My Genealogy Hound

John A. Hinkle, of the firm of Hinkle & Co., Batesville, owes his nativity to Izard County, Ark., where his birth occurred the 20th of December, 1852. His father, John D. Hinkle, was a native of Tennessee, and after reaching manhood was united in marriage to Miss Arena Beckham, also a native of Tennessee. They emigrated to Arkansas in the 40’s, locating in Izard County, and there he followed the profession of teaching, but in connection carried on farming also. The father died in 1852, but the mother is still living. She was married the second time to Stephen Taylor, by whom she had five children, three living: Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Mrs. Amanda Bone and Mrs. Emeline Haley. Mr. Taylor died in 1876. The mother resides on the old homestead in Izard County, and enjoys fairly good health. John A. Hinkle secured a fair education in the common schools, and remained on the farm until seventeen years of age. He then engaged as a clerk for Hinkle & Son (his uncle and cousin), at Lunenburg, where he remained until 1876, after which, in May of that year, he embarked in merchandising for himself at Melbourne. He carried on business at that place until 1883, when he sold out and removed to Batesville, where he carried on the business alone. The firm was changed in 1885 to J. A. Hinkle & Co., by adding Jeff P. Hinkle, a cousin, and thus continued until H. H. Hinkle, another cousin, and brother of Jeff P. became a member of the firm, and the title was changed to Hinkle & Co. This firm carries a full line of general merchandise, valued at from $12,000 to $15,000. They are doing a good business. Jeff P. died in April, 1889. H. H. Hinkle retired from the business in 1888, and engaged in the banking business, which bank was consolidated into a stock company in July, 1889, with H. H. Hinkle as cashier. Thus John A. was left alone to run the mercantile department. Mr. Hinkle has a wide experience in merchandising, having followed the business from seventeen years of age. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Talitha Kilpatrick, of Hazlehurst, Miss., and the daughter of William A. Kilpatrick. Mrs. Hinkle is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hinkle is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Batesville Telephone Company; is also vice-president of the board of directors of Batesville Telephone Company; is a member of the board of directors of Batesville Printing Company, and of the board of directors of the Bank of Batesville.