Biography of John Thomas Tarpley, 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 718

John Thomas Tarpley, merchant and farmer, Elmo, Ark. This name is not
unfamiliar to those in the vicinity of Elmo, as well as to those in the county,
for he who bears it is numbered among the highly-respected citizens of this
community. Born on the 16th of October, 1857, he is the son of John Wesley and
Sarah Elizabeth (Phillips) Tarpley, who were originally from Alabama. The
parents came to Arkansas in March, 1870, located in Independence County on what
is known as the Baily farm, where the father died on the June following, after
an illness of three years. In their family were eight children: Edward Everett,
born on the 5th of February, 1855, residing in Independence County; John
Thomas, Dora Ann, married M. J. Harris; Eugene, lives in Texas; Lucella,
married F. M. Copps; Belle P., lives in Boone County; Murillah, married Mr.
William L. McMullen, and lives in Christian Township, and Finis Wesley, now
attending school. John Thomas Tarpley commenced business for himself at the age
of twenty-one years, first as a farm hand, and in 1881 he rented land. In 1885
he made his first purchase of land, twenty acres, all under cultivation, and in
1888 he bought twenty acres more adjoining his first purchase, this being also
under cultivation. In 1885 he also purchased 120 acres in Jackson County, all
of which was covered with heavy timber, which Mr. Tarpley has cleared and has
about thirty acres under fence. On the 20th of January, 1889, he purchased a
stock of drugs and groceries, which he opened up in Elmo, and is now carrying
on in a very successful manner. He contemplates putting in a good line of dry
goods in the near future, and will have one of the best stores in the township.
In his political principles he is closely associated with the Republican party,
as was his father before him. His grandparents on both sides were old-line
Whigs in their political views. Mr. Tarpley is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, McGuire Lodge
No. 208, and Oil Trough Chapter No. 84. He is active in all enterprises,
whether religious, social or educational, and contributes liberally of his
means to each and all.