WILLIAM C. MCENTIRE. This substantial citizen owes his nativity to the Old North State, where he was born February 5, 1838, a son of Champion and Sarah (Waters) McEntire, both of whom were born in North Carolina in 1806, and on January 10, 1846, landed in Yellville, Arkansas, in which place they lived for one year prior to moving to Bruno. They purchased a claim near this place, and here made their home until the father’s death, March 2, 1879. He was a Union sympathizer during the war, and at that time was a resident in Greene County, Missouri After the war he returned to Arkansas, and prior to his death became the owner of an excellent farm of 238 acres, and was well and favorably known throughout northern Arkansas. He was a public-spirited citizen, and was a member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife who died May 2, 1888. Their children were as follows: John, who died at Salt Lake City many years ago; James was killed while with Price on his Missouri raid; Lawson was killed in the Mountain Meadow Massacre; William C., the subject of this sketch; Joseph, who died in 1873, was a farmer of this county and was a soldier in the Union Army; Rachel D. is the wife of Dr. Elam; and Arch, who is living in this county. The maternal grandfather, John Waters, was a Revolutionary soldier.
William C. McEntire came from North Carolina to Arkansas, with his parents, in a wagon, the journey thither occupying about three months. He received a fair education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years enlisted in Company 1, Twelfth Texas Cavalry, with which he served faithfully and well for four years, taking part in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, and was with Gen. Banks on his raid of twenty-eight days in Louisiana. He served as corporal part of the time, and after the war located in Williamson County, Tex. He remained there but a short time, when he came to Marion County, Arkansas, and in 1871 was married to Miss Sarah A. Cash, whose parents were Newton and Lee Ann (Mays) Cash, the latter of whom was called from life when her daughter, Sarah A., was quite small. The father is living in Searcy County. Mrs. McEntire was born in that county March 19, 1854, and she and Mr. McEntire have a family of eight children: Pat O., Sarah A., Thomas, James, Lorenzo, William L., George M. and Turner. Mr. McEntire has a fine farm of 160 acres, on a portion of which the town of Bruno is located, and he has done much to build up and improve the place. He has a good mill and cotton gin there, is active and wide awake, and has succeeded in accumulating a good property. He is a man of good business ability, a substantial and worthy citizen, and his friends are numerous. He has always been a Democrat.