Biography of Wilson C. Shewmake - Conway Co, AR

***********************************************************
Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        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 101

Wilson C. Shewmake, one of the most thorough planters of Washington
Township, owes his nativity not only to Arkansas, but to the county in
which he now resides, having been born here December 13, 1840. He was
the son of Jesse and Viva (Tracy) Shewmake, who were both natives of
Tennessee, the father being born in that State in 1816. Jesse Shewmake
left his paternal home in Tennessee when he was but 20 years of age
and came to Arkansas, where he at once settled in Conway County,
arriving here in 1836, the year in which the Territory of Arkansas
became a State. We learn that from the date of his settlement in the
pioneer period of its history, that he at once became identified with
its prosperity and development. He lost his wife, who died in 1843 and
left two surviving children, Preasant G. and our subject, Wilson C.;
there had been another child born, but it died in infancy. Jesse
married the second time, and now he and his estimable lady are members
of the Methodist and Baptist Churches respectively. Jesse Shewmake
held the office of Justice of his Township, and the office of County
Treasurer from 1868 to 1872. Wilson Shewmake was educated in the
private schools of Conway County, and at the early age of 18 years he
began farming for himself. In 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army
under Gen. Curtis; he served but a short time and was discharged for
disability. He then went to Missouri where he married America Roswell,
January 3, 1864. She was a native of Missouri, and a daughter of
William and Elizabeth Roswell. In 1870 he returned to Arkansas and
took up his residence in this county. He follows the occupation of
farmer, at which he has been successful and now owns 120 acres of good
land with seventy-five under cultivation. He is a member of the G. A.
R, a Republican in politics, and both himself and wife are members of
the Advent Church. To the union of this couple have been born twelve
children, namely: Robert (married to Mollie Adams), Mary E. (married
to A. J. Carter), Jesse (deceased), Alice (deceased), Susie
(deceased), Henry (deceased), Lucy, Elbert, William (deceased), Oscar,
Edgar (deceased), and Nora M.