Biography of O S Wigley, Mississippi Co, AR

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Submitted by: Michael Brown
        Date: Sep 1998
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Bibliography: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas.
Chicago:  Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.

O. S. Wigley, who stands in the front rank of Mississippi
County's prominent farmers, was born at Atlanta, Ga., in 1847. His
parents were George W. and Mahala (Kyle) Wigley, of that State, where
the mother died in 1854. The father married again, in 1856, and in
1859 moved to the State of Arkansas, settling in what is now Cross
County. He began farming in this locality until 1865, when he moved to
Mississippi County, and remained there until his death, in 1872.
George W. Wigley attained a high degree of popularity wherever he made
his home, and at the time of his death, was one of the most
substantial citizens of Mississippi County. O. S. Wigley remained at
home until the first outbreak of war, and as the tales of battle came
to his home, his bosom was fired with the ambitions and longings
indulged in by every true soldier. He enlisted in Dobbin's regiment,
and took part in many a hot skirmish and gallant charge, and also
accompanied Gen. Price in his noted raids through Missouri. He can
relate many an incident of these dark and bloody times, which thrills
the ears of his listeners, and would fill a volume. Mr. Wigley
returned to Arkansas with Gen. Fagin, and surrendered in April, 1865.
He then went home, and joined his father in moving to Mississippi
County, Ark., and for awhile was engaged with him in farming. In 1869
he was married to Miss Savanah Bennett, of Tennessee, a daughter of
Capt. B. F. Bennett, a prominent planter and merchant, who met his
death from being kicked by a savage horse. After his marriage Mr.
Wigley was retained by his father-in-law as overseer, and remained
with him in that capacity for eight years. He then rented land and
farmed for five years, after which he bought a farm near Pecan Point,
and after improving it, sold the land to R. W. Friend. In 1886 he
moved to his present residence, where he farms some 170 acres, and
this year has had about 135 acres in crops. Mr. Wigley farms on purely
scientific principles; he makes a study of it, and the crops he
produces are among the finest in Mississippi County. He is also
engaged, quite extensively, in stock raising, and has made a success
of that business by properly feeding his stock, and taking good care
of them. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wigley were born seven children:
Florida Ann (wife of Charles Bell), Mamie Frances (wife of Johnson St.
Clair), Georgie Franklin, Walter (who died in infancy), as did Oliver
and two others, unnamed before their deaths. Mr. Wigley has lately
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always held the esteem
of his fellow-citizens.