ANDERSON CARLTON. A lifetime of hard earnest endeavor in pursuing the occupation to which he now gives his attention, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose and liberality in all directions, has resulted in placing Anderson Carlton among the truly respected and honored agriculturists and stockmen of Newton County. Like other representative men of the county he is a native of North Carolina, born in Wilkes County in 1825. His parents, Alfred and Polly (Ellison) Carlton, were also natives of Wilkes County, N. C., the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1806. This worthy couple celebrated their nuptials in 1825, and when our subject was about three years of age they removed to Marion County, Tennessee, where they made their home until 1852. From there they came by ox team to Newton County, Arkansas, being about seven weeks on the road, and located on Hudson Fork of Buffalo, where our subject now lives. They improved a small farm, but subsequently removed to Boston Mt. where they resided for a number of years. Their last days were spent among their children, the father dying in 1874, and the mother in 1885. Both were regular Baptists and worthy citizens. For some time before the war the father was internal revenue collector for Newton County, and although a Union man he took no active part in the Rebellion, treating all soldiers alike, and was well and favorably known. He was one of the pioneers of the county, the same being very sparsely settled, and worked early and late to subdue the wilderness. He was one of eight sons and four daughters born to Lewis Carlton, also a native of Wilkes County, N. C. At an early day the latter moved to Tennessee and there passed away after the war, when quite an aged man. He was a blacksmith by trade and of English parents, who came to America in 1660 and settled in New Jersey. Our subject’s maternal grand-father, Hayden Ellison, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but came to America in early life and died in east Tennessee when quite aged. He was a weaver by trade.
Our subject was eldest in order of birth of the following children: William Curtis of this county, was a soldier in the Federal Army; John, of Boone County, was also in the Union Army; Lowrey, of this county, was in the army; Lewis died at Corinth, Miss., during the war; James was a Confedate soldier from Texas; George, of Texas, was under Gen. Lee all through the war; Marion, of this county, was in the Union Army; Eliza is the wife of Capt. A. R. McPherson; Mary wife of Robert Bowen of this county, and Elizabeth wife of Cimber Thomas, of Newton County. Our subject grew to mature years with limited educational advantages, and learned his letters from his brother-in-law, Capt. McPherson, after he came to Arkansas. Before coming to this State he was married in Tennessee, in 1848, to Miss Nancy Hicks, a native of Marion County, Tennessee, born in 1836, and the daughter of Bird Hicks. Five children were given them: James, deceased, left a family; Joseph a farmer of this county; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Wm. U. Casey; Hon. Wm. A. a teacher, was in the Legislature in 1890 and 1891; and George, a farmer of this county. The mother of these children died in 1865, and in 1867.
Mr. Carlton married Miss Sarah Murphy, a native of Madison County, Arkansas, and the daughter of John Murphy (see sketch). Seven children were born to this union: Prof. John F. a graduate from the University of Little Rock, and now a teacher at Jasper; Ida Belle, wife of Isaac Stapleton, of this county; Maryland, wife of L. J. Self, of Newton County; Dona, Lona, Samuel Wallace and Sherman. Since coming to this county our subject has resided in this neighborhood, and is one of the leading farmers of his section, owning 240 acres seven miles above Jasper. During the Rebellion he was a stanch Union man, but did not enlist, owing to disability. Mr. Carlton is one of there presentative men of the county, and has held a number of responsible positions. From 1888 to 1890 he was treasurer of the county, and it was through his efforts that the school funds were properly disposed of. Since then the schools have been in a flourishing condition and reflect much credit to his management. Mr. Carlton is a Royal Arch Mason, and politically, is a Republican, and a liberal supporter of his party. He is a member of one of the most prominent and numerous families of Newton County, and one of its most enterprising citizens.