My Genealogy Hound

George C. Orsburn. Among the tillers of the soil of this region none hold a more prominent place in the estimation of the people than he whose name heads this sketch, for he is honest, industrious, enterprising and consequently successful. He was born in Dallas County, Ala., in 1845, to Jabez J. and Elizabeth (Eaves) Orsburn, who were born in North Carolina and Mississippi, the former's birth occurring in 1812. At the age of seven years he was taken by his parents to Alabama, and there he was married and made his home until 1848, when he emigrated westward to Clark County, Ark., and settled on a small improved farm west of Arkadelphia, where he and his wife spent the rest of their days. The former died in 1883, but is still survived by his widow, she being a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he was also a member. Mr. Orsburn was very fond of hunting, but was never known to neglect domestic affairs to gratify his tastes in this direction. George C. Orsburn was the third of six sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, the youngest being now twenty-one years of age. Before a death had occurred, the family had increased to thirty-six members, including grandchildren. The subject of this sketch assisted his father on the home farm and attended the common-schools, but in 1863 put aside his farming implements to swell the ranks of the Confederate army, and was first a member of Capt. Reed's State Troops, participating in the engagements at Marks Mill and Poison Springs. At the end of this year he joined the regular army, Gen. Cabbel's Cavalry Company, but returned to his home at the end of hostilities and has since devoted his attention to farming. The daughter of Col. John and Frances McNeill became his wife in 1868, her name being Mary, and to them six children were born of whom three sons and one daughter are living. She was born in Clark County, Ark., and her father and mother were born in North Carolina and Alabama, respectively but came to Clark County, Ark., when young, and here afterward made their home, the mother dying in 1867. The father is now living in Dallas County, having followed the occupation of a miller all his life. He served for some time in the late war, being a member of a cavalry company, acting in the capacity of colonel. Mr. Orsburn has resided on the farm on which he is now making his home since 1873. It consists of 160 acres, eighty of which are under cultivation, and is situated about three and one-half miles southeast of Okolona. Mr. Orsburn is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.