My Genealogy Hound

Capt. D. W. Bizzell. Among the many who have grown up from childhood in this State and risen from very moderate circumstances to a life of independence and influence, is the subject of this sketch, Capt. David W. Bizzell. Born in Nash County, N. C., on May 5, 1838, he was the son of David E. Bizzell, a native of the same State, who was educated and apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s trade in the vicinity of his birthplace. He was married after reaching manhood to Millanie Winburne, a native of North Carolina, and in 1849 moved to Arkansas, settling in Conway County, though he afterward resided in several adjoining counties. He died in Boone County, in 1883, at the age of seventy-six years, his wife dying in 1850. David W. Bizzell came to this State with his parents at the age of twelve years, and received a good education in the common schools and at Fayetteville College. At the commencement of the Civil War, in 1861, he was among the first of the State troops to enlist in the Southern cause, and participated in the battle of Oak Hill, Mo., on August 10 in that year. At the reorganization of the western troops, early in 1862, Mr. Bizzell was elected first lieutenant and afterward promoted to be captain of Company I, Third Regiment Arkansas Cavalry, which was actively engaged with the other cavalry of the Department of Tennessee (Johnson’s army) until the close of the war. Capt. Bizzell was a brave and efficient officer, ever ready to go forward and lead his men where duty called. The close of the war in 1865 found him in South Carolina, where in September of that year he married Mrs. Sallie E. Garrison, a native of that State and daughter of Charles J. Garrison, a prominent citizen of Greenville District, S. C. In the fall of 1866 Capt. Bizzell moved back to Arkansas and located in Lonoke County, where he bought a piece of land, near where he now lives. He started in life with comparatively nothing, but has by energy, industry and good management acquired considerable property. He moved upon his present farm in 1873. This is a fine place of 120 acres, with a large portion in a high state of cultivation, otherwise improved by a good frame house, outbuildings, etc. Capt. Bizzell also owns several other tracts of land, all more or less improved, and he is considered one of the substantial as well as one of the most public spirited men of the township. All the property he now possesses was made from the products of his farm and not from speculation. He is a man of excellent qualities, and has never acquired the habit of using tobacco nor intoxicating liquor, his high moral character receiving the universal approbation and sincere esteem of his neighbors. He has held the office of commissioner of accounts and was appointed by the Governor a member of the board of equalization, also serving in other local positions. The Captain and wife have two sons, both young men: Charles F. (a graduate of Batesville College, and who is now taking a commercial course at Little Rock) and Marzavim W. (who is helping his father on the farm.) Capt. Bizzell and family are members of the Sylvania Old School Presbyterian Church. He is also a Mason, to which order he has belonged since 1865, holding the office of Past Master.