Goodspeed’s Biographical & Historical Memoirs of
Western Arkansas, 1891
Pope County

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Hon. Walter W. Brashear, postmaster at Russellville, and a prominent citizen and planter of Pope County, Ark., was born in Marion Co., Ark., in 1830, and was the eldest of eleven children born to M. M. and Sallie L. (Vaughan) Brashear, the father a native of the Blue-Grass State, and the mother of Tennessee.  The father was a farmer by occupation, and came to Arkansas in 1838, locating in Marion County, where he remained until 1847.  He then came to Pope County, settled in the northern part on 120 acres, and being something of a speculator became the owner of several tracts of land.  In 1862 he entered the  Federal Army as a recruiting officer of the Second Arkansas Calvary, continuing in that duty and ranking as major until August, 1864, when he was killed in an engagement in Searcy County.  The mother is still living in this county with her daughter.  She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the father was also a member.  The father was a very progressive and active citizen, and was something of a lawyer as well as a tiller of the soil.  Walter W. Brashear was early initiated into the duties of farm life, and his educational advantages to the common schools of Pope County.  At the age of twenty-one years he started out for himself as a farmer, but just previous to his twenty-first birthday he was married to Miss Mary Rackley, a native of Tennessee, who lived but three years, leaving two children, both of whom are grown and married.  The eldest one, Sallie, became the wife of Wiley Duvall and resides in this county, and the second Melvina, is the wife of Henderson H. Pigg, a farmer of this county.  During the Civil War Mr. Brashear entered the First Arkansas Cavalry, Company L, Federal Army, under Col. M. La Rue Harrison.  He was captured near Prairie Grove, Ark., December 9, 1862, and was kept a prisoner three months, and upon his return to his command he was commissioned quartermaster-sergeant, filling that position until peace was declared, and operating principally in Arkansas.  He was wounded near Prairie Grove.  He was mustered out at Fayetteville, Ark., on August 23, 1865, after which he returned home and resumed farming.  He was married, the second time, in July, 1865, to Miss Nancy W. Brewer of Arkansas.  On his return to Arkansas Mr. Brashear purchased 200 acres of land in the geographical center of the county and made many improvements adding about sixty acres.  He has 125 acres under cultivation and has erected two tenant houses.  Mr. Brashear has always been active in the county's improvements, and has always been a vigorous and conscientious Republican.  He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1868, and was a member of the Lower House of the General Assembly in that year.  He has been justice of the peace of Moreland Township for eighteen years and was appointed postmaster at Russellville under President Arthur.  Upon the election of Grover Cleveland he resigned, but was again appointed on March 27, 1889, by President Harrison.  This is a distributing office for fifteen offices, is an office of the third grade and is being elevated in business.  To Mr. Brashear's second marriage were born thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Mary E. (married A. C. Bowden and died in 1888, leaving one daughter), Mortimer (died at the age of three years). Maggie (became the wife of C. H. Dunn), Victoria (became the wife of Cinclair Perry, and resides with our subject, Lincoln (died at the age of two years), Martha Lue, Adam C., Ford, Ursly, Warren, Lillian, Thomas and Mama are the others.  Mr. Brashear was baptized in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in February, 1840, and has been an active member since.  He was a delegate to the general conference in Cincinnati in 1880) and to many local conferences. Mrs. Brashear and the children are members of the same church. Mr. Brashear is a Mason, a member of Blue Lodge No. 274, Chapter No. 76, and Palestine Commandery No. 7, all of Russellville.  He has been master of the Blue Lodge and secretary of the chapter.  He assisted in the organization of Cross Plains Lodge and was its first master.

D. C. Brown, merchant of Dover, Ark.  In the preparation of this brief outline of the life history of one of the most worthy residents of Pope County, appear facts which are greatly to his credit.  His intelligence, enterprise, integrity as well as many other qualities, have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any factitious circumstances, but a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit.  He was born in Randolph County, N. C., April 12, 1837, and with his father, Samuel Brown, a mechanic, came to Arkansas, when five years of age, and as he was compelled to labor on a farm in his youth, he received only the advantages of the common schools near his home.  At the age of twenty-one years he began doing business for himself, entering the general mercantile store of D. James as a clerk, and after remaining there two years, he severed his connection with this establishment and went to Clarksville, where he entered the store of B. F. Hershey, two years also being spent here, at the end of which time he had been elected sheriff of Pope County, and in August, 1860, gave up his clerkship and entered upon his duties as a public official, which position he filled in a highly satisfactory manner for two years.  He then resigned his office to enter the Confederate Army as first lieutenant of Company A, Williamson's battalion of Arkansas Volunteers, and was sent to Mississippi, where in the fall of 1862 he was discharged on account of disability resulting from sickness.  In December of the same year be had recovered sufficiently to re-enlist, and was elected first lieutenant of Company A, Hill's regiment, Arkansas Cavalry, and was immediately placed on active service, and was in the battles of Pine Bluff, Poison Springs, Mark's Mills, and was with Price on his raid in Missouri in 1804.  While on that raid near Dover he was promoted to the rank of captain, after which he took part in the battles of Pilot Knob, Boonville, Jefferson City, Independence, Fayetteville, afterward going to Camp Monroe, where they remained for some time.  They were dismounted near Spring Hill, Ark., and were assigned to duty in Gen. Roan's infantry regiment, and were marched to Camp Magruder, La., thence to Shreveport and afterward to Marshall, Tex., where they were discharged.  Mr. Brown then returned home to find his property scattered and everything  laid waste.  After teaching a three months' term of school on Big Piney Creek he returned to Dover and entered into partnership with D. P. West in the mercantile business, but this partnership was dissolved by mutual consent after a few years.  Since that time Mr. Brown has been in business alone.  Although he began with a very small capital at the close of the war he has accumulated a good property, and is the owner of a tract of land comprising eighty acres, lying near the town.  He was married on January 10, 1858, to Miss R. E. Hagins, of Dover, but she and their infant child died while Mr. Brown was in the army.  He was remarried on February 7, 1866, to Mrs. A. J. Rankin , of Dover, and one child, a daughter named Marie, blessed this union, she being now the wife of J. A. Miller, of Russellville.  Mr. Brown and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he holds the office of Sunday school superintendent.  He is chaplain in the A. F. & A. M. lodge of Dover, is a Democrat politically, and at all timesgives liberally of his means in the support of worthy enterprises.

J. J. Brown (deceased) was one of the most successful and progressive farmers of Pope County, Ark.  His father and mother were born in Alabama and came to this county, and at a very early day settled in Martin Township with their parents.  The early educational opportunities of the subject of this sketch were very limited, yet he improved his opportunities to the best of his ability, so that he was enabled to transact all necessary business connected with his farm.  He entered the army when but sixteen years of age as a private, and served three years, but during this time was promoted to first lieutenant.  Upon his return home, at the close of the war, he rented and worked his father's farm, which had been laid waste during the war.  During this time he was married to Miss Sallie L. Rushing of Dover Township, who proved to him a helpmate indeed.  They lived together for twenty-one years in perfect harmony, and it was as much by the help of his wife as by his own perseverance and energy, that he made so great a success of his life.  He purchased lands at different times until he at one time was the owner of 1,000 acres, which land was in his possession at the time of his death, on which he still owed $1,000, which sum of money Mrs. Brown has since paid, so that she is the owner of the place, free from all incumbrance.  She has about 350 acres under cultivation , which she rents out, but as she is an intelligent and shrewd business woman, she has personal supervision of her property.  Mr. Brown was reared in the Baptist faith, and although not a member of any church, was a moral, upright man in every worthy particular and had the thorough good-will and respect of his fellow-men.  He was born on March 9, 1844, and died in 1888, his marriage having taken place in 1867.  He and his wife became the parents of four children: Joseph O., Maggie B., Willie G., and I. J.  The eldest son, Joseph, is attending school at Dover, and is now twenty-two years of age.  Maggie is married to Edward Truitt, and is living in Newton County, Ark., and all the children have received good educational advantages.  Mrs. Brown was born in this county August 15, 1848, but on account of the war she attended school but little in her girlhood.  She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since before her marriage, and is in every respect a worthy, Christian lady , being conscientious, charitable and kindly in disposition.  The buildings on her farm are among the best the county, and it is also improved by a fine peach and apple orchard, and, in fact, everything about the place bespeaks thrift and intelligent industry.

Dr. J. W.  Bruton.   As a man of business Mr. Bruton's name and fame is co-extensive with Pope County and the surrounding country.  He has been closely identified with every interest of this section, and as a merchant has built up a large and paying business by his ability and foresight.  He was born in Pope County, Ark., on January 15, 1837, to James and Sallie (Angel) Bruton, who wore born in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1796 and 1806, respectively, the former passing to his long home in 1862, and the latter in l854.  James Bruton was a minister of the Baptist Church, and represented Pope County in the State Legislature for three terms, being one of the leading citizens of this section during his day.  J. W. Bruton has spent the most of his life in Pope County, and, notwithstanding the fact that his early advantages were poor, he has by self application become a well-posted and intelligent man.  Upon attaining his majority he began making his own way in the world, and after devoting considerable time to the study of medicine he, in 1865, began practicing that profession, but in 1886 was compelled to give up this calling on account of failing health.  He then threw open to the public a general mercantile store at Appleton with a stock of goods worth about $2,000, and this calling he has continued with flattering success up to the present time.  Dr. Bruton is also a minister of the gospel, and first began preaching the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1878.  He was married in October, 1858, to Miss Jennie Montgomery, a daughter of John C. and Matilda (Grayson) Montgomery, by whom he became the father of these children: Elliot B., James H., Elnora V. (deceased), Viola E., Theora A., Nettie L. and Mittie M.  Dr. Bruton volunteered in the Confederate Army in 1862, but was discharged at the end of three months on account of ill health.

James Bruton, father of Dr. J. W. Bruton as a minister was elected chaplain of the State Senate of Arkansas in 1854, and filled the position with credit to himself, giving satisfaction to all interested.  He organized very nearly all of the Baptist Churches that existed in Pope, Conway and Johnson Counties before the war.  He moderated the convention that constituted the first Baptist association in that part of Arkansas.  Politically be was ever a firm Democrat, and as a legislator he was always earnest, working for the interest of the people.  His name will be long remembered by the older citizens of Arkansas.  John C. Montgomery, father of Mrs. Jennie Bruton, held the office of clerk of Monroe County, Ark., for eight successive years, and until his death.  He was a prominent man in said county.  Dr. J. W. Bruton's children are as follows: Elliot R. Bruton (was married to Mr. J. J. Williams, who is in the mercantile business at Appleton, Ark.), James Homer Bruton (is a young man with good business qualifications, who has written much for different newspapers; he is a merchant of Appleton, Ark.), Viola E. Bruton (married John A. Lewis, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Appleton).

A .P. Bryan.  Pope County, Ark., is one of the most fertile counties of the State, and in this highly productive region Mr. Bryan has resided from his birth and has become well known to the inhabitants of this section.  His birth occurred November 8, 1845, to Darius and Susan (Hamilton) Bryan, the former being a native and farmer of North Carolina, but was married in this county, his union resulting in the birth of seven sons and three daughters, the following members of the family being now alive: Miranda R., (wife of L. D. Cannon), L. D., A. P., James, Algianun, Robert, Belle Z. (wife of James Grantham), and William E.  Nora is dead.  Mr. Bryan came to this State at a very early day and for several years was constable of the township in which be settled.  He became well known and highly honored throughout this section.  He and his wife both died of smaII-pox in February, 1876.  A. P. Bryan has always been a resident of Pope County, and for the conscientious discharge of every duty in every relation in life no man is more worthy of respect and esteem than he.  In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Mullins, a native of the State of Georgia, born in 1845, and in due course of time a family of six children gathered about their fireside, their names being as follows: Eliza E., Charles D., Elizabeth, Finis, William F. and George W.  By hard work and good management Mr. Bryan has become the owner of 252 acres of land, 90 of which he has succeeded in putting under cultivation, and on which he has erected a substantial frame residence and good barns.  He also has an excellent orchard of apple, peach and plum trees and a good vineyard.  He is a member of Russellville Lodge No. 1353 of the K. of H.

Amos Bullock has given his attention to farming throughout life, and as a result of his years of hard labor he now has a good home and is well fixed financially.  He was born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1842, to W. J. and Mary A. (Wallace) Bullock, who wore born in Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, their removal to Arkansas taking place about 1857.  They "pitched their tent" in Pope County, Ark., and here the father resided until his death in 1883, of typhoid fever.  He and his wife reared a large family to honored manhood and womanhood, their sons numbering nine and their daughters two.  Owing to their large family, and the rather hard time they had to properly feed and clothe their children, the latter did not receive much of an education.  In 1869 Amos began doing business for himself, and as above stated has devoted his life to farming.  He was first married in 1868 to Miss Lydia F. Rowland, a daughter of G. W. and Lavina (Candle) Rowland, and to their union these children were born: Mary L. (who died at the age of seven), and Sarah E. (who passed from life at the age of eight).  Mr. Bullock's second marriage took place November 23, 1871, Mary E. Ross, a daughter of Melton H. and Rachel (Brown) Ross, becoming his wife.  In 1862 Mr. Bullock enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served until the war was over.  He has been justice of the peace for six years, and on September 1, 1890, was elected for another term by the Democratic party, of which he has always been a member, as are his eight brothers.

Jackson T. Bullock, clerk of the circuit court, Russellville, Ark.  Mr. Bullock, the present efficient incumbent of the office of clerk of the circuit court is a man of sober, sound judgment, progressive ideas, and one who attracts the regard of all who approach him.  He was originally from Weakley County, Tenn., his birth occurring on September 22, 1855, and was the sixth of eleven children born to William J. and Mary Ann (Wallace) Bullock, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Tennessee.  The parents were married in the last named State, and the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1856, when he came to Marion County, Ark., and from there to Pope County in the following year.  His death occurred in this county in 1883.  The mother is still living on the old homestead, three miles north of Dover.  The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, William Bullock, was an Englishman, and came to the United States about the time of the Revolutionary War.  He settled in Virginia, and followed farming there until his death which occurred when our subject's father, William Jefferson Bullock, was an infant.  Amos Bullock, grandfather of our subject, was born in the Old Dominion, emigrated to Tennessee at an early day, followed farming, and there his death occurred about 1858.  Jackson T. Bullock's educational advantages were limited, for he attended only the common three months' schools.  He began teaching at the age of seventeen years and followed that as his principal occupation until the age of thirty-one when he was elected county judge.  He taught many years in one school and was a popular and very successful educator.  He held the office of county judge for two terms (four years), and on September 1, 1890, he was elected circuit clerk of the county.  He has ever been an active worker for the Democratic party.  He was married on October 1, 1882, to Miss Winnie Price, a native of this county and daughter of Allen A. Price, one of the early settlers of Tennessee.    The fruits of this union were four children: Zola May (who died at the age of seven months), Allen Jefferson, Tillie and Mary Frances.  Mr. Bullock is a Mason, of Scottsville Lodge No. 112, and was master of that lodge for five years.  He has taken the chapter degrees.  Mrs. Bullock is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Bullock is the owner of a small farm, has forty acres under cultivation, and has a pleasant home in Russellville.