Biography of David P Tunstall, Fulton Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: 26 Sep 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** page 305 David P. Tunstall, one of the leading citizens of Fulton County, Ark., is a native of Independence County, of the same State, his birth occurring on the 7th of July, 1841. His father, Thomas T. Tunstall, was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., and when a boy removed with his parents to Shelby County, Ky., where he grew to mature years and learned the cabinet maker's trade, at which occupation he worked for a few years. He afterward turned his attention to steamboating, and after residing in Chicot County, Ark., for six years he moved to Independence County in 1833, in which county he was residing at the time of his death, in November, 1863, at the age of seventy-six years. During his lifetime he farmed for some time, and while steamboating brought the first boat up the White River. He accumulated considerable wealth in the different enterprises in which he was engaged, and at one time was worth over $100,000, but lost heavily during the bank crash of 1841. He was in the cavalry service during the War of 1812, and in one engagement had a horse shot from under him. He took a great interest in the political affairs of his day and was one of the best politicians of the State at that time, although not an office-seeker. He was married three times, but the name of his first wife is unknown. His second wife was a Miss Sarah World, who died after having borne eight children, only one of whom is now living: James M., a farmer, of Independence County. His last marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Magness, by whom he became the father of eleven children, five of whom are living: Harrison M., David P., Laura (wife of J. M. Archer), Rose (wife of Richard A. McHenry), and Kate J. (wife of C. A. Phillips, a prominent attorney of Fulton County). David P. Tunstall received his education in Jackson County, Ark., but in 1861 gave up all his work to enlist in Company E, of the Seventh Arkansas Infantry, Confederate service, and served until April, 1864, the last two years being orderly sergeant. He was at Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and Jonesboro, Ga., where he was taken prisoner. He managed to escape by jumping from a train at Decherd Station, Tenn. He was recaptured five days later and was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was kept until February 14, 1865. He was paroled at Richmond and returned home. His clothes were many times riddled with bullets and at Murfreesboro he had one of his pants-legs shot off. He then remained in Independence County, Ark., until 1877, at which time he came to Fulton County, where he has since made his home. He owns some of the best farming land in the county, his property being located on South Fork. In 1880 he was elected to the office of county sheriff and collector, and was re- elected in 1884. On the 25th of May, 1865, he was married to Miss Martha Jernigan, a daughter of Rev. William H. Jernigan. [p.305] She was born in Henry County, Tenn., in 1845 (August 16), and to their union the following children have been born: Lemuel E. (farming his father's farm), William T., James F., Harrison M., Dicy E., Charles P., Daniel A. and Grover C. Mr. and Mrs. Tunstall are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a stanch Democrat in his politics. On coming home from the army he was without means, and all his property has been acquired since then, and notwithstanding the fact that he has had to pay a great many security-debts he has prospered. He is a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln's wife, his grandmother being a Todd.