Biography, John P Hight, Madison County, AR

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Submitted by: Carole Hammett & Rhonda Jameson
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Dr. John P. HIGHT, a successful practitioner of Madison County, Ark., and a
resident of Lamar Township, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., July 7, 1843,
and is the son of William G. and Naomi (PATTERSON) HIGHT, who were natives of
Bedford and Rutherford Counties, Tenn., respectively. 

The father died in Franklin County, Ark., in 1882, and the mother in Madison
County, of the same State, in 1870. The father was a farmer and trader, and at
one time was sheriff of Bedford County. He was also a member of the Masonic
fraternity, an Odd Fellow, and a Whig before the war, but afterward a
Democrat. At the breaking out of the war he moved to Washington County, Ark.,
and a few years later to Franklin county. Mrs. HIGHT was a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

To their marriage was born a large family of children, seven now living, and
Dr. John P. being the fourth. He received a liberal education at Unionville
(Tenn.) College, but left his books and school in 1861 to enlist in Capt.
Blankins' company of the Twenty-third Tennessee Infantry, Confederate army,
and served until June, 1865. He was afterward transferred to a cavalry company
of scouts, and was made lieutenant of the same. He was in many battles -
Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, and many others; was wounded three times; first a
musket ball in the right arm at the battle of Murfreesboro, and at Chickamauga
he received a musket ball through the right hand. In a skirmish he received a
saber cut. 

At the battle of Chickamauga, and while wounded, he was taken prisoner and
retained about a week. While on his way to prison he jumped from the train and
escaped. After the war he worked on the farm, and at the same time studied
medicine. In 1871 and 1872 he attended medical lectures at St. Luis, and
afterward came to his present location where he has been very successful and
has a very large practice. In connection with this Dr. HIGHT is also engaged
in stock raising, and has some very fine Short horn cattle, Berkshire hogs and
Southdown sheep. Although starting with limited means, the Doctor has
accumulated a comfortable competency and is doing well. 

February 27, 1873, he married Miss Mary C. CUMMINGS, a daughter of N. B. and
Lucy CUMMINGS, natives of Tennessee, but old settlers of Arkansas, and a
native of Madison County, Ark. Four children were the result of this union,
three now living: John F., Newton B. and Lucy E. Lester died at the age of
three, and was the eldest child. Dr. HIGHT is a Democrat politically, and his
wife is a member of the Christian Church." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR...)