My Genealogy Hound

Matthew J. King, farmer and merchant, Barkada, Ark. Mr. King, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Drew County, settled here in 1842, and there are but two citizens of his age, and but six citizens now living, who were living in this county at that time. Mr. King was born on August 5, 1820, and is the son of William and Catherine (McCauley) King, the father a native of North Carolina. The latter moved to Henderson County, Ky., with his family in 1831, cultivated the soil, and there died in 1835. The mother then removed with her children, six in number, to Haywood County, Tenn., and there resided with her brother, James McCauley. Later she moved with him to Fayette County, and there died a few years afterward. Her children were named as follows: Matthew J. (whose birth occurred in Orange County, N. C), Nancy (widow of William Rowlit), William (deceased), Ellen, Catherine (deceased), and one child who died in infancy. The maternal grandfather of these children was a soldier in the Revolution, and was over eighty years of age at the time of his death. Matthew J. King worked on a farm to help his mother and there continued until her death, when he was bound out to L. C. Butts to learn the brick-mason’s trade. He remained with him for three years, and then, in 1842, came to Arkansas, located in what is now Drew County (but then a part of Bradley County), and there followed agricultural pursuits for eight years. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Newton, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Newton. Mrs. King died in 1880 leaving twelve children, six now living: Henry Neeley (married and resides in this county), Jesse Columbus (deceased), Albert (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Laura A. (deceased), Ophelia (deceased), and William, Joseph J., James E., Sanford N. and Ida (all at home). After his marriage, Mr. King entered a quarter section of Government land, and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. He bought his present homestead, consisting of over 1,200 acres of land, with about 130 acres under cultivation, in 1868, and is also administrator of the estate of Jesse Newton (deceased). He owns a cotton-gin (horse-power) with a capacity of about three bales per day, and although his principal crop is cotton, he is interested in other occupations, and he and Mr. Oslin are in partnership in trading in mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr. King also owns a half interest in the store at Barkada, owned by King & Oslin. Although at the time of his marriage Mr. King was in debt $75, he has made all his property by hard work and good business ability, and at the present time his taxable property amounts to over $13,000. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in his political views is Democratic. He has been a member of the Masonic order, but has not affiliated with any lodge for several years. In 1864 and 1865 he was in Capt. Owens’ company, was employed as teamster, and was never in any engagements.