My Genealogy Hound

Monroe Jefferson Talley has been a resident of this county, on the farm on which he now lives, for over thirty-five years. He was born in Heard County, Ga., on May 27, 1840, being a son of James B. and Mary A. (Duke) Talley, natives of Georgia. His father was a son of Littleton and Salida Talley, also natives of Georgia, the former being a son of Elisha and Penny Talley. Elisha Talley was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. James B. Talley was born on September 3, 1839, and reared in his native State, and was there married in 1839 to Mary A. Duke, who was born in 1821. They came to Arkansas in 1855, choosing a location in Columbia County, and now live within one mile of their son, our subject. Of the twelve children born to their marriage, only eight are now living: Monroe J., Mattie (unmarried and at home), Lucy (now Mrs. McDonald, of this township), Sarah (now Mrs. Hutchinson, of this township), Louisa (Mrs. Williams), Emma (Mrs. Robison, of this township), Walter L. (a farmer of this township), and Cordelia (now Mrs. Whiddon). Monroe J. Talley was about sixteen years of age when he came to this State with his parents, and at the age of twenty-one years he commenced life on his own responsibility by farming on a part of the old homestead, his father having given him eighty acres. In January, 1861, he went to Claiborne Parish, La., and there he was employed as overseer on a large plantation, in which occupation he was engaged at the outbreak of the late war. At the first call for troops he offered his services to the Confederate service, joining the Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, in which he served as orderly sergeant until the close of the war. Among the principal battles may be mentioned; Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Chickasaw Landing, Snyder’s Bluff, Port Gibson and others. He was captured at Vicksburg, but three days later went into parole camp at Shreveport, La., and about one year later was exchanged, and again joined his regiment. He arrived home in June, 1865, and since that time has been occupied in tilling his farm. He now owns over 500 acres, half of which is under a high state of cultivation, and this he devotes principally to raising cotton. He is also quite extensively engaged in raising mules and horses. On March 8, 1864, while at home on a furlough, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha C. Kindrick, and eight children have been given them, seven of whom survive: James T. (deceased), Henry D., Beulah, William M., Jonathan C., Mollie M., Luta and Vera. Mrs. Talley was born on June 25, 1835, in Heard County, Ga., being a daughter of Jonathan and Sallie (Peach) Kindrick, both of whom were natives of Georgia. The latter is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years, making her home with Mr. Talley. The Missionary Baptist Church at Atlanta numbers Mr. and Mrs. Talley among its most prominent members. Mr. Talley is a Mason, belongs to the County Wheel and Alliance, and is Democratic in his political views. He is one of the prominent men of his township, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.