My Genealogy Hound

George Meriwether Marks has been a resident of Cleveland County, Ark., for fifty-four years, although his birth occurred in Montgomery County, Ala., June 19, 1833, he being a son of Hastings and Sivility (Powell) Marks, a short history of whom is given in the sketch of James N. Marks, their son. George M. obtained a fair education in the common schools of Georgia, and in the Masonic Institute at Clarksville, Tenn., but after leaving the latter institution in 1855, he commenced merchandising at Mark’s Mill, but at the end of two years he settled on his present farm in Cleveland County, Ark. In the month of October, 1863, he joined the Second Arkansas Confederate Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Poison Springs, Mount Elba and many skirmishes. On leaving the army he still possessed his old war-horse, and he returned home and resumed the cultivation of his farm, which has received his attention ever since. His home plantation consists of 690 acres of valuable land, but he has 810 acres in another tract. November 22, 1857, was the date of his marriage to Miss Catherine E. Tolefree, a daughter of Dr. Robert Tolefree. The latter was born in New York City, was a graduate of Yale College, and was a physician of prominence, being also a practitioner of law. He died at Monticello, Ga., February 1, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Marks a family of ten children have been born: Fannie D. (wife of Frank McGehee, an attorney of Varner, Ark.), Amelia M., Anna L. (who was born June 20, 1864, and died January 21, 1887, the wife of J. S. Moseley), Mattie H. (wife of E. B. Atwood, a farmer of the county), Deborah C., Robert T., George E., Clara W., Barbara T., and Ruth (who was born March 30, 1883, and died August 23, 1887). Mrs. Marks is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in his religious views Mr. Mark is a Unitarian. He is a Mason and is a Democrat.