My Genealogy Hound

George T. Lincoln, member of the clothing firm of Lincoln & Arthur, of Bentonville, Ark., and the son of George and Julia A. (Gaitwood) Lincoln, was born in Clay County, Mo., in 1840. George Lincoln was born in Scott County, Ky., in 1796, was of German descent, and was the son of Thomas Lincoln, who was a native of Virginia, and a first cousin of Abraham Lincoln. George Lincoln was reared in Kentucky, whither his parents had moved at an early day, and in 1821 he immigrated to Clay County, Mo., purchased a farm of 820 acres, which he cultivated, and which to this day is in the possession of his wife, Julia A. (Gaitwood) Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln afterward became the owner of 480 acres. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of Raisin River. He died in 1852 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, while on his way home from medical treatment at Fort Pier. His wife was born in Scott County, Ky., in 1802, and is of Scotch origin. She now resides on the old home place in Clay County, Mo., and is eighty-six years old. She was the mother of fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to be grown, and eight of whom are now living: John K., Mrs. Fannie Hockaday (widow of I. N. Hockaday), Lemuel S., Lucy (wife of T. K. Bradley), George T., Charles H., James E. and Julia (wife of John McMichael). George T. was reared on the farm, and remained with his mother until twenty years of age. He was educated at William Jewell College, his mother being one of the original subscribers to the fund of the institution, and graduated in the English course and in mathematics. After reaching his majority he commenced merchandising in Clay County, Mo., and at the end of one year sold out, and returned to farm life. He tilled the soil for about a year, and, the war breaking out, he enlisted in Capt. Jesse Price’s company, Confederate States army, John T. Hugh’s battalion, in June, 1861. He was in the battles of Lexington, Elk Horn, Corinth, Iuka, second battle of Corinth, Jackson, and afterward a scout under Joe Blackburn, now Senator from Kentucky. He was captured in front of Vicksburg, and retained twenty-nine days in the city. He was slightly wounded at two different times, and was in service four years and two months, surrendering at Grenada, Miss. Previous to the war, in 1860, he married Miss Virginia M. Pryor, who was born in Kentucky in 1844, and to them was born one child, Morton. Mrs. Lincoln died in 1861. After the war Mr. Lincoln located at Nebraska City, Neb., and was in the freighting business until 1870, when he went to the Indian Nation, near Fort Smith, Ark., and followed farming and trading stock for six years, when he returned to his birthplace. In 1875 Mr. Lincoln married Miss Ellen S. Sykes, a native of Alabama, born in 1848, and the daughter of Dr. William T. Sykes. In 1884 Mr. Lincoln moved to Bentonville, Ark., where he established a clothing and furnishing house, his partner being N. S. Jackson. January 20, 1886, the firm of Lincoln & Arthur was established, and this has since continued. They carry a first-class stock of ready-made clothing, gents furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc. In State and national affairs Mr. Lincoln is Democratic, but in local affairs he is independent. He was a member of the town council of Nebraska, and is a member of the school board of Bentonville, being president of the same. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is Master of the lodge. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.