Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas is a late nineteenth-century reference work intended to preserve both the general history of the state and the personal histories of its leading citizens. Published in 1891 by The Southern Publishing Company, the volume reflects a common post–Civil War effort to record settlement, development, and public life before the passing of the pioneer generation. It brings together historical narrative, statistical description, and biographical sketches in a single compilation designed for long-term reference.
The opening chapters present a condensed history of Arkansas, addressing geology, archaeology, exploration, territorial development, political organization, education, religion, law, public institutions, and the state’s experience in war and reconstruction. These chapters provide the broader context necessary to understand local and individual histories, while also reflecting the interpretations and priorities of the period in which the book was produced.
The latter portion of the volume is devoted to detailed county histories and biographies of Johnson, Logan, Montgomery, Polk, Pope, Scott and Yell counties. Each county section combines physical description, settlement history, economic development, public offices, courts, churches, schools, towns, and military service, followed by numerous biographical sketches of residents who were regarded as representative or influential. Together, these sections make the book a valuable snapshot of western Arkansas society in the late nineteenth century and a useful source for historical and genealogical research.
Contents
CHAPTER I.
Geology.
Importance of Geologic Study. Area and Climate. Boundaries. Principal Streams of the State. The Mountain Systems. The Great Springs. Diversity of Soils. Caves. The Mines, Their Wonderful Deposits and Formations.
Page 9–18
CHAPTER II.
Archaeology.
Remains of Flint Arrow and Spearheads, and Stone and Other Ornaments. Evidences of Prehistoric Peoples along the Mississippi. Mounds in Other Portions of the State. Local Archaeologists and Their Work. The Indians. Tribal and Race Characteristics. The Arkansas Tribes. The Cession Treaties. The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws. An Indian Alarm. Assassination of Leaders, etc.
Page 19–23
CHAPTER III.
Discovery and Settlement.
De Soto in Arkansas. Marquette and Joliet. La Salle, Hennepin, and Tonti. French and English Schemes of Conquest and Dreams of Power. Louisiana. The “Bubble” of John Law. The Early Viceroys and Governors. Proprietary Change of Louisiana. French and Spanish Settlers in Arkansas. English Settlers. First Settlers in the Counties. The New Madrid Earthquake. Other Items of Interest.
Page 24–34
CHAPTER IV.
Organization.
The Viceroys and Governors. The Attitude of the Royal Owners of Louisiana. The District Divided. The Territory of Arkansas Formed from the Territory of Missouri. The Territorial Government. The First Legislature. The Seat of Government. Other Legislative Bodies. The Duello. Arkansas Admitted to Statehood. The Constitutional Conventions. The Memorable Reconstruction Period. Legislative Attitude on the Question of Secession. The War of the Governors, etc.
Page 34–44
CHAPTER V.
Advancement of the State.
Misconceptions Removed. Effects of Slavery upon Agriculture. Extraordinary Improvements Since the War. Important Suggestions. Comparative Estimate of Products. Growth of Manufacturing Interests. The Wonderful Showing of Arkansas. Its Desirability as a Place of Residence. State Elevations.
Page 45–52
CHAPTER VI.
Politics.
Importance of the Subject. The Two Old Schools of Politicians. Triumph of the Jacksonians. Early Prominent State Politicians. The Great Question of Secession. The State Votes to Join the Confederacy. Horrors of the War Period. Reconstruction Distress. The Baxter-Brooks Imbroglio.
Page 52–55
CHAPTER VII.
Societies and State Institutions.
The Ku Klux Klan. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. Grand Army of the Republic. Bureau of Mines. Arkansas Agricultural Associations. State Horticultural Society. The Wheel. The State Capital. The Capitol Building. State Libraries. State Medical Society. State Board of Health. Deaf Mute Institute. School for the Blind. Arkansas Lunatic Asylum. Arkansas Industrial University. The State Debt.
Page 56–64
CHAPTER VIII.
The Bench and Bar.
An Analytic View of the Legal Profession. Spanish and French Laws. English Common Law. The Legal Circuit Riders. Territorial Law and Lawyers. The Court Circuits. Early Court Officers. The Supreme Court. Prominent Members of the State Bench and Bar. The Standard of the Execution of Law in the State.
Page 65–73
CHAPTER IX.
The Late Civil War.
An Analytic View of the Troublous Times. Passage of the Ordinance of Secession. The Call to Arms. The First Troops to Take the Field. Invasion of the State by the Federal Army. Sketch of the Regiments. Names of Officers. Outline of Field Operations. Cleburne and Tull. Extracts from Private Memoranda. Evacuation of the State. Reoccupation. The War of 1812. The Mexican War. Standard of American Generalship.
Page 73–81
CHAPTER X.
Public Enterprises.
The Real Estate Bank of Arkansas. State Roads and Other Highways. The Military Roads. Navigation within the State from the Earliest Times to the Present. Decadence of State Navigation. Steamboat Racing. Accidents to Boats. The Rise and Growth of Railroad Systems. A Sketch of the Different Lines. Other Important Considerations.
Page 82–87
CHAPTER XI.
The Counties of the State.
Their Formation and Changes of Boundary Lines. County Seats and Other Items of Interest. Defunct Counties. New Counties. Population of All Counties at Each General Census.
Page 87–92
CHAPTER XII.
Education.
The Mental Type Considered. Territorial Schools, Laws, and Funds. Constitutional Provisions for Education. Legislative Provisions. Progress Since the War. The State Superintendents. Statistics. Arkansas Literature. The Arkansaw Traveler.
Page 93–97
CHAPTER XIII.
The Churches of Arkansas.
Appearance of the Missionaries. Church Missions Established in the Wilderness. Leading Protestant Denominations. Ecclesiastical Statistics. General Outlook from a Religious Standpoint.
Page 98–101
CHAPTER XIV.
Names Illustrious in Arkansas History.
Prominent Mention of Noted Individuals. Ambrose H. Sevier. William E. Woodruff. John Wilson. John Hemphill. Jacob Barkman. Dr. Bowie. Sandy Faulkner. Samuel H. Hempstead. Trent, Williams, and Shinn Families. The Conways. Robert Crittenden. Archibald Yell. Judge David Walker. Gen. G. D. Royston. Judge James W. Bates.
Page 102–113
CHAPTER XV.
Yell County.
Its Situation and Natural Advantages. Streams, Lands, and Surface. Agricultural Products. Timber and Minerals. Mountains and Springs. Origin of the Name Dardanelle. The Cherokee Agency. Pioneer Settlers and Indian Neighbors. Land Entries Prior to 1845. Early Mills and Cotton Gins. County Organization. Temporary and Permanent Seats of Justice. County Buildings. County Officers, 1840–1890. Bench and Bar. Congressional and Legislative Representation. The County Press. Yell County in the War. A Record of Deaths. Federal Soldiers. Church History. Public and Academic Educational Institutions. Towns. Biographical.
Page 113–192
CHAPTER XVI.
Pope County.
Situation, Boundaries, Resources, and Prospects. Timber and Streams. Agricultural Products and Minerals. Political Townships and Area. County Organization. Seats of Justice. County Buildings. Civil List. Judges, Clerks, Sheriffs, Coroners, and Surveyors. Circuit Court Officers and Lawyers. Legislative and Constitutional Representation. County Politics. Dwight Mission and Cherokee Settlement. Early Settlement. Land Entries Prior to 1845. Educational History and Statistics. Railways. Incorporated Towns, Villages, and Post Offices. Old Norristown and Other Early Points. Churches. War and Reconstruction. The Press.
Page 193–271
CHAPTER XVII.
Johnson County.
Boundaries, Topography, Lands, and Resources. Coal Region. Land Entries and Early Settlement. Education and Ecclesiastical History. County Organization. Seat of Justice and Public Buildings. Political Townships. County Officers. Legislative Representation. Fifth Judicial Circuit and County Bar. Notaries Public. Congressional Representation. Railway History. Towns, Villages, and Post Offices. Military History. Militia, Mexican War, and Civil War. County Press. Johnson County Pomological Society.
Page 272–321
CHAPTER XVIII.
Logan County.
Location and Area. Lands and Topography. Mountains and Streams. Derivation of Names. Timber and Minerals. Agriculture, Horticulture, Grapes, and Native Wines. Paris Nursery. Livestock. Transportation. Settlement. De Soto’s Expedition. Mounds and Early Conflicts. Early Settlers. Ancient Graves. County Organization and Boundary Lines. County Seats. Courthouse Fires and Buildings. Change of Name from Sarber to Logan. County Officers. Political Aspect and Election Returns. Circuit Court and Legal Bar. Criminal Executions. Civil War Events. Towns and Post Offices. Press. Education. Christianity. Views from Short Mountain.
Page 322–383
CHAPTER XIX.
Scott County.
Physical Description. Boundaries, Mountain Ranges, Streams, Area, and Elevation. Soil Character and Analysis. Valleys and Land Values. Temperature. Coal Fields, Thickness, Quality, and Quantity. Stone, Gold, and Other Minerals. Gas and Oil Prospects. Lumber Resources. County Organization and Seat. Fires. Congressional Districts. Townships. County Officers. Judicial Circuits. Squatters and Pioneers. Game and Wild Fruits. Early Settlers. Education and School Finances. Churches and Sunday Schools. Post Offices. Towns and Villages. Societies. Railway Prospects. Local Newspapers. Military Record.
Page 384–433
CHAPTER XX.
Polk County.
Location and Boundary. Topography, Streams, Springs, and Water Supply. Timber and Soil. Farm Products. Public Lands. Minerals, including Gold, Silver, and Manganese. Horticulture and Vineyards. Native Wine. Livestock. Climate. Proposed Railroads. Taxable Wealth. Wildlife. Settlement and Pioneer Life. First Mills and Cabins. County Organization and Seat. Public Buildings. County Officers. Election Returns. Population. Circuit Court and Legal Bar. Civil War. Dallas and Other Towns. Dallas High School. Educational Facilities. Religious Denominations.
Page 434–465
CHAPTER XXI.
Montgomery County.
Location, Boundary, Area, Resources, and Productions. Soil and Streams. Freestone and Mineral Springs. Water Power. Timber and Minerals. Livestock Raising. Statistics. Fruit Growing. Grapes and Wine. Diversified Farming. Settlement and Early Settlers. Slavery. Public Lands. First Tax Book. Present Taxable Wealth. County Organization and Early Records. County Seat and Townships. Boundary Lines. County Buildings. County Officers. Political Status and Election Returns. Population. Circuit Court and Early Sessions. Grand and Petit Juries. Civil War Period. Towns. Schools. Religious Denominations.
Page 466–497
Source
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned and numerous Biographical Sketches of the Citizens of such Counties; Chicago & Nashville: The Southern Publishing Company, 1891.