Biography of John A Hinkle, Independence Co, AR

***********************************************
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
Archives by: Michael Brown
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgenwebarchives.org
***********************************************

----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

page 677 

John A. Hinkle, of the firm of Hinkle & Co., Batesville, owes his
nativity to Izard County, Ark., where his birth occurred the 20th of December,
1852. His father, John D. Hinkle, was a native of Tennessee, and after reaching
manhood was united in marriage to Miss Arena Beckham, also a native of
Tennessee. They emigrated to Arkansas in the 40's, locating in Izard County,
and there he followed the profession of teaching, but in connection carried on
farming also. The father died in 1852, but the mother is still living. She was
married the second time to Stephen Taylor, by whom she had five children, three
living: Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Mrs. Amanda Bone and Mrs. Emeline Haley. Mr.
Taylor died in 1876. The mother resides on the old homestead in Izard County,
and enjoys fairly good health. John A. Hinkle secured a fair education in the
common schools, and remained [p.677] on the farm until seventeen years of age.
He then engaged as a clerk for Hinkle & Son (his uncle and cousin), at
Lunenburg, where he remained until 1876, after which, in May of that year, he
embarked in merchandising for himself at Melbourne. He carried on business at
that place until 1883, when he sold out and removed to Batesville, where he
carried on the business alone. The firm was changed in 1885 to J. A. Hinkle &
Co., by adding Jeff P. Hinkle, a cousin, and thus continued until H. H. Hinkle,
another cousin, and brother of Jeff P., became a member of the firm, and the
title was changed to Hinkle & Co. This firm carry a full line of general
merchandise, valued at from $12,000 to $15,000. They are doing a good business.
Jeff P. died in April, 1889, H. H. Hinkle retired from the business in 1888,
and engaged in the banking business, which bank was consolidated into a stock
company in July, 1889, with H. H. Hinkle as cashier. Thus John A. was left
alone to run the mercantile department. Mr. Hinkle has a wide experience in
merchandising, having followed the business from seventeen years of age. He was
married, in 1879, to Miss Talitha Kilpatrick, of Hazlehurst, Miss., and the
daughter of William A. Kilpatrick. Mrs. Hinkle is a member of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Hinkle is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Batesville
Telephone Company; is also vice-president of the board of directors of
Batesville Telephone Company; is a member of the board of directors of
Batesville Printing Company, and of the board of directors of the Bank of
Batesville.