My Genealogy Hound

W. F. Chiles is a native of Alabama, his birth occurring in that State in 1.849, he being a son of W. L. Chiles, a native of South Carolina, the grandfather being Walter Chiles, an Englishman. The father died June 15, 1879, having been a worthy and honored man throughout life. W. F. Chiles remained in the State of Alabama, until after he was twenty-six years of age, then came to Arkansas, the instruction he received in early life being under a tutor. At the age of eighteen years he began making his own way in the world, and for about four years followed saw and grist milling, his father and grandfather before him being mill men. In 1875 he emigrated West to Arkansas, and immediately began to till the soil on rented land, but in 1880, he bought 340 acres of land, his hill land averaging one-half bale, and the bayou land one bale of cotton per acre. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace in 1882, a position he had held four years, and in 1888 was chosen tax assessor, and is now discharging the duties of the same. His estimable wife was formerly Miss Octavia Burnham, a daughter of Dr. Burnham of Ashley County. Their union took place in 1879, and has resulted in the birth of two children: Annie B. and Ada Bell. Mr. Chiles is a Democrat, politically, a member of the K. of P. and the Agricultural Wheel, and has long been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises such as churches, schools, etc., and he is a man who commands respect and esteem wherever he is known.