My Genealogy Hound

James R. Toney is a retired farmer and merchant residing at Camden, Ark., and was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1817, being the eldest of a family of three children born to Elijah and Mary (Rucks) Toney, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, the parents of both being early emigrants of Kentucky. Elijah Toney was an editor while a resident of the Blue-Grass State, but at an early day entered the mercantile business at Carthage, Tenn., and remained there from 1800 to 1834, when he retired from that work and gave his attention to farming the remainder of his days, following this calling in Alabama. He died in this State during the Rebellion, having served as justice of the peace of his township, and county treasurer. His wife passed to her long home in 1828. The paternal grandfather was Alexander Toney, and the maternal grandfather, Josiah Rucks, a minister of the Baptist Church. His wife was a Miss Taylor, of North Carolina, and they were the parents of Judge James Rucks, of Tennessee. James R. Toney was educated in the common schools of Smith and Sumner Counties, Tenn. When about thirteen years of age he entered his father’s store, and in 1836 engaged in business for himself at Carthage, Tenn., remaining here three years. At the commencement of his mercantile career he worked three years for a Mr. Smith, receiving $50 for his first year’s services, and at the end of the three years his capital consisted of $110. Some time afterward he learned that his father had hired Mr. Smith to employ him, and out of his own money had paid his son his wages, the object being to sober the latter down to business, a plan which succeeded far beyond his expectations. In 1846 James R. came to Arkansas, and after a stay of about two years in Dallas County, he came to Ouachita County, and as he was the owner of a number of slaves he opened a farm of some 600 acres on the east side of the Ouachita River. In 1855 he came to Camden and opened a general mercantile establishment, which he successfully conducted until 1862, when he closed out his stock of goods and moved on to his farm, where he remained until the war closed. At the time of the Emancipation Proclamation he was the owner of 101 slaves, 3,300 acres of land, and had some 600 acres under cultivation. In 1867 he again opened a mercantile establishment in partnership with H. K. George, which connection lasted for over five years, during which time they sold over $100,000 worth of goods annually. In 1872 Mr. Toney became sole proprietor of this establishment, but four years later abandoned this work and resumed farming, which occupation received his attention until 1888. He then sold his farm and retired from active business life. During his residence in Camden he has served as alderman and school director. Although he is in his seventy-third year he is still stout and active, notwithstanding the fact that he had his hip dislocated about one year ago. He is one of the leading citizens of the county, and can be numbered among the pioneer settlers and oldest merchants. He has been married three times: First in 1840 to Jane McClean, a daughter of William McClean, of Smith County, Tenn., a prominent attorney of that county. Mrs. Toney was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died July 10, 1868, having borne the following children: Mary E. (wife of Dr. R. M. Green, of Corsicana, Tex.), Jane M. (wife of C. C. Scott, of Arkadelphia, Ark.), and James M. (a planter of Little Bay, Calhoun County, said to be the largest and most successful planter in this or Calhoun County), and Jennie A. (wife of C. F. Coffee, an extensive ranchman of Sioux County, Neb., and a wealthy citizen). On his ranch is an artificial cave, which will afford protection to 1,000 calves. On December 14, 1809, he was married to Miss Nannie E. Maloy, who died November 17, 1872, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church also. His third marriage took place November 20, 1873, to Miss Antonio Powell, a daughter of Ben Powell. To them one daughter has been born, Nannie E., who is at home attending school. Mr. Toney was so unfortunate as to lose his third wife January 24, 1878, she being in full communion with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of her death.