My Genealogy Hound

Abraham W. Newton, senior member of the firm of Newton & Co., and a prominent citizen of Gurdon, was born in this county February 4, 1854, the oldest of ten children, seven of whom are still living, born to the union of George W. and Mary E. (Wells) Newton, natives of Shelby County, Tenn., and Clark County, Ark., respectively, and both now residents of Gurdon. His father, George W.Newton, was a son of John Newton, a native of Tennessee, who was born December 25, 1810, and is now living at Gurdon, as hale and hearty as a great many men of half his age. He has been a great rover all his life. In 1846 he in company with his son (the father of our subject) moved from Shelby County, Tenn., to Independence County, Ark., and from thence, in 1852, to Clark County, which John Newton made his home until 1859. He then moved to Williamson County, Tex., and in 1865 went to Los Angeles, Cal., remaining there ten years and then moving to Arizona. In 1877 he moved to Texas, and soon after to New Mexico, then to Chickasaw Nation, which he has since considered home. When a young man, he learned the harness and saddle-maker's trade, at which he worked for some time, then engaged in stock-raising and dealing, in which he has continued, with the exception of a few years spent in the mercantile business at Brooklyn, Tex., all his life. As a farmer he has been very successful, and his judgment in the cattle business is considered excellent. He has been a member of the Baptist Church from his boyhood, and in his politics has always been a Democrat. The family are of Irish-Welsh descent. George W. Newton was the third son of seven children, five of whom are now living, and was born in 1833. His youthful days were spent in the country. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Mary E. Wells, daughter of Abraham Wells, one of the pioneers of Clark County. He was a farmer by occupation, and came to Arkansas before it was admitted into the Union; he died here in 1862. Mrs. Newton was born in 1835, and by her union with Mr. Newton was the mother of ten children, seven of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. While a youth at home Mr. Newton learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, but after his marriage he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has continued farming ever since until 1888, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits here. He served in the late war, being detached by the Confederate government to make boots and shoes for soldiers. He served for six months in Gen. Hardman's Brigade, Gen. Churchill's Division, and participated in several battles. At the close of the war he was in a precarious financial condition, but by his ability and close application to business has been quite successful, and in 1888 commenced a grocery business in Gurdon, which he has since successfully continued. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a Mason and a Democrat, and has served a good many years in an official capacity. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents, working on his fathers farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Prescott and entered the employ of Cantley & Davenport, general merchants. After seven months in their employ, he, with a capital of about $150, opened an establishment of his own at Rome, which he continued for two and one-half years, when he sold his mercantile interest and purchased a farm in tbis county. March 28, 1878, he married Miss Mattie Bussell, daughter of Benjamin Bussell, a native of Mississippi. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, three still living, viz.: Luther, Fred and Robert, and Emmett, who died at the age of thirteen months. He farmed for two years, then came to Gurdon and opened a small grocery busi- ness. Since then he has been burnt out twice, losing by fire over $10,000; but, by energy, industry, economy and business ability, he has developed into one of the leading merchants of Clark County, and now carries a stock of general merchandise valued at $10,000, selling $38,000 worth of goods annually. His first venture in business was alone; he then engaged in business for eighteen months with W. J. Seaborn, at the end of which time he bought Mr. Seaborn's interest. In 1888 he took in Mr. Whitmon as a partner, who still has an interest in the business. Mr. Newton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Socially he is a member of the K. of H., and politically is a Democrat, and is one of the enterprising citizens of Gurdon.