Crawford Co., AR - Biographies - William T. Coatney

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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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William T. Coatney was born February 16, 1837, in Lafayette County, Mo., and is 
the son of George W. and Margeret (Smith) Coatney. The father passed his boyhood 
in North Carolina, and when sixteen immigrated to Kentucky, traveling the long 
distance on foot. In that State he married and engaged in farming, but later 
learned the tanner's trade. After his marriage he lived several years in 
Missouri, and then immigrated to Crawford County, Ark. He also lived a short 
time in Washington County, but died here June 20, 1888, aged eighty-three. The 
mother was born and reared in Kentucky, and like her husband enjoyed no 
educational advantages. She bore nine children, six of whom are living: James 
F., Elizabeth J., William T., Melinda C., Lucinda R. and Emeline; and Nancy A., 
Mary E. and Martha S. are deceased. Mrs. Coatney died October 12, 1887, being 
nearly eighty-two years old. William T. Coatney was born in Missouri, but was 
only a boy when brought by his parents to Arkansas. The county was so little 
inhabited that there were no schools at that time, and he was reared upon the 
farm. When eighteen he left the parental roof, and worked out for a year. When 
nineteen he married Elizabeth Cradduck, daughter of Presley M. and Sarilda 
(Lamb) Cradduck, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Coatney was born in this county, and 
by her Mr. Coatney has seven children: Melissa E., Jonathan W., Elbert T., Sarah 
B., Lelah J., Katie P. and an infant who died unnamed. Mr. Coatney settled where 
he now lives in 1865, and he now has 120 acres of land, forty being well 
cultivated and improved. June 14, 1862, he was mustered into the Union service, 
and served three years, two months and ten days in Company D, First Arkansas 
Volunteer Cavalry, participating in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, 
Fayetteville, etc. He was discharged at the last named place in August, 1865. 
Mr. Coatney and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which the 
former is an elder. He is a Republican politically, and has served as school 
director.