My Genealogy Hound

Thomas Alfred McSpadden, farmer, of Benton County, Ark., was born in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1828. His father, Samuel McSpadden, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1790. He was married in that county to Miss Mary Lowry, also a native of Tennessee, and soon afterward moved to Monroe County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was with Jackson at New Orleans. He was a firm supporter of “Old Hickory,” and voted for him for the presidency. He was married three times, and by his first wife, Mary Lowry, who died in 1832, he became the father of six sons, only three of whom are living. Thomas Alfred was his fifth child, and was reared on a farm and made his home with his father until over twenty-three years of age. He then went to Lawrence County, Mo., where he purchased 130 acres of land and entered eighty more acres, and began farming on his own responsibility. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Lotspiech’s company, and was at the battle of Wilson’s Creek. While at home on furlough he was captured and taken to Springfield, where he was retained for some time. He served in all about six months. In 1866 he sold his property in Missouri, and became a citizen of Benton County, Ark., his first purchase in real estate amounting to eighty acres, which he has since increased to 194 acres. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views, and is a Master Mason. In 1853 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Polk County, Mo., in 1838, and by her is the father of nine children: Frances, the deceased wife of J. D. Douglass; Jennie, wife of S. McSpadden; Belle, wife of Robert Sikes, William B., James, John C., Thomas C., Milton, and Rebecca L., wife of Harry Warbritton. Mr. McSpadden and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for about sixteen years.