Biography of B. F. Hollowell, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company B. F. Hollowell, M. D. Few, if any, industrial or professional pursuits have within the last few years made such rapid strides as that of the profession of medicine, and among the leading physicians of Randolph County, Ark., who have availed themselves of all new ideas and put them in practice, may be mentioned Dr. Hollowell. He was born in North Carolina in 1823 and was the eldest of seven children, three now living, born to Silas and Sarah (Farmer) Hollowell, who were North Carolinians. They moved to the State of Tennessee in 1828, and in 1832 located in Mississippi, where they died in 1867 and 1869, respectively, both aged sixty-seven years. Silas Hollowell was an active politician in his day, and was also deeply interested in the cause of religion. Their children, who are living, are Martha A., wife of John Porter, of the State of Mississippi; Julia, wife of D. J. Rogers, of Marshall County, Miss., and Dr. B. F. The paternal grandfather, Edward Thomas Hollowell, was born in the "Emerald Isle," and was an enterprising tiller of the soil. Dr. Hollowell was given the rearing and education which is accorded the majority of farmers' boys, but this work was not suited to his tastes, and he early formed a desire to study medicine. At the age of twenty years he left home and entered upon his medical studies under a preceptor in Marshall County, Miss., and after two years of faithful and diligent study he entered Oxford Institute, from which institution he graduated in 1847. The following year he moved to Izard County, Ark., where he [p.398] was actively engaged in the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted as a Federal spy, and to the best of his ability kept the Union forces posted as to the doings of the enemy. During this time he continued the practice of his profession as a blind, but in 1863 he openly joined the Federal forces as a scout, serving in this capacity until the close of the war. From that time until 1870 he was a practicing physician of Greene County, Mo., after which he returned to Izard County, Ark., and was actively engaged in the practice of his profession for two years. The two succeeding years were spent in Asb Flat, Sharp County, Ark., and the following year he was appointed deputy collector of this district, which position he held in a very efficient manner until 1877, at which date he was appointed United States commissioner for the Eastern district of Arkansas, and still continues to discharge the duties of this position to the satisfaction of all concerned. Since the year 1878 he has resided on his present farm. He was first married in 1843 to Miss Frances C. Box, who was born in Alabama and died in 1858, having borne two children: Sarah P., wife of James Robinson, and Stephen E. Margaret Beard, a native of Alabama, became his second wife in 1859. Eugenia, wife of John Wood; Ann Eliza, wife of John McCracken, and Joseph are the extent of their family. Dr. Hollowell was called upon to mourn the loss of his second wife in 1874; she had been an earnest member of the Christian Church for many years. His first wife was a Methodist and an earnest worker for the cause of Christianity. The Doctor was married at Ash Flat, in June, 1875, to Miss E. B. Goodwin, a native of Tennessee, an estimable lady whose education and general information well qualify her for a minister's wife. She is a member of the Christian Church and an active, zealous worker. Two children are the result of this union: Walter Cullen, in his thirteenth year, and Hubert Clayton, in his eleventh; both bright, active lads, who promise much in the way of comfort to their parents. Dr. Hollowell was ordained a minister of the Christian Church, October 28, 1868, and much of his time and attention has been devoted to expounding the Gospel, and his efforts in saving souls have met with good results. He has always been a stanch Republican in his political views, and he has shown his approval of secret organizations by becoming a member of the A. F. & A. M.