Izard Co., AR - Biographies - W. O. Dillard

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W. O. Dillard. The family of which the subject of this sketch is a
representative, is one well known to the people of Izard County, for one or more
of its members have been identified with its agricultural interests since 1849,
when Alex. Dillard and his family located here. The latter was married to
Delilah Legan, both being natives of Tennessee, and throughout his entire life,
he was engaged in farming and merchandising, following the latter occupations at
Spring Creek and Flat Woods after coming to Arkansas. He served as justice of
the peace and deputy sheriff of his county, and, during the time he served in
the latter capacity, he transacted the greater portion of the business which
should have been attended to by the sheriff. He was quite a wealthy man prior to
the war, and owned several negroes, but his losses during the rebellion were
very heavy, and these he never fully regained. He died in 1867, at the age of
fifty nine years. To his marriage, which occurred in 1825, were born a family of
seven children, three of whom lived to be grown, and two now living: J. A., a
resident of this county, and W. O. John C. died while serving in the Mexican
War, being sergeant of his company. Both parents were members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and the mother's death occurred in 1837 or 1838. Mr.
Dillard's second wife was Mary Wood, of Tennessee, and she is now the wife of
John Anderson. W. O. Dillard remained with his father until twenty seven years
of age, then commenced for himself, farming on his own land, which was situated
on White River, in Izard County. This property he sold in 1866, and bought 202
acres on another portion of White River, about eighty acres of which are under
cultivation, and in addition to this owns 1.000 acres, the entire amount of his
land under cultivation amounting to 250 acres. In 1862 he joined the Confederate
army as a private, but was afterward promoted to the rank of second lieutenant,
and served three years under Col. Freeman, and was with Price on his raid
through Missouri. He surrendered at Jacksonport. Ark., on the 5th of June, 1865.
and returned home and resumed farming. From 1869 to 1875 he was successfully
engaged in merchandising, and since that time he has been occupied with farming.
He was married, in 1857. to Miss Averilla Jeffrey, but she died in 1868, after
having borne four children, three now living: James L., Nancy J., wife of Seely
Talley, and Alex. Mary E. is deceased. In 1869 Mr. Dillard wedded his second
wife, she being a Mrs. Sarah Slavens, and to them three children have been born:
J. J., John C. and W. O. Mr. Dillard was called upon to mourn the death of this
wife in 1879, and in 1881, his third wife, who was a Miss Sallie Harris, also
died, their marriage having been consummated in 1880. His marriage to his
present wife, who was a Miss Adelaide Cantrell, took place in 1883. They have
two children: George C. and Charley R. Mr. Dillard's first two wives were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his third wife was a Cumberland
Presbyterian, and he and his present wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a Democrat, a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is a man who favors
and supports all laudable enterprises, especially those connected with churches
and schools.