Page 115 - Jefferson County AR 1889 History (Goodspeed)

222 HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.

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located in Chicot County, and was engaged as justioe of the peace for fourteen years, and was

salesman in one of the business houses a t that a school director for a period of some ten years.

point until 1858. He then returned home and He sewed in the late war, entering the army, in

went into the wood business at Georgetown Bend, 1861, under Capt. Coltart, commanding the Madi-

which he followed with success until the war com- son Rifles, C. S. b., and his first hard fight was

menced, and his wood was burned by the Federal at Baton Rouge, La. He was discharged in May,

boats. After this experience he came back to Chi- 1865. Perhaps on account of his early training

cot County, Ark., and began farming, contiuu- on the farm, Mr. Wntkins has always followed

ing until after the war, when he returned to Mis- tilling the soil, and that he has made a mccess of

sissippi. I n 1869 he moved to Jefferson County, this pursuit is evident when looking over his well-

Ark., and has been farming ever since, with the kept place. He lost his estimable wife, Septem-

exception of the years 1870 and 1871, when be ber 15,1877. She was a member of the Episwpal

entared into bnsiness at Pine Bluff, and again in Church. I n 1881 he married Miss Mary Patrick,

1878, when he moved to his present location and who died in September, 1882, having a child which

commenced merchandising. Mr. Wallis also oper- survived its mother only a few days.

ate8 a steam cotton-gin and grist-mill, and is the John Weedon, a leader in agricultural circles,

owner of about 650 acres of land, with some 500 and a popular oitizen of Jefferson County, was

acres under cultivation. His business ability and born in Columbus, Miss., May 18, 1847, and is a

his shrewdnew in financial transactions and indus- son of John and T. C. (Henry) Weedon, of North

try have placed him on an independent basis, Carolina and Virginia, respectively. The father

though having started from almost nothing. was born in 1812, nnd the mother in 1816, their

R. .J. Watkins, farmer at Wabbaseka, Ark., is marriage occurring in Columbus, Miss., which

one of the representative and progressive agri- place they made their home ior about thirty years,

culturists of Jefferson County, and is also one and then moved to Selma, Ala., where they

of its most esteemed citizens. He was born in resided until the father's death in 1872, while

Madison County, Ala., being the son of William returning fmm New Orleans. The elder Weedon

Watkins, a native of Georgia, born in 1798, who was a well~knownand very wealthy iron manufact-

received his education in his native State, and sub. urer, sod at one time virtually owned the town of

nequeut,ly moved to Alabama, where he married Anniston, Ala., where his factories were h a t e d .

Miss Harriet Auderson, a native of Washington He wae a Democrat in politics, and a valuable man

County. Md. The resiilt of this marriage was to that party during his life. He belonged to the

the birth of seven children, two sons and five Masons, and had taken several high degrees.

daughters, of whom but three are now living, one Dnring the war his losses footed up into many

residing in Alabama, one in Nashville, Tenn., and thousands of dollars, as he had a firm belief in

the subject of this sketch, who has made his home the success of the Southern States, and had

in Arkansas for many years. William Watkins invested largely in Confederate bonds and securi-

had always been a planter. He died in Hmts- ties of a like nature that proved to be valueless

ville, Ala., in 1861, and his wife in 1856; both after the Rebellion was over. The parents were

were worthy members of the Methodist Church. members of the Presbyterian Church, and the

R. J. Watkins received a fair education in Hnnts. mother, who is still living, resides in Selma, Ala.

ville, Ala., and on the 11th of October, 1866,he was The Weedon family are of Scotch descent, and on

united in marriage to Miss Martha East, a native the mother's side of Scotoh-Irish, the latter being

of Alabama, and the daughter of Alexander and descended from the same family as that of Patrick

Martha J. East. Four children have been born Henry, the famous American patriot. Nine chil-

to this union, only two now living, and both resid- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weedon, of whom
ing at home. Mr. Watkins has held the office of
-two are still living, John Weedon, Jr., the princi-
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