Newton County AR

Biography of Hon. James H. Murphy

HON. JAMES H. MURPHY. In scanning the lives and enterprises of the citizens of Newton County, it is interesting to note the exercise of enterprise in every walk of life. James H. Murphy, one of the prominent farmers and stockraisers of Jackson Township, Newton County, Arkansas, is a native of Madison County, Arkansas, born in 1840, to the union of John J. and Perlinda (Davis) Murphy, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in Giles County about 1813, and the mother in Maury County in 181I. When quite young the father went to Johnson County, Illinois, where he met and … Read more

Biography of Capt. A. R. McPherson

CAPT. A. R. MCPHERSON. This worthy gentleman and old pioneer of Newton County, Arkansas, comes of fine old Virginia stock, although he, himself, was born in the State of Alabama, August 17, 1830, the seventh of eleven children born to the marriage of Reuben McPherson and Elizabeth Rash. The father was one of the early pioneers of Tennessee and took part in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, with whom he participated in the battle of New Orleans. After the war he was married in Tennessee and moved with his young wife to Jackson County, Ala., where he was … Read more

Biography of Alexander Campbell McCutcheon

ALEX. CAMPBELL McCUTCHEON. Our subject, is an energetic and enlightened farmer and stockraiser of Newton County, Arkansas, and one whose career thus far has been of gratifying success. He is a native of Tennessee, and although that State has produced many excellent citizens, she has contributed to Arkansas none more highly respected than Mr. McCutcheon, who has been a resident of the latter State many years. He is one of the leading farmers of his section and has followed that calling since his earliest boy-hood, being initiated into its mysteries by his father, E. Norris McCutcheon. The latter was a … Read more

Biography of James S. Hudson

JAMES S. HUDSON. This gentleman is one of the substantial residents of Newton County, Arkansas, and is also one of the pioneers of the same, for he has resided here since his birth, which occurred on February 4, 1857. His uncle, Samuel Hudson, was the first white settler of the county, having come to this region in 1830, and his brother, Andrew Hudson, the father of James S., came here in 1835 from his native county of Jackson,Tennessee, where he was born in 1818. He settled on a farm about three miles west of where Jasper now is on Little … Read more

Biography of Anthony Casey

ANTHONY CASEY. Anthony Casey is one of those men who faithfully served his country during the troublesome times of war and is now a prominent, law-abiding, public-spirited and patriotic citizen. He is a product of Tennessee, born in Morgan County, in 1826, and remained in that State until about eight years of age, when he came with his parents, Jesse and Martha (Coe) Casey, to Franklin County, Missouri About two years later the parents came to Johnson County, Arkansas, where they resided about five years and then moved to Newton County, making their home at the head of the Hudson … Read more

Biography of John A. Bunch

JOHN A. BUNCH. This gentleman is the receiver of public moneys in the Government Land Office at Harrison, Arkansas, and is a native of this State, born in Newton County, September 15, 1860, a son of Capt. Larkin and Eliza (Maxwell) Bunch, the former of whom was born in Overton County, Tennessee, a son of Nathaniel Bunch, who came to Arkansas in 1840, and made a home for himself and family in the northwest corner of Newton County, being one of the first to settle in that region. He also was a native of Tennessee, and was a soldier in … Read more

Biography of Joseph B. Moss

JOSEPH B. MOSS. This wide-awake merchant of Jasper, Newton County, Arkansas, has been successful in the conduct of his affairs from a pecuniary stand-point, and is a liberal, generous and high-minded gentlemen, whose correct mode of living has gathered about him a large circle of friends and well wishers. He was born in Georgia, August 8, 1849, and in the section where he was born, was reared and educated, although he was for some time an attendant of the schools of Tennessee. He was brought up on his father’s farm, and when the great strife between the North and South … Read more

Biography of William C. Hale

WILLIAM C. HALE. Among the native Tennesseeans who have done good, stalwart work in the cultivation and development of Newton County, Arkansas, we may well mention the name just given, for he has resided here ever since the war and has labored early and late to provide a home for himself and family. He is well known to the citizens of his section and his correct mode of living has gained him a popularity which is merited in every respect. By his energetic and well-directed efforts he is now possessed of a competence which is all that can be desired. … Read more

Biography of Kelsey Gillmore

KELSEY GILLMORE. Kelsey Gillmore has been a resident of Newton County all his life, his birth occurring here in 1834, has identified himself with the interests of his section, has won numerous friends, and has built up a reputation for honesty and fair dealing that is in every way merited. His father, Levi Gillmore, was a native Vermonter, and in that State grew to mature years and secured a fair education. When a young man he started West, and stopped in the Hoosier State, where he met and married Miss Sallie Lindsey. Later he removed to Missouri, where he followed … Read more

Biography of William Harrison Cecil

WILLIAM HARRISON CECIL, is a dry goods merchant in Harrison, Arkansas (July 9, 1894), and was born in Newton County, Arkansas, on July 9, 1854. His parents were Riley and Sarah J. (Harrison) Cecil, the former born in Arkansas July IO, 1829, the latter in Tennessee, April 11, 1835. Riley was a son of Solomon Cecil, who was born in Tennessee in 1786, and who was married to Sally Hatfield, in Tennessee, in 1814. There were born to them seven sons and two daughters, Riley being the fifth child. Two sons and one daughter are now living in Visalia, Cal. … Read more

Biography of Col. J. N. Coffey

COL. J. N. COFFEY. This worthy old pioneer deserves the most honorable mention within the pages of this volume, for he has ever been a representative of the honorable, industrious and law-abiding class and has done his full share in helping to make Arkansas one of the most favored States in the Union. He was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, April 15, 1819, a son of John and Margaret (Boskin ) Coffey, both of whom were born in South Carolina, the birth of the former occurring in Lancaster District. It is supposed that three brothers of the Coffey family came … Read more

Biography of William H. Cecil

WILLIAM H. CECIL. The calling of the merchant is one of the most hon-orable lines of industry, and one of its most worthy exponents at Harrison is William H. Cecil, who is a native of Jasper, Newton County, Arkansas, where he first saw the light of day July 9, 1854. His parents, Riley and Sarah (Harrison) Cecil, were born in Tennessee, and the former was a son of William Cecil, who became a resident of Newton County, Arkansas, during the early history of the county and settled on what is called the Cecil Fork of the Buffalo River. There the … Read more

Biography of James Martin

JAMES MARTIN. Industry, uprightness and intelligence are characteristics which will advance the interests of any man, and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of the gentleman whose name heads this article, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the county. James Martin was born in 1835, in Tennessee, of which State his parents, William and Leatha (Hart) Martin, were natives. Both were born in the year 1812, the former in Warren and the latter in Bedford County. The parents were married in their native State, and about 1843 moved with … Read more

Biography of James Wiley Salmon

JAMES WILEY SALMON. The following is a brief sketch of the career of James Wiley Salmon, a man whose present substantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and the facts connected with his agricultural and stockraising operations, and their results, only show what a person with courage and enlightened views can accomplish. He was born February 7, 1826, in Hickman County, Tennessee, and was a son of James and Nancy (Storey) Salmon, natives of Scotland and Edgecombe County, N. C., respectively. It is thought that James Salmon came to the United States when quite young, … Read more

Biography of Elihu C. Beckham

ELIHU C. BECKHAM. The requirements necessary for the successful filling of the office of assessor are accuracy, faithfulness and energy, and all these requirements are possessed by Mr. Beckham, who is universally pronounced to be one of the most capable assessors Stone County has ever had. He was born in Hardin County, near the Wayne County, Tennessee, line, July 13, 1840, a son of Joshua M. and Catherine (Hinkle) Beckman, the former of whom was born in Orange County, N. C., May 14, 1816, and died in Stone County, Arkansas, February 3, 1888. The mother was born in Alabama, December … Read more

Biography of Lemuel R. Jones

LEMUEL R. JONES. Among the most esteemed and respected citizens of the town of Western Grove there is not one who has been a more faithful soldier, a more pleasant or agreeable member of society, or a more thorough and sagacious business man than Lemuel R. Jones, who is now notary public and postmaster at that place. His life of industry and usefulness, and his record for honesty and uprightness have given him a hold upon the community which all might well desire to share. He is a native of the State of Missouri, born in St. Francois County, February … Read more

Biography of F. S. Baker

F. S. BAKER. This gentleman has been one of the wide-awake and enterprising citizens of Harrison, Arkansas, since 1873, but first saw the light of day in Smith County, Virginia, May 22, 1842, a son of Andrew and Mary (Hash) Baker, who were also Virginians. They came with their family to Fulton County, Arkansas, and there the father was successfully engaged in farming and merchandising up to the breaking out of the great Civil War, and they then moved to Jasper, Newton County. In 1862 the father enlisted as a lieutenant in the Confederate service, with which he served until … Read more

Biography of Hon. M. T. Brisco

In reviewing the various professional interests of Newton County, Arkansas, the name of M. T. Brisco cannot be ignored, for he is one of her most successful legal lights. Although it is a known fact that, given the ordinary average education and good judgment, any man may make a success in the avenues of trade, yet in the profession of law he must be endowed with superior intelligence and have gone through years of careful study and training to be able to cope with the brilliant minds which do honor to the bench and bar. Mr. Brisco is a gentleman … Read more

Biography of Col. John J. Kemp

COL. JOHN J. KEMP, deceased. The influence of a good man will be ever expanding with the lapse of time, and his deeds of charity and acts of kindness will live to commemorate his name and perpetuate his memory. It can be truly said that a good man has been gathered to his fathers, but his virtues live after him, and his name is everywhere mentioned with respect and honor. He was born in middle Tennessee August 6, 1818, and his death occurred May 31, 1893. His early education was obtained in the State of his birth, and having been … Read more

Biography of Anderson Carlton

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 … Read more