Message From: List Moderator
Topic: NewtonCoFam mailing list postings

From this point forward, messages posted to NewtonCoFamilies® mailing list will be archived and placed online for reference.
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Message From: Lisa Hamilton
Topic: Re:additional Bunch information

Here is the one on Bunch Brothers.

The mercantile interests of Madison County, Ark., are ably represented by the above named firm, which consists of Joel N. and John A. Bunch. They began their mercantile career in Kingston in 1880, and by their industry, honesty and good business management have secured a large and lucrative trade. The senior member of the firm, Joel N., was born in Newton County, Ark., in 1856, and received a liberal education in the home schools. In 1875 he engaged in tilling the soil, which occupation he continued until 1880, when he came to Kingston and engaged in merchandising. In 1884 he was elected to represent Madison County in the State Legislature for one term, and served with entire satisfaction to his constituents. He is a Democrat and Mason, being a member of the chapter, and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1886. February 18, 1875, he was married to Margaret E. Boatright, a daughter of William Boatright, and their union has resulted in the birth of five children, four of whom are living: Alvin B., Ora B., Ola and Virgie E. John A. Bunch, the junior member of the firm, was born in Newton County, Ark., September 15, 1860, and received a liberal education at Berryville Academy. He worked on a farm the early part of 1880, and was then appointed deputy clerk of Newton County. In the latter part of the same year he came to Kingston and engaged in business with his brother. In 1888 he received the nomination as county clerk by the Democratic convention, and if elected will prove an able and efficient officer. September 7, 1882, he married Ala F. Ogden, a daughter of W. R. Ogden, by whom he has four children: Joel B., Eliza I., Vera Eva, and an infant daughter unnamed, His wife is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and he is a member and secretary of the A. F. & A. M., and is a Democrat in politics. The parents of these two gentlemen are Capt. Larkin and Eliza Maxwell Bunch. The former was born in Overton County, Tenn., in 1824, and was killed at the battle of Pilot Knob, September 24, 1864. He came with his parents to Newton County, Ark., in 1841, and was always an honest tiller of the soil. During the early portion of the war he was elected captain of a company of state troops, and he soon after organized a company of Confederate troops, and was chosen its captain, and was a participant in many hotly contested battles. He was a Democrat, a Mason and a member of the Baptist Church. His wife was born in Tennessee, and moved with her parents to Illinois, and afterward to Franklin County, Ark. She is still living, the wife of J. C. Reeves, and resides on the old homestead in Newton County, Ark. She and Capt. Bunch became the parents of five children: Stillman B., Joel N., Clarissa E., wife of J. P. Stamps; John A. and William L.
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Message From: Lisa Hamilton
Topic: Re:Parents of Eliza

Message From: James Hughes
Topic: Re:John and Sarah Norris 

Have John born in 1854 instead of 1857 in Fentress County, TN. Don't know where he was buried. Have seen in the internet that he died 1914 in Newton County. He married Sarah McPherson on March 7, 1875 in Newton County. She was the daughter of Ambrose McPherson and Eliza Carlton. Sarah was born 1857 in Newton County, Arkansas, died there in 1894. A couple of years later, John married Laura E. Sloan, born January 1872 in Kansas, and died in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Have 14 children intsead of 11:

      
Children of John and Sarah: 
William A. Norris, born 1875 Newton County 
James Samuel Norris, born September 1876 Newton County
Calvin C. Norris, born 1879 Newton County 
Tildon Norris, born October 1880 Newton County 
Grover Norris, born March 1884 Newton County
Andrew Jack Norris, born January 1886 Newton County 
Thomas Norris, born February 1888 Newton County 
Dennis Norris, born February 1890 Newton County
Reta Norris, born January 1891 Newton County 
Henry Norris, born April 1894, Newton County 
      
Children with Laura Sloan: 
Sadie Norris, born May 15, 1897 Newton County
Jeffrey Davis Norris, born December 1899, Newton County
Charley Norris, born 1906 
Bell M. Norris, born 1908 

Message From: Rita Decker
Topic: Re:Cecil who was Sheriff

Message From: Judy Tate
Topic: Re:Pendleton Porter

Michael,
Here is what I have transcribed from census...and the note I added. I have heard that there is a book planned which will include an interview from family member about the Indian attack and murder of family members.
Take Care, Judy Tate

Pendleton Porter        36 m      Indiana     Farmer
  Lydia  		35 f	  Alabama
  George C. 		14 m 	  Arkansas
  Richard C. 		12 m	  Arkansas
  Claborne M. 		10 m	  Arkansas
  Missouri J.		 5 f	  Arkansas
  William P.		 3 m	  Arkansas
  Isaac A.		 1 m	  Arkansas

   NOTE: Pendleton Porter was born December 28, 1814, a son of
         Guinn Porter and Rachael Daugherty. Lydia was born in 
         Alabama to William Elbert Wade and wife Sarah. Pendleton
         Porter appeared on 1835 and 1836 Tax List of Carroll 
         County, Arkansas...came to Newton County in September 
         of 1836.  George C. and Richard Carroll were born in 
         Carroll County, the other children were born in Newton 
         County.  Pendleton Porter served as Newton County Assistant
         Sheriff in 1850, was enumerator of 1850 census for all of
         the county. An application, requesting a post office, was
         filed by Porter in February 1851...a post office was 
         established and named Mt. Parthenon, April 18, 1851...known
         today as Parthenon. The family left Newton County and were
         living in Cooke County, Texas...Pendleton, Lydia, their son 
         George and his wife, and two grand children were killed at
         their home during an Indian attack in the fall of 1863.

Message From: Lisa Hamilton
Topic: Re:Cecil who was Sheriff

He is a dry goods merchant in Harrison, Ark., and was born in Newton County, Ark., on July 9, 1854. His parents were Riley and Sarah J. (Harrison) Cecil, the former born in Arkansas July 10, 1829, the latter in Tennessee, April 11, 1835. Riley was a son of Solomon Cecil, who was born in Tennessee in 1786, and who was married to Sally Hatfield, in Tennessee, in 1814. There were born to them seven sons and two daughters, Riley being the fifth child. Two sons and one daughter are now living in Visalia, Cal. Solomon Cecil moved to Arkansas in 1827, and settled in Newton County, on what is now known as Cecil Fork of Buffalo River, he being among the first settlers in this part of the country. At that time there were no settlers nearer than what is now called Yellville, then called Shawnee Town, being forty miles away, and this was where he had to do his milling. On Buffalo River the cane grew very thick and tall, growing as high as fifteen to twenty feet, on which horses and cattle would live throughout the winter without any other food; hogs would live there on the mast. He had to raise only corn and vegetables for the use of the family, wheat not being raised, as there were no wheat mills. Honey was plentiful in the woods, as was also game, such as bears, deer and turkeys, and his family were never without bear meat, venison and turkey. There were also wolves, panthers, wildcats and other wild animals. It was a frequent occurrence for bears to come near the house in daylight and catch his hogs, it being so frequent that when he heard a hog squeal he would get his gun and go to the hog, expecting to see a bear. When he went to mill he had to leave his wife and children alone, and one can imagine how lonely they were, the wolves howling around the house and the family expecting every moment that they would break through the clapboard door into the house. To show how plentiful deer were, on one occasion he and his brother went hunting on Monday morning and returned Wednesday, having killed fourteen deer and several turkeys. At this time money was very little in use here, bear skins, peltry and furs being used in exchange for merchandise. At this time calico sold at 75 cents per yard and sheeting at 50 cents. He lived on Buffalo River two or three years before they had any preaching. When the preacher came (who was a Methodist), it was on the weekday, and the entire settlement would turn out to hear him, the services being conducted at some of the neighbors' houses (schools being unknown there at that time). In a few years, however, a schoolteacher moved into the settlement and opened a school in a house which was vacated by one of the neighbors. Occasionally an Indian would come into the settlement, ostensibly looking for something that he or his family might have left on their journey toward the setting sun, but he would disappear as mysteriously as he came, without molesting any of the settlers. After twenty-nine years of pioneer life, he died in 1856. After the death of Grandfather Cecil, his widow, Sally Cecil, together with all her children, except one son, and the most of her relatives, started, in the spring of 1857 on an overland journey to California, and was in the wagon train of which a part was massacred in Utah by the Mormons and Indians, known in history as the Mountain Meadow Massacre. Two days before the massacre she and her sons and a few others took another trail and thus escaped a horrible death. Sally Cecil died at Visalia, Cal.,about 1880. Riley Cecil was married to Sarah J. Harrison September 10, 1852, she being daughter of R. W. and Clerinda. (Austin) Harrison. He lived on Buffalo River, on a farm where he had spent most of his days. He was a successful tiller of the soil. Two children were born to them: William H. and Mary Jane (the latter on July 11, I856). On February 10, 1856, Riley Cecil died, and was buried at the family burying ground. When Grandma Cecil left for California, Sarah J. Cecil went to live with her father. In 1858 R. W. Harrison, with his family, moved to Bluff Springs, Ark., in order to send his children to school, it being then the school center of this country. William H. attended school there about two years, going to one five-months term with out missing a single day. During the time he attended school he completed the first and second readers. At the approach of war, in 1860, Grandfather Harrison moved back to Jasper, Ark., where he remained until the winter of 1864, when he moved to near Springfield, Mo., on the Widow Eastham's farm, which farm he cultivated one year. The next year, 1866, he moved on Lewis Crenshaw's farm, three miles south of Springfield, Mo. During the summer William H. attended the public school. He had to commence again at the 'ab, ac, and ad's," for during the war he had forgotten most all he had learned at Bluff Springs. In the winter of 1866, Grandfather Harrison moved back to Jasper, to find his farm grown up with briers and bushes and his houses, burned, but he went to work with a will and soon had a house for his family and the farm cleared up. Grandfather Harrison was born September 26, 1810, died March 15, 1882. Clerinda (Austin) Harrison is still living and enjoying good health. She was born October 4, 1816, and lives with her daughter, Mrs. A. F. Davis, in Harrison. After returning from Missouri, William H. being thirteen years old, Sarah J. Cecil decided to leave her father's house and battle with the world for a living. Mr. A. F. Davis, her brother-in-law, had preceded her father from Missouri, and had rented a double log house and some land. He offered her one room and what land William H. could cultivate. She accepted the offer and took ten acres to cultivate in corn, William H. doing the plowing and she the hoeing. On one occasion when part of the crop needed plowing very badly, Mr. F. S. Baker closed his store one afternoon and kindly helped plow. The next year the grandfather gave Sarah J. Cecil some town lots in Jasper and built her a house on them. She rented land near by, and William H. cultivated it, and by this means made support for the family. William H. attended the public schools, which were then taught in Jasper, in July, August and September, and attended subscription schools during the winter. In this way William H. and Mary J. secured a common-school education. On September 14,1874, Mary J. was married to John Womack, of Harrison, Ark., where they now reside. They have had eight children, all living except two. Mr. Womack has lost his eyesight, but he has means to support his family. After the marriage of Mary J., mother and son continued to live together, and she still lives with him. On March 11, 1875, William H. was married to Virginia Letitia Baker, daughter of Andrew and Polly Baker. Mrs. Cecil was born in Virginia, October 9, 1854. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom all are living except one daughter. Their names are as follows: Hattie Vivian was born December 19, 1875; Riley Bently was born April 20, 1880; Mintie Ora was born November 19, 1885, and died February 26, 1886; Walter Wesley was born August 26, 1887; Troy Otis was born February 13, 1890; Lulu Evangel was born June 2. 1893. Hattie Vivian attended the public schools of Harrison, and in June, 1892, she graduated in the high school department, under the instructions of Prof. H. P. Burney. In September of the same year she attended Stephens' Female College, at Columbia, Mo., and in June, 1893, graduated in the school of English, degree of B. L. Returning home in the same year, she was employed as a teacher in the public school of Harrison. This school employs seven teachers, of which Prof. C. L. Scott was superintendent. During the two years William H. was eighteen and nineteen, he taught two three-months terms of public school. He commenced his business career by selling groceries for John Womack at Jasper, for which services he received $16.66 per month, boarding himself. In March, 1877, together with his mother, he moved to Harrison, Ark., and in August of the same year accepted a position as assistant in the postoffice under Mr. F. S. Baker. With what he had saved from his wages, and from the sale of some stock, his wealth consisted Of $300. When he came to Harrison he invested $150 in a house and two lots for a home, and the other $150 he invested, together with an equal amount by Mr. F. S. Baker, in a stock of groceries. At this time they paid 25 cents per pound for green coffee and 13 cents per pound for brown sugar. In the spring of 1880, Messrs. Baker and Cecil bought Mr. E. Stillwell's stock of groceries and hardware, amounting to about $1,300, for which they went in debt to him for $700. They soon reduced the stock and paid the $700. They continued this business until the fall of the same year, when Mr. Z. W. Murphy was taken into co-partnership with them, and they added a stock of dry goods. On account of his wife's ill health, Mr. Murphy did not continue in business but a few months, selling his interest to Messrs. Baker and Cecil, who continued the business in connection with the postoffice until the spring of 1883, when Mr. Cecil sold his interest in the store to Messrs. Phillips and Baker, for whom he worked two years as salesman and bookkeeper. In April, 1885, Mr. Cecil engaged in the dry goods business alone, employing James A. Flinn as salesman, who remained with him until June, 1890. In May, 1888, Mr. Cecil took as a partner in his business Mr. A. F. Davis, at the same time buying the entire stock of merchandise and the business house of Messrs. J. T. & G. W . Penn, the transaction involving $9,000, at this time employing J. N. Paul as salesman, who is still with him. In the fall of 1890, Messrs. Cecil and Davis mutually dissolved partnership by dividing their stock of merchandise, Mr. Davis moving in an adjoining house. In October, 1892, both of their store buildings were burned, they saving most of their goods. In May, 1893, Mr. Cecil built the one-story brick building, 22x8O feet, on the southwest corner of the public square, which he now occupies. He carries a $6,000 stock of merchandise, consisting of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats, and men's and boys' ready-made clothing. He is doing a good business, amounting to from $12,000 to $15,ooo per year. He buys for cash, getting the very lowest prices and all discounts that are offered. Besides his valuable town property, he is the owner of 319 acres of excellent farm land near Harrison, all of which has come into his possession by his own efforts. He is recognized as being one of the leading business men of Harrison. Although a stanch Republican in politics, he is not a politician. He has held a few city offices, but is not inclined to want office. He and wife and oldest son hold their membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. He is also the superintendent of their Sunday-school. All measures educational, religious and moral are heartily supported by him. He attributes his success in business, first, to selecting a business and sticking to it; second, by exercising economy in his business; third, by asking his Heavenly Father to help him in temporal as well as in spiritual things.
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Message From: Pat Middleton
Topic: Re:Which King

Sorry about that, here is what I was talking about.

Andrew's daughter Minerva King was born October 25, 1846 Marion County, Ark, and died June 6, 1925 in Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark. She married Nelson Fowler January 14, 1872 in Western Grove, Ark. He was born September 27, 1846 in Hawfield, Orange Co., N. Car., and died June 1, 1888 in Clear Creek, Boone Co., Ark.
Their children were:
Mary Emma Fowler b. January 27, 1874, Newton Co., Ark; d. May 2, 1950, Okla.; m. Charles W. Patton, May 12, 1895, Western Grove, Ark; b. May 6, 1872, Boone Co., Ark; d. October 5, 1929, Okla.
Adolphus N. Fowler, b. November 9, 1875, Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark; d. October 10, 1949; m. Hattied Arnold, November 24, 1898, Harrison, Ark; b. 1878; d. June 30, 1954
Harriet C. Fowler, b. September 7, 1879, Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark; d. December 1, 1970, Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark; m. 1st Travis Hefner; b. Abt. 1879; d. Unknown; m. 2nd Horace R. Mangess, October 9, 1910, Western Grove, Ark; b. May 1, 1875 Newton Co., Ark; d. ?
Gilford Poe Fowler, b. November 22, 1881, Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark; d. August 8, 1954, Okla; m. Mary Ann Salmon, November 14, 1904; b. November 26, 1886, Cave Creek, Ark; d. April 25, 1975, Okla.
Samuel Fowler, b. September 19, 1884, Western Grove, Newton Co., Ark; d. September 14, 1918, St. Joe, Searcy Co., Ark; m. Walsie Hayes, May 10, 1911; b. September 19, 1884; d. ?
Mattie Fowler, b. April 10, 1887, Newton Co., Ark; d. January 7, 1968, Harrison, Boone Co., Ark.
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Message From: Rita Decker
Topic: Re:Cecil who was Sheriff

Message From: Lisa Hamilton
Topic: Re:Parents of Eliza

A lifetime of hard earnest endeavor in pursuing the occupation to which he now gives his attention, coupled with strict integrity, honesty of purpose and liberality in all directions, has resulted in placing Anderson Carlton among the truly respected and honored agriculturists and stockmen of Newton County. Like other representative men of the county he is a native of North Carolina, born in Wilkes County in 1825. His parents, Alfred and Polly (Ellison) Carlton, were also natives of Wilkes County, N. C., the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1806. This worthy couple celebrated their nuptials in 1825, and when our subject was about three years of age they removed to Marion County. Tenn., where they made their home until 1852. From there they came by ox team to Newton County, Ark., being about seven weeks on the road, and located on Hudson Fork of Buffalo, where our subject now lives. They improved a small farm, but subsequently removed to Boston Mt. where they resided for a number of years. Their last days were spent among their children, the father dying in 1874 and the mother in 1885. Both were regular Baptists and worthy citizens. For some time before the war the father was internal revenue collector for Newton County, and although a Union man he took no active part in the Rebellion, treating all soldiers alike, and was well and favorably known. He was one of the pioneers of the county, the same being very sparsely settled, and worked early and late to subdue the wilderness. He was one of eight sons and four daughters born to Lewis Carlton, also a native of Wilkes County, N. C. At an early day the latter moved to Tennessee and there passed away after the war, when quite an aged man. He was a blacksmith by trade and of English parents, who came to America in 1660 and settled in New Jersey. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Hayden Ellison, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but came to America in early life and died in east Tennessee when quite aged. He was a weaver by trade. Our subject was eldest in order of birth of the following children: William Curtis of this county, was a soldier in the Federal Army; John, of Boone County, was also in the Union Army; Lowrey, of this county, was in the army; Lewis died at Corinth, Miss., during the war; James was a Confedate soldier from Texas; George, of Texas, was under Gen. Lee all through the war; Marion, of this county, was in the Union Army; Eliza is the wife of Capt. A. R. McPherson; Mary wife of Robert Bowen of this county, and Elizabeth wife of Cimber Thomas, of Newton County. Our subject grew to mature years with limited educational advantages, and learned his letters from his brother-in law, Capt. McPherson, after he came to Arkansas. Before coming to this State he was married in Tennessee, in 1848, to Miss Nancy Hicks, a native of Marion County, Tenn., born in 1836, and the daughter of Bird Hicks. Five children were given them: James, deceased, left a family; Joseph a farmer of this county; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Wm. U. Casey; Hon. Wm. A. a teacher, was in the Legislature in 1890 and 1891; and George, a farmer of this county. The mother of these children died in 1865, and in 1867 Mr. Carlton married Miss Sarah Murphy, a native of Madison County, Ark., and the daughter of John Murphy. Seven children were born to this union: Prof. John F. a graduate from the University of Little Rock, and now a teacher at Jasper; Ida Belle, wife of Isaac Stapleton, of this county; Maryland, wife of L. J. Self, of Newton County; Dona, Lona, Samuel Wallace and Sherman. Since coming to this county our subject has resided in this neighborhood, and is one of the leading farmers of his section, owning 240 acres seven miles above Jasper. During the Rebellion he was a stanch Union man, but did not enlist, owing to disability. Mr. Carlton is one of there presentative men of the county, and has held a number of responsible positions. From 1888 to 1890 he was treasurer of the county, and it was through his efforts that the school funds were properly disposed of. Since then the schools have been in a flourishing condition and reflect much credit to his management. Mr. Carlton is a Royal Arch Mason, and politically is a Republican, and a liberal supporter of his party. He is a member of one of the most prominent and numerous families of Newton County, and one of its most enterprising citizens.
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Message From: Lisa Hamilton
Topic: Re:Cecil who was Sheriff

Message From: Linda Ward
Topic: Re:Nathaniel Bunch

Children of NANCY BUNCH and ANDREW WHITELEY are:
ISAAC B. WHITELEY, b. December 4, 1849, Boxley, Arkansas.
NATHANIEL WHITELEY, b. March 7, 1852; m. MARY LUTTRELL.
SARAH WADE WHITELEY, b. November 7, 1853; d. July 18, 1859.
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Message From: Michael South
Topic: Re:Pendelton Porter