Biography of William Jolly, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 22 Jan 2009
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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William Jolly was born in Beaufort County, N. Carolina, in 1844, being the son
of Isaiah and Senia (Williams) Jolly, natives of the same state. He came to
Arkansas with his parents in 1852, locating in the eastern part of St. Francis
county. His schooling was limited to a few months in the district school, as he
was obliged to assist his father on the farm, and when he was twenty-two years
old he purchased a farm near the home place in 1867, being married to Miss
Mattie Cummings, a daughter of Sam and Martha Cummings, of Tennessee. Mr.
Cummings was among the the early settlers of the county. To Mr. Jolly's marriage
five children were born: Samuel E., Katie Sliza, Lee A., Georgia Beulah and
Julius H. He enlisted in 1862 in Company A, McNeil's Regiment, of the
Confederate Army, participating in the engagements of Jenkin's Ferry, Helena,
Little Rock, Mansfield and Prairie Grove. At the battle of Helena he received a
wound, but which did not prove serious. He surrendered at Marshall, Texas, and
returned to his home, resuming his occupation of farming, and accepting the
results of the war, as a final adjustment of the difficulties between North and
South, Mr. Jolly cheerfully turned his attention to the recovery of his lost
fortune, though his entire stock in trade consisted of $1. 25, which he obtained
from a Yankee in exchange for Confederate money. His success was swift and sure,
and in 1868 he located on his present farm, numbering 125 acres, cleared and in
a fine state of cultivation. A beautiful residence with all the modern
improvements, gives evidence of his spirit of progress and prosperity. He is a
member of the Masonic order, and a Knight of Honor, a Democrat in his political
views, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jolly
contributes most generously to all public movements, and is one of the
representative men of the county, commanding respect of the entire community. 

Goodspeed Memoirs and Biograhies-1890