My Genealogy Hound

Robert H. Beith is a man of advanced views, and is a successful planter and merchant of Laconia, Desha County, Ark. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1825, and is a son of James and Ann (Hamilton) Beith, who were also born in that land. His advantages were good, and he remained in Scotland until 1846, or until twenty-one years of age, then emigrated to Canada, but in the spring of 1847 came to the United States. The first two years were spent in traveling over the country looking for a suitable location, and for a short time worked as a clerk in St. Louis, after which he went to New Orleans, and began boating on the Mississippi River, which business he continued until the opening of the Civil War. After the cessation of hostilities, he settled in Desha County, Ark., which county has since been his home, his occupation being that of a merchant and planter, in both of which he has been remarkably successful. His mercantile establishment embraces a stock of goods worth about $2,500, and he has land to the amount of 1,600 acres, of which 350 are cleared and in a good state of cultivation. He was married in Memphis, Tenn., in 1856, to Miss Martha Hening, and by her has had a family of seven children: James, Mary A., Robert H., Veronica, William, Martha and Joseph. James, Martha and Mary A. are deceased. Robert, William and Veronica are married and live in homes of their own, but Joseph still resides with his father. Mr. Beith is a Democrat in politics, and is interested in all enterprises for the public weal, supporting them, if worthy of support, both by his influence and liberal contributions of money. He and wife are Presbyterians in faith.