Izard Co., AR - Biographies - William S. Nail

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William S. Nail was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., in 1820, and his father,
Archie, was a native of Alabama, but was married in Tennessee to Miss Morrow, by
whom he reared a family of four children: William, Franklin, Thomas and Mary A.
Archie Nail was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in the State of
Tennessee, in 1830, he having followed the occupation of farming and
blacksmithing all his life. William S. Nail learned these occupations of his
father, and in addition to farm work, which has always received his attention,
he has been faithful to the hammer and anvil also. In 1845 he removed from
Tennessee to Mississippi, and was there engaged in blacksmithing until 1856,
when he came to Independence County (now Izard County), Ark., and purchased land
to the amount of 120 acres, and in 1867 built a cotton-gin on this farm which
has been in operation ever since. His land now comprises 280 acres, seventy-five
being in a tillable condition, and a portion of his mountainous land is
underlaid with valuable minerals. He raises cotton, corn, and small grains on
his cultivated lands, and is acknowledged by all to be one of the most reliable
and enterprising citizens of Lafferty Township. In 1840 he was married to Miss
Melinda, the daughter of Thomas Williamson, of Mississippi, and of eight
children born to them, the following are living: Thomas, Mary E., Catherine F.
and Charley L. Mr. Nail belongs to the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members
of the Presbyterian Church.