My Genealogy Hound

Z. T. Grayson, the efficient postmaster of Prescott, was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., March 13, 1848. His father, John Grayson, also a native of Hamilton County, Tenn., was married in his native State to Miss Sallie Flicks, and remained in Hamilton County, Tenn., after his marriage until 1861, when he removed to Ouachita County, Ark., where he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and accumulated considerable property. He served as sheriff for fifteen or twenty years, and after coming to Arkansas served several terms as treasurer of Ouachita County. He died in this county, at his home, in 1882, in his sixty-third year; his wife, who was seven years his elder, died in 1873, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Grayson was a Mason of high standing, having taken some of the higher degrees. In politics he was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and during the late war was a Union man. There were born to his marriage eight sons and three daughters, four sons and two daughters still living, viz.: James (was killed in Price’s raid through Missouri), Francis (the eldest, died in Ouachita County, in his fortieth year), Elizabeth (was the wife of John C. Alexander, of Ouachita County), Jack (died when a young man, in Tennessee), Henry L. (is a farmer of Ouachita County), George W. (is engaged in tilling the soil in Washington), Thomas J. (is a farmer of Ouachita County), and J. T. (is the subject of this sketch). Seven of these sons served in the Confederate army, doing active and creditable service. The subject of this sketch spent his youthful days in Hamilton County, Tenn., and Ouachita County, Ark., where he attended school. He entered Col. Hale’s regiment of Arkansas Cavalry the last year of the war, and served until its close, soon after which he commenced to farm for himself in Ouachita County. In 1875 he came to Prescott, Nevada County. He still owns land in Ouachita County, about 1,700 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation. On coming to Prescott he opened a livery business. In 1876 he was elected marshal of Prescott, and held that office ten years. In April, 1889, he was appointed postmaster of Prescott. He was the first postmaster of Arkansas that was changed, being appointed about the same hour change was made at Hope. He also served as constable of Ouachita County for eight years. January 19, 1867, he married Miss Alice Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins, a native of Ouachita County, born April 25, 1849, and the fruits of this union have been nine children, viz.: James and Jack (twins; Jack is deputy postmaster, and James is in the mercantile business in the post-office building), Thomas S. (at home), Laura A. (is an assistant in the post-office), Powel C, Moley Lee, William Carl, Charley and Susan J. (all at home). Mrs. Grayson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Grayson is a member of the Wheel, the K. of L., and is a Republican.