My Genealogy Hound

Harvey F. Head, a member of the mercantile firm of Laymon & Head, of Sulphur City, Ark., was born in Murray County, Ga., December 26, 1844, being a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Stanton) Head, who were born in Georgia, June 25, 1819, and South Carolina in 1820, respectively. The mother was taken to Georgia when a small girl, where she attained her majority and was married to Mr. Head in 1839. They shortly after removed to Kansas, and in 1858 came to Arkansas where the father was engaged in tilling the soil until his death, which occurred in 1862, followed by his wife a year later. He and wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he was a Democrat in politics, although he had formerly been a Whig. His father, John Head, was of English descent, a native of North Carolina, and died in Georgia. The maternal grandfather, John Stanton, was of Scotch lineage, a native of the “Palmetto State,” and at an early day immigrated to Tennessee, thence to Georgia, where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Head were born five children: Sarah J., wife of John D. Woods; Harvey F.; Minerva P., wife of Thomas Cavin; Joseph E., and Anna S., wife of Thomas J. Harp. Harvey F. Head resided with his parents until their respective deaths, when he and an elder sister took care of the younger members of the family until the spring of 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, First Arkansas Cavalry, United States Army, and served until August, 1865, when he returned to his home and again began caring for his younger brothers and sisters, and during the winter months taught school, and farmed during the summer. In March, 1888, he formed a partnership with Mr. Laymon in the general mercantile business at Sulphur City, which he has since continued with increasing popularity as a business man and citizen. All his transactions are conducted with the most scrupulous honesty, and that this quality is appreciated by the public is shown by the large trade which he is gaining. February 25, 1866, Miss Sarah, daughter of Moses Long, became his wife. She was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1841, and died October 8, 1881, having borne two children, John W. and Mary L., both residing with their father, who was married the second time, May 10, 1885, to Belle Van Zandt, born near Marshfield, Mo., May 25, 1857, and a daughter of Jehu and Sarah Van Zandt. They became the parents of one son, Robert H., who died when five weeks old. Mr. Head is an honored and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and is now officiating as its clerk. He is a member of the G. A. R., I. O. O. F., K. of H., and in his political views is a stanch Republican. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.