Crawford Co., AR - Biographies - Isaiah B. Vinsant

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Isaiah B. Vinsant was born February 26, 1842, in Crawford County, 
Ark., in the house where he now lives, and is a son of Isaiah and 
Margaret (Shinault) Vinsant. The father grew to manhood in his native 
State, Virginia, and about 1830 immigrated to Crawford County, Ark., 
before Van Buren was founded. He was by trade a tanner, shoemaker, 
cabinet-maker and wheel-wright, and engaged in all of them after 
coming to Arkansas. He came here upon the first keelboat that ever 
navigated the Arkansas River, and died in this county March 4, 1862, 
about fifty-six years of age. He was a successful business man, well 
educated, and was the owner of a large tract of land. The mother, 
Margaret (Shinault) Vinsant, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., about 
1826, and there received a common-school education. Upon reaching 
maturity she came to Arkansas, where she married and became the mother 
of eight children, all now living: James M., Isaiah B., Thomas J., 
Margaret, Andrew J., Tennessee, Elijah A. and George. Mrs. Vinsant is 
now living in Paris, Lamar Co., Tex. Her husband was a prominent 
politician of the county in early days, served two terms as probate 
judge, and was for a number of years justice of the peace. The 
paternal grandparents were natives of France, who immigrated to the 
United States in an early day, and passed the remainder of their 
lives. The maternal grandparents were pioneers of Tennessee, who late 
in life immigrated to Crawford County, where they died. The 
grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. Our subject was reared 
on the home farm, receiving a common-school education and also 
studying some of the higher branches. When eighteen he enlisted in the 
first company formed in the county, which was known as Company G, 
Third Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Confederate army 
until the close of the war. The most important battles in which he 
fought were Wilson Creek, Prairie Grove, Poison Springs, Saline, 
Helena, evacuation of Little Rock and Prairie De Hand. After the 
surrender at Shreveport, La., he was paroled, and then made his home 
in Hunt County, Tex., until the following December, since which time 
his home has been in Crawford County. He is a successful farmer, 
owning 360 acres of land, 175 of which are well cultivated and 
improved. September 15, 1870, Mr. Vinsant married Sarah N. Foster, 
daughter of J. S. and Susan Foster, natives of Kentucky, who were 
reared in this county. Mrs. Vinsant was born here, and has borne our 
subject seven children, all save one now living: Minnie J., George W., 
William B., Othello M., Albert and Myrtis. Andrew is deceased. Mr. 
Vinsant is a strong Democrat, and as such has served two terms as 
county assessor.