Biography of John B. Cheek - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 53 John B. Cheek, of Gregory Township, is a man of whom it may be justly said, is actually self-made. He came to Conway County from Mississippi in 1879, with an ox team, a small amount of household furniture, and just $27 in cash. Since his residence here he has proven his merit to his neighbors, who have elected him Justice of his township, and given him the office of School Director. He takes an active interest in schools and churches. He and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is an Elder. His worldly possessions have increased in a most satisfactory manner since he has been a citizen of Conway County, and he now owns a most desirable farm of 120 acres, with fifty under a high state of cultivation, all well stocked, fenced and otherwise improved. Mr. Cheek was born in Orange County, N. C. July 2, 1846. His parents, George W. and Elizabeth Cheek, were also natives of the same State and county. They were the parents of eight children, and our subject was the oldest-four are still living. Mr. Cheek and family moved to Alabama, and in 1863 emigrated to Newton County, Mississippi, where he died in 1869; mother had died in 1860. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject received but a limited education, and at the age of 19 years engaged in farming for himself. In 1865 he married Harriet Woodham, a native of Mississippi. She died in 1874, and left four children. In 1875 he married his present wife, Mary E. Hargrove, a native of Mississippi. This union has resulted in the birth of nine children, named James S., Winnie O. (deceased), George W., Walter T., Mary, Rosa, Joseph Hugh and Elbert L.