In this section Mr. Webb noted: "No attempt has been made to select names in Clay County People; but an effort was made to have a cross-section of such families as make up the county today given in these pages."


ARNOLD, J. F. -- Corning --born 1874, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Arnold, Clay County from Illinois, 1861. Sawmill, wholesale and retail grocery ten years. Now Corning Bank and Trust Company. Married Fannie, daughter of Shelby and Rictory (Brown) Phipps and grandaughter of Rev. William Phipps, founder of Corning Methodist church. Methodist. Children: Vana, Fred, June.

BAILEY, MRS. R. E. -- Knobel -- daughter of R. F. (d. 1932) and Adele (Whitaker) Gilchrist. Clay County from Illinois, 1876. Normal teacher, Cape Girardeau, Mo. Morried R. E. Bailey, Senatobia, Miss. 1924. Methodist. Eastern Star.

BAKER, IVA OWENS -- Corning -- born Moorehouse, Mo. daughter of Jess and Lulu (Brown) Owens. Corning 1907. Abstractor, notary public, Rep. Standard Bldg. Loan Co. Married Perry D. son of Mr. And Mrs. Ben Baker; nephew of Larry Boshears.

BALLARD, A. H. -- Piggott -- born Tennessee 1867, son of George and Mary (Williams) Ballard. Married Tennie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Watson. Nursery. Misionary Baptist; 32nd. degree Mason.

BALLARD, ELMER HUBERT -- Piggott -- born Tenn. 1892. Clay county 1886 with father, A. H. Ballard. Chamber of Commerce; school board since 1926; light commissioner; three times city council; chief fire dept; dir. Piggott Nursery; two terms state plant board; twice president state nursery association. Mason. Married Josephine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Pollard. Children: Willard H., Joe Ann, Jackie Neal.

BARNETT, MRS. J. M. -- Corning --born Randolph county, daughter of Green and Jane (Lewis) Johnston. Married Frank Cochran (d. 1919) son of Will and Mary (Spence) Cochran. Beauty Shop, Successs 1923; Corning 1929. Married J. M. Barnett 1931. Methodist. Elizabeth's Beauty Shoppe. Children: Lola, Eulis, Pearl, Lowell, Roy.

BENSON, MRS. THOMAS W. -- Kennett, Mo. -- born 1909, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lewis, Piggott. Married T. W. Benson, mgr. Shell Svc. Station, Kennett. Missionary Baptist. Son, Ted W.

BLACKBURN, MRS. INA TAYLOR -- Rector -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joel A. Taylor. Florida schools; Wheatley Hll, Evansville, Ind.; business college, Springfield, Mo. Stenographer for O. T. Ward. Married Frank Layer, 1921. Son, Joel A. Married Neal Blackburn 1928.

BLAKEMORE, JAMES BUCHANAN -- Piggott -- born Tennessee 1858. Greenfield Academy. Taught two years; clerked five years. Married Belle Valentine, (d.) McKenzie, Tenn., 1883; son, James W., Atlanta, Ga. Moved Dunklin county, Mo. Mayor Kennett one term. Organized and was cashier Cotton Exchange Bank 1900-09; real estate business with W. D. Lasswell. Piggott 1911. Organized Bank of Pollard 1919. Married Mrs. Mary Vail, Atlanta, Ga. 1926. Mayor of Piggott since 1931. Missionary Baptist.

BOYD, DAN -- Piggott -- born near St. Francis 1894. Married Myrtle Fry 1917. Landowner; Boyd's Mercantile Co. Children Wilford, George, Lawanda, D. W., Jr.

BRADHAM, KELLY L. -- Rector -- born Illinois 1890. Clay county 1907. Farmer; contractor; justice of the peace four years; alderman two years; elected mayor of Rector 1932. Mason. Methodist. Married Flora, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Burton, Rector 1912. Son, Joseph B.

BROWN, MRS. ABE -- Peach Orchard -- born Missouri, daugther of Judge and Mrs. S. F. Lane. Clay county 1892. Married Abe Brown (d.) 1893. Methodist; Eastern Star. Brown's Mercantile Co. Children Abby, Amos L.

BROWN, ARTHUR L. -- Corning -- born Michigan 1868, son of Dr. G W. and Mary (Burham) Brown. Clay county 1881. Married Minnie E., daughter of Claybourne and Susan (McCrory) Webb, Neelyville, Mo. 1889. Taught school; lawyer since 1897; dep. Prosecuting atty. 20 years; local bondsman 15 years; atty. Frisco and Iron Mtn. Ry. three years; Union Central Life Insurance Co. 25 years. Equalization board. Methodist, Mrs. Brown U. D. C. Children, Anna Lois, Ruth Ione.

BROWN, BRUCE JACKSON -- Piggott -- born Piggott 1903, son of Andrew Jackson and Nancy Ellen (Bruce) Brown. William and Mary College; University of Virginia; Georgetown University. Investment securities, St. Louis; Chicago; New Orleans; New York. Author. Published in Pagany, Nativity, Story Magazine of Europe, Contempo, Windsor Quarterly.

BROWN, J. J. -- Piggott -- born 1860, son of Samuel and Anna (Dillow) Brown. Clay county 1862. Married Susan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stevens (killed in battle of Helena.) Charter member Arkansas Funeral Directors' Association; deacon and charter member Missionary Baptist church. Licensed embalmer. I.O.O.F. Daughter, Nettie Jane.

BROWN, MRS. LURA -- Piggott -- daughter Mr. and Mrs. L. Hubbard, Maddox Seminary. Married H. O. (d.) 1910, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Brown. Missionary Baptist. First president Piggott Civic Club; chairman Women's division Liberty Loan drive; secy. Red Cross during World War; treas. Red Cross during drouth relief; has been member P. T. A. and cemetery board. Now treasurer Red Cross and librarian Piggott Public Library.

BROWN, SAMUEL JACKSON -- Pollard -- born 1881, son of Munroe and Anar (Pollard) Brown. Married Mary Ellen (Hammock) Nettles, Franklin County, Mo. Farmer, Missionary Baptist.

BRUCE, TELLIE JACKSON -- Piggott -- born near Piggott 1873, son of Benjamin and Neeta (Pollard) Bruce. Mercantile business; went into business for himself when he was 16 at Pollard; connected with H. O. and A. J. Brown; Bruce-Brown Mercantile Company. Postmaster ten years at Piggott; stock dealer; real estate; salesman and collector Singer Sewing Machine Co. Missionary Baptist. Mason. Eastern Star. Married Kate (Harlan) widow of W. W. Mason, Kankakee, Ill. Women's Benefit Assn. Children, Robet, Howard, Otto, Marjorie, Bernard.

BUCY, J. GUY -- Rector -- born Rector 1899. Married Myrtle Smith 1916. Stock dealer. Children Everett, Byron.

BUCY, J. LOYD -- Rector -- Married Bessie Harper, 1924. Stock dealer.

CALDWELL, EDWARD FRANKLIN -- Greenway -- born Haywood township, 1894, son of Richard S. and Jennie (Gills) Caldwell. Public works near Truman three years; overseas four months during World War. Farmer. Married Della, daughter of John and Maggie (Smith) Mitchem, Greenway 118. Children: Claudine V., Glennie G., Frances L., Mary Lee.

CHILES, JOE -- Greeway -- born Tennessee 188. Partner in The Farmer's Store.

COCHRAN, J. T. -- Rector -- born Greenway 1896. Methodist; Mason; Chevrolet dealer and filling station. Married Ruby Holifield. Children: Juanita, Jimmie.

CONE, DR. GEORGE -- Piggott -- born 1877 in Glogau, Germany. U. S. 1901. Clay county in 1913. Berlin University as chemist and pharmacist. National Medical U. at Chicago 1905. M. D. degree 1909. College of Medicine and Surgery, Chicago, M. D. 1910. Married Emma Fritz, Chicago, 1903. Children: George, Jr., Isabel, Adolph. Landowner in St. Francis bottoms. City and county health officer. Member American Medical Assn., State and Southern Medical Assns. Mason.

COX, IRENE -- Piggott -- daughter of Daniel Redmond and Bertie (Bruce) Cox. Clay County 1911. Has been asst. cashier Clay County Bank 1923-28, asst. cashier Bank of Piggott 1928-30. City treasurer 1929-33. Royal Neighbors (Sec. - treas.) Methodist.

CROCKETT, JOHN L. -- Rector -- 1877 Clay county 1874. Married Ella Mebane. Children: Eva, Floyd, Robert, Ina. Rector 1922. Ford dealer. Introduced pedigreed stock in Clay County; owner stock barn in conjunction with automobile buisness. Mason, Odd Fellow.

CRUCE, CHARLES LEMUEL -- St. Francis -- born 1875, son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Noles) Cruce who settled near St. Francis 1865. Married Fanny Feulah, daughter of J. J. and Josephine (Bradshaw) Liddell. Methodist. Royal Neighbors. Daughter, Opal.

CUSTER, RAY -- Piggott -- born Virginia 1902. Piggott 1924. Married Mae M. Davis of Vinita, Okla. Rey's Garage.

DAVIS, PEARL WALKER -- Greenway -- born Dexter, Mo., daughter of J. C. and Mary Ann (Owen) Walker. Married S. A. Davis who came to Greenway 1889. Church of Christ. Children: Zilpah, Don Carlos, Randall, Inez, Helen, Winifred.

EMBRY, A. B. -- Crockett -- born Butler county Kentucky 1871. Clay county 1900. Married 1891. Church of Christ. I. O. O. F. Embry's Store. Children: Otilla, Gertrude, Bradley, Pearl, Ethel, Bruce, Morris.

ELSASS, ALFRED E. -- Rector -- born Ohio 1892. Married Grace Duke 1916. Serving third term as alderman. Started Elsass Creamery with brothers, Lawrence and Eugene. Children: Aline, Mary Jo.

ELSASS, EUGENE -- Rector -- born Ohio 1895. Married Nell Buall, Rector. Children; Demitra, Billie.

FERGUSON, GERALD -- Success -- son of Carol W. and Agnes (Sandusky) Ferguson. Clay county 1895. Married Arima, daughter of W. and Alice Sorrels. Shell Svc. Station.

FORREST, LONIE -- Piggott -- born 1890 Piggott, son of George and Nora (Crews) Forrest, grandson of "Potter" and Jane Forrest who came to Clay county in 1831. Married Mary Jane, daughter of Jasper N. and Lula (Toombs) Holifield. Enlisted U. S. Navy St. Louis; sent to Great Lakes Training Station; served on U. S. S. Missouri; U. S. S. Petrol; U. S. S. Idaho until 1923. To Pacific Coast Torpedo Station; Key Port, Washington, 1924-26; receiving ship for Shanghai, China 1927; U. S. S. Blackhawk; W. S. S. California. Served in Navy 17 years, left in 1931.

FOWLER, W. M. -- Corning -- born Supply 1886. Corning 1903. Opened restaurant 1908; grocery business 1911. Fowler's Grocery Store. Baptist. Mason. Married Jessie Carter, Corning 1907. Children: Lucien, Naomi, Mildred.

FRENCH, T. A. -- Piggott -- born Kentucky 1890. Taught school. Studied law. Elected circuit clerk 1925-28. Judge 1929-30. Practiced law. dep. pros. atty. under Denver Dudley 1933. Married Edith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Gordon. Mason. Children: Gorden, Merrell, Dorothy Jean, Thomas A., Jr.

FRETS, W. C. -- Rector -- born Indiana 1883. Rector 1898. Married Vinnie Sumersett, Rector, 1901. Prop. Rector Filling Station. Has ten children all living in Clay county.

GOLDEN, VERNIE R. -- Greenway -- born west of Greenway 1902, son of J. F. Golden, an old timer. Married Marguerite Chiles 1929. Mgr. Farmers' Store. Son Joel R.

GRIDER, OSCAR C. -- Piggott -- born Clay county 1879. son of Gilbert and Caroline (Ezzel) Grider. Clay county Tennessee. Merchant; succeeded S. H. Montgomery as postmaster at Pollard; first mayor of Pollard; director Bank of Pollard; member firm Hiller and GriderHelped lay out Pollard on own land when railroad came through in 1914. Piggott 1928. Circuit court clerk 1929; pres. Piggott Chamber of Commerce. Farm near Piggott. Missionary Baptist. I. O. O. F. Mason. Married Simmie, daughter of W. M. and Martha (Southern) Farris, White county, Tennessee. Children; Louis B., Almarita, Norma.

GUM, MRS. WAYNE -- Kennett, Mo. -- daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lewis, Piggott. Valedictorian P. H. S. 1924. Chillicothe Business College; taught. Married Wayne Gum, Clarkton, Mo. Now lives at Kennett, Mo., secy. State Life Insurance Co. Methodist. Y. W. B. C.

HARDIN, JAMES CLAYTON -- Rector -- born 1897, son of George and Ella (McPherson) Hardin. Roslyn Military Academy, N. M. Mercantile business. Married Nell, daughter of Rev. W. T. And Nola (Matthews) Thurman, Prescott.

HARMON, STRATTON -- Piggott -- 1900 son of Jerome and Mary (Raibly) Harmon. Married Edna Mae, daughter of J. P. and Sally Schlaegel, Frankfort, Kans. Methodist. President of Gardena Valley Milling Co., Gardena, California. Chairman Farmers and Merchants Bank, special deputy sheriff Los Angeles County, Calif. Od Fellows, 32nd. Mason, Shriner, Rainbow Club, Lion's Club. Lives at 620 W. 182nd. St. Gardena, California. Children; Elroy J., Dixie May, Robert, Mary Lee.

HARMON, W. W. -- Rector -- born 1871, son of Henry H. and Sally (Hudson) Harmon, Hickman County, Ky. Clay county 1920. Chief of Police, Sikeston, Mo. Farmer. Married Etta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tobe Morrow. Elected chief of police, Rector 1932. Methodist.

HARRIS, ALBERT N. -- Greenway -- born Greenway 1889, son of W. E. and Ada (Brandon) Harris. Gem City Business College,, Quincy, Ill. K. C. School of Accounting, Law and Finance. Stocks and grains, Chicago and Kansas City. Farms at Greenway. Married Minnie Overton, daughter of J. H. and Mary Overton, 1923. Children; Mary, Louise.

HARRIS, C. MATTHEW -- Piggott -- born Illinois 1877. Clay county 1913. Married Dora B. Sumners, Ill., 1898. Mason. U. O. F., K. P. Gulf Service Station. Children; Ralph, Cecil.

HARRIS, JOHN WILLIAM -- Piggott -- born Greenway 1895, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Harris who came to Clay county in 1880. Arkansas Agricultural School. Taught school ten years. Postal Emplyee. Married Emma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Potter. Baptist. Grand Master Masonic Lodge. Veteran World War. Children; Robert, Martha.

HENRY, W. W. -- Rector -- born Greensburg, Penn., 1886, son of W. and Mary Henry. Clay County 1903. State Teachers' College, California, Penn. A. B. degree, Greensburg Seminary, Peabody College, University of Ark. Cashier Bank of Corning; supt. Corning schools six years; county supt. 2 1/2 years. Mason. Methodist. Married Cecil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Ray. member of State Education Assn. Supt.'s Division, National Education Assn. Children; Kathryn.

HILL, D. A. -- Piggott -- born 1874,son of E. F. and Nannie (Lowry) Hill, Melbourne. Clay county 1915. Married Maxie Price Pounders. Farmer. Merchant. Christian. D. A. Hill's Store. Children; Mildred, Junior.

HILLER, DR. JOHN P. -- Pollard -- born Williamson County, Ill., 1876, son of Isaiah and Mary (Brandon) Hiller. Pollard 1903. Carbondale State Normal; St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons; University of Tenn. Methodist. Married Anne (d.), daughter of J. L. and Annie Blackshare. Children; Francis, Alma, Fred. Married Love, daughter of Frank Benson, Boydsville. One son, Everette W.

HOLIFIELD, REV. E. J. -- St. Francis -- born near Boydsville 1906. State Teachers' College. Licensed minister 1932. Methodist pastor at St. Francis. Married Irene French, Pollard, 1931.

HUGHES, MRS. ARCH MADISON -- Piggott -- daughter of John Childs Brandon, farmer, who came to Clay county in the '40s and settled near Greenway. Married A. M. Hughes (1877 in Tenn. d. Piggott 1930.) A. M. Hughes entered nursery business in Piggott 1906. Clerked in old Famous Store and others. Business with R. A. Lack. Owned A. M. Hughes, General Mdse. until 1930. Children; Mabel, sec-treas. Piggott Nursery; Lavina, Doyne, Norman. Missionary Baptist.

HUSTON, SAMUEL WARREN -- Piggott -- born, Piggott 1884, son of Dr. S. W. and Susan Jane (Lowrance) Huston. Married Enid, daughter of J. H. and Narcissus J. (Wiley) Parrish. Lumber business. City Council. A. O. U. W. Presbyterian church. Children; Samuel Warren, Jr., (Balistics Bureau of Police Dept., N. Y. C.) Jean.

HUSTON, MRS. SUSAN J. -- Piggott -- as Susan Jane Lowrance came to Clay county from Tenn 1859. Presbyterian. Married Dr. Samuel W. Huston (d. 1905.) Children; Edna, Samuel W., Orin, Rhea.

HUTCHINS, GORDON LEE -- Corning -- 1933. Opened State Theatre. Two years with Fox and Missouri Theatres, St. Louis. Baptist.

IRBY, W. H. -- Rector -- born Kansas 1888. Rector 1905 from Ill. Taught school at White Walnut, Palestine, Lonoke, Vowell, Dep. Cir. Clerk 1910-12. W. H. Irby Funeral Directors 1916. Married Amy Terry, Rector, 1912.

JANES, THOMAS ANDREW -- Rector -- born Ravenden Springs 1865, son of James and Martha (Bowen) Janes. Grandson of John Janes, first settler in west end of Randolph County. Clay county 1885. Worked for A. L. Blackshare. Put in T. A. Janes & Co. Rector 1900; with U. S. Holifield five years; Joseph Wolff Company. Married Linnie, daughter of C. L. and Eliza J. (Martin) Sides. County Treasurer 1890-91; mayor; recorder; alderman. Methodist, Mason. Children; Thomas A., Ruth E., Morgan B.

JERNIGAN, DR. E. D. -- Corning -- born 1889 Tenn., son of Rev. F. P. and Ella T. Jernigan. Clay county 1899. Married Imogene, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. G. R. Whitaker. Southern Dental College, Atlanta. Corning 1924. Methodist. Psi Omega Dental Fraternity; American Dental Assn.; Ark. State Dental Assn.; N. E. Ark. Dental Assn. Son, E. D., Jr.

JEWELL, V. E. -- Piggott -- born 1867, son of John M. and Hannah (Harmon) Jewell. Clay county 1881, settled at Old Hamburg. Store clerk, timber. Married Sarah, daughter of W. N. and Ann (Davis) Hitt who settled on Old Middle Slough in 1867. Farmer; Missionary Baptist. Children; Grady, now in U. of A.

JOHNSON, WILLIAM J. -- Pollard -- born near Boydsville 1867, son of Thomas and Sarah C. (Pollard) Johnson. Married Mary Ann (d.) daughter of Watson and Jane Forrest. Children; Lura May, Mary E., Lula Belle, Charles F., Joseph R., William E., James O., Thomas F., Edna, Myrtle, Mary. Married Tishie Ann Mallard. Children; Willim F., James C. Missionary Baptist.

JOHNSON, WYATT -- Corning -- born Illinois 1893. clay county 1912. Married Ethel, daughter of W. B. and Judith (Gossett) Snodgrass. Employed at Oliver's Store. Serving third term mayor, Corning. Children; Wyatt, Jr., Anna R., Betty J., Methodist. I. O. O. F., Rebeccas.

JONES, DR. F. H. -- Piggott -- born 1890, son of John Paul and Katherine (seab) Jones of Franklin Co., Miss. Mississippi College, graduate of U. of Tenn., M. D. degree. Interneship City Hospital, Memphis. Tulane University. Piggott 1913. Married Carolyn, daughter of W. L. and India (Compton) Allen of Natchez, Miss. Missionary Baptist. Mason. Commercial Club. Son, John Homer.

KEGLEY, THOMAS JEFFERSON -- Crockett -- born Bradshaw township 1887, son of Sam and Etta (Duncan) Kegley. Clay county 1870. Farmed at Crockett since 1920. Overseas nine months during World War, Army of Occupation at Coblenz, Germany. Married Delia Bradbury, daughter of Jim and Celia (Stewart) Bradbury 1919. One son.

LATHAM, GUY -- Corning -- born Tennessee 1884. Corning 1895. Owner Guy's Lunch Room. Methodist. K. P.

LANGLEY, IRA C. -- Piggott -- born 1872. Graduate law, U. of Ark.,; U. of Tenn. Dixon Normal School. Dep. circuit clerk 1900. State Land Office 1914. Asst. Sec. of Ark. Senate. Food administrator during World War. Mason, Shriner. Married Lillian L. Oxley, 1894. Daughter, Edith.

LATTA, JESSE C. -- Pollard -- born 1878, son of Thomas F. and Xantippe (Glass) Latta. Native of Clay County. Reared on farm and served as road commissioner part of the time until 1913. Postmaster Piggott 1915-19. Now postmaster of Pollard. Served under Democrats and Republicans. Married Zora, daughter of Andrew and Fanny (Malone) Langley. Missionary Baptist, I. O. O. F. Mason, Eastern Star. Children; Thelma V., Miriam, Frances M.

LETBETTER, W. M. -- Corning -- born 1877. Gainsville. Knobel 1894. To Corning 1900. Blacksmith. Married Edyth Cooper, Knobel, 1903. Owner Service Station. Daughter Alma L.

LEWIS, JAMES W. -- Piggott -- bor 1868, son of J. T. and Adeline (Johnson) Lewis. Clay county 1899. Farmer. Rural mail carrier for 28 years. One of first mail routes established in N. E. Arkansas, Route 1. Veteran of Spanish American War; Corp. 9th Ill. Regiment, 30th U. S. Vol. Veteran Phillipine Insurrection. Married Alsilda (d. 1896), daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jones) Cantrell. Missionary Baptist. Children; Larkin, Grace. Married, Arminta, daughter of Henry C. and (Susan) McLeskey Blake.) Children; Chloa, Lawton, Ray, Fay, Noneta, Irene.

MACK, JAMES H. -- Greenway -- born Greenway 1883 on homestead of grandfather. Son of W. Harvey and Ada Lavina (Dudley) Mack. Married Lonnie, daughter of W. M. and Martha (Payne) Landrum, 1906. Scaled logs below Greenway 1907-09; entered stock business. One son, Claude. Reared Martha (Landrum) Wilkes.

MANN, LAWRENCE -- Piggott -- born 1901, son of J. W. and Mathilda Mann. Clay county from Illinois 1901. Lumber inspector. Married Chloa Lewis, daughter of James W. and Arminta (Blake) Lewis. Methodist. Children; Billie L., Betty Joyce, Barbara Ann, Robert.

MARSHALL, ERNEST -- Piggott -- born Dunklin Co., Mo. 1877. Piggott 1905. Real estate business. Owns and operates 1300 acres land east of Piggott. Married Carry Sowell, Holly Springs, Miss. Carryville named for her. Presbyterian.

MATHENY, JAMES D. -- Greenway -- born Savannah, Tenn., 1873, son of W. H. and Mary Matheny. Greenway 1876. Married Sally (Miles) Roberts. Postmaster Greenway since 1932. Church of Christ.