Biography of W. J. Witt - Craighead Co, AR

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Submitted by: Unknown < >
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 362

W. J. Witt, of Jonesboro, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., December
2, 1831, is a son of Joseph M. and Cynthia (Lawrence) Witt, natives of
Tennessee, and is one of the prominent, progressive farmers of the
county. Joseph M. Witt was a farmer by occupation, was successful in that
pursuit, and was greatly esteemed by his many friends. About 1840 he
moved to eastern Alabama, where both parents resided until their deaths.
They had eight children, four of whom are now living: William J., James
L., Nancy and Thomas H. William J. Witt was reared and educated in
Alabama, and in 1860 moved to Craighead County, Ark., locating on a farm
about nine miles west of Jonesboro, and remained there until the close of
the war. He served in the Confederate army about eighteen months, and at
the close of the war moved to Jonesboro, that his children might have
advantage of the Jonesboro schools. He owns eighty-five acres of land,
with about one-half well improved. In 1849 he was married to Matilda A.
Shirey, and they were the parents of four children, two now living. They
are Martha C., wife of A. W. Sparks, and Cynthia J., wife of Z. T.
Matthews, a leading merchant of Jonesboro. Mr. Witt was again married, in
1878, selecting Sidda Mangrum. She is the mother of three children. Mr.
Witt has strong convictions of right. and is a man of sterling worth in
the community. Both he and Mrs. Witt are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon.