Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas
Copyright 1890
Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co.; Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis 

Biographical Sketches D through H
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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. 
  
 
  Jonathan C. Davis Within the limits of Cleveland County, Ark., 
there is no man of a more enterprising disposition, energy or honesty 
than Mr. Mr. Davis, who was born in York District, S. C., on December 
13, 1829. His parents, Lusk and Margaret (Hart) Davis, were natives of 
South Carolina, and both died in Tipton County, Tenn., in 1868 and 1876, 
respectively, both being about fifty-seven years of age. They were married 
in South Carolina, and there made their home until the subject of this 
sketch was about five years of age, at which time they settled in Tipton 
County, Tenn., where they spent the remainder of their days in farming. 
They were members of the Seceder Church, and their union resulted in the 
birth of five daughters and two sons, of whom Jonathan C. is the eldest. 
He and Thomas, who is a Presbyterian minister residing in Kansas, are the 
only ones now living. Jonathan C. Davis received a fair education in Tipton 
County, Tenn., and at the age of twenty-two years began farming for himself, 
but gave up this work in 1862 to join the Twelfth Tennessee Confederate 
Cavalry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war, and being 
under Gen. Forrest was in many battles and skirmishes, and was wounded at 
Harrisburg, Miss., but was never taken prisoner. After his long term of service 
had expired he again turned his attention to farming, but unlike the great 
majority he had enough to begin housekeeping in a comfortable manner. In 1867 
he came to Drew County, Ark., and in 1870 settled in Bradley County, and three 
years later on his present farm, which consists of 320 acres, of which 100 
are under cultivation. In September, 1854, William and Catherine Simonton's 
daughter, Martha, became his wife, their union taking place in Tipton County, 
Tenn., and in time the following children clustered about their hearthstone: 
William T. (a farmer of the county), Robert T. (a farmer and apiarist of the 
county), John P. (also following the same occupation here), Ellen C. (wife of 
John Goodman (who resides with Mr. Davis engaged in tilling the soil), Anna L., 
Mary C. and Emma J. Charles C. died at the age of three years. The family 
attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Mr. and Mrs. Davis being members 
of the same, and the former is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and in his 
political views a stanch Democrat, but was the first man to vote the Prohibition 
ticket in Lee Township. 

  

H. C. Draughon, of the firm of Draughon & Morris, manufacturers of all 
kinds of building material, two miles east of Kingsland on the St. Louis, 
Arkansas & Texas Railroad, is a native of Humphreys County, Tenn., where 
his birth occurred in 1837, and the son of William W. and Cassandra (Murphy) 
Draughon, natives of Robertson County, Tenn. ; born in 1812 and 1818, respectively. 
They were married in their native State, and resided there until about 1835, when 
they removed to Humphreys County, Tenn., where Mr. Draughon died in 1844. His widow 
married the second time, and died in that county in 1874. She was a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Draughon was a successful hotel man for many 
years, and was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He was a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. His father, Miles Draughon, was of English descent, and although 
a native of North Carolina, was one of the pioneers of Robertson County, Tenn., in 
which State he died. He was a tiller of the soil by occupation. The maternal 
grandfather, James Murphy, was a native of the Emerald Isle, Waterford, and 
emigrated to the United States when a young man. He was married, in Virginia, 
to a Miss Lands, and after remaining a resident of that State for some time, 
moved to Robertson County, Tenn., where he died. His wife died in Missouri when 
very old. Her father, James Lands, was a resident of Philadelphia, and belonged 
to the colonial navy during the Revolution. He died in Virginia. Of the seven 
children born to his parents H. C. Draughon was the the fourth in order of birth. 
He remained with his father and assisted him in the hotel business until twenty 
one years of age, and during that time received a fair education in the common 
schools. After this he served some years as a commercial traveler for a Memphis 
house, and the most of his life since then has been passed in the lumber business 
in Tennessee and elsewhere. His marriage occurred in 1864, in Weakley County, Tenn., 
to Miss Mary White, a native of Dresden, Tenn., and the daughter of E. J. and 
Catherine White, of the same place. Mrs. Draughon died of yellow fever at Martin, 
Tenn., in 18 78, leaving five children, all living. Mr. Draughon's second marriage 
occurred in November, 1888, to Miss Ella Read, who was born in Louisiana, and who 
was the daughter of Rev. John C. and Fannie C. Read. Mr. Read was a regular ordained 
minister, and was for many years in the Louisiana Conference. He died there in 1880 
and his widow about 1884. In 1879 Mr. Draughon removed to Texarkana, where he was 
engaged in the saw-mill business until his removal to Kingsland in January, 1887. 
He is an active worker in educational affairs and spares no pains to give his 
children every advantage for obtaining an education. He cast his first vote for 
Bell in 1860, and although formerly a Whig is now a Democrat. He has been a 
non-affiliating Mason for many years. His present wife and eldest daughter are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his first wife was also a member 
of the same. 

  

Silas Sanders Dykes, farmer, miller and ginner, Kingsland, Ark. This prominent 
business man is a member of the firm of Hall & Dykes at Kingsland. is a native 
of Cleveland County, born in Smith Township, in 1851, and is the son of Jacob 
and Louisa (Shote) Dykes, natives of Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. The 
parents were married in the last named State, and there resided until 1850, when 
they moved to what is now Cleveland County, Ark., and in 1855 to Saline Township, 
where both passed their last days, the father dying in 1887. He was twice married 
and his first wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1857. Both were for many 
years members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Dykes was a successful agriculturist, 
and was held . in much respect and esteem by all acquainted with him. He served a 
short time in the Confederate army with Col. McMurtrey, and participated in the Oak 
Hill, Mo., fight. He was a son of Martin Dykes, who passed his entire life in 
Tennessee. Of the eight children born to his parents, Silas Sanders Dykes and a 
brother, Andrew C., are the only ones now living. The former received limited 
educational advantages in the wilds of. Arkansas, and all his time was occupied 
in assisting his father in clearing the home place. He was married in 1875 to 
Miss Lenora Little, a native of Cleveland County, and the daughter of J. A. and 
A. J. Little, natives of North Carolina, who came to Cleveland County in 1860. 
They both died in that State, the father in the Confederate service and while a 
prisoner of war in the hospital at Little Rock. To Mr. and Mrs. Dykes have been 
born six children, two sons and a daughter now living. Since his marriage Mr. Dykes 
has resided near and in Kingsland, being engaged the principal part of the time in 
farming and trading. He is the owner of over 2,000 acres of land, and since 1883 he 
has operated a steam grist and gin mill. For about two years be has been engaged in 
merchandising. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and his first 
presidential vote was for Samuel J. Tilden in 1878.
 
Dr. George W. England, physician and surgeon,   Kedron, Ark. Dr. England is a man 
of decided intellectual ability, is ever ready to obey the call of all classes, and 
is in truth a physician of thorough learning and experience. He was born in Cobb 
County, Ga., in 1839, and is the son of Powell and Mary (York) England, natives of 
Georgia, where they resided until about 1840, when they removed to Alabama and thence 
to Mississippi a few years later. In 1856 they came to Arkansas, settled on a partly 
improved farm in what is now Cleveland County, and there passed the closing scenes of 
their lives, dying in 1872 and 1881, respectively. Mrs. England was a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather, Joel England, was of Irish descent, 
was a farmer and died in Georgia. Dr. George W. England, the eldest of ten children, 
was reared on his father's farm, received a rather limited education, and when eighteen 
years of age began for himself by clearing a farm. In 1859 he came to Arkansas, and was 
married in what is now Cleveland County, in 1862, to Miss Mary F. Cash, a native of 
Elbert County, Ga., her birth occurring in 1837. Seven children were the fruits of this 
union, five sons and one daughter now living: Joseph M. (of Indian Territory), John I. 
(of Texas), George Powell, Robert A., Junius W., Pharlishea Mary (wife of Joseph Murdoch). 
The parents of Mrs. England, Reuben and Mary Felicia Cash, were born in Georgia in 1814 
and 1819, respectively, and resided there until 1858, when they removed to Arkansas and 
settled in Cleveland County. There he died in 1882, a much esteemed member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a farmer 
by occupation. Mrs. Cash is still living, and is a member of the same church. The same 
year of his marriage Dr. England joined Company B, Second Arkansas Cavalry, and served 
in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. He was in the second 
battle of Corinth, Marksville, Poison Springs. and all through the Price raid. He 
surrendered near Shreveport, La., after which he came home and went to farming. He 
resided in different parts of Cleveland County until 1875, when he settled in the woods 
on his present farm, now consisting of about 520 acres, in two tracts, and 125 acres 
under cultivation. Until about 1877 he devoted his whole attention to farming, although 
for some years prior he had been studying medicine and prescribing for his own family 
in which there had been considerable sickness. After making a thorough study be began 
again to practice, and soon became one of the most successful physicians in the county, 
having an extended practice of fifteen miles in every direction. He is a close observer 
and an honest practitioner. In politics he is conservative. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M., Culpepper Lodge No. 186, at Rison, and is a charter member. He and 
wife are members in good standing in the Missionary Baptist Church. 

  

Capt. Levi J. V. Fritts has long been a resident of Cleveland County, Ark., and 
has acquired an enviable reputation for honorable, upright dealing and for intelligence 
and sound views on all matters of public interest. He was born in Montgomery County, 
Ky., May 8. 1811, and is a son of John and Ann (Dauly) Fritts, who were born in the 
Keystone State. Soon after their marriage, they removed to Kentucky, and still later, 
to New Albany, Ind., where the father died. After his demise, the mother married again, 
her second husband being Curtis Borett, and she died in Louisville, Ky., in 1814. John 
Fritts was a atone-mason by occupation, and this calling was receiving his attention 
when be was called to his long home. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and so far 
as is known was a participant in the battle of New Orleans. The Fritts family are of 
Dutch descent, and the Daulys of Irish. To this couple a family of six children were 
born, five sons and one daughter of whom Levi J. V, is the eldest. He remained with 
his mother until be was about fourteen years of age, then failing to agree with his 
stepfather, he left home and went to Louisville, where he was bound out to a shoemaker, 
and served an apprenticeship of seven years. He then started out for himself as a 
journeyman, and first located in Shawneetown, Ill., then in Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Georgia and South Carolina. He joined Capt. F. M. Robertson's company of Richmond 
Blues, and was in the service one year. He first served as clerk in the Commissary 
Department, then became commissary sergeant, and also gunner, then left and fired a 
salute for the new State of Arkansas. After the war he again turned his attention to 
his calling, opening a shop at Augusta, Ga., and also established a shoeshop at 
Covington, Ga. In 1851 he moved from Georgia to Arkansas, and having previously been 
engaged in farming in Georgia, he followed this occupation after coming to Arkansas, 
remaining long enough in Arkansas County to raise three crops, then came to the farm 
on which he is now residing, which was in 1855. He is now the owner of 720 acres of 
land, with a large portion under cultivation. During the late Rebellion he served in 
the Home Guards, and was commissioned captain by Gov. Rector, and did some valuable 
service for the Confederacy, although not on active duty. His stock was all taken and 
driven away during this time, and while on a trip to Pine Bluff he was taken prisoner, 
but was only retained a short time. On October 6, 1839, he was married to Sarah S. 
Melton, a daughter of Moses Melton, of Georgia. She was born in 1817, and died, in 
Arkansas, October 27, 1861, having borne a family of ten children, five of whom are 
living: Dorothea Ann (now Mrs. Bartlett, whose husband is a farmer of Texas), William 
A. (a machinist and prominent citizen of Trenton, Grundy County, Mo.), Martha 
(wife of B. D. Earnest, of Calhoun County, Ark.), Jane (wife of Ed 0. Clements), 
a farmer of this county), and Susan A. (wife of E. Gray, a farmer of Calhoun County. 
On January 18, 1863, Mr. Fritts wedded Mrs. Ailey Beasley, and by her he has three 
children: Henry L., George W., and Fannie S. (wife of George Horner, of Dallas County). 
Mr. Fritts is a Mason, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and is independent in his 
political views, casting his vote for whom he considers the best man. 

  

Calvin C. Graves, dealer in groceries, provisions, etc., Kingsland, Ark. Among the 
many enterprises necessary to complete the commercial resources of a town or city, 
none is of more im­portance than that of the grocer, as being one of the main factors 
in the furnishing of our food sup­plies. Prominent in this trade is the establishment 
of Mr. Calvin C. Graves, which was estab­lished in February, 1885, and now has a stock 
valued at $600, and the annual sales of about $6,000. Mr. Graves was born in Lamar 
County, Tex., in 1844, and is the son of Stephen and Margaret (Orm) Graves, natives 
of Virginia. The father was born in 1799, and after his marriage resided in seventeen 
different States until 1818, when be came to what is now Cleveland County, Ark. There 
he died in 1862, and his wife in 1870. He was of Irish descent, and although he followed 
farming the latter part of his life, he was a tanner by trade, and followed this for 
many years. Calvin C. Graves is the youngest of seven children, two sons and one daughter 
now living: Benjamin F. (a farmer of Cleveland County), Mrs. Susan Morgan (also of 
Cleveland County), and Calvin C. The latter attained his growth on the farm, and 
received a limited education in the common schools, the entire time of attendance 
not being over ten or twelve months. In October, 1863, he joined Company D, Second 
Arkansas Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, operating in Arkansas, 
Missouri, Louisiana and Texas. He was in Price's raid through Missouri, and surrendered 
in Texas in May, 1865. Returning home he engaged in farming, and in December, 1867, 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Merrill, a native of Georgia, and the daughter of  
Patrick and Rebecca Merrill, natives also of Georgia. From there her parents moved to 
Louisiana, thence to Texas, and about 1860 to what is now Cleveland County, where Mrs. 
Merrill now lives. Mr. Merrill died in the Confederate army. Mr. Graves followed 
farming until 1885, and has 146 acres seven miles from Kingsland, and also has four 
houses and lots in that city. He is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential 
vote was for H. Seymour in 1868. Mrs. Graves is a member of the Missionary Baptist 
Church. 

  
 
William D. Hagins has been identified with the progress and development of Cleveland 
County; Ark., since 1857, and in the conduct of his farm, which he has earned by the 
sweat of his brow, and which comprises a tract of 450 acres, he has been very successful, 
and has met with substantial results. His land is very fertile and well improved. and 
160 acres are in an excellent state of cultivation. He was born in York District, S. C., 
April 28, 1830, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Dunlap) Hagins, also natives of 
York District, born in 1801 and 1803, and died in York District and Cleveland County, 
Ark., in 1849 and 1881, respectively. They were married in their native county, and 
there made their home until the father's death. In 1857 the mother, with three sons 
and one daughter, came to Arkansas, and located in Cleveland County, or what is now 
Cleveland County, and settled on the farm on which William D. is now living. Joseph 
Hagins was a successful planter, and a man of prominence in the county in which he 
resided. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and in his political views a Democrat. Only two 
of his six children are now living: Susan J. (wife of C. L. Carmical, a farmer of the 
county), and William D. Those deceased are John A. (who died in Cleveland County, Ark., 
in 1864, aged thirty-one years), David M. (who died in Austin Tom., in 1852, at the 
untimely age of nine teen years), James T. (who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, 
being a soldier in the Fifth Arkansas Confederate Infantry), and Benjamin T. (who died 
when a lad in South Carolina). The youth of William D. Hagins was spent in South Carolina, 
and be finished a liberal education at Ebenezerville, S. C. Upon the death of his father, 
he, being the eldest of the family, took the management of his father's plantation into 
his own hands, and helped his mother to settle up the estate. In 1857, as above stated, 
they came by Arkansas with their stock, wagons and slaves, and settled in Cleveland County. 
During the war he was on detail duty all the time as a miller for the Confederate army, 
but shortly before the termination of hostilities, his mill, which was one of the best in 
the State, was destroyed by fire. He lost heavily in other ways also, but has since 
retrieved his fortunes in a great measure. In 1856 his marriage with Miss Lizzie K. Huff, 
a daughter of Lebanon Huff, was celebrated. She was born in 1831, and died at Hot Springs, 
Ark., in 1882. She left no family. Mr. Hagins is, as was his wife, a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

  

John H. Hall, merchant and druggist, Kingsland, Ark. Mr. Hall is the senior member 
of the firm of Hall &. Dykes, general merchants at Kingsland, Ark., which business 
was established at that place in 1888, with a stock of goods valued at $1,000 and 
annual sales at from $15,000 to $20,000. He was born in Henry County, Tenn., in 1857, 
and is the son of John and Mary (Owens) Hall, who came from Henry County, Tenn., to 
what is now Cleveland County, in 1858, and settled in Prairie Township, where the father 
is now living, at the age of seventy two years. John Hall was married three times, and 
his second wife, our subject's mother, died in 1879. His third wife is also deceased. 
He is a farmer by occupation, and a man who has the respect and esteem of all acquainted 
with him. He is a Democrat in his political views, and during the late war served in the 
Confederate army for two years. His father was John Hall. John H. Hall was the youngest 
of three children, and he and one sister are the only ones now living. He was reared on a 
farm in the wilds of Arkansas, and as a consequence received but a limited education. At 
the age of twenty one he began for himself as clerk, and was thus employed for about a 
year at Toledo. After this he engaged in the mercantile business on his own account at 
Grave's Mill, continued there for four years and then came to Kingsland, where he was in 
business with A. T. Speed until the present company was formed. In February, 1890, he 
opened a drug establishment. Mr. Hall is a thorough man of business, and his relations 
have consistently been of an upright character. He was married in 1884, to Miss Susan A. 
Richardson, daughter of John M. and Diary Richardson, and the result of this union was 
one daughter and son, who died in 1888. Mrs. Hall died in 1888, much lamented by her many 
friends. In his political views, Mr. Hall is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote 
was for Hancock. 

  

Milton Hargus, proprietor of a grist mill and cotton gin at the old battleground of 
Mark's Mill, was born in Middle Tennessee, November 13, 1851, a son of John O. P. and 
Nancy J. (Meyers) Hargus, natives, respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee, both being 
now residents of Kingsland, Cleveland County, Ark. They were married in Tennessee, and 
moved from there to Bates County, Mo., when their son, Milton, was a small lad, and in 
1870, settled in Grayson County, of the Lone Star State, but shortly after moved to the 
Cherokee Nation, and then resided successively in Ashley, Prescott, Nevada and Cleveland 
Counties, Ark., taking up their abode in the latter in 1886. The father learned the 
blacksmith's trade when young, and has continued to make this his calling up to the 
present time. In 1861 he joined a regiment of Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, 
and followed his trade in the Woodruff Battery for four years, and was a participant in 
a number of battles during his service. He is a Democrat, has taken some of the highest 
degrees in the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist 
Church. A family of children was born to them: Cal (who is now operating a mill at 
Chidester, Ark.), John (who is associated with Milton in business), Milton and William 
(living), and John and Etta (who died in childhood), and Levi (in infancy). At the age 
of thirteen years :Hilton Hargus left home and began learning the carpenter's trade, at 
which he worked for several years then turned his attention to machinery, such as 
threshing machines, corn shellers, saw mills and cotton gins. In 1873 he went to Ashley 
County, Ark., and began operating a saw mill for his uncle, Frederick Meyers, and there 
was busily engaged until his removal to Cleveland County, Ark., in 1884, and bought the 
mill, which he now owns, on credit. By hard work and good management he soon had it paid 
for. His mill is one of the most complete one of the kind in the county, and as a miller 
he has been very successful. In July, 1879, his marriage with Miss Sallie Babb was 
celebrated, whose father was killed during the war, being in the service of the 
Confederacy. She was born in Maury County, Tenn., and in that State on Duck River, 
her grandfather, Jarret Curl, is now living, aged nearly one hundred years. He was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, and was at the battle of New Orleans. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Hargus a family of four children have been born: Edwin, Milton, Florence and John H. 
Mrs. Hargus is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views 
Mr. Hargus is a Democrat, and while a resident of Ashley County, served as deputy 
sheriff several years. 

  

Hon. William T. Hollis is a well known citizen of Lee Township, Cleveland County, 
Ark., and although a native of Chattahoochee County, Ga., he has fully identified 
himself with the interest of his adopted State. His birth occurred on April 8, 1833, 
and he is a son of Dr. William and Elizabeth (Henderson) Hollis. They were married in 
their native State, and lived there until 1876, where the father followed the occupation 
of farming and the practice of medicine until the opening of the war; being successful, 
he accumulated a competency. In his political views he was a follower of the Whig party 
until the election of Lincoln as President, after which he was a Democrat. His wife was 
a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for over forty years, and their union was 
blessed in the birth of thirteen children, only five of whom grew to maturity, and 
three now living, William T. being the eldest of the family. The paternal grandfather, 
Thomas Hollis, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in numerous fights with the 
Indians. He was a very successful farmer, and died in Georgia. Hon. William T. Hollis 
received his education in the schools of the country, and when prepared to enter 
college, his health failed, and for many years was an invalid. During the Civil War 
he was twice discharged on account of disability. While in Georgia he was elected a 
member of the county court, and in 1865 and 1866 he represented his county (Marion) 
in the Lower House of the Georgia Legislature. In 1861 he was married to Miss Martha 
Hall, a daughter of Daniel Al. and Sarah L. Hall, of Pineville, Ga., but she died in 
Pineville three months and twenty days after her marriage. In the month of January, 
1864, Mr. Hollis espoused Miss Sarah M. Herndon, of Marion County, Ga., where she was 
born in 1837. To them a family of six children have been born Irene (wife of Benjamin 
Murphy, a farmer of Bradley County), Russel (who is alternately teaching and going to 
school, preparing for a profession), John H. (is managing his father's farm), Carl (is 
in the State University), Birdie and Mack. Mrs. Hollis is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Hollis is a solid Democrat, and has attained the 
Council Degree in the Masonic fraternity. 

  

Capt. N. D. Holmes, ex-clerk of Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Mecklenburg 
County, Va., January 30, 1833, being a son of Samuel S. and Martha C. (Dortch) Holmes, 
who were also born in the " Old Dominion," the former's birth occurring in 1810 and the 
latter's in 1813. They were married in their native State, and in 1846 came to Arkansas 
and were among the earliest settlers of Dallas County, where they became successful 
agriculturists. The father was a Democrat and died in Dallas County in November, 1856, 
and he and wife, who is yet living, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South. The Holmeses are of Scotch descent, and the grandfather served in the American 
army in the Revolutionary War, the maternal grandfather, Dortch, also taking the side 
of the colonists and held the rank of colonel. Samuel S. and Martha C. Holmes became 
the parents of ten children, nine now living, and their son, Capt. N. D. Holmes, besides 
attending the common schools near his home in his youth, was an attendant of Homer 
College, La., but dropped his books in the year 1861 to join the Confederate army, and 
became a member of Company C, First Arkansas Confederate Cavalry, serving for some time 
as lieutenant. The same fall he was promoted to adjutant of the regiment, and after the 
reorganization of his army he became major of his regiment, but was afterward appointed 
chief clerk of the conscript office for Arkansas, Louisiana and Teas, and served in this 
capacity until the close of the war. He was in numerous battles and skirmishes. Upon his 
return from the war he became reporter for a Little Rock paper, and in 1866 was elected 
land commissioner of Little Rock District, but was thrown out of office during the 
reconstruction period. He then went to Pine Bluff and acted as deputy clerk of Jefferson 
County for four years, after which he came to Cleveland County, and here has since made 
his home (since 1873). In 1873 he was elected deputy county clerk, county clerk in 1876, 
and in 1884 was honored with a re-election to this position, and was a faithful servant 
of the public until October, 1888. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and 
socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained a high rank in this 
order. His union to bliss Lucy Gray took place January 30, 1861, she being a daughter 
of Maj. Joseph Gray, of Dallas County, and to them a family of eight children have been 
born, seven of whom are now living: Gray, Walter, Pitt, George, Samuel, Mary and Berths. 
Harold died in 1884, aged fourteen years. The captain and his wife are well and favorably 
known throughout Cleveland County, and for many years they have been earnest members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 

  

Rev. William M. Hopson is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and, although 
born in Coweta County, Ga., January 1, 1840, he has been a resident of the State of 
Arkansas since 1859, in which year his parents, Briggs W. and Sarah Franklin (Walden) 
Hopson, came thither. They were born in Walton and Jasper Counties, Ga., respectively, 
and the father died in Cleveland County, Ark., when about fifty-nine years of age, his 
widow still surviving him, her age being about seventy-two years. She is a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, as was her husband, and during his lifetime they were well-to-do 
and successful farmers. He was a Mason, and in his political views a Democrat, and while 
in Georgia was tag receiver of Randolph County for some time. He was a soldier in the war 
with the Creek Indians. Rev. William M. Hopson was the eldest of eleven children, seven 
now living, and his youth was spent in his native State. In the fall of 1881 he joined 
the Ninth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, with which he remained until the 
close of the war, participating in the battles of Corinth, Baker's Creek, Jackson, Port 
Hudson, and was in the famous Georgia campaign, taking part in the battles of Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy, Atlanta and Moon Station, after which he went back to Tennessee, and participated 
in the battles of Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski, Sugar Creek, Franklin, also two days' battle 
at Nashville, Tenn., and was wounded in the right arm by a minis-ball, in the engagement 
at Bentonville, N. C., this being the first wound he had received. He was in fifteen 
regular engagements, not counting the numerous skirmishes, and acted as a sharpshooter, 
at Jackson, Miss. After the war he returned home and commenced to farm for himself in 
the neighborhood of where he now lives, his capital at that time consisting of 75 cents. 
He manfully put his shoulder to the wheel, and by industry and good management has become 
the owner of 400 acres of land, as good as there is in the county, and has his property 
well improved. February 3, 1869, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Martha J. 
Wilson, a daughter of James and Mary Wilson. She was born in Marion County, Ga., 
September 1, 1844, and her union with Mr. Hopson has resulted in the birth of nine 
children Annie L. (born November 25, 1869), James W. (born May 12, 1871), Mary F. 
(born August 3, 1872), Eugenia O. (born August 17, 1878), William B. (born October 9, 1877),
 Amanda C. (born November 23, 1878), Alva B. (born October 22, 1880), Charles F. 
(born February 22, 1882), and Laurence R. (born July 20, 1884). Mr. Hopson united with 
the Missionary Baptist Church, in 1861, and in 1874 was licensed to preach the gospel, 
and in the month of June, 1887, he took charge of the church at Kingsland. His wife and 
eldest daughters are also members of that church, and he is a member of the Agricultural 
Wheel, and a Democrat in his political views. It is characteristic of the man only to 
claim himself a corn-field preacher, contending earnestly for the faith once delivered 
to the saints. 

  

James Edward Hopson is one of the most successful and substantial men of Cleveland 
County, Ark., but was born in Coweta County, Ga., January 2, 1846, being a son of 
Briggs W. and Sarah (Franklin) Hopson, who were also Georgians, but removed to 
Arkansas in 1880, locating in what is now Cleveland County, then Bradley County. 
They were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and a Democrat in his political views, and while a resident of Georgia held 
a number of local offices. Mr. Hopson was a fairly successful farmer, was a man of many 
worthy traits of character, and passed to his long home in Cleveland County, Ark., in 
1872. James Edward Hopson was the fourth of eleven children, seven now living, and spent 
his school days in Georgia. In 1863 he joined Col. Flippin's regiment, Arkansas Cavalry, 
Confederate States Army, afterward dismounted, and served the cause he espoused faithfully 
and well until bray, 1865, when he was mustered out of service at Camden. He then found 
himself without any means, in broken health, caused by exposure during service, but he 
set energetically to work on the home farm, and remained with his father until the tatter's 
death. Since then he has been very successful in his farming operations, and is now the 
owner of a valuable farm of 465 acres, with 130 acres in a high state of cultivation, all 
of which is the result of industry and business ability. June 10, 1869, he was united in 
marriage to kiss Harriet Elizabeth Owens, a daughter of William Owens. She was born in 
Georgia, in 1844, and her union with Mr. Hopson has resulted in the birth of eleven 
children, all of whom are living: Lila F., Augusta G., Thomas Evan, Joseph P., Beulah A., 
Jesse M., Charles A., Frank E., Willie W., Cal D. and James O. Mr. Hopson and his wife are 
members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he, like his father, is a supporter of 
Democratic principles.