Biography of Thomas Jefferson Withers, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 14 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Transcribed by Lisa Hamilton from 
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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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Thomas Jefferson Withers came to this county with his father at the age of five
years, and remained on the home farm until the father's death, which occurred in
1876. He then purchased a tract of land and commenced farming for himself, also
being engaged in teaching school for three years. In 1881 Miss Mary E. Ratton
became his wife. She was a daughter of William Ratton, of Kentucky nativity, and
is now the mother of one son, Clarence W. Mr. Withers was born in Kentucky,
March 26, 1862, as the son of Thomas Upton Withers, who was engaged in farming
in the Blue Grass State (Kentucky), and after moving here was occupied in
furnishing the Mississippi steamers with wood. At this calling he was making a
good income, until 1858, when, during the high water he lost several hundred
cords of wood, which financially crippled him. He then came to St. Francis
County, where he resided until his death in 1867, at the age of fifty-nine. His
wife, who was born here, survived him eleven years. Mr. Withers owns a farm of
185 acres, of which over 100 acres are under cultivation. He is engaged in stock
raising principally, and is one of the most successful farmers in Griggs
Township, although a young man not yet twenty-eight years of age. He is also a
leading Democrat, and having served three years as justice of the peace, and at
this time holds the office of school director, and supervisor of roads of his
township, being a prominent member of the County Wheel. Mrs. Withers belongs to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.