WILLIAM R. BROOKSHER, SR. It is with true interest that the biographer takes up his pen to write of the Brooksher, family, one of the prominent ones of the county, and one of its members, W. R. Brooksher, Sr., who is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. This representative citizen was born in South Carolina April 16, 1829, a son of Samuel and Nancy (Wilson) Brooksher, both of whom were born in South Carolina , and grandson of S. Brooksher, who was a soldier of the Revolution.
The family was founded in this country by Surft Brooksher, who came from Germany in an early day, and located in South Carolina, where he spent the rest of his days. The maternal grandfather, Vincent Wilson, moved from near Rockbridge, Virginia, to South Carolina, finally to Georgia, and passed from life in that State. Samuel and Nancy Brooksher moved to Georgia from the Palmetto State, and in that State the mother passed from life. In 1882 the father came to Marion County, Arkansas, and was here called from life four years later. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Rachel C., William R., Lucinda, Washington B., Mary and Ann. William R. and Washington B. were soldiers of the Civil War, and the latter is now residing in Georgia.
William R. Brooksher came to Marion County, Arkansas, in 1869, and located on the farm of 200 acres on which he is now residing, which he has since been successfully engaged in tilling, and on which he has given considerable attention to the raising of stock. He was married to Miss Hester B. Hefner, a daughter of Levi and Lavica (Jones) Hefner, who were Georgians, in which State Mrs. Brooksher first saw the light in 1836. Her union with Mr. Brooksher has resulted in the birth of the following children: Leonidas B., a farmer; Ella, widow of Worth Johnson; Edith, wife of J. J. Briggs; William R., Jr., the Doctor; Thomas D.; Samuel L.; Mollie; Ola; and Loula. Washington, Brazille and Felton are dead. Mr. Brooksher and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a member of Yellville Lodge of the A. F. & A. M. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Fourth Georgia Cavalry, and served three years, participating in many bloody engagements, and although the blanket which he carried was pierced by four bullets, he was uninjured during his service. Mr. Brooksher is a substantial citizen and public-spirited gentleman, and has done much to make Marion County the prosperous agricultural region that it is.
