Biography of Byron Lacy, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 684

Byron Lacy is a prominent merchant, and the postmaster of Elmo, Ark. The oldest
of two children, he was born January 16, 1860, in Dublin, Ireland. His parents
were Frank and Fanny I. (Byron) Lacy, natives of Ireland, and both from among
the oldest families in that country. The father received his education in
France, and was one of the most polished and gallant men of his day, while the
mother was educated at the home of her parents by private tuition. Mrs. Lacy's
father, Thomas Byron, occupied a high position on the Queen's Bench, Dublin,
and at the time of his decease, was succeeded by Mr. Frank Lacy, who held the
office until its abolishment, when he was retired on full pay until his death,
in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, his wife having gone before
him ten years. The second child was a daughter, Ada Lacy, who was born June
8th, 1862, and was married, in 1887, to Mr. Edgar Little, who occupies a
position of trust in the Bank of Ireland, Dublin. Byron Lacy came to America in
the spring of 1880, and located at Elmo, where he was employed by M. & W. D.
Hodges on their farm. He remained in this position for a short time, and then
applied for and obtained the post of watchman on the White River bridge near
the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad, two miles below Newport, Ark. He
remained in this capacity until the autumn of 1881, when, in company with a
friend, he went into the business of hunting, trapping and trading in furs up
to the spring of 1882. His first experience in commercial life, was with Mr.
Oliver Brown, who kept a grocery and bakery, and with whom he remained until
the beginning of 1884, and then bought Mr. Brown out, and continued the
business for two years longer at Newport. In the summer of 1886, he retired
from business at Newport, and returned to Elmo, and in January, 1887, purchased
the stock of merchandise of G. A. Duck & Bro., at that place. The stock
consists of general merchandise and plantation supplies, and Mr. Lacy's shelves
will at all times contain a fine assortment of every line in which he deals. In
1887 Mr. Lacy was united in matrimony to Miss Laura Hodges, a daughter of W. D.
Hodges, and this happy marriage has given them two children: Fannie and Mable.
Mr. Lacy is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife attends the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is much admired for her active work in that
faith. Upon locating in America, Mr. Lacy declared his intention of becoming a
citizen of the United States, and at the proper time received his
naturalization papers, voting the Democratic ticket since then. He is a charter
member of Newport Lodge No. 26, Knights of Pythias; and postmaster of Elmo,
Ark. He has become one of the leading citizens of Independence County, and has
set an example worthy of emulation not only by his former countrymen, but by
the rising generation of America. His thrift, enterprise and ability have
procured for him the success that always attends those virtues.