Biography of F.M. GWALTNEY, Logan Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Delaine Edwards Date: 29 Jun 1999 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago and Nashville, 1891. Logan County F.M. GWALTNEY, merchant, Prairie View, Ark. The trade carried on in general merchandise is of very great importance and constitutes a leading factor in the commercial fabric of the smaller towns and villages. It is a line of business requiring special qualifications of a high order, and those possessed of these succeed in this somewhat precarious undertaking. Prominent among those engaged in this line in Prairie View is Mr. Gwaltney, who is an energetic, thorough man of business, and whose relations with the public are of an honorable and upright character. This gentleman was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1842, and in 1858 he moved to Logan County, Ark. He received a rather limited education, and at the age of sixteen years began farming and merchandising for himself. These occupations he has continued to follow ever since. During the struggle between the North and South he enlisted in Company C, First Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, and in 1863 was severely wounded in the right ankle. He is still greatly troubled by this wound. Returning home after cessation of hostilities he continued his former pursuits and was married in 1866 to Miss Nancy Cravens, daughter of J. and W. Cravens. The following children were the result of this union: Jennie, Katie, Adalaide, Nina J., William, Rilla, Pearl L., Ova J. and Boulanger. Those deceased are William, Rilla and Ova J. Two of the daughters are married and the others are at home. In his political views Mr. Gwaltney is a Democrat. Mrs. Gwaltney and some of the children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.