My Genealogy Hound

Samuel A. Massey was born in Knox County, Tenn., in 1838. He is the son of Jacob L. and Ann J. (Gray) Massey, the first named being a native of Tennessee, and the mother coming from Ireland to America with her parents in 1820, and settling in Knoxville, Tenn. His parents were married in Tennessee, in the year 1837, and moved to Arkansas in 1850, where they settled on Strawberry River, and commenced farming until the death of his father, in 1883. His mother died in 1878. Nine children were born to the parents, and two of them have been called away by death. Of the seven yet living, Mr. Massey is the oldest, and came to Arkansas when in his thirteenth year. He passed the younger portion of his days on the farm, and, on attaining his majority, commenced his race with the world with such a degree of success that today he is worthy of emulation by the young men of his county. He has 140 acres of land under cultivation, besides other lands in various sections, amounting to some 240 acres in all, which is the result of his own labor. In 1861, when he found that his country needed his services, he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company B, Twenty-first Arkansas, and held the rank of second lieutenant. He was captured by the enemy in 1864, in this county, and taken prisoner to Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where he was kept until January, 1865. When no longer a prisoner of war he returned to his command and did good service, returning to his home shortly before the surrender, and has continued farming ever since. He was married in 1858 to Miss Elvira Milligan, a young lady born and reared in Arkansas, and a daughter of John Milligan, one of the pioneers of that State. Mrs. Massey died September 1, 1866, leaving four children as the result of their happy married life. Their names are Edia J., Samuel J., Jacob L., and Elvira E. Mr. Massey lives with his son Jacob on the home place, and though oft times beset by the snares of his widower’s state, has always remained true to the memory of his beloved wife. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and is also a member of Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M., of Reed’s Creek, Sharp County.