Biography of John M. Sipes - Craighead Co, AR

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        Date: 26 Sep 1998
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 356

John M. Sipes, a lumber manufacturer of Buffalo Island, is a
native of Missouri, born in Buchanan County, July 18, 1840. His parents,
Eli and Christina (Rhynes) Sipes, the former born and reared in
Pennsylvania, the latter in South Carolina, were married in Perry County,
Mo. Mr. Sipes was one of the pioneer settlers of Buchanan County, Mo.,
having gone there in 1830. In 1856 he moved to Greene County and remained
there until his death in 1859. John M. grew to manhood in Missouri, and
resided in Buchanan, Perry, Greene, Webster and Barton Counties. He
remained on the home farm until his father's death. In 1861 he entered
the Confederate service, enlisting in the Eighth Arkansas Infantry, and
served until the final surrender. He participated in the battles of
Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and many lesser
engagements. He was never wounded, taken prisoner, nor lost a day from
service. After the war he remained for a time in Arkansas, then want to
Missouri. In 1860 he settled in Craighead County, Ark., where he has
since resided. When, in 1868, he bought his present farm, it was but
little improved; now he has 120 acres, 112 under fence, with a very good
house and out buildings. Mr. Sipes began operating a gristmill and
cotton-gin in 1881, which burned down in 1887. He then put up a steam
saw-mill and cotton-gin, which has proved a very successful enterprise.
In the spring of 1865 he married Nancy J. Smith, a native of Kentucky,
whose parents died while she was yet a child. This union has been blessed
with six children: Joel, Serena, George W., Rose Ann, Julia C. and Henry.
Mr. Sipes is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has held all the chairs of
the subordinate lodge.