My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Martha Sellers, the daughter of Clark and Mary Smith was born October 18, 1840, in Bates County, Mo. The father was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and immigrated from that State to Missouri when quite a young man. He settled in Bates County, purchased land, and devoted his time exclusively to farming and stock-raising. The mother was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., and when a young woman emigrated westward with her father. They first settled in Cole County, Mo., but later removed to Bates County, of the same State, and finally settled in Benton County, Ark., where she passed her last days. The father died in Louisiana. Grandfather and Grandmother Smith were from Pennsylvania, and moved to Bates County, Mo where they were living when they received their final summons. The majority of their children went to California during the gold excitement of 1849. Mrs. Sellers continued to live with her mother and relatives until about seventeen years of age, when she was married to Joel F. Sellers, a native of Warren County Tenn., who immigrated to Arkansas in 1841. To this union were born seven children, all now living: William C., Hugh A., Robert L., James H., Emma D., Fannie B. and John F. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sellers settled on the farm where she is now living, and here Mr. Sellers occupied his time in tilling the soil until his death. Mrs. Sellers is now conducting the farm with the assistance of her sons who are living at home. The farm consists of 240 acres, 140 acres under cultivation. Hugh Sellers, Mrs. Sellers’ second son, continued to live with his mother until his marriage. He received a fair education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-three married Miss Amanda Williams, daughter of John Williams, who is one of the oldest settlers of Benton County, having removed from Missouri to Arkansas when a boy. The daughter was born and reared in Franklin County, Ark., and by her marriage to Mr. Sellers became the mother of one child, David C. Since marriage Mr. Sellers has been engaged in business for himself, and is now occupied in farming in this county. He is a strong Democrat in his political views, not for policy, but from principle and his own honest convictions.