Biography of George L Massey, 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 696 

George L. Massey is a man of more than ordinary energy and force of
character, and no agriculturist of this region is deserving of greater success
in the conduct and management of his farm than he. He, as well as his father,
Jason Massey, was born in Orange County, N. C., the latter's birth occurring in
1802, and the former's, May 6, 1830. The latter was married, in his native
State, to Rachel Peirson, also a native of the “Old North State,” and to their
union were born two sons, of whom our subject is the only one now living. The
father was of Irish descent, and both he and wife were earnest members of the
Methodist Church at the time of their death, the father's demise occurring in
1882, and the mother's in 1871. George L. Massey received a good practical
education in the common schools of Tennessee, and at the age of sixteen years
removed to Arkansas, and was afterward married in that State to Miss Margaret
E. Lowe, who was a native of Arkansas, and died [p.696] in March, 1874, having
become the mother of four sons and one daughter, three of the family surviving:
Edwin L., who married Miss Missouri Gunn, a native of Mississippi, who died in
March, 1874 (he afterward married Miss Vida E. Morgan, a native of Alabama);
Ida, wife of Frank J. Leggett, a native of Arkansas, and Henry M., who wedded
Mattie McClendon, of Alabama. After the death of his first wife Mr. Massey
married Miss Sarah Jane Bryant, who was a native of Mississippi. Her parents,
Richard and Elizabeth Bryant, were Virginians, and became the parents of twelve
children, six of whom are now alive. Mr. Bryant died in April, 1876, and his
wife in December, 1873. Mr. Massey owns land to the amount of 1,000 acres, and
has about 300 acres under cultivation. In 1862 he joined the army, and after
participating in the battle of Helena and other engagements, he was discharged
in 1865, and returned home to again take up the implements of the farm. Mr.
Massey is a Mason, and a member of the Agricultural Wheel. He is a liberal
contributor to schools and churches, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Church.