My Genealogy Hound

Thomas B. Greer, a prominent merchant of Greenburg, Ark., was born in Lafayette County, Mo., December 4, 1839, and is one of ten children born to James W. and Michel E. (Brown) Greer. The father was a native of Davidson County, Tenn., and the mother of Williamson County, of the same State, where they were married. They moved to Lafayette County, Mo., in 1821, and here the father engaged quite extensively in farming. In 1854 they moved to Washington County, and engaged in merchandising in connection with farming, which he continued until 1863, when he was killed by the Pin Indians. He was fifty-eight years of age at the time of his death; was a Democrat in politics, and he and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The mother died at the age of seventy-seven years. Of their large family of children, seven sons lived to be grown, but the only one now living is Thomas B. Greer. He was educated in the common schools, also attended one term at Cane Hill, and assisted his father on the farm until sixteen yean of age, when he began clerking for his father. Four years later he became possessor of half of the stock, but lost it all during the war. Previous to this, in 1859, he married Miss Mahala E. Denton, a native of Bradley County, Tenn., and six children were the result of this union. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Greer enlisted in Company I, Second Cherokee Regiment, Confederate Army, served throughout the war, was taken prisoner at Boston Mountain in November, 1862, and remained as such for five weeks, when he was exchanged. After the war he farmed until 1870, when he laid off Greenburg, built a store, and the following year began merchandising, which he has since continued, and has a large stock. Besides this he is interested in farming, and is the owner of 180 acres of land. He is a Democrat in politics, has been notary public for fifteen years, and was appointed postmaster of Tolu in 1887. He has been a Master Mason since 1869, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Greer contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises, and has been successful as a business man. He was nominated by the Democratic party on the 18th of August as one of the three to be elected to represent his county in the Lower House of the General Assembly, and was elected on the 3d of September, 1888, to that position for two years, running ahead of the ticket.