My Genealogy Hound

William D. Wasson, a prosperous general merchant of Springtown, Ark., and native of the State, is a son of Abner W. and Hannah (Trotter) Wasson, and was born in Carroll (now Boone) County, February 14, 1850. He grew to manhood in Washington County, Ark., and reading, writing and arithmetic were the extent of his scholastic attainments, as the facilities of that day were very meager for obtaining an education. However, by much private study, Mr. Wasson acquired a good practical education, and is well fitted for the business affairs of life, His early days were spent in following the plow and in learning the blacksmith’s trade, but he abandoned this work in 1876 and engaged in the mercantile business at Springtown, Ark. His first ventures in this business were on quite a small scale, as his means were limited, but he is now worth about $10,000, with a stock valued at $5,000. He has a commodious and elegant brick store building, and a fine farm in the country which he manages in connection with his store. He is a man of much native ability, and his energy, enterprise and honesty make him a valuable citizen of the county. He was married at the age of twenty-six years to Miss Elizabeth R. Steele, who was born in Lawrence County, Ark., and is a daughter of Dr. M. D. Steele, of Elm Springs, Ark., and by her became the father of five children, four of whom are living: Bertha May, Ivy Belle, Fannie T. and David Leroy. Mr. Wasson is a Master and Royal Arch Mason. He and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His father was born in Middle Tennessee in 1819, but from the time he was seven years old until he reached manhood, he was a resident of Alabama. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, a Mason, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His wife was born in Missouri and died in Washington County, Ark. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was a daughter of David Trotter, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and a resident of New Madrid County, Mo., at the time of the great earthquake.