My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

A. M. Chitwood, farmer and miller, Prairie View, Ark. Mr. Chitwood is still another of the many prominent citizens of Logan County, Ark., who owe their nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in 1844, and is the son of Russell B. and Sarah (Moore) Chitwood, both natives also of the Big Bend State. The parents moved to Arkansas about 1851, entered eighty acres of land, erected a house and other necessary buildings, and here the father was engaged in tilling the soil for some time. He then sold out and started a tan yard, which he conducted for about six years. A. M. Chitwood began working for himself in the fall of 1861, and made his first purchase of land in 1872. This he soon sold, and in 1877 he purchased eighty acres of railroad land, upon which he cleared about fifty acres, built a double house and other buildings, and set out orchards, etc. In 1880 he exchanged his land for a gin and grist-mill, which he ran for two years, when he sold it and purchased land, 106 acres at Prairie View, where he now resides. He also purchased one-half interest in a saw-mill, which he ran one year, and then after selling that mill, purchased the mill he now owns near Blaine Post-office. In 1890 he purchased eighty acres of timberland, where his mill is located. The mill is equipped with a 30-horse power boiler and a 25-horse power engine, and is estimated to cut 10,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Chitwood has improved his home place by erecting good substantial buildings, and by making many other important changes. He raises from thirty to thirty-five bushels of corn, or one-half a bale of cotton to the acre each year. In 1863 Mr. Chitwood was married to Miss Mary A. Tompkins, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Carroll Tompkins. To them were born three children, who are named as follows: Russell B. and Dora Isabel (twins) and Mary Luetta. Mrs. Chitwood died on January 13, 1874. Mr. Chitwood was justice of the peace and constable of Ellsworth Township for six or eight years. In July, 1879, he was married to Mrs. Emily L. Griffins nee Wilkur, a native of Arkansas, and the daughter of B. T. Wilkur. Seven children were born to this marriage: Cora L., Arthur, John A., Berry B., Sarah M., Wilbur N., and one unnamed. In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Chitwood is the owner of a shingle machine, which has an estimated capacity of 18,000 per day.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 92 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Logan County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Logan County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Logan County, Arkansas family biographies here: Logan County, Arkansas

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.