ARKANSAS ARKANSAS COUNTY “Arkansas and its People”       Vol. 4, Page 415 MARCUS A. MATLOCK – After some twelve years devoted to teaching in the public schools, Mr. Matlock spent some five years and several departments of the Federal Government and since 1923 has been engaged in the practice of law at Little Rock.  He is widely known as an authority on all legal questions pertaining to Federal taxation and enjoys a large and important practice.  He takes an active part in fraternal and religious affairs and in ever respect represents the highest type of useful citizenship. Marcus A. Matlock was born in Cleveland, Conway County, Arkansas, December 1, 1878, a son of the late B. W. and Elizabeth (Brady) Matlock.  His father, who was a native of Alabama, died in 1887, while his mother, a native of South Carolina, died in 1886.  The former was a veteran of the Civil War, during which he served in the Confederate Army, being wounded at the battle of Shiloh.  Until his death he was successfully engaged in farming.  Mr. Matlock received his early education in the public schools, after which he attended the Woodbury Normal School, and Ouachita College, Arkadelphia, from which latter he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906.  From then until 1918 he taught in the elementary schools, giving up this work in 1918, during the World War, in order to serve with the Federal Food Administration.  He was placed in charge of special work, in which he proved himself so efficient that after the end of the war he was attached to the Internal Revenue Department, with which he served as Chief Field Officer until 1923.  Admitted to the Arkansas Bar in that year, he took up the practice of law, in which he has continued to be successfully engaged since then at Little Rock, with offices in the Donaghey Building.  He is specializing in tax law and is considered an expert on that subject.  He is a member of the Pulaski Heights Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.  His religious affiliations are the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Matlock married, in 1907, Amanda Justus.  Mr. And Mrs. Matlock are the parents of four children: Marcus Justus, Eleanor, Madelyn, and Jack Harmon.  The family residence is located at No. 511 Ridgeway Avenue, Little Rock CLEVELAND COUNTY Goodspeed Biographies WILLIAM F. MATLOCK SR. is a member of the well-known mercantile establishment of Matlock & Haskins, which has done and is doing so much for the advancement of New Edinburg, and vicinity. Mr. Matlock is a Georgian, whose birth occurred in Coweta County, February 23, 1828, and is a son of J. R. and Lucinda (hayfield) Mattock, who were born in Greenville District, S. C., and Georgia, is 1796 and 1798, respectively, and died in what is now Cleveland County. AR  in 1860, their deaths occurring about ten days apart. J. R. Matlock removed from his native State to Georgia, when a young man, and there made his home until 1834, when he moved with his family to Alabama, and ten years later came to Bradley County, Ark., where they spent the rest of their days. Mr. Mattock was an agriculturist throughout life, and while a resident of Georgia, carried the mail from Rome, Ga., to what is now known as Gadsden, Ala., and in 1836-37 helped remove the Indians from Alabama and Georgia to the Indian Territory. He and wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church for many years, and he was a Democrat politically. The Matlocks are of Scotch descent, but his mother was a native of Holland, and lived to be one hundred and eight years of age. There were born to their union eight sons and seven daughters, of whom William F. Mattock was the fifth child. His school days were spent in Bradley County, Ark., and when twenty-two years of age he commenced to farm for himself near where he now does business. In 1866 he began selling merchandise at his present stand, being the first man to go into business at this point, but at the end of two years he gave up this work, and again turned his attention to farming, and was a successful tiller of tire soil until 1877. Since that time he has devoted his time and attention to merchandising, and besides his mercantile establishment he is the owner of 360 acres of land, a large portion of which is under cultivation. In 1853 he was married to Mrs. Amelia M. Tolefree, a daughter of David Meriwether. She was born in Jasper County, Ga., April 29, 1822, and was the widow of Robert Tolefree. Her union with Air. Matlock has resulted in the birth of the following children: Rebecca M. (wife of T. M. Boyd, a farmer, of Cleveland County), Anna D. (who also married a farmer of the county), and Elma S. Those deceased are: David M., and Carrie A. (who was the wife of W . H. Harrison, her death occurring in 1882). Mr. and Mrs. Matlock are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a Royal Arch Mason, and a Democrat, politically. By 1880 William and Amelia had moved to Dorsey Co. Dorsey County was formed by and act of Legislature, April 17, 1873. It was formed from parts of Bradley, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties On March 5, 1885, Dorsey County was renamed Cleveland County by an act of the General Assembly in honor of Grover Cleveland, who had just been elected President of the United States CONWAY COUNTY “Arkansas and its People”       Vol. 4, Page 415 MARCUS A. MATLOCK – After some twelve years devoted to teaching in the public schools, Mr. Matlock spent some five years and several departments of the Federal Government and since 1923 has been engaged in the practice of law at Little Rock.  He is widely known as an authority on all legal questions pertaining to Federal taxation and enjoys a large and important practice.  He takes an active part in fraternal and religious affairs and in ever respect represents the highest type of useful citizenship. Marcus A. Matlock was born in Cleveland, Conway County, Arkansas, December 1, 1878, a son of the late B. W. and Elizabeth (Brady) Matlock.  His father, who was a native of Alabama, died in 1887, while his mother, a native of South Carolina, died in 1886.  The former was a veteran of the Civil War, during which he served in the Confederate Army, being wounded at the battle of Shiloh.  Until his death he was successfully engaged in farming.  Mr. Matlock received his early education in the public schools, after which he attended the Woodbury Normal School, and Ouachita College, Arkadelphia, from which latter he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906.  From then until 1918 he taught in the elementary schools, giving up this work in 1918, during the World War, in order to serve with the Federal Food Administration.  He was placed in charge of special work, in which he proved himself so efficient that after the end of the war he was attached to the Internal Revenue Department, with which he served as Chief Field Officer until 1923.  Admitted to the Arkansas Bar in that year, he took up the practice of law, in which he has continued to be successfully engaged since then at Little Rock, with offices in the Donaghey Building.  He is specializing in tax law and is considered an expert on that subject.  He is a member of the Pulaski Heights Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. His religious affiliations are the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Matlock married, in 1907, Amanda Justus.  Mr. And Mrs. Matlock are the parents of four children: Marcus Justus, Eleanor, Madelyn, and Jack Harmon.  The family residence is located at No. 511 Ridgeway Avenue, Little Rock CRAWFORD COUNTY ”The GoodSpeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs Of NorthWest Arkansas", Biographical Appendix,Page 1173 JOSEPH W. MATLOCK was born in Grainger County, Tenn., February 24, 1829, and is a son of George W. and Margaret (Bassett) Matlock. The father was born in Knox County, Tenn., and from there moved to Overton County, going thence after marriage to Grainger County, where he lived until 1847, enduring the hardships of pioneer life. He then located near Dripping Springs, in Crawford County, Ark., and improved land upon which he lived until his death May 18, 1875. The mother was born in Virginia, moved with her husband to Tennessee, and was the mother of six children: Joseph W. and Margaret E., wife of Sandy E. Winfrey, of this county, still living, and Valentine, Sterling, John and Martha, deceased. Joseph W. immigrated to Crawford County from Tennessee in 1847, journeying by water to Memphis, and thence up the Arkansas to Van Buren. He lived upon the home farm until of age, and October 10, 1850, married Martha J. Lester, daughter of William and Margaret E. Lester, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively, who immigrated to Hempstead County, Ark., and from there to Washington County. The father died in Crawford County March 14, 1859, and the mother is now residing in California. Of their twelve children ten are living: Martha J., Sarah C., Mary S., Lavinia B., Nancy E., Cynthia E., Luvenia T., William S., Mark B. and Joseph P. Those deceased are Elizabeth and Thomas. To Mr. Matlock and wife nine children have been born: Margaret J., Sterling P., Henry P., Harriet S., Sarah A., William G., Joseph H., Andrew J. and Virginia P. (deceased). After his marriage Mr. Matlock farmed until 1857, then lived on Cedar Creek two years, and next rented land on Dripping Springs one year, or until the commencement of the war, during which time he lived in various places, and afterward returned to his present place. He owns 160 acres, about sixty being finely cultivated. Mr. Matlock is a Democrat, and in 1882 was elected county and probate judge, serving two years. Mr. and Mrs. Matlock are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and among the respected citizens of the county WILLIAM A. MATLOCK, farmer, was born June 24, 1816, in Overton County, Tenn., one mile from the Kentucky line, and is a son of David C. and Martha D. (Armstrong) Matlock The father was born in Buncombe County, N. C., April 4, 1793. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson, whom he greatly admired, and participated in the battles of Talladega, Horseshoe and Tallahoochie. When young he went to Tennessee on pack-horses, and his father buying land of John Seviers, they proceeded to make a home in the wilderness. From 1822 to 1845 he lived in Kentucky, working at the shoemaker's trade in connection with farming, and in 1846 he bought land in Crawford County, where Logtown is now situated, remaining until his death, at the age of seventy-nine. The mother was born in Surrey County, N. C., October 6, 1798, and when nine years old went to Cumberland County, Ky., by wagon. She was married in Overton County, Tenn., and died in Crawford County in 1865. Of her children these are living: William, Judah (deceased), married to Hugh McDougal, of Little Rock; Martha, widow of A. Smith, of Logtown; John, of Clarksville, Ark.; and David, Catherine, George, Jane, Harriet and Judah are deceased. When our subject's father settled in Arkansas, there were but eight houses in Jasper Township, west of the county road, and game and buffalo were abundant. William Matlock, the grandfather, was born in Henry County, Va., on Plumb Creek, from there went to North Carolina, and from there to Tennessee. He subsequently moved to Overton County, where he died. He was a soldier in the Cherokee War. Catherine Matlock, the grandmother, was reared in North Carolina and died in Overton County, Tenn. John Armstrong, the maternal grandfather, was born in North Carolina, and during the Revolution served as major, being a field officer in the battle of Saratoga, under Gen. Gates. He died in B atesville, Ark. His wife, Letitia, died in Tennessee. William A. Matlock was married in 1839 to Elizabeth Walthall, a native of Kentucky, who bore him one child, William J., now a resident of Lamar County, Tex. Mrs. Matlock died May 13, 1846, in New Orleans. Mr. Matlock came to Crawford County in 1846, and February 1, 1854, married Harriet, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Stewart [see sketch of John P. Stewart]. Mrs. Matlock has borne our subject ten children, all save one now living: Stephen T., Keturah, Martha Ellen, Edgar, Letitia, David, Hector, Lillie, Sidney and Elizabeth. Politically Mr. Matlock is a Democrat. He is the owner of a fine farm, and has been a successful agriculturist. He has now suffered with palsy for over twelve years, but was formerly the strongest man in the county, capable of lifting 950 pounds. NATHANIEL W. MATLOCK, was born September 25, 1828, in Overton County, [p.1173] Tenn., his parents being Valentine and Mary (Bassett) Matlock. The father was born in Tennessee February 27, 1786, and the mother was born in the same State January 3, 1790. In 1839 they left their native State, traveling to Franklin County, Ark., by wagon. In 1840 they immigrated to Crawford County, Ark., where they lived until their respective deaths in 1868 and 1862. Mr. Matlock served in the Creek War and was sheriff of Overton County, Tenn., for eighteen years. By occupation he was a farmer. Of his five children but two are living. Nathaniel W. Matlock is of English descent, and was but thirteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Arkansas, which was then unpopulated and in a wild state. His educational advantages were thus meager, and at the age of twenty-two he began life on his own account. November 6, 1873, he married Miss Rachel Mooney, who was born in this county in 1842, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Crawford) Mooney. Her father was born in North Carolina, and died in 1878. Her mother died in 1844. The following are their children who are still living: Mrs. Mary Shepherd, of Oregon; Mrs. Rebecca Baker, of Crawford County; George Mooney, of this county; Joel H. Mooney, of this county, and Mrs. Rachel Matlock. To Mr. and Mrs. Matlock seven children have been born all of whom reside with their parents: Rebecca Lee, Harriet Lacy, William H., Rufus M., Charles M., George Franklin and Mary. In 1861 Mr. Matlock enlisted in the Frontier Guards, Confederate Army, under Col. Grashett and Capt Brown, and served until the close of the war, participating in the following battles: Oak Hill, Honey Springs, Ind. T., Prairieville, Ind. T. Mr. Matlock is a successful farmer, owning 160 acres of land, forty of which he cultivates, and is also interested in stock raising. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Pierce in 1852 CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS pg 505 ALBERT S. MATLOCK, filling the position of Postmaster at Van Buren, was born at Stattler, Crawford Co AR. April 12 1880 His parents being William and Harriet Stewart Matlock. The father removed form Overton Co TN to AR while Jesse Stewart the Grandfather of Albert S Matlock in the maternial line, came from Cincinnati OH and settled five mile north of the Figure Five post office. Mr and Mrs William Matlock became the parents of nine children. OF this family, E L Matlock is now an attorney of Van Buren, while J D Matlock is an official of the Arkansas Coffin Company. The Family is represented by service in the World War. Fred Matlock and E L James, two nephews of Albert S Matlock, serving with the United States Army during the period of hostility with Germany.   Having acquired a common school education Albert S Matlock in 1904 became a railway mail carrier and through his entire business career has been identified with the mail service. After acting in his original position until 1917 he was appointed a clerk in the Van Buren post office and in 1919 received the appointment to the position of Postmaster for the regular four-year term. His previous experience well qualified him for the duties of this position- duties which he discharges with marked promptness, accuracy and fidelity.    In 1904 Mr Matlock married Mina Wood , a daughter of J C Wood of Uniontown AR and a sister of Dr. T F Wood, who was Captai in the Medical Corps of the United States Army during World War, spending a year and a half overseas. Mr and Mrs Matlock have become the parents of Seven Children: Joseph B, Crystal, Goldie May, Jeanette, Albert, Armstrong, and Jack Pershing. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian Church, to the teachings of which Mr and Mrs Matlock loyally adhere, taking an active interest in all those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and benefit of the community at large. DALLAS COUNTY CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS pg 1006 PAUL G. MATLOCK, one of the foremost attorneys of Fordyce AR. Paul is a native of this State his birth having occurred near Tulip, on the 30 Day of June 1871. The Paternal ancestors came to America prior the Revolutionary War, locating in Virginia and many of them participated in that war and in the War of 1812. The father George D Matlock was a native of Massachusetts and removed to Arkansas locating near Tulip in 1847. He was one of the first settlers in this section of the state and throughout his life followed farming, achieving gratifying success in that connection. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he was elected captain of a Texas company due to a broken leg caused by a falling tree, he was unable to remain in active service and consequently went into the quartermaster department. His demise occurred near Tulip in 1903, when seventy years of age. At Winchester, Tennessee was celebrated the marriage of Mr Matlock to Miss Sue Simmons, a daughter of George and May Simmons. She is still living, aged eighty-two years. To the union of Mr and Mrs Matlock six children were born, five boys and on girl, Paul G being the second in birth order.    Paul G Matlock received his preliminary education in the public schools of Winchester TN and later enrolled as a student in Cumberland College at Lebanon TN. He graduated from that institution in 1890 with the LL.B Degree and later in the same yea commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Princeton, Dallas County AR. He built up a general practice there, remaining until 1908. On the 1st day of December, 1910 he came to Fordyce. He has since practiced here and has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage, being recognized as one of the representative members of his profession in Fordyce. In 1900 Mr Matlock was elected to the state senate serving his sessions of 1901-1903/ From 1908-1910 he was prosecuting attorney of the tenth judicial district, comprising six counties.    On the 8th day of February, 1901 was celebrated the marriage of Mr Matlock to Miss Beulah May Davis, a daughter of John F and Emily Davis, prominent residents of Murfreesboro. Her ancestors came to this country at an early day and settled in Virginia. They fought gallantly in the Revolutionary war, some of the family being members of General Washington’s bodyguard. To this union of Mr and Mrs Matlock two children have been born: Emily Sue who is fifteen years of age and a student at Fordyce High School; and Charlotte, ten years of age and a student in the grammar school.   The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and Mr Matlock is a generous contributor to its support. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, having membership in Roberta Lodge, No 204, A F & A M of Princeton and Van Nort Chapter,  R A M of Fordyce. GREENE COUNTY “Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas –Greene County” page 143 Mrs. Isabella Highfill, widow of Hezekiah Highfill, and daughter of Samuel and Rebecca J. (Ellis) Medlock, was born in Henry County, Tenn., October 25, 1831, and as the country was very sparsely settled in her youth, and schools were few and far between, she received only a common school education. While growing to womanhood, all the clothing the family wore was home made, and she became very skillful in the use of the loom and all kinds of women's work. At the early age of seventeen years she was married to John A. Hargrove, a native of Southern Alabama, and a farmer by occupation, by whom she bore a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are deceased except Ann M. and Francis V., who live with their mother. On the 15th of December, 1870, Mr. Hargrove died, leaving his wife with a farm to be improved, and four small children to care for. She entered bravely upon her work, succeeded in paying for her home, and bought another farm, which she also improved. In 1854 she moved with her husband to Poinsett County, Ark., made three crops, and was raising the third, when the  memorable overflow of 1858 inundated that section to such an extent that all had to seek for higher land. They removed to Buffalo Island, Craighead County, where they homesteaded and improved 160 acres of land, but after Mr. Hargrove's death his widow traded her farm for land in Greene County, which she also disposed of shortly after her marriage with Mr. Highfill, in 1876, and purchased the farm upon which she is now living, which consists of eighty acres, forty of the same being in a high state of cultivation, furnished with good buildings and an excellent orchard. The land is a fine, sandy loam, and is devoted equally to cotton and corn. Mr. Hargrove was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Highfill is now a member, and was a man of exemplary habits and character, and for many years held the office of the justice of the peace. He was allowed to remain at home unmolested during the Rebellion. He was a Democrat, and was in sympathy with the Union. Hezekiah Highfill was an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was not a participant in the late war, but sent out two sons, who enlisted in the Confederate army, Isaac being killed by a cannon ball in the battle of Shiloh, and Hezekiah, the other son, was wounded in the same engagement by a minie ball, in the left shoulder, from the effects of which he died in March, 1880, having suffered from the same for seventeen years. Another son, J. M. Highfill, has a sketch in another part of this work. His three daughters are as follows: Sarah A. (Woods), widow of William Woods; Fanny (Lloyd), and Mary, wife of Rev. Isaac Verner, a Methodist minister of Lake County, Fla. Mrs. Highfill is a very interesting and intelligent lady, and having lived in this section for thirty-five years, can recount many interesting incidents in the early settlement of this section. She says that during the first years of her residence here the men would devote the summer to raising crops, and would hunt and trap during the winter months, their game consisting of deer, bear, wild cats, wolves and turkeys for food, and otter, beaver, mink and raccoon for their furs. These were taken by ox team to Wittsburgh or Memphis, and often realized $100 on one load. Prices ranged as [p.143] follows bear **** 25 cents per pound, deer, 10 costs, turkeys, $1 each: wild cat. 10 cents and wolf 10 cents. **** brought $5 each; **** $7.50, mink, $3, and **** 50 cents. thus making the hunting season much more profitable than the farming season, hence there was very little done toward developing the country prior to the war. Everything was plentiful in the way of will game and fraits, and the range was so good that stock could live the year round without being ****. In those days the women mole all their own clothing and raised their own cotton and sheep. Mrs. Highfill is now residing about one-half mile from two large mounds, containing the skeletons and **** of the pre historic Mound Builders, but the Indiana who were here when she first settled could tell her nothing about them. Mrs. Highfill's father and mother were born in South Carolina: the former was a farmer and mechanic by trade, and owned a fine farm of 320 acres in his native State, on which he resided until **** death in April, 1879. The mother dead in 1868. They were members of the Baptist and Methodist Churches, respectively, and its his political views he was a Democrat.   HEMPSTEAD COUNTY   Justus Matlock son of Marcus A Matlock and great grandson of John Justus, a pioneer citizen of Washington is a leading educator of Little Rock. Justus Matlock's father was a prominent citizen of Washington at one time, having been principal of the schools there thirty or forty years ago. Justus' mother was Amy Justus. She was assistant teacher in the high school of Washington when Mr. Matlock was principal, and as usual or as sometimes happens fell in love with his assistant, and they were married.   Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Matlock have been living in Little Rock for a number of years where Mr. Matlock has been practicing law since returning from school work. The son Justus had taken over the father's profession as an educator and had been principal in Little Rock for several years now.   The Justuss of Washington were a fine old Southern family that settled in Washington in days long ago. He reared a large family, some of whom are now in Texas and some in Arkansas. Mr. Justus owned and operated a flouring and grist mill in Washington throughout life there, and during the War Between the States, he too, ground grain and supplied the government with flour and meal. A grand-daughter, Mrs. Viola Justus Turner Price, live in Lubbock, Texas has been prominent in club work. ( The Old Town Speaks, Washington, Hempstead Co. AR. by Charles Moss Williams, Anson Jones Press, Houston Texas, 1951) MARION COUNTY “Centennial History of Arkansas” pg 624 SANFORD MATLOCK was a representative citizen of Yellville and county judge of Marion County at the time of his death, which occurred Sept 8 1821, He was born in Taney Co MO on the 9th day of Jan. 1855, a son of Smith and Letsey Shelton Matlock, both natives of Perry Co TN. The father died on the 10th of March 1906 at the age of 78 while his wife's demise occurred in 1862. In 1851 Smith Matlock removed form his native state MO and buying land there was engaged in farming until the outbreak of the Civil War. Putting aside all personal interests he entered the service and was active for the greater part of the time under Shelby. He stated out to take part in Prices Raid but was cut off. He did however, participate in most of the important battles of that war and lacked but 18 days of serving an entire 4 years. In April of 1868 he came to AR and locating in Marion County, homesteaded 80 acres. He cleared the land himself and built a log house and some outbuildings. Mr Matlock was three times. Sometime after the death of his first wife, the mother of our subject, he married Miss Emaline Jacob whose demise occurred three yrs later. His third wife, Harriet Hand who is also deceased. Four Children were born from the first union : Luke, Nancy and Mat, all deceased. Sanford being the only family member living. To the second union three children were born: Alfred, a successful farmer of Marion County; Letsie a resident of Marion Co and John. PIKE COUNTY “The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern, Arkansas” – Pike County Page 313 Royston, or the old cotton-mill, is a place of interest. In 1856 Henry Merrill built a cotton and wool-carding factory, at a point on the Little Missouri River two and one-half miles north of Murfreesboro; here there was an excellent water power, where there had been an old grist- mill for many years prior. He did a small business in the way of spinning thread and carding wool till about 1860, when it was sold to John Matlock. During the war he moved the mill to Texas, and ran it in that State in the interest of the Confederate Government.  After the war he returned and re-engaged in business at the old site. This was the only grist-mill in this locality at that time, and people came from long distances to mill and to buy cotton yarn, with which nearly all the clothing of that time was made; he also had a store and did the largest commercial trade in the county then. Soon after he put in looms, and began to manufacture cloth.  In 1875 he erected a large new mill, equipped it well with all needful machinery, and Royston soon took on the dignity of a village of some 200 people, but Mr. Matlock became financially involved and committed suicide in 1886.  The other owners of the mill, composing the Arkansas Manufacturing Company, removed the plant to Arkadelphia in 1889 SALINE COUNTY “Goodspeed Biog And History of Central AR” – Saline County. Pg 291 CONSTANTINE H. MEDLOCK a substantial and leading agriculturalist of Saline County, was born in Hardeman County West TN, in 1835, and is the son of Judge John A and Mary (Forsyth) Medlock, of whom a sketch will be found in the biography of Dr B S Medlock, Constantine H was reared from boyhood in Tippah County MS and received his education in the log-cabin schools of that period. He was married in 1855 to Nancy J Smith, daughter of Phillip and Sarah Smith, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother born in AL. in which State she also died. Mr. Smith was married three times during his life, and shortly after his death of his second wife in 1859 he removed to Columbia County AR. where he was again married and resided until his death in 1871. Mrs. Medlock died in 1863 and three children born to her marriage also died within a short time afterward. In September 1863 Mr. Medlock was married to Maria L a daughter of Philip M and Maria Smith, a half sister to his first wife. This Union gave them two children: James F (who died in 1865) and Laura V (who died in 1885). Mr. Medlock’s first occupation was being employed as an overseer in Mississippi, where he remained until 1859, when he came to Saline County. And located just six miles west of Benton. In 1869 he moved to Collegeville, and in 1879 came to his present farm. About one and half miles from that place where he owns 120 acres of very fertile land and has some 60 acres under cultivation. During the Rebellion he served in the Confederate Army, and was a member of General Fagan’s escort until after the battle of Helena. He was then assigned to Company B of Col. Crawford’s regiment of Calvary and operated in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, holding the rank of sergeant and later that of forge master. He took part in the Battle of Helena. Poison Springs, Marks Mill, Prairie Grove, Jenkins Ferry and many skirmishes, and also had four brothers in the war, all of whom are yet living: John F, (was captured and confined at Camp Douglas for along time, and was not released until some time after the war ended) James N is referred to as below. Washington K (served a short time during the last days of the war and is now residing in Garland Co AR.)  The only Sister Susannah V is the wife of M C O’ Bryan, a well-known merchant at Hot Springs AR. In politics Mr. Medlock is a staunch Democrat but was formally a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1856 for Fillmore. He served for about eight years in Owens Township as Justice of the Peace, and filled the office in a dignified and entirely satisfactory manner. In secret societies he is a member of Mabelvale Lodge No 353, A F and A M and had been warden of his lodge. He attends the Methodist Church, as does Mrs. Medlock, and both are liberal contributors to all religious and educational enterprises. “Goodspeed Biog And History of Central AR” – Saline County. Pg 290 Dr. BENJAMIN S. MEDLOCK, prominent as one of Saline County’s physicians and surgeons, residing at Collegeville, was born in Fayette County West TN. In 1834 and is the son of Judge John A and Mary (Forsyth) Medlock, born in South Carolina in 1812 and North Carolina 1812 respectively. The parents resided in that State until 1842 when they moved to Tippah County MS. They made this place their home until 1858, and then came to Saline County AR. settling at a point about five miles above Benton, and in 1861 moved to Collegeville, where the Judge still resides, with his third wife. He is one of the best known citizens of this county, and a prominent man in public life, having for four years served as county and probate judge. In secret societies he is a member of Alexander Lodge No. 353. A F and A M at Mabelvale, and also belonged to the Chapter and Council many years. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for about 65 years, and is a liberal contributor to all religious and educational matters. His father was Benjamin Matlock of South Carolina, who came to Saline County in 1868 and remained her until his death in 1874 at the age of 92 years old. The latter had several Indian Wars, and was noted as a great Indian fighter during that period. The Maternal Grandfather Benjamin Forsyth was a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812, and commanded a North Carolina regiment. He was killed during the latter part of that War. Benjamin S Matlock, the principal in this sketch was the oldest of eight children, born to his parents, of whom there are six still living. He was reared on his father’s farm, and educated in public schools of his native State and in Mississippi. When at the age of 25 years he commenced the study of medicine with Dr R L Bouton, a celebrated physician if the later State, and afterward entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1861. The Civil War commencing this period forced him to leave his profession awhile and he the joined the Company E, First Kansas Infantry, with the rank of orderly sergeant and promoted to lieutenant. His service covered Virginia and afterward he fought the battle of Bull Run, Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, and all through out the Georgia Campaign. He was captured at Jonesboro, GA August 1 1864, but was exchanged with other prisoners at Nashville; about ten days afterwards and then joined Hood, under whom he fought Franklin and Nashville. Later on he joined General Johnson and was with him at the time of surrender. At the war was over he returned to Arkansas, and began to practice his profession in Collegeville, where he has since continued and to day the most successful as well as the older practicing physician in Saline County. His success financially has been remarkable, and some of his marvelous cures have caused a great deal of comment in medical circles. The Doctor has a splendid home at Collegeville and owns about 1,050 acres of very valuable land in Saline and Pulaski County, with about 125 under cultivation. On July 1869 Benjamin married Julia Jennings, daughter of Richard and Julia Jennings, the father an Englishman who went to New Orleans on arriving this country, and in 1837 moved from there to Little Rock, where he died in 1847,while the mother is residing with Dr Medlock and his wife. Two children were born to the Doctors marriage, of which one is yet living, Rosa. For a number of years, Dr Medlock has been a prominent figure in public life, and in 1866-67 represented Saline County in legislature, and was chairman of the committees on the auditor and treasures books, as well as being a member of education, medical, geological, and various committees. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan in 1856, and several times has been a delegate to the State convention. In secret fraternities he is a member of Alexander Lodge No 333, and also belonging to the Chapter and Council at New Albany MS. but has never affiliated with that order at Collegeville. He and wife and daughter belong to the Methodist Episcopal  Church, South and takes an active interest in all religious and educational matters, the Doctor having served from 1874-76 as superintendent of the school board in Saline County. “Goodspeed Biog And History of Central AR” - Saline County Pg 291 JAMES N. MEDLOCK one of the leading merchants of Collegeville and postmaster at that place, was born in Hardeman County TN in 1840 and served through out the War of the Rebellion. He was severally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. Mary M Beckham of Pike Co GA., daughter of A J Beckham one of the leading families of the State, became his wife and they have two children: Andrew B Forsyth and Mary A (both living) Mr J N Medlock and Y F Medlock are both honored members at the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Benton Lodge # 34 Benton AR.     Graphics and page designed by Leona1999 January, 2005 Copyright © The main image is a courtesy of http://dirk.holoweb.net/~liam/pictures/oldbooks/pictures-of-old-books/ Updated May 2008