My Genealogy Hound

E. L. Minyard was born in Rockport, Ark., in 1837, being a son of James and Polly (Meek) Minyard, who were born in Tennessee and Illinois, respectively, but were married in Northeast Arkansas, and about 1837 settled at old Rockport, the following year coming to Clark County and settling on a farm on the old military road near Clear Springs. They cleared a good farm and here spent nearly all the rest of their lives, the father dying on the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides, in 1885, at the age of seventy-five years. He was married twice, his first wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, dying in 1805. Mr. Minyard was a very successful farmer, a soldier in one of the Indian wars, and was a great hunter, many bear, deer, etc., falling a victim to his skill. E. L. Minyard was the fifth of four sons and five daughters, and is the only son now living. He was compelled to labor very assiduously in helping to clear his father's woodland farm, and therefore his advantages for acquiring an education were quite limited. In 1860 he was married to Miss Milbra, daughter of James and Anna McCraw, who came from Mississippi to Arkansas a few years prior to the Civil War. Mrs. McCraw died in Mississippi and Mr. McCraw in Clark County, Ark., about 1884, having been a farmer throughout life. Mrs. Minyard was born in Mississippi, and her union with Mr. Minyard has resulted in the birth of seven children, one son and four daughters now living. Mr. Minyard has resided on the farm of 240 acres where he now lives since 1859, and has 120 acres under cultivation. In connection with his farming operations he is also engaged in stock-raising, and has the reputation of being a thoroughgoing and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. He served all through the late war in the Confederate army, a member of Company H, Grinstead's regiment of Arkansas Infantry, then at the end of three years joined Bryant's battalion and operated in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, etc., taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Pilot Knob, Milliken's Bend, etc., and besides participated in many skirmishes, being lieutenant of cavalry. His first presidential vote was cast for Breckenridge in 1860, and he is now a Democrat and is serving his tenth year as justice of the peace. He and wife have long been members of the Missionary Baptist Church.