My Genealogy Hound

Robert McKamey is a son of Robert and Jemima (Parks) McKamey, of Tennessee, where young Robert was born, on the 29th of November, 1845. The elder McKamey held several local offices, and was quite a prominent man in Tennessee, and was also one of the survivors of the Mexican War. He moved with his family to Arkansas in the fall of 1858, and purchased a farm in Lawrence County, where he resided until his death, on the 12th of October, 1870, six days after the demise of his wife. Robert McKamey, Jr., came to Arkansas when in his thirteenth year, and remained with his parents until the last year of the war, when he entered the Federal army, and was attached to the Sixth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He enlisted first as a private, but was made sergeant, in which capacity he remained until the war had ended. After he was given his discharge, in September, 1865, he returned to his home, and on the 6th of January, 1867, was married, in Randolph County, to Miss Barbara Wells. He remained in that county four years, farming upon a piece of land he had purchased, and then sold out and bought the place upon which he now resides. At the time of its purchase, there were about 100 acres cleared, and the buildings on it were unfinished, but since then he has cleared some seventy-five additional acres, fenced it in, and greatly improved the place. He owns altogether about 500 acres of land, situated two miles from Imboden, and one-third rich bottom and second bottom land. This is one of the best farms and most desirable pieces of property in Lawrence County, and Mr. McKamey has shown thrift and energy in securing it, from the fact that he started on comparatively nothing after the war. He also has a fine orchard of seven acres, consisting of different varieties of fruit. Mr. McKamey’s first wife died in Lawrence County, leaving two children to her husband’s care. His present wife was Miss Susan Ann Bragg, of Independence County, by whom he has had seven children. Their names are James L., John, Leona, Robert, Naida, Abbie and Anna, the last two being twins; and those by his first wife are Margaretta, wife of William York, and Emily, who died in her seventeenth year. Mr. McKamey has also lost three children, who died in childhood. Mrs. McKamey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. McKamey an Ancient Odd Fellow. He is a Republican in politics, and upholds the principles of his party. His wealth, while not of mammoth proportions, has grown to ample size, and he is one of the most substantial men of his county.