My Genealogy Hound

Dr. E. S. Motter, physician and farmer of Pulaski Township, Lonoke County, was born near Frederick City, Md., in May, 1832, and is the son of J. S. and Mary Motter (nee Smith), both natives of Maryland. In 1857 the family moved to Missouri, locating in Lewis County, where Mr. Motter cleared a large farm and resided till his death about 1884. His wife died in the State of her birth in 1854. Dr. Motter grew to manhood in Maryland, receiving a good education in the high schools and academies of that State, and upon the completion of his literary learning took a course in medicine at the University of Maryland, and at the Medical Department of the City and Marine Hospital of Baltimore, graduating in 1854. After finishing, he located in Piedmont, Va., where he began the active practice of medicine, entering upon a career which proved successful and beneficial. In 1856 he moved to Leavenworth, continuing his practice up to the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, April 16, 1861, enrolling as a private in the Seventh Virginia Cavalry. After serving in that regiment until the year 1863, he came to Arkansas and was assigned to the Tenth Arkansas Regiment, being appointed regimental surgeon, in which capacity he served till the close of the war. While in the Virginia regiment he participated in a number of important battles, among them being the first and second battles of Manassas, Winchester, Fredricksburg, Sharpsburg and numerous other engagements. After the closing of the war, the Doctor located at Hickory Plains, Ark., practicing his profession from 1865 to 1871. In 1872, he came to Lonoke County, and settled on the place he now makes his home, where he has since practiced his profession. He is quite an extensive farmer, owning 240 acres of fine land, 180 of which are under cultivation. He has comfortable and convenient residence and other buildings, and is himself a desirable host, an affable gentleman. On January 1, 1872, he was married in Little Rock to Mrs. Anna B. Smith, nee Hopkins. She was a native of Alabama, but educated in Arkansas. By this marriage there was one daughter, Ettie, who died in early childhood.