My Genealogy Hound

J. R. Hearn. In endeavoring to trace the genealogy of Mr. Hearn, we find that his paternal ancestors came originally from the land of thistles and oatmeal. He was born on Blue Grass soil in 1832, and was the fifth of six children that grew to maturity, born to Joseph and Rebecca (Austin) Hearn, the latter being a Kentuckian, in which State the father was occupied in tilling the soil. In the fall of 1834 they came to Arkansas, settling on the Mississippi River below Osceola, which country was then almost a complete wilderness inhabited by Indians and wild animals, and here Mr. Hearn opened a wood yard, and began farming in a small way. Later he sold this property and bought some wild land near where Elmot now is, on which place he died in 1850, before having made any improvements. The opening of the farm then devolved upon our subject, who was then about eighteen years of age, and for five years he struggled manfully to get the property in good shape for farming, his labors being reasonably successful. He was married when about twenty-three years of age, at which time Miss Eliza Boyles, a daughter of W. J. Boyles, became his wife. After the celebration of this event he rented land and continued farming in this manner until the death of his wife’s parents in 1871, when he moved on their old homestead, which embraced a tract of 160 acres, only fifteen of which were under the plow. He has since cleared and put under cultivation forty acres, and owing to the fertility of the soil finds no trouble in raising a bale of cotton to the acre. In his conduct of this estate he gives each detailed portion of the work his personal close supervision, and this care and method ever exercised have contributed to place him among the foremost farmers of this vicinity, as he is one of the most intelligent citizens. He is not active in politics, but uses his own judgment in supporting the various candidates for office. He is at present holding the office of justice of the peace. In 1868 he had the misfortune to lose his estimable wife, she having borne him three children: Howard Hazzard, William Akin Percy (who married a Miss Fleming, and resides on his father’s place), and Thomas Elliot. His union with his present wife took place in the year 1872, her maiden name having been Susan E. Morrow. The six children which have been given them are Editha Lee, Joseph Guilford, Luther May, James Hale, John Franklin and Lillie Bruce.