My Genealogy Hound

Hon. N. D. Shinn has long been connected with the farming interests of this section, and as an honest man and law abiding citizen, has no superior. He was born in the Old North State, August 27, 1819, to Silas M. and Elizabeth (Little) Shinn, also of that State. The father was surveyor of the county in which he lived, and was married in his native State, his union resulting in the birth of thirteen children, four now living: Thomas J., Silas M., N. D., and Eliza (wife of C. F. Reed). The following are the names of the children that are deceased: B. D. R., Jackson, L. C., James M., John O., Sarah, Peeny M. and a pair of twins, who died unnamed. After the father’s death, which occurred in North Carolina, about 1821 or 1822, the mother moved westward, and in Pope County, Ark., passed, from life, in 1852, an earnest Christian, and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. N. D. Shinn was married in Montgomery County, N. C., in 1837, to Miss Hester Brooks, who was born there in 1822, a daughter of William and Tempey (Tucker) Brooks. Seven sons and two daughters have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shinn, the following of whom are living: James M. (residing in Texas), Alphus M. (a farmer, of this county), Marion R., Henry L., Alexander B. and Jennie (wife of J. F. Munday, of Russellville). The following are those deceased: William E., John F. (who was killed in the battle of Corinth, Miss.), and Pauline V. In 1839 Mr. Shinn came to this State, from North Carolina, and settled on some Government land, which he improved, being now the owner of 1,200 acres, 500 acres being river bottom land, with 350 acres under cultivation. His home place consists of 700 acres, and of this 150 are under cultivation. This land is very valuable, for in addition to being a fine farming tract, it is all under laid with coal. In 1877 he erected, on his land, a good frame residence, and his other buildings are substantial and commodious. He has an excellent apple, peach and pear orchard near his residence, and on his river bottom farm is a fine, steam cotton-gin. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and the admirable services he has rendered his party were recognized at different times, and he has served in a number of different official capacities. He first held the responsible position of probate judge for six years, was justice of the peace of his township about the same length of time, and was elected to the State Legislature from Pope County in 1874, receiving 1,200 of the 2,223 votes cast. He and his worthy wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he has attained to the Chapter in the Russellville Lodge, of the A. F. & A. M.