My Genealogy Hound

S. R. McNutt is a prominent cotton-dealer of Southern Arkansas, and is well known throughout Clark County as one of her enterprising and leading citizens. He was born in Carroll County, Miss., January 18, 1853, and is a son of William and Nancy J. (Peery) McNutt, he being a Tennesseean and she being a Mississippian. He removed to Mississippi at an early day, and there made his home until 1865, when he came to Arkansas and located twelve miles west of Arkadelphia, in Clark County. Here the father died in July, 1888, but the mother still survives him. Four of their seven children are now living: S. R., J. L., Robert and Pinie. S. R. McNutt, who was twelve years of age at the time of his arrival in Arkansas, grew to manhood in this locality, but received quite poor educational advantages, owing to the fact that he was the eldest of the family and their living depended mainly upon him, as his father was an invalid. He remained faithfully by his mother until November, 1873, when he came to Arkadelphia, and after clerking for a short period, began purchasing hides, at which he made a little money. February 28, 1874, he opened a grocery establishment, with a capital stock of $650, and continued this calling for a year or two, being successful far beyond his expectations. He was soon able to increase his stock and add a line of general merchandise, and this calling is receiving his attention at the present time. He is also engaged in speculating and buying cotton, and is said to be the best judge and most successful cotton merchant in Southern Arkansas, as he is one of its very wealthiest citizens. He is liberal in his donations to public enterprises, and spends his money freely in aiding the poor and oppressed. He is president of the Elkhorn Bank, and the principal stockholder, and is one of the founders of the Arkadelphia Cotton Factory, of which he is also president. He is the owner of a large cattle ranch in Nebraska, with about 1,000 head of cattle and from thirty to forty head of horses on the same, and is an extensive real estate holder in Arkadelphia and the surrounding country. The lessons of industry, frugal habits and economy which he learned while growing up he has never forgotten, and they have aided him in accumulating the handsome fortune which he now enjoys, and which he has so honestly earned. His career is well worthy the imitation of the young men of today, for his means have been secured by his own exertions, and the reputation he enjoys as a man and citizen is fully deserved. He was married in September, 1877, to Miss Naomi Othello Young, by whom he has two children: Lizzie A. and William Y. His wife died in July, 1888, having been a devoted member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a faithful and affectionate wife and mother.