Biography of Chesley M. Gammill, Franklin Co, AR

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        Date: 16 Aug 1998
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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.

Chesley M. Gammill, a farmer and stock raiser of Franklin County, was
born in Bedford County, Tenn., March 28, 1832, and is a son of Samuel
and Eliza (Butler) Gammill. James Gammill, grandfather of Chesley M.,
was born on the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina in
1772. His father was a leading man in that community, ably assisting
the colonies in their troubles with the Indians, and serving in the
war for independence. James Gammill grew to manhood in his native
place, where he was educated, married Hester Bedwell, and subsequently
settled in Marshall County, Tenn. He served in the War of 1812, and
held a commission as second lieutenant, afterward returning to his
farm in Marshall County, Tenn., whence he removed to Hardin County,
where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1850; he was one
of the best read men of his time, was an active member of the
Presbyterian Church, and prominent in all affairs for the advancement
of his community. His family of eighteen children all grew to
maturity, married and had families of their own. Samuel Gammill,
father of our subject, was born in Marshall County, Tenn., in 1812,
where he was reared and educated and engaged in teaching. In 1829 he
married Eliza Butler, who was born in Virginia in 1814, and was a
daughter of Joshua Butler, who was one of the leading farmers of
Bedford County, Tenn. To this union were born eight children, of whom
seven are living, viz.: Joshua, Adaline, Amanda, now Mrs. John Briley;
Eliza, wife of William Jones; Chesley M., Rosa, Della, who married
William Hill, and Simeon (deceased). Samuel Gammill located in Bedford
County, Tenn., after his marriage, and in 1838 removed to Hardin
County, which was his home until his death in 1871; he was one of the
most enterprising men of his county, and was an extensive stock
dealer. Mrs. Eliza Gammill died in 1879, a prominent member of the
Presbyterian Church, and a most charitable woman. Chesley M. Gammill
was reared and educated in Hardin County, Tenn., and spent his early
life on a farm. December 23, 1853, he married Margaret S., daughter of
Thomas Milam, and to them were born eleven children, six of whom now
live, viz.: Lorenzo C., Sterling P., Martha A., wife of H. A. Smith;
Frank, William C. and James. Those deceased are Alice, Alonzo, Lillie
B., Salina C. and an infant. After his marriage [p.1238] he was
elected and served as collector of Hardin County, Tenn., after which
he immigrated with his family on January 1, 1857, to Little Rock,
thence to Van Buren, and in March, 1862, located on the farm where he
now lives, which consists of 280 acres, with 135 acres at Sub Rosa
under cultivation. January 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company E,
Eighteenth Iowa, Union army, at Fort Smith, and was in active service
until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Little Rock
July 21, 1865, when he returned to his home in Franklin County. Mr.
Gammill served as justice of the peace in Mill Creek Township twenty-
six years, and was a member of the board of county judges three years.
He belongs to the Love Creek Lodge No. 136, of the A. F. & A. M., and
he and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
where he is class leader and steward.