Biography of W. W. Nisbett - Craighead Co, AR

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        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 349

W. W. Nisbett, lumber dealer and manufacturer of brick, etc.,
is a native of Lancaster County, S. C., born October 14, 1836. His
parents, James and Jane Y. (Rogers) Nisbett, natives of South Carolina,
were of Irish descent, the grandfather, a native of Ireland, having been
an early immigrant to South Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Josiah
Nisbett, was a soldier of the Revolution, and he and all the grandparents
lived and died in South Carolina. James Nisbett emigrated with his family
to Coffee County, Tenn., in 1844, and three years later to Monroe County,
Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn., in 1850, and in 1852 came to what is now
Craighead County, Ark., locating where Jonesboro now stands. He was a
farmer and mechanic, and followed both occupations for several years;
made the first improvements and built the first frame house in Jonesboro.
He then kept a hotel in Jonesboro for some time, and in 1867 moved to
Pike County, where he resided for five years, then returned to this
county, where he remained until his death in 1884. The mother died three
years later. They were the parents of [p.349] six children, five now
living, four sons and one daughter: William W., John G. R., Benjamin F.,
Joseph A. and Sarah, widow of P. H. Winke. William W. was but eight years
of age when he left his native State, and, school advantages being very
poor, his education was necessarily very limited. However, since arriving
at maturer years, he has closely applied himself to study, and is now a
self educated man. He was eighteen years of age when he came with his
parents to Craighead County, and had learned from his father the
carpenter's trade, and intelligent farming. His early life was devoted
mainly to mercantile business until the late war, and after the
surrender, he was for many years a furniture dealer and undertaker. While
in business, he was three times burned out, but was by no means
discouraged by his misfortunes. After the fire of 1886, he closed out
what remained of his stock, and turned his attention to his milling
business. He has been for twenty years engaged in the milling and lumber
business, also handling grain, and is now engaged in the manufacture of
brick, making from 35,000 to 40,000 per day. Having a nice farm in the
suburbs of Jonesboro, he also gives some attention to agricultural
pursuits. In 1882, he began the study of law, and in 1884 was admitted to
the bar, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He
has been the leader of the Republican party since the war, and has been
identified with all its meetings and important moves. He was elected
sheriff of Craighead County in 1866, and served until 1872; was also
sheriff in 1865 under military order. He has held the offices of county
supervisor, president of the board of supervisors, county assessor,
sheriff, collector, postmaster, assessor of internal revenue, and deputy
United States marshal. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Mary
Mattix, and they are the parents of ten children, seven of whom are
living: Elizabeth (wife of J. R. Smith), Mattie (wife of H. H. Houghton),
William S., Alice, Delia A., Minnie M. and George E. Mr. Nisbett is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, is Master of the Blue Lodge, and High
Priest of the Chapter. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and also to the
Eastern Star.