Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Kenneth M. Head

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Kenneth M. Head, of Batie Township, Benton Co., Ark., and son of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Nix) Head, was born June 15, 1839, in Rutherford 
County, N. C. Joseph Head was also a native of the same county, and 
was a millwright, a carpenter and a cabinet-maker by trade. As a 
millwright he was considered by all as an expert, and although owning 
a farm in North Carolina, he left that for his sons to manage, and 
devoted his time to his trade. He built some of the most extensive 
grist and saw mills in that country. January 5, 1855, he moved to 
Arkansas. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Nix) Head, was also born in 
Rutherford County, N. C., was married in 1827, and became the mother 
of nine children, six now living: Anderson, of North Carolina; Kenneth 
M., Mrs. Hester Davis, Mrs. Maria Strain, Harvey M. and Joseph. Those 
deceased were named Amanda, Alphia and Baylis. Mr. Head, as before 
stated, moved to Arkansas in 1855, settled in Washington County, and 
there remained until 1862, when he was taken prisoner by the United 
States troops and sent to Springfield, where he died the same year. 
The mother continued to live on the old place until 1882, when she, 
too, passed away at the age of seventy-two. Philip Head, grandfather 
of Kenneth M., was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and there married 
Miss Mary Tanner, grandmother of Kenneth M. A remarkable incident is 
connected with the life of the grandmother. After her marriage and 
coming to North Carolina she pulled up a walnut sprout and set it out 
in the yard. Years passed by and it became a large tree. Two years 
before her death the tree was struck by lightning, and at her request 
was made into a coffin, in which she was buried two years later. She 
was then in her eighty-second year. The grandparents Nix were both of 
Irish descent, and the grandfather was ninety-two years of age when he 
died. Kenneth Head was but fourteen years of age when he left North 
Carolina for Arkansas, and received his entire education in the former 
State, never attending school after coming to Arkansas. They made the 
trip overland from North Carolina to Arkansas, and were two months and 
five days on the journey. They settled in Washington County, and began 
clearing a farm. The nearest church or school was five miles distant, 
consequently his educational advantages were rather meager. At the 
breaking out of the late war Mr. Head enlisted in Company K, Twenty-
second Arkansas Confederate troops, under Col. King, and during his 
service was in several battles: Prairie Grove, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry, 
and surrendered at Fort Smith. He returned home after the war and 
remained with his mother, being the whole support of the family until 
December, 13. 1868, when he married Miss Cannie Mullins, daughter of 
Leland and Millie Mullins, who were natives of Kentucky and South 
Carolina, respectively. Her father was fifteen years old before he had 
a hat. Cannie Mullins was born in Lawrence County, Mo., and moved to 
Madison County. Ark., where she married Mr. Head. To their union were 
born seven children, five now living: Fannie C., Sarah, Martha, Joseph 
and Walter. The two deceased were named Mary and Julia Cleveland. Mr. 
Head continued to live in Washington County, Ark., until about 1883, 
when he moved to Benton County, of the same State, here purchased a 
farm of 200 acres. 100 under cultivation, and here he has since made 
his home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Democrat 
in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Breckinridge, 
and his last for Grover Cleveland. Mrs. Head at heart is a Methodist, 
but still has never connected herself with any church, yet living a 
true Christian life. Mr. Head believes strongly in the Quaker faith.