My Genealogy Hound

Rev. Daniel Blevens, Primitive Baptist church minister, and justice of the peace of Valley Township, was born in Lawrence County, Ky., September 22, 1831, his parents being William and Ava (Collins) Blevens, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. They were married in Lee County, Va., and immigrated to Lawrence County, Ky., at the early settling of that State, or in about 1822. They resided in this State until about 1866, when they moved to Arkansas, locating in Madison County, and here the father died in 1872 at the age of nine-four years. The mother died in Missouri in 1875, at the age of eighty-four, and while on a visit to her son in that State. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for many years, and he was a member of the Christian Church for a long time. He was a farmer by occupation and a life-long Democrat. They were the parents of nine children, six now living: Rev. Daniel Blevens is the only child of this family living in Madison County, Ark.; Malinda is the widow of David Pennington and is now residing in Lawrence County, Ky.; Eli is a farmer of Morgan County, Ky.; Nancy is now Mrs. James Tackett; Malina is the wife of Edmond Osborn, a merchant in Washington County, Ark.; Daniel; Rosana, wife of Henry Jenkins, a Primitive Baptist minister and farmer, and Hiram. Those deceased are Wiley and Minerva. Daniel Blevens began farming at the age of eighteen, and has since continued this occupation. He left Kentucky in 1866 and moved to Madison County, Ark., where he has resided ever since. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Kentucky Infantry, Confederate Army, and served fourteen months. He was then elected orderly-sergeant, and after serving a short time was promoted to the rank of captain of Company K, and remained with that company until the regiment was disbanded. He was made a prisoner, and retained as such for six days, when he was retaken. He was in a number of battles, and was a brave and gallant officer. February 12, 1869, he married Miss Nancy Osborn, a daughter of Edmond Osborn, and a native of Johnson County, Ky., born September 23, 1832. The fruits of this union are thirteen children, viz.: Malinda, wife of W. L. Evans, a farmer of Crawford County, Ark.; Angeline, wife of Henry LeMasters, a farmer of Washington County, Ark.; Ellen, wife of James Hight, a farmer of Madison County, Ark.; Elizabeth, deceased, died at the age of twenty-five, and was the wife of James Patrick; Ava Jane, wife of Robert Forbush, of Madison County, Ark.; Nancy Jane, wife of Solan Hendrickson, farmer, of Madison County, Ark.; John H., farmer; Louisa, died at the age of two years; Niatelda, died at the age of one year; Thomas H., died in infancy; Albert J. also died in infancy, and the rest were infants that died unnamed. In 1860 Mr. Blevens joined the Primitive Baptist Church, and in 1862 began preaching, which he has since continued. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a member of the K. of H., and is a Democrat in politics. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace of Valley Township, and has served five consecutive terms, or ten years. Mrs. Blevens joined the Primitive Baptist Church in 1858.