Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas Copyright 1890 Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co.; Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis Biographical Sketches V through W ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 K. Varnell, farmer, Toledo, Ark. This prominent and very successful agriculturist owes his nativity to Shelby County, Ala., where his birth occurred in 1826, and is the son of Jesse and Margaret (Dixon) Varnell, both natives of Virginia. Mr. Jesse Varnell was born in 1784, was married in Tennessee, and he and wife afterward removed to Alabama, and in 1840 to Pine Bluff, where they remained one year. From there they removed to Saline River, in what is now Cleveland County, settled in the wilderness, improved a good farm, and there the mother died some years before the war. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Varnell died at our subject's house in 1871. He was a prominent farmer, and one of the first settlers of Cleveland County. He cut a road from Pine Bluff to his settlement when the woods swarmed with panthers, bears, wildcats,wolves, deer, etc., and was quite a prominent hunter. The nearest post-office was then at Pine Bluff. and the nearest mill above Pine Bluff. They would cross the streams by loading the wagons on logs tied together, and then swim the horses across. If they were delayed long their families ate powdered corn until their return from mill. Preaching wag a rarity, and only occurred at long intervals, at the private houses, as public schools were unknown. What education the children received was taught them by the parents at home. William K. Varnell was the youngest of nine children, four now living: John D., Claborne, Malinda (wife of Francis Harrison (deceased), and William K. The latter attended school about nine months in Alabama and about three months in Arkansas, and that was the limit of his educational advantages. From the age of sixteen he was reared in the wilds of Arkansas, and distinctly remembers the wild state of the country at that time, and that there were hunting bands of Indians in the country. He was married about 1850 to Miss Rebecca, daughter of James Williams, and a native of Saline County, Ark. Mr. Williams was an early settler of Cleveland County, where he died before the war. He bad previously resided in Central Arkansas. Mrs. Varnell died in 1851, about six months after her marriage, and in 1855 Mr. Varnell took for his second wife Miss Eliza Lane, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Willis and Sarah Lane, natives of Tennessee. From there her parents moved to Craighead County, Ark., thence to what is now Cleveland County, in the forties. Both died here. Mrs. Varnell died in 1861. She became the mother of four children, only two daughters living: Frances (wife of John Hobson), and Mary Emeline (wife of James Akins) , Mr. Varnell's third marriage occurred in 1864, to Miss Susan Hall, who died in 1869, leaving one daughter, Ellen (wife of John Gorman). Mrs. Varnell's parents, John and Mary Hall, were also natives of Tennessee, and came at an early day to this part of Arkansas. In 1870 Mr. Varnell was married to Miss Rebecca Ashcraft, the daughter of Morton Ashcraft. a native of South Carolina, who came to Arkansas at a very early day, and was drowned in the Saline River while keel-boating, some years before the war. Mrs. Varnell was born in South Carolina, and died January 18, 1889. She was the mother of eight children, seven now living: Clark, Julia, Susan, Florence, Nola and Dora (twins), and the latter deceased), Anna and Roxanna. When first married Mr. Varnell settled near the present site of Rison, improved a farm, and from there moved to Varnell's Point, where he improved another farm, and there remained until 1854. He then moved to his present location, and now has about 240 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. all the result of his own industry. He served four years in the Confederate army during the late war, in Company D, Second Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. He fought at Belmont, Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, etc. Soon after the fall of the last-named place he was discharged on account of age, and returned home. In October, 1863, he joined Company D, Second Arkansas Cavalry, of Gen. Fagan's command, and was in the fights at Poison Springs, Mark's Mill, Jenkins' Ferry, Camden, etc. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex. In the fall of 1864 he was made lieutenant, which position he held until the close. He was never captured nor wounded, and served from April, 1861, to May 1, 1865. In politics he has been a Democrat all his life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, now of Culpepper Lodge No. 186, at Rison, and has held various offices in the same. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to a Chapter at Kingsland. He is captain of the Host at present, and is a member of the Agricultural Wheel. His first and last wives were members of the Baptist C hurch, and his second and third wives were members of the Methodist Church. Leonard A. Waldrop, sheriff and collector, Toledo, Ark. Mr. Waldrop, the popular sheriff and collector of Cleveland County, though born in Chattooga County, Ga., in 1839, has resided here since 1869, and the confidence which the people have in him is therefore intelligently placed, for they have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications. His parents, Hiram G. and Nellie (Pitts) Waldrop, were both natives of South Carolina, the father born in 1805 and the mother about 1810. They were wedded in their native State, and in 1837 moved to Georgia, where Mrs. Waldrop died about 1849. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Waldrop was married twice afterward, and about 1867 came to Calhoun County, Ark., where his last wife died. He then came to Cleveland County and resided with his son, Leonard A., until his death, which occurred in 1876. He served a short time in the Confederate army, and was a well-to-do farmer until after the war. He was a member of the Methodist Church for many years. The paternal grandfather, Golden Waldrop, was of Irish descent, and died in South Carolina. The maternal grandfather, Asa Pitta, who went from South Carolina to Georgia, where he died, was a successful agriculturist. Leonard A. Waldrop, the sixth of nine children born to his parents, like the average country boy, assisted on the farm and attended the common country school until grown. The principal part of his education was received, however, by studying nights, after the war. He was married in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick Carmicael, who was born in South Carolina, but who is now living in Georgia. Mrs. Waldrop was born in the last-earned State, but died in Bradley County, Ark., in 1870. She became the mother of five children, four now living. Mr. Waldrop's second marriage was in 1871 to Mrs. Sallie Crane, daughter of J. Word, born in South Carolina. Her parents both died in Cleveland County, Ark. To Mr. Waldrop's second marriage were born six children-four sons and two daughters. In 1861 Mr. Waldrop enlisted in Company D, Nineteenth Georgia Infantry, was in the Virginia army, and held nearly all the offices. In 1863 he was made captain, which position he held until the close of the war. He was in nearly every leading engagement in which the Virginia army took part, was also sent South and assisted in the siege of Charleston, S. C., and Ocean Pond, Fla. He was in Stonewall Jackson's command until after the death of that general, and was then with Gen. Lee. After the second Mantissas fight he was left sick, was captured, but after a few days succeeded in making his escape and joined his command. He was wounded five or six times during the war, and at the time of the surrender was in Georgia. From there he went home, and in 1869 came to what is now Cleveland County, settled near New Edinburg, where he now has a good farm of 200 acres, with sixty-five acres under cultivation. He settled and improved three farms near there. He served a short time as justice of the peace, and in 1886 was elected sheriff and collector of Cleveland County, and re-elected in 1888 by a largely increased majority. During Mr. Waldrop's administration occurred the only capital conviction and execution in the history of the county that of Hugh Blackman, for murder, in 1888. In politics he is a Democrat, but was formerly a Whig, and his first presidential vote was cast for President Fillmore in 1856, when but seventeen years of age. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a charter member of Kingsland Lodge, organized by Mr. Waldrop and a few others, and is also a member of Kingsland Chapter, filling the second office in the Chapter, and is junior warden in Blue Lode. William H. Watts, farmer, Rison, Ark. Mr. Watts was originally from Union County, N. C., where his birth occurred in 1841, and is the son of Capt. Davis W. and Mary B. (Timmons) Watts, natives of North Carolina and South Carolina respectively. The parents resided in North Carolina for some time, and then moved to Chesterfield District, S. C., where the father died in 1858. The mother died about 1885, in fall communion with the Baptist Church. Mr. Watts was a well-to-do farmer, and was captain of the militia at an early day. His father, Isaac Watts, was a native of Ireland, and after marriage came to the United States, settled in North Carolina, and there died some time in the forties. He was a farmer. Our subject's great-grandfather's name was also Isaac Watts and he spent the latter part of his days in North Carolina. John Isaac Timmons, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and died in Chesterfield District, S. C. He was a farmer and merchant by occupation. William H. Watts, the subject of this sketch, was the second of eleven children born to his parents. He was reared to farm life, received a rather limited education in the common schools, and after the death of his father was obliged to assist in supporting the family. As his parents and grandparents were successful agriculturists, it was but natural perhaps that when starting out for himself he should select this as his calling in life. In 1861 he joined Company H, of Gen. Hindman's Legions of Infantry, and operated in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. He was wounded at Shiloh, came home, but a few months later joined Company A, Nineteenth Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. He participated in the fights at Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas Post, etc. He held the rank of orderly sergeant for some time, and the last eighteen months was drum major of the brigade. He surrendered at Marshall, Tem., in May 1865, after which he returned to Arkansas, and was married in what is now Cleveland County, on March 26, 1866, to Miss Sarah L. Sinclair, daughter of Calvin and Sarah (McNeil) Sinclair, natives of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively. Her parents were married in Mississippi, where Mrs. Watts was born, and in 1859, they came to what is now Cleveland County. There Mr. Sinclair died in 1875, and his widow in 1886. She was a member of the Methodist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Watts were born eight children, two sons and five daughters living: Sallie I. (wife of Sidney Rogers), Mary J. (wife of Frank Kindall), Maggie F., Ada, Thomas, Nora (deceased), Olive and Joseph. The first year after marriage Mr. Watts lived in Jefferson County, but moved from there to Cleveland County in 1874, and settled on his present farm. He is the owner of 320 acres with about 100 acres under cultivation, all the result of his own efforts. In his political views he affiliates with the Democrat party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley in 18 72. He was justice of the peace for two years, and filled that position to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Culpepper Lodge No. 186 at Rison, is a member of the Wheel, and he and wife have been members of the Methodist Church for twenty or twenty-five years. Isaac B. Williams. This respected citizen of Cleveland County, Ark., is a native of the county in which he now resides, his birth having occurred November 17, 1853. He is a son of H. E. and Eliza (Smith) Williams, who were born, reared and married in Alabama, and moved to Arkansas in 1850, opening a woodland farm where Rison is now situated. During the struggle between the North and South he served in the Confederate Cavalry, and was captured in 1863 and confined in Rock Island Prison until the close of the war. He died on his way home at Cairo, Ill. His wife died in October, 1889, aged sixty one years, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Isaac B. Williams was the third of their seven children and is the only one of the family now living, the rest dying in infancy and childhood. When ten years of age he was forced by circumstances to begin the battle of life for himself, and for several years found it very difficult to make his way in the world, but by enterprise, push, and a determination to succeed, his career has been more than ordinarily successful, and he is now accounted a leading citizen of the county. He was engaged in farming until 1883, when he opened a general mercantile establishment, which be has since successfully conducted, and by his many worthy business qualities he has won a liberal share of public favor. His marriage to Miss Mary E. MeMurtrey was celebrated in 1881, she being a daughter of Col. E. L. McMurtrey, and by her he has three children: Hartwell, Kathleen, and Roscoe (who died when three years of age). Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a supporter of Democratic principles. John Adams Wilson. John Adams Wilson, farmer, Rison, Ark. Mr. Wilson is a native-born resident of this county, his birth occurring in White Oak Township in 1856, and is one of the most enterprising and successful young agriculturists to be found in the same. His parents, John S. and Louisa (Shell) Wilson, were natives of Alabama, born in 1826 and 1829, respectively. Both came with their parents to Arkansas, when young, were married in what is now Grant County, and settled near where our subject now lives. Mr. Wilson died in 1884 and his widow in 1886. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years. Mr. Wilson started a poor boy, but by industry and economy became a very successful farmer. He filled the position of justice of the peace for a number of years, and during the late war he served about six months in the Confederate army with Capt. Porter, in the Arkansas Cavalry. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Brushywood's Lodge. His father, John Wilson, was one of the earliest pioneers in this part of Arkansas, where he passed his last days. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grandfather, Adam Shell, was an early settler of what is now Grant County, where he died. He was born in East Tennessee, and there remained until coming to Arkansas. John Adams Wilson was the second of eight children born to his parents, six of whom are now living, and all in Cleveland County. Being early taught the duties of farm life by his father, it was but natural that, when starting out for himself, he should engage in that as his chosen calling life. His marriage nuptials were celebrated in 1878 with Miss Emma Brown, a native of Georgia, and the daughter of Morgan and Ann Brown, natives of Georgia. Her parents came to Cleveland County in 1867, and there the father died about 1877. The mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born six children, one son and three daughters now living. Mr. Wilson has 160 acres of good land, and he and wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years. John A. Wynn John A. Wynn has been a resident of Cleveland County, Ark., for the past fifteen years, and his example of earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life is well worthy the imitation of all, especially in the occupation of farming. He was born in Harris County, Ga., February 12, 1834, and he is a son of Thomas H. and Temperance C. (Huff) Wynn, who were born in Baldwin County, Ga., and the Edgefield District, S.C., in 1801 and 1814, respectively. They were married in Harris County, Ga., and moved from there to Alabama, then back to Georgia, and finally located in Chattahoochee County, where the father passed from life in 1861, having been a successful farmer throughout life. After his death his widow removed to Butler, Taylor County, Ga., and there passed from life in 1881. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Primitive Baptist Church, respectively, and their union resulted in the birth of five children, all now living, of whom John A. was the eldest. The names of the others are: Daniel H. ( a school-teacher of the county), Mary (wife of S.F. Rucker, a merchant of Thomaston, Ga.), Irene F. (wife of C.G. Ogburn, a merchant of Butler, Ga.). John A. Wynn, spent his school days in Harris County, Ga., and Auburn, Ala., and in these places, after attaining a suitable age, he gave his attention to farming, which occupation has received his attention ever since, with the exception of the time spent in the army. In May, 1862, he joined the Forty-sixth Georgia Confederate Infantry, with which he served until the surrender at Greensburg, N.C., in May, 1865, and during his term of service he was a member of engagements among which may be mentioned: Jackson, (Miss.), Chickamauga, Big Black, Franklin and Nashville. He was also in the Atlanta campaign, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. At the close of the war he commenced farming, continuing in his native state until 1875, when he came to Arkansas, locating in Lee Township, and is now the owner of a fine farm, of which 100 acres are under cultivation. In 1882 he was elected to the office of magistrate for two years, and was one of the prime movers in establishing the post-office at Orlando, of which his wife was put in charge. He was first married in February, 1866 to Miss Maggie Bussey, a daughter of F.S. and Dimny Bussey, but she died in Georgia, in 1873, having borne two children: Ella (who is the wife of Luther Carmical, a farmer of Cleveland County), and Blanche (at home). In February, 1875, he took for his second wife Miss Helen M. Duncan, a daughter of John and Ally Duncan. She was also born in Georgia, and has borne Mr. Wynn three sons: Thomas D., Robert D. and John F. Mr. Wynn is a Democrat, a Mason, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.