acres of land. Besides being a successful farmer he was also a lawyer of no ordinary ability, and in 1880 represented Cleveland County in the Legislature. He died in that county on May 7, 1887. During the late war he served four years in the Confederate army with Gen. Hindman. He was a prominent Mason, Royal Arch Chapter at Kingsland No. 69, and was past master. He had been a Mason since 1854, was a member of Grand Lodge, and was known in that capacity all over the State. He was married three times, his second wife being our subject's mother. The mother died in 1862, and was a daughter of Stephen Matthews, who was a native of Arkansas, where he had lived until 1856. Mr. Matthews then moved to Arkansas and settled in Smith Township, Cleveland County, where he improved a good farm and spent his life there. He was a well-to-do farmer, and died about 1869. He was, at one time, treasurer of Bradley County, and well known throughout the same. He was a hard-shell Baptist, was married twice, and reared a large family of children. Sidney O. Barnett, the fifth of seven children, received a common school education, and was married November 23, 1886, to Miss Sallie V. Rogers, a native of Red Land Township, Cleveland County, and the daughter of Dr. A. D. and Mary J. Rogers. The Doctor was born in Georgia, was a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical College, and was married in what is now Cleveland County. He was a man of superior education, and became one of the leading physicians, practicing for thirty years. He was sheriff of Cleveland County from 1878 to 18 79, was a member of the Methodist Church, and was a much esteemed citizen. During the late war he served in the Confederate army, and held the rank of lieutenant, part of the time. He was captured near home and held as a hostage at Little Rock, for some time, but was released before the close of the war. His wife was born in what is now Cleveland County, and is still living near her birthplace. Her father, William Davis, was one of the pioneers of this part of the State, where he died previous to the war. He was a farmer. Mr. Barnett lived in Pine Bluff from 1885 to 1888, where he filled the position of book-keeper, for Gould & Co., and Marsh & Atkinson, one year each. Since then he has resided at Bison, where he has a good home. His wife is the owner of about 640 acres, including the farm, where his grandfather Matthews settled, and is one of the leading farmers of the county. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland, in 1884. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Culpepper Lodge No. 186, Bison, and is junior warden of the same, and a member of Kingsland Chapter No. 69. He is Grand Master of the first veil. John H. Breathwait is a worthy representative of the energetic business men of Cleveland County, Ark., and on September 27, 1858, was born on the farm where he now resides, being a son of Richard and Mary (Havorn) Breathwait, natives of County Antrim, Ireland. They were married in their native land but, in 1848 the father came to the United States on a prospecting tour, and after traveling over the most of the Southern States he returned to the " Emerald Isle," but in 1852 brought his family to the United States, and after a residence of nearly one year in Alabama, they came to Arkansas and settled in Bradley County, (now Cleveland County), where they have since made their home. The father was born September 19, 1819, and his wife March 4, 1828, their marriage taking place September 27, 1852, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Ada (wife of S. B. Gibson, a farmer and stockman of Cleveland County, Ark.), Rebecca (wife of J. H. Williams, a farmer of Jefferson County, Ark.), John H., Alexander H. (a farmer of the county), Ellen and Mary (who are living with their parents). Two children are deceased, and both bore the name of William and died when young. John H. Breathwait attended the district schools near his home and also the State University at Fayetteville during 1873-7-1, after which he turned his attention to farming, and has continued this occupation successfully up to the present time. He opened a mercantile establishment in 1884 on his farm, and has an excellent stock of goods which he manages in connection with his farm. He owns some 2,000 acres of land of which 600 are under cultivation and he is considered the most extensive planter in the county. He is a Democrat and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were married on December 18, 1889, s he being a Miss Cora E. Niven, a daughter of John Niven, of Cleveland, County. Ben T. Brewer is one of the most extensive planters of Cleveland County, and is now actively engaged in tilling a tract of land comprising 500 acres, although he is the owner of 1,100 acres. He was born in what is now Cleveland County (then Jefferson County), October 21, 1859, and is the son of William T. and Malinda (Taliaferro) Brewer, who were born in Georgia and died in Jefferson County and Cleveland County, Ark., January 25, 1883, aged fifty three years, and in 1880, aged forty. seven years, respectively. They were married in their native State, which they continued to make their home until about 1851, when they settled on a farm in Jefferson County, Ark., where they became quite wealthy, but lost heavily during the Rebellion. The father was colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was a participant in many battles. He was a Democrat, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Four of. their six children are now living: Ross, Ben T. N. T. and Lucy C. Charley and Mamie (twins) are deceased, and all the children were born on the plantation on which Ben T. is now living. The latter received his literary education in the State University at Fayetteville in 1874, and since then has devoted his attention to farming and has been very successful, being enterprising and industrious. He enjoys the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs, and honorable upright dealing has always been one of his chief characteristics. Judge James H. Bridges, attorney at law and farmer, Kedron, Ark. As a leading citizen of Kedron, in its professional, business and social life, lending eminent strength to her bar, tone to her finances and grace to her society, Judge Bridges commands attention from the pen of the historian who would wish to do this town justice. He was originally from Chester District, S. C., born in 1841, and his father, Augustus A. Bridges,. was a native of North Carolina, born in 1807. The elder Bridges was married, in Chester District, S. C., in 1840, to bliss Mary Lee, and in October, 1858, they moved to Wayne County, Tenn., thence to what is now Cleveland County, Ark., in 1859, and settled on a partly improved farm in that county. He was a successful agriculturalist, and was also a mechanic of no ordinary ability. He died in 1885, and his wife in 1867. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. The maternal grandfather, James Lee, was born in Virginia, was a tiller of the soil, and died in Chester District, S. C. He was justice of the peace for a number of years. Judge H. James Bridges was the eldest of eight children. He obtained a fair education in the common schools of his native district, and was early initiated into the duties of farm life. At the breaking out of the war, be enlisted in Company G, Second Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. He was in many skirmishes in Kentucky, and was severely wounded in the right arm at Shiloh, being disabled from further field service. He remained in the army, however, until July, 1863, when he was discharged. Returning to the farm, he was married, in 1867, to bliss Esther A. Culvert, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of William and Mary Culvert, natives of. Ireland and Alabama, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Culvert went from Alabama to Louisiana, and, in 1856, to what is now Cleveland County, Ark., where Mr. Culvert died, in March, 1865, from the effects of severe torture inflicted one month and two days prior to that date. He was called to his door one night by a body of masked "Graybacks," who asked the way to a certain place. They then demanded his money, and he gave them what he had, $700, but they still insisted that he had more, and to compel him to give it up, tied him between rails and set fire to them. His feet and legs were burned so badly that the flesh came off. Mrs. Culvert died in 1873, and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Bridges died in March, 1887, leaving five children: Alice (wife of A. J. Lemmond), Robert E., Charley Alexander, Mary and Panthia. For thirty-two years Judge Bridges has lived in his present neighborbood, and the same systematic condition of affairs about his home is apparent in his course as a man. Thorough in all that he does, he allows no worthy movement to drag for want of support, if it is in his power to help it. He has lived on his present farm for about five years, and has 360 acres, with about 150 under cultivation. all the result of his own industry. He followed farming until about 1874, and since that time has been practicing law, in connection with his farming interests. In 1882 he was elected county judge, and served in that capacity fur one term. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but since the war has been a Republican. His first presidential vote was for Seymour, from the fact that he did not like Gen. Grant. Robert H. Carpenter is a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Cleveland County, and was born in Tishomingo County, Miss., October 22, 1854, being a son of Israel F. and Lavina C. (Manning) Carpenter, who were born in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, respectively. When a child, six years of age, Israel F. Carpenter was taken by his parents to North Carolina, and there he was reared to manhood. After commencing the battle of life for himself he went to South Carolina, but after a very short stay he emigrated to Tishomingo Connty, Miss., which county continued to be his home until 1860, when he took up his abode in Drew County, Ark., and in 1873 located in Cleveland, County, on the farm on which Robert H. is now living. Here he died in 1880 aged sixty-five years, his wife having died in Drew County in 1873, when forty-three years old. The father was a tanner by trade, but the last years of his life were spent in farming, at which he was very successful. During the Civil War he served two years as captain of a company of Arkansas Confederate Cavalry, and was in many battles and skirmishes west of the Mississippi River. He was a Mason in high standing, a Lutheran in his religious belief, and was a man whom all respected and esteemed. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and their union resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary Ann (wife of F. Sturgis, a farmer), Robert H. (the subject of this sketch), Elizabeth (who lives with him), Margaret C. (wife of John Maxwell, who is a dairyman and gardener at Hot Springs, Ark.), A. L. (who is engaged in farming with his brother Robert), and Sallie Jane (who died October 13, 1889, aged twenty-four years). Robert H. Carpenter inherits German blood from his father, and received his early education in the schools of Drew County. He is a joint owner of 300 acres of land, a goodly portion of which is under cultivation, and he is an enterprising and progressive young farmer. He is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a stanch supporter of the causes of Christianity and education. William W. Carmical, a leading citizen of Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Abbeville District, S. C., February 6, 1827, a son of Arthur and Frances (Bell) Carmical, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and North Carolina. They were married in Newberry, S. C., and continued to make that State their home until 1832, when they moved to Georgia, in which State they made their home until their deaths, the father dying April 1, 1845, aged seventy-one years and the mother in 18 76, aged eighty-two years. They were both consistent church members, but the father espoused the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church and the mother the Methodist. They were successful agriculturists, and in his political views he was a Whig. The paternal grandparents, Patrick and Elizabeth Carmical, were born in Ireland, and at an early day removed to America, the grandfather becoming a member of the American army in the Revolutionary War, and was a participant in a great many battles. He was a farmer and tobacco planter. William W. Carmical's brothers and sisters are as follows: Mary Ann (widow of Samuel Walker, resides in Coweta County, Ga.). Patrick (a farmer also residing there), Nancy (widow of John S. Spurell), Robert (a farmer of Coweta County, Ga). Those deceased are John (who died in in. fancy), Abram (who died at the age of eighty-two years), Elizabeth (who died in Alabama when quite advanced in years), Arthur (who died in Georgia, aged fifty years), and Sophia (who died in Alabama). William W. Carmical spent his school days in Georgia, and when eighteen years of age began life for himself as a farmer, and as such continued until December, 18 70, when he came to Arkansas and located in what is now Cleveland County, and here has since made his home, being now the owner of a fine tract of land comprising 200 acres, but has given 500 acres to his children. While a resident of Georgia he served as sheriff of . Coweta County one term, and was magistrate several years, and since his residence in Cleveland County, Ark., he has served as justice of the peace, and in 1879 was elected to the office of sheriff and served one term. May 1, 1862, be enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry, being first lieutenant of Company K, and afterward became commander of the regiment. He remained in the service until September 5, 1884, when he became recruiting officer, continuing such until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, in and around Atlanta, Macon, Ga., and was severely wounded at Campbellville, Tenn., by a minie ball which entered his right cheek and passed out through his left. He then returned home on furlough and spent the remainder of the war in recruiting. March 12, 1846, he was married to Miss Margaret Anna Leslie, a daughter of Joseph Leslie, who is now residing in Cleveland County, Ark., and is eighty two years of age. Mrs. Carmical was born in South Carolina October 6, 1829, and by Mr. Carmical is the mother of these children: Mary J. (wife of W. J. Harper, who is now deceased), Joseph P. (a farmer of Drew County, Ark.), William A. (a farmer of Cleveland County), John A. (in business with his father), and Emma 1. (wife of M. E. Elliott, a farmer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Carmical are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in his political views he is a Democrat. Dr. Thomas W. Chowning, retired, Rison, Ark. Dr. Chowning owes his nativity to Lancaster County, Va., born September 3, 1814, and is one of the old and much esteemed citizens of Cleveland County. His father, John S. Chowning, was born in the same county as the Doctor, and the grandfather, William Chowning,was a native of Wales. The latter came to America when a young man, settled in Virginia, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. John S. Chowning was a farmer, and was married in his native State to Miss Hannah Gresham, a native of King and Queen County, Virginia. They became the parents of five children, and both died when the Doctor was quite young. He attended the common schools, where he received a good education, and after the death of his parents, lived until grown with a cousin. John Chowning. In the winter of 1835 and 1838 he left Virginia with two negroes, went to Sumter County, Ala., and there soon found employment for his negroes for about two years. He then took a trip on horseback back to Virginia, bait only made a short stay, and has never been back since. From there he went to Mobile, Ala., was engaged in trading in sugar at that place until about 1840 or 1841, and then went to New Orleans, with the intention of going to Cuba. In the meantime he had been reading medicine at Mobile merely for improvement and his own satisfaction. He later took four courses of lectures at the Medical Department of Louisiana University at New Orleans, and at the same time assisted in the charity hospital there. He graduated in 1844, and soon after came to Arkansas, where he entered a very successful practice in the vicinity of Warren. He was married there in October, 1845, to Miss Martha Y. Barnett, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Nathaniel and Mary M. Barnett, and to this union were born eight children, one son and a daughter now living: Nathaniel Barnett (an attorney) and Frances S. (wife of E. W. Emerson). Mrs. Chowning's parents were early settlers of what is now Cleveland County, where the father died in 1855. The mother died in Alabama, before he left that State. In 1847 the Doctor settled in the woods, on his present farm, and there he has resided ever since, practicing his profession. with his usual success. He has a good farm of 480 acres, although at one time be had 2,500 acres, but since then he has divided with his children. He is one of the oldest practitioners in Southeastern Arkansas, and is also one of the most successful and well known. In politics he was reared a Whig, and remained with that party until the war, since which time he has been a Democrat. His first presidential vote was cast for Harrison in 1840. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since about 1855, now of Culpepper Lodge No. 186, and of Kingsland Chapter. James Crook, an old settler and a prominent citizen of Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Chester District, S. C., February 7, 1833, a son of William and Rebecca (Steel) Crook, who were also born in South Carolina (the former in 1842), and died in that State aged fifty-five and fifty years, respectively. The father was a successful farmer, a Democrat, politically, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Of ten children born to them James Crook was the ninth, and is now the only one left to represent this once large family. His school days were spent in his native State, and upon the death of his parents he was taken by an uncle, Joseph Crook, and remained with him until seventeen years of age, after which he went to school until he was about twenty. In 1853 he came to Arkansas and located in what was then Bradley County (now Cleveland), but at the end of one year returned to South Carolina, but after remaining here about one year he again went West, but this time took up his abode in Haywood County, Tenn., which place continued to be his home for four years, his time being devoted to the wholesale grocery business at Brownsville. Since then he has resided in Arkansas, and has given his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. On June 3, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Arkansas Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and was then west of the Mississippi River at Jenkins' Ferry, and was in numerous skirmishes. At the battle of Jenkins' Ferry he received a wound in the left breast, and had it not been for his cartridge box which caused the ball to glance, he would undoubtedly have lost his life. By industry he has become the owner of 200 acres of land, of which eighty are under cultivation. He is a Democrat. and is in every respect a public spirited citizen. March 17, 185 7, he was married to Elmira Powell, a daughter of John and Susan Powell. She was born in Mississippi, in 1836, and is the mother of five children, who are living: Olefia T., Susan C., Mary Queenie, William Roscoe and Monnie T. Robert M. died when two years of age, and Ann Artie, when an infant.