Benton Co., AR - Biographies - John G. Heath

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John G. Heath (deceased) was a farmer three-fourths of a mile from 
Siloam [p.846] Springs, Hico Township, and was born in Cable County, 
W. Va., February 14, 1829, a son of Richard B. and Sarah (Jordan) 
Heath. The father was a native Virginian, born in 1803, and his 
father, Israel Heath, was of English descent, his mother of Scotch-
Irish. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Richard H. Heath 
was reared and educated in the common schools of Virginia, and was 
married in 1823 to Miss Sarah Jordan. He dealt in stock until 1836, 
when he moved with his family to Warsaw, Benton Co., Mo. After 
remaining in this county for about four years he moved to Dade County, 
where he engaged in merchandising and farming. He lived here for about 
three years, and then moved to Red River County, Tex. At the end of 
one year he left here, and made his home in Cass County, where he 
remained eleven years engaged in farming. In 1853 he removed to Hill 
County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1873. His 
wife was born about 1808 in Virginia, and her parents were also native 
Virginians. Mrs. Heath died in 1875. They were the parents of thirteen 
children: James (deceased), America, John G. (deceased), Webster, 
Frederick, Spencer, Daniel, George W., Thomas, Peter (deceased), 
Fannie (deceased), Mattie (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased). John G. 
Heath, the subject of this sketch, lived on a farm in Virginia until 
eight years old, and in 1850 went to California, where he remained 
three years. In 1854 he married Miss Sarah Kilgore, who was born in 
Virginia in 1839, her parents being natives of the same State. To them 
were born six children: Walter (a farmer), Ada (wife of J. E. Porter, 
a farmer), Alice (wife of J. T. Gunter), an infant that died unnamed, 
William Henry and Jennie. In 1856 Mr. Heath moved to Bosque County, 
Tex., and in 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate service, and remained 
until the close of hostilities. He was stationed on the frontier of 
Texas, under command of Capt. Whiteside, Col. McCord's regiment. In 
1866 he removed with his family to Benton County, Ark., where he 
resided up to his decease, which occurred at 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon of November 15, 1888, caused by Bright's disease and 
consumption. There were but four or five families on Lindsay's Prairie 
when he first came to this county. Mr. Heath was the owner of 420 
acres of land, besides town property in Siloam Springs. In politics he 
was a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He 
was a prominent and influential citizen, and was interested in 
everything pertaining to the development and prosperity of his section 
of the county and State.