My Genealogy Hound

Isaac Magness is a prosperous farmer and stock-man, residing on Section 14, Christian Township, Independence County, Ark., his post office address being Oil Trough. He is a son of Josiah and Parilee (Williams) Magness, his maternal grandfather being Isaac Williams; the paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and a participant in the battle of New Orleans. Isaac Magness was born in Fayette County, Tenn., May 24, 1836, and was there reared to manhood and educated, but came with his parents to Arkansas in 1857. They resided in Cross County until 1867, then moved to Independence County, and purchased 130 acres of land, a portion of which was under cultivation, and here resided until the father’s death, in 1870, he being the owner of 150 acres at that time. His wife died in 1880. Isaac Magness enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862, and was a member of Col. Bob Shaver’s regiment, serving until June, 1885, and was a participant in the battle of Little Rock, and numerous skirmishes. After his return from the war he again took up the implements of farm life, and has continued in this calling up to the present time. His first purchase of land was in 1870, and consisted of eighty acres, but he sold this two years later and purchased land in Christian Township, which he also sold in 1879. His present farm consists of 243 acres, and at the time he purchased it there were but fifteen acres under cultivation, and it was only improved by a small log cabin. He now has 130 acres cleared and 110 acres under cultivation, and on this is an excellent frame dwelling-house and other good buildings. He is a member of McGuire Lodge No. 208, of the A. F. & A. M. at Oil Trough, and has always been known as a liberal and public spirited citizen. He was married on the 1st of September, 1868, to Miss Missouri Hungatte, a native of Arkansas, whose father was born in Illinois and her mother in Indiana. To them the following family have been given: Willie Lee, who was born on the 22d of August, 1869; Elisha T., whose birth occurred September 9, 1871; John M., who was born February 22, 1875, and Hardy Marquis, born January 4, 1880. The eldest child, Miss Willie Lee, was married to James Monroe Nichols on the 26th of May, 1889, her husband being a son of John G. and Nancy (McGuire) Nichols.