CROSS CO, AR - W. H. SLOCUM - Bio

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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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     W.H. Slocum.  One of the leading farmers and old settlers of Cross
County is W.H. Slocum, who is a native of North Carolina, and the eldest
son of G.C. and Sarah (Griphith) Slocum, also of North Carolina birth.
Mr. G.C. Slocum was a blacksmith by trade, and moved to Tennessee in 1844,
where he died in 1849, and his wife in 1879, leaving nine childred, three
of whom are now living: Mary (the wife of E. Robins, of this county),
Joseph D. and W.H., all residing in this township.  The subject of this
sketch dates his existance from January 6, 1828.  He received only five
months education in youth, his fatherneeding his help in the blacksmith
shop, in which he worked from the time he was able to swing a sledge
until twenty-three years of age.  In 1844 he accompanied his father to 
Tennessee, and in 1851 was married to Elizabeth Roberts, after which he
moved to Arkansas and setled in this county (then Poinsett), where he
rented a farm for two years.  In 1853 he made entry of a quarter section,
on which he now resides, and afterward bought 960 acres, about 500 of
which he has given to his children.  When Mr. Slocum first moved to Brushy
Lake Township, in February 1861, there were but three families for a
distance of ten miles north or south.  When he entered his land there were
no clearings on it, and he erected a shanty in which he lived by himself
until a log house was built.  In 1874 he constructed the first steam mill
and gin in the township, at that time the woods abounding the game,
including bear, deer, and wild turkey.  Mr. and Mrs. Slocum are the
parents of nine children, eight living; Benjamin, Preston, Rebecca (now
Mrs. Ott), Lovenia (wife of B. Burns), Samuel, Charles and Virg.  Mr.
Slocum joined the Confederate army in 1863, and served until the close of
the war.  He was taken prisoner south of Little Rock, from which he was
paroled, and afterward rejoined the army, serving throughout the war.
Upon the close of hostilities he returned home and engaged in farming and
stock raising, in which he has been very successful.  Mr. and Mrs. Slocum
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part
in its affairs.