Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Capt. Lewis Puckett

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        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE:  Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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Capt. Lewis Puckett is a worthy farmer of Benton County, Ark., and was born in Sheloy County,
Ill., in 1835, being a son of Elihu and Rebecca (Wilks) Puckett, the former of whom was born in
North Carolina in 1809. He was a farmer by occupation, and from his boyhood up to the time of his
death, in 1861, led a quiet and uneventful life. Lewis Puckett was educated in Indiana, and made
his parents house his home until his marriage with Miss Eliza. J. Zink, which event took place in
1853. The following four children were born to his union with Miss Zink: Elihu Richard, Rebecca,
Malissa J. and James. L. The mother of these children died in 1863. In 1862 Mr. Puckett was only
twelve days in mustering a company at Terre Haute, and was elected captain of the same, but,
after serving until 1864, resigned his commission. He was wounded at Thompson's Station, Tenn.,
and was there taken prisoner on the 5th of March, 1863, and was sent to Springhill and from one
place to another, until he finally arrived at Libby Prison and was in that hole long enough to
learn how long a person could be on the brink of starvation and still live. At the close of the
war he returned to his home in Indiana, and opened a store in Clay County, but sold out in 1868
and moved to Illinois, finally locating in Montgomery County, where he was engaged in the hotel
business until 1875. At that date he returned to Indiana and began the practice of law in Clay
and Sullivan Counties, continuing until 1881, when he concluded to try his fortune a little
farther west, and came to Arkansas, where he met and married Mrs. Mary P. Sticley, and settled
down to farming. He owns an interest in several mines, which, when fully developed, will be of
considerable value. He is a member of the G. A. R. and the Masons and I. O. O. F., and he and
wife are members of the Christian Church.