Biography of J. T. Hannaford - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 72

J. T. Hannaford is one of the most active and enterprising citizens of
Conway County. He has had business connection in Morrilton almost
continuously since the foundation of that town. In 1880 he erected one
building of the second brick block in that town. In 1887 he erected
the large two-story brick block on the corner of Railroad avenue and
Moose street, known as the bank building, the upper story of which is
fitted up in a most appropriate manner for the opera-house. He erected
his residence in 1881, and it stands to-day as one of the most
beautiful among the many handsome residences of Morrilton. He has had
business connection with various people under different firm names in
Morrilton since the town was started, being the second merchant in
that town. He has now retired from business in that place, but is a
member of the firm of Todd & Hannaford, at Cleveland, which was
established at the new Town of Cleveland, in 1883. (See the history of
Cleveland and sketch of the life of Judge Todd). Mr. Hannaford was
born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1838. He was the fifth in a family of
ten children born to Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Hannaford, who
were both natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married, and
emigrated to Western Tennessee in 1837. After a short time the family
moved to North Mississippi, where he owned a large plantation, and
resided till his death in 1847; mother died in 1849. Our subject was
then sent to school, and attended various educational establishments
for several years. After completing his education he went to Lexington
and worked in a store as clerk till the outbreak of the war, when he
enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Mississippi Infantry; was in the
first battle of Manassas, and in some eighteen other regular battles.
He was promoted to a small office, and later was advanced to the
office of commissary of the regiment, in which office he was serving
at the surrender. After spending two years in a store in Memphis as
clerk, in 1868 he engaged in planting in Mississippi. An overflow of
the Mississippi ruined his crops, and he was further afflicted by an
attack of the yellow fever. In 1869 he came to Arkansas and settled at
Galla Rock, in Pope County, when he engaged in business in partnership
with R. A. Dowdle; continued there two years when he went to Fort
Smith, where the firm of Dickins & Hannaford was started, and did an
extensive trade. He also started with Mr. McAlister the firm of
McAlister & Hannaford, at a point in the Choctaw Nation, where the
City of McAlister has since grown up. They hauled the lumber seventy-
five miles to build their store, and the business soon became
extensive and profitable, but Mr. Hannaford sold out his interest in
both stores after two years. In 1870 he purchased 300 acres adjoining
the estate of his wife in the valley of the Arkansas River, in Conway
County, and made his home in Lewisburg, where he bought a handsome
home.  Mr. Hannaford now owns farm property in five counties,
aggregating some 2700 acres; on the Petit Jean Mountain, near Cedar
Falls, he owns a fine tract of 200 acres now used as a sheep ranch,
and from its many natural curiosities (see history of Petit Jean
Mountain), picturesque and beautiful views, will be apt soon to become
a popular summer resort. In the bottom of the Petit Jean River he has
a fine and valuable tract of 420 acres, some in cultivation and the
balance covered with valuable timber. These are some of the events in
the life of this active man. He owns valuable property in Morrilton,
and has done much to beautify and improve that city. He is now one of
the foremost in his efforts to attract enterprises which may develop
and expand its trade and importance. His name will be found connected
with its greatest improvement in the past, and vigorously prosecuting
methods for its future growth. He was married to Mrs. Julia Taylor,
nee Dowdle, and both are members of the Presbyterian Church (Old
School).