Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Luke L. Kantz

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Luke L. Kantz, one of the most enterprising, wide-awake farmers of the 
county, was born January 22, 1845, in McMinn County, Tenn., and is one 
of five children, three sons and two daughters, born to Frederick A. 
and Amanda E. (Dill) Kantz. The father was born in Carlisle, Penn., in 
1812, was a manufacturer of buggies by occupation, and was also a 
trader in live stock. He was a Whig at one time, but afterward became 
a Democrat. He assisted in moving the Indians westward, and was a 
prominent and successful man. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and died in 1867, in McMinn County, Tenn., where he 
had moved the year after his marriage. His father was a native of 
France, and came to America when a young man. He married Miss Margaret 
A. Dunbar, a Scotch lady, and they were the parents of two children, 
Frederick A. being the only son. Mrs. Amanda E. (Dill) Kantz, mother 
of Luke L., was a native of Gettysburg, born June 24, 1818. Three 
years after the death of her husband Mrs. Kantz moved to Washington 
County, Ark., where she still lives, and is a worthy member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Her son, Luke L., received his literary 
education in Hiawassee College, and in 1863 he enlisted in Company G, 
Forty-third Tennessee Infantry (Confederate States Army), and served 
throughout the entire war. He was in the battles of Baker's Creek and 
Big Black River, and was among those captured at Vicksburg. After 
returning from the war he began the study of law, and was admitted to 
the bar at Athens, Tenn., in 1866. He practiced a short time at 
Kingston, and in 1867 moved to Washington County, Ark., where, the 
practice being scarce, he taught school for some time, but later 
engaged in farming, which he has since continued. In 1870 he married 
Miss Martha J. Skillern, a native of East Tennessee. born August 5, 
1846, and five children were the result of this union: Mary, Martha 
V., Frederick S., Willie D. and Nellie W. Mrs. Kantz died May 23, 
1886. Mr. Kantz is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, as was also his wife. He is the owner of 200 acres of land, 125 
being under cultivation.