My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

William P. Hale. In compiling a correct history of Ouachita County, mention should certainly be made of Mr. Hale, one of the oldest settlers, and a substantial planter of Marion Township. He was born in Coweta County, Ga., November 21, 1829, being a son of James and Anna (McCarthey) Hale. His ancestors on his father’s side were originally from England. Joel Hale, Sr., his great-grandfather, lived in Cumberland County, N. C. He had three sons, viz.: Daniel, Hosea and Joel, Jr. He moved to Wilkes County, in that State, about the year 1799. Hosea Hale, his second son, was born February 29, 1768. He married Sarah Green, and to this union were born eight children, viz.: Jessey, Lucy, John, Martha, William, James, Joseph and Benjamin. In 1807 he moved to Clark County, Ga., followed in 1810 by his father, and in 1811 by his youngest brother Joel. They continued their vocation, that of farming, in this county until death called them hence. Daniel Hale moved to Tennessee, and settled near Nashville, thence to Christian County, Ky., near Hopkinsville. Joel Hale, Jr., was a minister in the Baptist Church for many years. He died December 29, 1831, and was eighty-seven years old. His wife, having preceded him, died August 15, 1816. James Hale, the sixth son of Hosea Hale, was born in Wilkes County, N. C., February 23, 1803, but was principally reared in Clark County, Ga. On his father’s farm he labored as one of the hands, and grew up into robust manhood —his height was six feet and two inches, and weighed 200 pounds. He received what might be termed a common-school education for that period. Mr. Hale and Miss Anna McCarthey, the daughter of Jacob McCartney, of Jackson County, Ga., were married January 11, 1824. This union was blessed with nine children born to them, viz.: Sarah Ann, Benjamin B., William P., Susie E., Sherod E., Samuel E., Permelia J., Anna H. and Willis J., six of whom are still living, viz.: William P., Susie E. (now Mrs. M. B. Galaway, of Texas), Sherod E. (now of Stephens, of this county), Samuel E. (a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and physician, residing in New Orleans), Anna H. (now Mrs. Thomas Mottley, of Texas), and Willis J. (of Van Zant County, Tex.). During the latter part of the year 1827 Mr. Hale moved to Coweta County—this was then known as the “New Purchase,” and was a rough, wild country —the panther, bear and wolf prowled around the cabin at night. It required stout hearts and willing hands to fell the forest and clear away the rubbish, in preparing the virgin soil for the farmer’s seed. He opened up a farm near where the little city of Newnan now stands, and remained there until the fall of 1834, when he sold out and moved back to Clark County, and purchased a home near the old homestead where his father lived. Hosea Hale was a very quiet, unassuming Christian, and he served his God through the Baptist Church, holding family prayer night and morning, and serving his church in the capacity of deacon for nearly one-half century. He passed off quietly on January 1, 1839, at the age of seventy years ten months and two days. James Hale continued to occupy this farm until the latter part of the year 1841, when he sold out and moved to Monroe County. He remained in this county for ten years, embracing that period in his life, intervening between thirty-seven and forty-seven years. In many respects this was the prime of his life, and his moral character, his rectitude and his honorable bearing, made for him many friends among the good people of this section. He was often solicited to represent his county in the State Legislature and to bold other offices, but would decline to do so, for the reason that he did not wish to entangle himself in the wrangling of politics. In the latter part of 1851 he moved to Henry County, where he remained for six years, and in the fall of 1857 he moved to Newton County, Miss., and bought a farm near the town of Decatur, upon which he continued farming until 1869. William P. Hale, the subject of this sketch, was reared principally in Monroe County, Ga., receiving a common-school education. In 1851 he commenced life for himself by farming for his father. In 1852-53 he was employed as a traveling salesman in Florida for a clock firm in Jonesboro, Ga.; then he taught school for three years, and in 1857 he came to this county, and was one of the firm of Berry, Hale & Co., who sold clocks, maps and charts. February 1, 1860, Mr. Hale was married to Miss Christena C. Jordan, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of B. F. Jordan, of this county. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. The principal battles in which he took part were: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Port Hudson and Mark’s Mill. He was captured at Fort Donelson, but made his escape at night, was afterward captured at Port Hudson, and was paroled. He arrived home in June, 1865. In 1869 his parents sold their farm and effects in Mississippi, and came to this county to live with him. They went to Hill County, Tex., in 1874, to live with their youngest son, Willis J., the remaining days allotted them in this life. They had been worthy members of the Baptist Church for forty years. Mrs. Hale was an affectionate and loving wife and mother. She had done her life’s work nobly, and was ready to pass away. She died August 14, 1876, and was about seventy-five years old. Mr. James Hale continued to live with this son, moving with him to Van Zant County. In politics he was a Democrat, and in whatever he did he strove to do it well. He died January 6, 1884, and was eighty years ten months and thirteen days old. Mrs. William P. Hale was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, viz.: Edgar O. (a clerk in Camden), Alia L. (now Mrs. Laller, of Marion Township), Metza D. (at home), Estella G. (now Mrs. Levingston, of Lafayette Township), Gurtha L., Lero B., Elerie L. and Roy O. (all at home). Both Mr. and Mrs. Hale believed in the doctrines of the Christian Church. Mrs. Hale died September 15, 1886. Mr. Hale came of a long-lived family, and one, but few of whom were under six feet in height or weighed less than 200 pounds. On May 10, 1888, Mr. Hale was again united in marriage to Mrs. Amanda Marsh, widow of William Marsh, of Nevada County, this State. Mrs. Hale is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Hale owns a fine farm of 712 acres of land, with about 300 acres under cultivation. He devotes his time principally to the raising of cotton and grain crops, although he is devoting considerable attention to raising improved cattle and hogs. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes an interest in the politics of his county, and is widely and favorably known throughout a wide territory.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 91 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ouachita County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Ouachita County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.