Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas Copyright 1890 Published by The Goodspeed Publishing Co.; Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis Biographical Sketches O through R ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGenWeb NOTICE: Libraries and individual researchers may download this file for personal, non-commercial use only. Any other use requires written permission from the transcriber. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORY OF ARKANSAS. CHAPTER XXV CLEVELAND (FORMERLY DORSEY) COUNTY-DESCRIPTION-STATISTICS- ORGANIZATION-COUNTY SEAT AND BUILDINGS-SEAT OF JUSTICE-DIVISION INTO TOWNSHIPS-BOUNDARIES-CHANGES OF TOWN- SHIP LINES-LIST OF SUCCESSIVE COUNTY OFFICERS-CIRCUIT COURT-RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT-VILLAGES AND POST-OFFICES EARLY SETTLERS-TIIE CIVIL WAR-THE COUNTY PRESS -RAILROADS AND GENERAL PROGRESS- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Extremes of fortune are true wisdom's test, And he's of men most wise who bears them best.-Cumberland. Rev. John H. W. Overton was born in Henry County, Ga., and is a son of James and Rebecca (Hagler) Overton, the former of whom was born, reared and educated in South Carolina, his removal to the State of Georgia taking place after he had reached man's estate, and there he was married. His wife was brought up in Tennessee, but removed to Georgia with her people, where she met and married Mr. Overton. After the birth of the subject of this sketch they removed to Lafayette County, and after a residence of ten years there they settled in Marion County, Ala., where they made their home for four years. They then took up their abode in Carroll County, Miss., this being in the fall of 1848, and in October, 1849, they emigrated to Arkansas and settled on the farm on which the subject of this sketch is now living, which was then in Bradley (now Cleveland) County. Mr. Overton improved this farm greatly and remained on the same until September, 1860. when he passed to his long home at the age of sixty years. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812, was a Democrat in his political views. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in August, 1879, in her eighty-first year. Of a family of nine children born to them all lived to be grown, but only two are now living, the subject of this sketch and his sister, Mrs. Angeline J. Lemmons, of this county. Rev. John H. W. Overton was the seventh of the family, and his early education was secured while a resident of the State of Georgia, for after coming to Arkansas he had no further opportunities for improving himself. In 1851 he began farming for himself on the home farm, continuing until June, 1862, when he joined the Confederate army, but owing to ill health was sent home in November, 183, and resumed his farm work, a calling which has since received his attention. After his marriage, which occurred about 1854, he settled on the farm comprising 100 acres, where he now lives, the most of which is under cultivation, well improved with good buildings, a cotton-gin and saw-mill. In 1851 he became converted to Christianity, and soon after united with the Missionary Baptist Church, and in 1872 was ordained an elder in the same, since which time he has given a portion of his time to ministerial work. He was married to Miss Susan W. Wharton, a native of South Carolina and a daughter of James W. Wharton, who came to Arkansas in March, 1848, and settled in Jefferson County. The result of this union has been a family of ten children, six of whom are living, the mother and three of her children being members of the Missionary Baptist Church also. Mr. Overton is a member of the A. F. & A. 11T., and politically is a Jacksonian Democrat. Charles S. Reap is one of the prosperous general merchants of the county, and by superior management and many sterling business qualities he has built up a paying trade. He was born in Fairfield District, S. C., September 13, 186, and is a son of Jonas and Rachel (Gladney) Reap, who were born in North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively. About 1859 they removed to Drew County, Ark., and having learned the blacksmith's trade when a young man, he followed this occupation in connection with farming until he was killed, in 1834, when about fifty-five years of age. He was a Democrat, a member of the Seceder Church, and by his wife, who was born in 1818, and is still living, he became the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living: William (a farmer of Cleveland County), Edward (also a farmer of this county), Elizabeth (wife of J. T. Wilson, a farmer of the county), James (a farmer of Bradley County), John (a farmer of Drew County), Mary (wife of Squire Woodward, of Drew County), Dave (a stock-dealer of Drew County), Jack (a butcher, of Pine Bluff, Ark.), and Charles S. (who was the twelfth of the family). The latter spent his youthful days in Drew and Cleveland Counties, and when twenty-one years of age, began life for himself, being in the employ of Dr. D. H. Thomasson, but soon after began farming for himself, and in 1882 purchased a farm of his own, and since 1888 has conducted a mercantile establishment in connection with his farm work. All his property has been acquired through his own good management, as when be started for himself it was without means. He is a man of sound and original views, and gives every promise of becoming a wealthy citizen. January 11, 1883, be was married to Miss Melissa, a daughter of W. L. Ashcraft, a prominent citizen of Cleveland County. She was born in this county April 28, 1862, and has borne Mr. Reap a son, Leroy Earl. John William Reed is a leading citizen of Miller Township, Cleveland County, Ark., and was born in Randolph County, N. C., November 16, 1824, being a son of Raleigh and Charity (Phillips) Reed, both of whom were born in the Old North State, and died in Bradley County, Ark., in 1866 and 7869, aged sixty-six and sixty-three years, respectively. They were married in North Carolina, and there made their home until about 1828, when they moved to Henderson County, Tenn., and in 1850 came to Arkansas, and located in what was then Bradley (now Cleveland) County, and here resided until their respective deaths. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views he was first a Whig, and then became a Democrat. He was a farmer all his life, and reared his sons to this calling, and as such they now continue. John William Reed is the fourth of thirteen children, eight of whom are living, and the principal part of his schooling was received in the State of Tennessee. After reaching his majority he began working at the blacksmith's trade, continuing at it fifteen years, and worked at it for thirteen years after coming to the State of Arkansas. When the war broke out he lost all the property he had accumulated prior to that time, and during that time served as justice of the peace, and has since been magistrate, serving in all twenty-two years. He has been engaged exclusively in farming since the war, and is the owner of 230 acres of as good land as there is in the county. He has 100 acres under cultivation, all of which is the result of years of honest and persistent toil. In 1817 he was married to Martha Jane, the daughter of Isaac and Polly Teague. She was born in North Carolina in October, 1825, and has borne Mr. Reed five children: Minerva (widow of Clan Gibson, is residing in Cleveland County, Ark.), William T. (a farmer of the county), Emeline (wife of Andrew Clover, a farmer of the County), Susanna (wife of John Taylor), and Lewis. Two children, Millard and Mattie, are deceased. Mr. Reed and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views, and a member of the Agricultural Wheel. L. Norman Pinckard is another of the old and prominent residents of Red Land Township. Cleveland County, Ark., and was born in Heard County, Ga., March 10, 1835, and was one of eight children born to Thomas C. and Susan (Crane) Pinckard, who were born in Georgia, the mother dying when the subject of this sketch was a child. After her death the father married bliss Eliza Robertson, of Georgia, but he moved from that State to Randolph County, Ala., soon after, and in 1848 came to what is now Cleveland County, Ark. During the late Civil War he removed to the Lone Star State, and there died in 1884, when about seventy-eight years of age. When a young man he was first engaged in selling merchandise, but afterward turned his attention to farming, which occupation received his attention up to the time of his death. While in Heard County, Ga., he was a member of the State Legislature, and for a number of years prior to his death, drew a pension for services rendered in the War of 1812. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his second wife, who also died in Texas, being a member of that church. L. Norman Pinckard was the youngest child born to his father's first marriage, and received his education in the common schools of Arkansas. When twentyone years of age he commenced farming for himself and three years later began improving his present property, which now amounts to 700 acres, 150 of which are under cultivation. He was married December 10, 1856, to Miss Emily E. Crane, a daughter of Warren and Narcissus Crane. She was born in Beard County, Ga., December 18, 1832, and her union with Mr. Pinckard has resulted in the birth of three children: Thomas W., Norman B. (who is in the mercantile business at New Edinburg), and William H. (who died when about thirty-two years of age, December 20, 1888. ) He was a farmer of Tyler County, Texas. Mr. Pinckard, as well as his two sons, are Democrats, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In June, 1862, Mr. Pinckard enlisted in Col. Fagan's cavalry regiment and remained with it until the close of the war, participating during this time in many important engagements, those of the Price raid in Missouri being worthy of note. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Back Bone, and was kept in captivity at Fort Smith for about two months, after which be succeeded in effecting his escape and rejoined his command. John R. Reed, farmer and ginner, Randall, Ark. This enterprising and much respected citizen owes his nativity to De Soto County, Miss., where his birth occurred, in 1840, and is the son of Arthur G. Reed, and the grandson of James Reed, who was probably born in North Carolina, and who came to Arkansas about 1848. The latter was a soldier in the Florida War, and held the rank of lieutenant. He died in Lonoke County, Ark., where his wife also received her final summons. He was of Irish descent, and was a member of the A. F. & A. M. Arthur G. Reed was born in North Carolina, in 1804, and was married in Mississippi, in, 183, to Miss Elizabeth Robinson, a native of Alabama. They moved to Arkansas in 1846, and in 1847 to Prairie County, now Lonoke County, where they resided until 1856. They then moved to Cleveland County, where the father carried on faring. He assisted in removing the Indiana from Mississippi to Indian Territory. Mrs. Reed died in 1858 and he in 1861. John Robinson, the maternal grandfather, was probably born in North Carolina, and moved from there to Alabama, Mississippi and in 1846 to Arkansas. He and wife died in Lonoke County, and all four grandparents lie buried in the same cemetery. Of the eleven children born to his parents, John R. Reed is fourth m order of birth. From the age of five years he was reared in the wilds of Arkansas, with very little schooling, and was married when nearly twenty years of age, in what is now Cleveland County, to Miss Amanda Favor, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Favor, formerly of Alabama, but early settlers of Arkansas. Mr. Favor died in Cleveland County, in 1870, but Mrs. Favor is still living. Mrs. Reed died in 18 (0, leaving two daughters, and in 1874 Mr. Reed took for his second wife Mrs. Emily (Whitehead) Adams, a native of Mississippi, and 'the daughter of Charley and Melinda Whitehead, originally from North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Mr. Whitehead died in Mississippi, and his wife in Arkansas. Mrs. Reed's death occurred in May, 1889. She was the mother of five children, one son and three daughters now living. In August, 1889, Mr. Reed married Mrs. Martha A. (Oaks) Gage, a native of Mississippi, and the daughter of Fletcher Oaks. Mr. Reed has lived on his present farm for five years, and has 320 acres in two tracts, 100 acres under cultivation. o is one of the prominent farmers of the county, and is also the owner of a gin, which he has operated for about ten years. He was about three years in the Confederate army, Company E, Twenty-sixth Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, as teamster. He was home on a furlough at the time of the surrender. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour, in 1808. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and in his religious belief has been a Missionary Baptist for eighteen or twenty years. J. T. Renfrow, merchant, Rison, Ark. This successful business man is a native of what is now Cleveland County, Ark., born in 1852. and is the son of Rev. Joseph and Elmina (Harris) Renfrow, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and born in 1810 and 1830, respectively. Rev. Joseph Renfrow was married first in Alabama, and is 1832, came to Arkansas Post, where he resided for some time. After living in different parts of Southeast Arkansas, he finally settled in what is now Cleveland County, and there spent the balance of his days, his death occurring October 10, 1875. He was a Methodist preacher of considerable distinction, and spent nearly all his life in the discharge of his ministerial duties. He was known over nearly all of Southeast Arkansas, and was respected and esteemed by all. He was one of the first Masons of the State. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His last wife, and our subject's mother, died in April, 1877. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Her father died in Tennessee, and she came with her mother to Arkansas. None of the family are now living. J. T. Renfrow, the eldest of three children, attained his growth on the farm, received his education in the common . country school, and only attended free school for a few months. He began for himself at about twenty-one years of age as deputy clerk of Cleveland County, was then deputy sheriff for two years, and in 1878 was elected clerk of the county. So great was his popularity, and so well did he fill the position, that be was twice re-elected, and held the office six years with credit to the county and himself. He then established his present business (1884), and is making a success of the same. He has a fine stock of farming utensils, wagons, etc., and the average value of stock is abort $5,000. He was married October 15, 1870, to Miss Nettie Callaway, a native of Georgia, and the result of this union has been four children; two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Renfrow's parents, James and Martha Callaway, were born in Georgia, and came to what is now Lincoln County, before the war. Mr. Callawav was a farmer and died in Cleveland County, in 1876. The mother is still living. Mr. Renfrow is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for S. J. Tilden, in 1878. He is a member of the A. F. & A. lei., Culpepper Lodge No. 186, at Rison, and is the present secretary of the same. He and Mrs. Renfrow are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Renfrow has 1,000 acres of timber land in Cleveland County, all the result of his own work, and is one of the prominent men of the county. Joseph A. Robertson, M. D. Medicine is a very important science, and bears closely upon the happiness, comfort and welfare of mankind, and when the profession is properly conducted it is one of the noblest to which a man can devote his attention. Dr. Robertson has made a good use of his talents, and is justly accounted a leading physician of Cleveland County. He was born in Calhoun County, Ark., and is a son of Dr. J. C. N. and Elizabeth (Robarts) Robertson, who were born in Tennessee and Arkansas respectively. The father graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, Tenn., and in 1861 removed from Tennessee to Calhoun County, Ark., and settled at Chambersville, where he has since devoted his attention to his profession, and is now about fifty-six years of age. Upon the death of the mother of our subject, which occurred in Calhoun County in 18 75, at the age of thirty-six years, Dr. Robertson wedded Mrs. Hancock, of Tennessee, but he was called upon to mourn her death in 1880. He is a Mason, a Democrat, and has long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He has always been very successful in the practice of his calling, and now travels over more territory in ministering to the wants of his patrons than any physician in this neighborhood. Dr. Joseph A. Robertson was born on August 25, 1853, and his youthful learning was acquired in Chambersville and Warren, being an attendant of a private school in the latter place. He studied medicine first under the able instructions of his father, but in 1882-83 attended lectures in the Missouri Medical College, graduating in March of the latter year, since which time he has been an active and successful practitioner, and has become well known throughout the county. He was married on December 16, 1885, to Miss Martha Haskins, a daughter of J. W. Haskins of New Edinburg. They have two interesting little children: Esther and Dean. Mrs. Robertson is connected with the Missionary Baptist Church and the Doctor is a Mason and a Democrat. Willis C. Roebuck has been identified with the mercantile interests of Cleveland County, Ark., since 1887, but prior to that time was an agriculturist. He was born in Elbert County, Ga., October 24, 1857, and is a son of Robert C. C. and Mary F. (Craft) Roebuck, who were born, reared, married and spent the most of their lives in Elbert County, Ga., dying in 1876 and 1878, aged fifty-one and forty five years, respectively. In 1871 they came to Arkansas and located in Jefferson County, but two years later took up their abode in Cleveland County. The father followed the occupation of farming throughout life, in which be was quite successful, and he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was a Mason for many years prior to his death, and in his political views was a Democrat, and for some years served as justice of the peace. He served throughout the late war in the Confederate service, and in addition to being in the Commissary Department at Savannah, Ga., he was also an officer in the ranks. Of a family of nine children born to himself and wife, seven are now living, and Willis C. was the fourth in order of birth. The school days of the latter were spent in his native county of Georgia, and he learned the details of farm work of his father, and to this occupation gave his attention up to 1887, when he embarked in merchandising as above stated. He is an enterprising young man, and fully deserves the success which has attended his efforts. His marriage, which took place on December 29, 1879, was to bliss Elizabeth Little, a daughter of Rev. T. B. Little, of Cleveland County, and by her he has become the father of five children: Thomas B., Addis F., James C., Alma L. and Henry J. Mr. Roebuck is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and in his political views is a Democrat. H. W. Rogers, ex-sheriff, and one of the county's most prominent men, was born in Madison County, Tenn., a son of John Ropers, who was born in Middle Tennessee, his parents having removed there from North Carolina at a very early day. They were tillers of the soil, and always had the reputation of being honorable, upright people. The grandmother live to be very old, over one hundred, and it is said by some that she lived to be one hundred and fourteen years of age. Her death occurred in Dallas County, Ark., she having come to this State in 1849 or 1850 to live with her children. John Ropers attained his majority in Tennessee, and after attaining his majority he was married there to bliss Mary Ann Brown, a native of North Carolina, who had been a resident of Tennessee from the time she was ten years of age. Her death occurred in 1846, at the age of fifty years, she having become the mother of one child, the subject of this sketch. Soon after her death H. V. Ropers started out in life for himself, and after following the plow in Tennessee for one year he removed to Arkansas in 1848, and in the spring of 1849 he went to Hot Springs for his health, after a short stay removing from there to Bradley County in 1850y where ho opened up a small farm in what is now this county, on the west side of Saline River. In the fall of 1850 he moved to Pine Bluff, and engaged in the manufacture of brick, continuing in the brick business until the opening of the war in 1861. In the spring of that year he opened a mercantile establishment, but discontinued it in April to join the Confederate army, becoming a member of Company A, Capt. Cameron's Company of Infantry, and was in the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded. Not being able to travel he joined a cavalry company, and thus served until the close of the war, proving himself to be a brave and trusty soldier, and of great assistance to the cause he espoused. He also took part in the engagements at Chickamauga; Thompson's Station, being first under Forrest, and at the time of the surrender under Wheeler. After his surrender in North Carolina he returned to his old home, and in this county has since resided, his home since 1876 being in Toledo, at which time he was appointed deputy sheriff for two years. At the end of this time he sold goods at Toledo, Ark., for W. L. Connor, and was also commissioned postmaster at Toledo for two years, after which he was elected sheriff of Dorsey (now Cleveland) County, filling the same with success for three terms in succession. In 1886 Mr. Ropers began making a set of abstract books of Cleveland County, which he has since completed. Work is in progress on the abstracts of Dallas County, and it is contemplated to make abstracts of Calhoun County, and establish an office at some point on the railroad convenient to the three counties, with branch offices at the several county seats, for the transaction of a general abstract and real estate business. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Culpepper Lodge No. 186, of Cleveland County, and has been a member of the same for many years. He is a Democrat through and through, and is one of the representative citizens of this section of the country. His maternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War. Alex L. Ross, merchant of New Edinburg, Ark., is an example of the success attending hard work and honest dealing. He was born in Henry County, Tenn., September 23, 1827, and is a son of William and Sarah (Frazier) Ross, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively, the former's birth occurring in 1801, and his death in Yell County, Ark., at the age of seventy-four years. His wife's birth occurred in 1805, and she also died in Yell County at about the same age as her husband. They were married in Henry County, Tenn., and made that State their home until about 1829 or 1830, when they moved to Gibson County, Tenn., and in 1856 settled in Yell County, Ark. They were successful farmers, and the father was an Old Line Whig in his political views. Their family consisted of thirteen children, of whom Alex L. was the third, but only five of this large family are now living. Alex L. Ross spent his early school days in Gibson County, Tenn., and at the age of twenty years began farming for himself, and on coming to Arkansas located in Red Land Township, Cleveland County, where he was successfully engaged in tilling the soil until 1888. He then formed a partnership in the mercantile business with A. A. Ross, and this enterprise, like his farming operations, has been attended with excellent results. He has always been of an enterprising and energetic disposition, and is a very popular and highly esteemed man in the community in which he resides. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and in 1880 was elected magistrate of Red Land Township, and at the end of two years was elected for two more years. January 18, 1818, witnessed the celebration of his nuptials with Miss Mary W. Stone, a daughter of Nicholas C. and Celia Stone. She was born in Robertson County, Tenn., October 10, 1833, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Mary L. (wife of John T. Harris, a farmer residing near New Edinburg), Paralee W., Albert A. (who is associated with his father in business), William T. (who is with Lockridge & Buster, of Kingsland), Anna (wife of Llewellyn Jeffries, a farmer of Cleveland County), Louis C. and James U. Zilpha J. died when eleven months old. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a member of the Masonic order. James T. Rucks, general merchant, Kingsland, Ark. This enterprising and successful merchant established his business at Kingsland, in 1882, and since that time has built up a large trade. He owes his nativity to Dallas County, Ark., where his birth occurred in 1848, and is the son of Warner Rucks, a native of Smith County, Tenn., born about 1800. The elder Bucks was married in his native State to Miss Dolly Jane Cardwell, a native of North Carolina, and they afterward, in the thirties, removed to Dallas County, Ark., where they were among the very first settlers. Their nearest trading point was Little Rock, which was then a mere village, and their nearest neighbor was fourteen miles distant. Mr. Rucks was honest, industrious and did his full share in clearing the wilderness. He followed farming all his life, and died in 1860. His wife died in 18?5. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The father was an officer in the militia in early days. James T. Rucks, the youngest of five sons and three daughters, was reared to farm labor, and received the rudiments of an education in the common schools, supplementing the same by attending one year in Camden. When about twenty years of age lie started out for himself as a clerk in Camden, and remained in that capacity for one firm for twelve years. In 1879 he embarked in mercantile pursuits on his own account at Princeton, remained there until 1882, when he removed to Kingsland, and now is doing a good business at that place. He was married in April, 1879, to Miss Ross Leali, daughter of Dr. Louis Leali see sketch. Mrs. Rucks died in November, 1880, leaving one child, and a son born to this union is also deceased. Mr. Rucks' second marriage occurred in 1883, to Miss Renee Slaughter, a native of Warren, Ark., and the daughter of Charles A. and Mary Slaughter. Mr. Slaughter was a prominent attorney at Warren and there received his final summons. His widow is still a resident of Warren, and is living with her second husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Rucks have been born four children; three sons and a daughter. Mr. Rucks has about 400 acres of land, some of which is in Lee County, and has also a good home and business property in Kingsland. He is a Democrat in his political principles and his first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley, in 1872. He is junior deacon in the Masonic lodge No. 430, at Kingsland, and is also Royal Arch chaplain of the Chapter at that place. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.