C. R. Barham, Ouachita County, AR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889. Contributed by Betsy Mills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ouachita County, Arkansas - from Goodspeed's History of Arkansas p. 654: C. R. Barham, farmer and stock-raiser, Camden, Ark. Cr. R. Barham, another representative citizen of the county, has become well known to the farming and stock-raising interests of Ouachita County, and is a man who fully appreciates the comforts of a competence gained by individual efforts, He was born in the Blue-Grass State in 1825, and is the son of William and Susan (Fortner) Barham, and the grandson of James Barham, who was a soldier in the war for independence. The latter died in Springfield, Mo., in 1866, at the age of one hundred and eleven years. William Barham was a native of North Carolina, and was of English descent. He came to Kentucky with his father when about twelve years of age, and although he was well educated, he chose farming as his life's occupation. In 1839 he moved to Henry County, Tenn., bought land and resided there until 1849, when he came to this county, and here tilled the soil for two years. After this he sold his farm and was engaged in various pursuits until 1854, when he purchased land in Nevada County. There he remained until his death, which occurred in 1876. Mrs. Barham was also a native of North Carolina, and of English parentage. She died in the same county as her husband in 1874. Of the seven children born to their marriage only two are now living: C. R., and William P. (who resides on the old homestead in Nevada County). C. R. Barham was educated in the common schools of Kentucky and Tennessee, and after commencing life for himself, moved back to Graves County, Ky., where he engaged in business in Nevada County, after which he embarked in mercantile pursuits, and was engaged in this until 1856, when he moved to Ouachita County, although his business in Nevada County was still continued by his brother, wh was his partner until 1858. Then our subject sold out to his brother and turned his attention to farming and keeping a public house at a place called Woodlawn, in this county, fifteen miles west of Camden. He was there until and during the war, and was appointed postmaster under President Buchanan's administration, was also elected bailiff of his township, and was doing a general collecting business. He was allowed to remain at home during the war until 1864, when he joined Gen. Price's staff, and was with him until he made his raid through Missouri. He was then attached to Maj. Monroe in the quartermaster department, and served as a pilot to Gen. Price's staff, while through the country. He surrendered at Shreveport, La. Returning home, he engaged in farming at Woodlawn, where he remained until the fall of 1874, when he purchased his present property of 175 acres, 100 acres improved. He generally raises from thirty to sixty bales of cotton, and gins annually 150 bales. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Barham engaged in the saw-mill business, and was the first man to erect a saw-mill in the Camden & Gurdon Branch road. He suspended his interest in the saw mill business about two years ago (1888) but is making some arrangements about entering the business again. Mr. Barham was married in 1854 to Miss Amantha Good, of Graves County, Ky, born in 1825, and the daughter of Amos and Soaomoa Good, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Barham was one of five children only two now living Mrs. Barham, and Henry C. (who resides eighteen miles southwest of Camden, this county, and is a farmer). Mr. Barham is a man who takes quite an active interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the county, and donates liberally to all laudable enterprises. He and wife are consistent members of the church, and Mr. Barham is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Camden Lodge No. 11, R. A. M. of Stephens, Woodlawn Chapter No. 10, and has held all the offices in said orders. At present he is second officer in the Chapter of that order. He is also an Odd Fellow, belonging to Camden Lodge. Mr. Barham votes the straight Democratic ticket, and his first vote was for James K. Polk, in 1844.