Biography of W. C Stout - 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 103 Rev. W. C Stout (deceased), an Episcopalian clergyman of great and varied learning, was born in Greene County Tenn., in 1824. His parents, John and Mary Stout, came to Arkansas and settled at Fayetteville in 1830, where in connection with farming he held some government office. He was a most estimable citizen, a member of the M. E. Church, and he died in 1836, when our subject was a boy of but 12 years of age. Compelled now to do something towards his own maintenance, he secured a position in a store, near the line of the Indian Territory, and was there engaged as clerk for several years, and was often sent on business trips of importance, and some danger among the Indians, on the plains. From his earliest youth he was very studious, and during his leisure, while employed in the store, he was constantly engaged in reading and study. While still a youth (at, perhaps, the age of 18 or 20 years) he attended a series of meetings held in Fayetteville, by Bishop Leonidas Polk, who, seeing certain marks of intelligence and promise in the features of young Stout, sought his acquaintance and advised him to pursue his studies in a higher field. Bishop Polk promised and extended assistance with this advice, and in a short time our subject was enrolled as a pupil in Kemper College, Missouri. Here he pursued his literary studies, and after graduating entered the Theological College at Neshoto Mission, Wis., and commenced his studies for the ministry. After spending three years at the miss on he went to Alexandria, Va., where, after completing the required course, he was soon ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Mead, and later as a priest by his councilor, benefactor and friend, Bishop Polk, a brother of James K. Polk. Rev. W. C. Stout new returned to Fayetteville, and began his ministerial life by becoming Rector of the Episcopal Church at that place. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jordan, a daughter of James E. and Elizabeth Jordan. Mrs. Stout's mother died when her daughter was an infant, and her father an extensive and successful merchant and planter, died about 1855. After Mr. Stout's marriage he resigned his charge at Fayetteville, and removed to Marshall County, Mississippi (Mrs. Stout's home), where they resided till 1858 when he returned to Arkansas and officiated for a time as Rector of Christ Church in Little Rock. He had previously (in 1856) purchased large tracts of land in Conway County, about ****000 acres, lying on both sides of the Arkansas River, on which he had placed a large force of s****ives to clear and improve. The tract on the south side of the river lies at the foot of the Petit Jean Mountain, and is now a magnificent plantation, and is still owned by Mrs. Stout. On this place there was a slight improvement, and it was the second place opened and settled west of, on the south side of the river. This land has been in continued cultivation ever since, and now, after nearly seventy years produces a bale of cotton to the acre every year. Mr. Stout soon removed his family to the plantation, who, on their arrival, introduced the first piano and pleasure carriage into Conway County. At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Stout had over a thousand acres under cultivation, about equally divided, on both sides of the river, but on the threatened advance of the Federals, he was forced to leave his plantation and seek a refuge in Texas, where he remained till the close of hostilities. Mrs. Stout, with the family established a home in Little Rock, where they remained comfortably till Mr. Stout's return when they again took possession of their devastated plantation, and began to retrieve the wreck and loss which followed emancipation and the war. Their pleasant home at "Hawkstone" soon became one of the most beautiful in the Arkansas Valley, nestling at the foot of the Petit Jean Mountains, and stretching in level acres of corn and cotton for a long distance down the Arkansas River, including one of the most fertile tracts of cotton producing land in all the south Mr. Stout has selected a most admirable and picturesque situation for his home. The steamboat landing was practically at his front door, wh****am the rear the rugged heights of the Petit Jean formed a most pleasing background to a lovely view. Mr. Stout held services at Lewisburg and later at Morrilton, once a month, or as his health would permit, and to his influence was mainly due the organization of the Episcopalian Church at the latter place. While Mr. Stout was in Memphis, one Sabbath, a few days before the secession of Tennessee, he preached at Calvary Church, and in that service offered the last prayer for the President of the United States sent up to the throne of God, from Tennessee, till after the close of the war. In Little Rock, soon after the declaration of peace, at a sermon preached in Christ Church to a large congregation of both Federal and Confederate officers, as well as citizens of the city, he was the first Episcopal clergyman west of the Mississippi River to institute the change, and offered in the service of that day a prayer for the President of the United States. So we see that Mr., Stout was the last clergyman in Tennessee before the war, and the first west of the Mississippi, after the declaration of peace, to pray for the President of the united States. Mr. Stout was a most through scholar, an accomplished linguist of half a dozen tongues, and a man of most varied and universal general information. His correspondence with men of science, of letters and statesmen, was extensive, and his views, theories and plans were always held in great respect. A prolific and versatile writer, few subjects were left untouched by his pen, and all handled with ability and skill. A series of articles upon deepening the mouth of the Mississippi were pronounced soundd and feasible, and extensively commented upon and copied by the press of the United States. His faculties of memory and observation were remarkable, seldom forgetting any thing, and never failing to see everything that lay beside his path Quiet and concerted in the domestic felicity of an educated and brilliant wife, and the happy association of his children, he never sought political advancement and power, yet was often importuned by friends who knew his worth to allow his name to be used as a candidate for the office of Governor of the State and the United States Senate these solicitations were always firmly declined, and he lived in quiet retirement with his family till his universally regretted death, which occurred December 11, 1886. To the union with his excellent wife (who now occupies one of the most handsome residences in Morrilton) were born eight children, three of which died in infancy, and three others just on the threshhold of a promising career. Two only are living now, Thomas Percy, married to **** Wendel, of Tennessee, and Mary Irene, wife of G. P. Lane. William Jordan died **** 1883, aged 31 years. James Jo****re**** February 24, 1885, aged 30 years, and **** Polk, died February 15, 1883.