Biography of W H Grider, Mississippi Co, AR ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: Sep 1998 ********************************************************************* Bibliography: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas. Chicago: Goodspeed Publishers, 1890. W. H. Grider, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jackson County, Ark., in the year 1855, and, with the exception of an occasional trip to [p.505] Memphis, Tenn., and other river towns, he has spent his life within its borders. His paternal ancestry can be traced back to the landing of the Mayflower on the American coast. The first maternal ancestor of which he has record enrolled his name on the Declaration of Independence. His grand-uncle, Henry Grider, of Kentucky, represented the Bowling Green district in Congress for several terms, and while serving in this capacity won great distinction for his able statesmanship; he was contemporary with Clay, Calhoun, and other eminent men. An uncle, Jesse Grider, served in the Confederate army, and for gallant service on the battle field was promoted to the rank of colonel. Frank Grider, the grandfather, came to Arkansas, about the time it was made a State, with his family, from Bowling Green, Ky., first to Tennessee near Moscow, and thence to Jackson County, Ark. At this time his son, John H. Grider, was but eighteen years of age. The latter married Miss Maria L. Morris, a native of that county, about the year 1846. He settled down to tilling the soil in Jackson County, but afterward moved to Phillips County, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1871, having lived a useful and honorable life. At this time W. H. Grider was attending school in Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated about a year later; and after the death of his mother, who lived until 1875, he made his home with his uncle, Col. Jesse Grider, of Crittenden County, with whom he remained until the latter's death some five years later. During this time he was engaged in studying law with the firm of Adams & Dixon, of Memphis, Tenn., and in 1880 was married to Miss Sue J. McGavock, one of the wealthiest and most refined and cultivated young ladies of Mississippi County, Ark., she being a daughter of John Harding and Georgia (Moore) McGavock. The former (now deceased) was a member of a family of that name who became illustrious in the annals of Virginia, having come from Scotland to this country in the early part of the last century. After his marriage Mr. Grider took charge of the estate and at once identified himself with the more advanced farming and stock raising interests of the county, a position which he has continued to occupy since that time, and to what extent may be inferred when the fact is mentioned that he now has 1,300 acres of land under cultivation, the most of which was cleared under his supervision. He rents out a large portion. He also owns several thousand acres of land heavily covered with timber, a portion of which he manages each year to bring under the plow, and when reduced yielding at least a bale of cotton to the acre. In addition to conducting his plantation he is also interested in merchandising, having a well stocked store, and operates a cotton-gin and sawmill, and in his different occupations employs from fifty to 100 men. His residence faces and is about one-half mile from the river. It was built in 1855 and is a building 54×74 feet, two stories in height, with a porch twelve feet wide running the whole length and breadth of the house, and at the time of its erection was considered a marvel of beauty and convenience, as all the timber was hand-sawed and the work well done. It was erected by Mr. McGavock's slaves, of whom he had a great many, and each room was finished in a certain, distinct kind of wood, one being in black walnut, one in sassafras, another in red gum, and one in ash, each room being designated by these names. The house is approached by a handsome undulating lawn, 200 yards in extent, over which are scattered some magnificent forest oaks, elms, walnut, maple and box elder trees, that are thoroughly appreciated by the family. They have also a handsome flower garden near the house, and ornamental shrubbery assists in making their home all that the heart of man could desire, or that a refined and educated taste could wish. With a wife whose womanly graces and virtues are well known, and his two bright little daughters, Georgie and Josephine, Mr. Grider is happy and contented. He is assisted on his plantation by C. L. Moore, who is the maternal uncle of Mrs. Grider. He is a gentleman of fine attainments, being a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and ever since the war has been identified with the interests of Mississippi County, in which he has filled many offices of public trust, such as county and probate judge. He is at present postmaster of Sans Souci, the name of [p.506] Mr. Grider's plantation. During the war he did good service for the Confederacy.