Biography of Erasmus D. Looney, 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 Erasmus D. Looney, farmer, Dalton, Ark. All his life Mr. Looney has followed, with substantial success, the occupation to which he was reared, and in which he is now engaged, farming. One of the largest land owners in Davidson Township, he is also one of its recognized leading agriculturists, and as a man, no less than as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. His birth occurred May 1, 1848, and he is the son of W. S. Looney, who was also a native of Arkansas, born in 1820. The elder Looney received very meager opportunities for schooling, but his father, being an educated man, taught his children at home, and thus they became fairly educated. W. S. Looney was married in 1834 to Miss Pollie Wells, a native of Tennessee, and the result was the birth of two children: one who died when small, and Erasmus D., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Looney died in 1851, and Mr. Looney was married, the second time, to Miss Catherine Garrett, and ten children were born to their union, all of whom died young. Mr. Looney was forced into the army, but being very unhealthy his son Erasmus D. took his place, and the father remained at home. When first married the latter possessed very little property, but at the time of his death he was the owner of about 1,000 acres, with about 300 acres improved. He had made all this without assistance, and was a self-made man in every sense of the term. He was a member of the Golden Circle during war times, and in his political views affiliated with the Democratic party. Previous to the war he owned a dozen negroes, besides other personal property, to a great extent, horses, cattle, etc. He was one of the wealthiest men in the county, but lost all except his land during those times. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Knox County, Tenn., and was the first white man that settled on Eleven Points, as he came here as early as 1802, and entered 1,500 acres of land. He brought three negroes with him, and for a number of years was obliged to go to Cape Girardeau, Mo., 135 miles distant, and be gone for about two weeks, to buy his groceries and other necessary articles. Their meat was obtained from the forest which abounded in bears, deer, turkeys, etc. He could not raise hogs on account of the bears. Very little farming was done in those days, as from six to ten acres was considered a good crop, and the horses and cattle lived on the cane. A number of years elapsed before there were any settlers besides himself and two brothers named Stubblefield, on this stream, and it was fifteen to twenty miles to the nearest neighbor. He had a fine orchard, and made brandy in great quantities, about 1,500 gallons per year. Erasmus D. Looney early in youth learned the mysteries of farm life, and obtained a fair education by attending the subscription schools of his day. In 1863, he joined the Confederate army, Company E. Col. Reeves' regiment of cavalry, and served until June 5, 1865, when he surrendered at Jacksonport. Ark. He was engaged in a number of battles, notably Prairie Grove, [p.409] Fredericktown, Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, California, Brownville, Lexington, Glasgow, Independence and quite a number of minor engagements. After the war Mr. Looney returned home, and went immediately to work to repair the losses sustained by the war. He commenced farming, and continued this occupation until 1867, when he engaged in merchandising. Previous to this, in March, 1866, he married Mrs. Frances E. Herren, nee Overton, of Mississippi County, Mo., and seven children blessed this union, five now living: Laura B., wife of Frank Jackson, and born January 18, 1867; William S., born December 22, 1868; Mary A., born November 7, 1872; Caroline, born November 27, 1875; Richard (deceased), born July 4, 1878; Della (deceased), born September 3, 1881; Thomas Estell, born March 5, 1882. The two who died were Della, March 5, 1873, and Richard, March 5, 1883. Mrs. Looney was born July 8, 1844, and is the daughter of James and Mary (Beacham) Overton, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Overton came to Missouri at an early day, and settled in Mississippi County. They were the parents of six children, three arriving at maturity, Richard (deceased), whose family resides in Mississippi County, Mo., Charles (deceased), and Frances E., wife of our subject. Mrs. Looney was first married to Mr. Thomas Herren, and by him became the mother of one child, James W., who lives at Cherokee Bay, Randolph County. Mr. Herren was in the Confederate army, and was murdered by Leeper's men in the last year of the war. Mrs. Looney's father died in 1865, and her mother in 1854. Mrs. Looney and her daughter, Laura B., are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Looney is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the county.