JOSEPH M. HENLEY is one of the most prominent, enterprising and progressive tillers of the soil in Buckhorn Township, and his residence on Gobler Flat. He was born in Franklin County, Ga., in 1847, but his father, John S. Henley, was born in Washington County, Tennessee He was a minister of the Methodist Church and preached the gospel in his native State, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina until his death in 1865, at about the age of seventy years. He supported the principles of the Democrat party throughout life, and at two different times represented Rabun County, Ga., in the State Legislature During the Civil War he was a Union man. He was well educated, mainly by his own efforts, and by trade was a cabinet maker. He sold goods in North Carolina and Georgia, and was shrewd and successful in the conduct of his affairs, but was always generous in the use of his means, and being sympathetic, kind-hearted and charitable, no one ever left his house hungry nor in sore want. He was married three times: first to Mary Syller, then to Mary E. Patton, and afterward to Minerva Mclntire, the last mentioned being the mother of the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Henly now says he received his education in the Confederate Army, for he entered the service when he was but fifteen years old, becoming a member of the Fourteenth Georgia Infantry. On account of disability he was discharged from active service, and was then on detail at Athens, Ga., from December, 1864, until the surrender. He was at Atlanta during the siege of that place, and was a participant in a number of other important engagements. After the death of his father the family moved to Pontotoc County, Miss., after which Joseph M. cared for his mother and the other members of the family until her death. In 1868 he came to Arkansas and located in what is now Baxter County, near Mountain Home, but at that time there was no such town. About eight years ago he located in the woods on Gobler Flats, where he purchased a 140-acre tract of land, which was then totally unimproved, but by the exercise of brain and brawn and the assistance of his family he has been successful, and is now in good circumstances financially.
He was married August 25, 1869, to Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins, a daughter of John K. Young. She was born in Tennessee in 1844, and has borne Mr. Henley four sons and one daughter: David H., Thomas, Joseph W., Mary M. and Robert Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Henley are members of the Christian Church, and are highly esteemed and substantial citizens of Buckhorn Township.