Bio of Jason Paulk, Miller Co, AR

From "The Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas,"
Published 1890 by Goodspeed.  Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis:
The Goodspeed Publishing Co.  1890

Submitted by: Becky Hargett <bhargett@cityscape.net>

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Jason Paulk.  He whose name heads this sketch is one of the most prominent and
enterprising citizens of Miller County, and as such a brief outline of his life
will be read with interest.  Originally from Tennessee, he was born on February
17, 1833, being a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rogers) Paulk.  The father was
born in South Carolina, but the mother's birthplace is unknown.  Their marriage
took place in Tennessee, where they made their home until 1838, then moved to
Marshall County, Miss., and in 1843 to Tippah County, Miss.; thence in 1856 to
Bolivar County, same State, and in 1860 came to Texas, locating on a farm in Red
River County, and came to Lafayette County, Ark., a short while before his
death, which occurred in 1863, and the father passed from life in his
sixty-fourth year.  His widow died in this county when about seventy years of
age.  The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, but during his residence in
Mississippi worked as a miller, and after coming to Texas engaged in
agricultural pursuits.  He was very successful in all these occupations, and at
his death owned some valuable property in Mississippi.  The mother was a member
of the Baptist Church for many years.  The subject of this sketch is the fourth
of nine children born to their marriage, and of this family only four are
living.  The boyhood and youth of Jason Paulk were spent in Tippah County, Miss.
When he was twenty-one years of age he engaged in the mill business with
his father, but continued with him but a short time and then came to Lafayette
County, Ark., and commenced the same business for himself, conducting it with
moderate success until 1874, when he began to farm where he now lives, and where
he owns 320 acres of good land, with a good portion of it under cultivation.  In
March, 1862, he joined a Tennessee battery, which was afterward attached
to Polk's division of artillery, with which he remained until the close of the
war, and during this time engaged in many severe battles, among them being
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga (at which battle he was slightly wounded), Missionary
Ridge, the battles on the Georgia campaign, Franklin and Nashville, besides many
others of lesser importance.  He was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Miss.,
but retained as such only a short time.  He served with credit through the
entire war, and at its close returned to his home to find himself in a bad
shape, financially, a great deal of his property having been swept away in the
struggle, but by industry and good management he has succeeded in regaining and
adding  to his old financial reputation.  He is now extensively engaged in stock
raising, owning some good grade horses, cattle and sheep.  His marriage to Miss
Diana Pierce who was born in Tennessee in 1845, being a daughter of J. P. Pierce
of this county, was consummated in 1865, and they became the parents of eight
children, of whom Della and Jacob are deceased.  Those living are J. B. ( a
promising young man, recently graduated at the Jackson, Tenn., Baptist School),
J. S. , Jesse W., John A., Addie and Lewis A., all at home.  Mr. Paulk is a
deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church of which both he and his wife and oldest
son are members.  He is a Mason, and belongs to the Alliance, and in politics
always casts his vote with the Democratic party.