My Genealogy Hound

Hon. William H. Batten was born in Carroll County, Tenn., on October 22, 1830, and is a son of James Batten (deceased). The latter is the oldest of three children born to Moses Batten and wife. The other two were John (deceased) and Ava (King), who now resides near Stockton, Cedar Co., Mo., aged eighty-four years. She settled near Humansville in 1832. Moses Batten was a native of Scotland, who, at the age of seventeen years, with his brother James, left his father’s house and native country and came to the United States. Moses served in the Revolutionary War. His wife was Patsey Haywood, a sister of the noted lawyer Haywood, of North Carolina. His brother, James, went to Indiana in an early day, and reared a family. James Batten, the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born in North Carolina, and married Mary Stone, a daughter of Uriah Stone, who was born near Nashville, Tenn. They removed to Polk County, Mo., in 1836, and settled near Humansville. It was here that William H. Batten was reared and educated in the pioneer log school-house, which he helped to build. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate army, first, under Capt. Dailey, and, later, under Capt. Peaster, of Col. Hunter’s regiment. Mr. Batten participated in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Spring River, Oak Hill, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and Helena, also the battle of Lone Jack, the next morning after which he was wounded by a kick of a horse. After hostilities ceased he found his family in Southwest Arkansas. He took them to Fannin County, Tex., and remained until 1867, when he removed to Madison County, Ark., and engaged in agricultural pursuits. While a resident of the latter county he served as probate judge for six years, being the first Democrat to hold office in the county after the war. In 1881 he went to Eureka Springs and remained two years, engaged in merchandising, after which he came to South West City, and built the first hardware store in the town. He now carries a fine stock of hardware, and does a large business. He was married on March 11, 1851, to Margaret A. Howe, a daughter of Capt. John W. Howe (deceased), a captain under Gen. Scott in the Mexican War. Mrs. Batten’s mother lives near Urbana, Mo., now, and is seventy-nine years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Batten have been born eight children, five of them are living. They are Minerva J., Sarah E., L P., Fletcher, Missouri T. and Nellie A. Hon. William A. Batten is a highly respected citizen, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is also a member of the Masonic order.