My Genealogy Hound

W. H. Slocum. One of the leading farmers and old settlers of Cross County is W. H. Slocum, who is a native of North Carolina, and the eldest son of G. C. and Sarah (Griphith) Slocum, also of North Carolina birth. Mr. G. C. Slocum was a blacksmith by trade, and moved to Tennessee in 1844, where he died in 1849, and his wife in 1879, leaving nine children, three of whom are now living: Mary (the wife of E. Robins, of this county), Joseph D. and W. H., all residing in this township. The subject of this sketch dates his existence from January 6, 1828. He received only five months’ education in youth, his father needing his help in the blacksmith shop, in which he worked from the time he was able to swing a sledge until twenty-three years of age. In 1844 he accompanied his father to Tennessee, and in 1851 was married to Elizabeth Roberts, after which he moved to Arkansas and settled in this county (then Poinsett), where he rented a farm for two years. In 1853 he made entry of a quarter section, on which he now resides, and afterward bought 960 acres, about 500 of which he has given to his children. When Mr. Slocum first moved to Brushy Lake Township, in February, 1861, there were but three families for a distance of ten miles north or south. When he entered his land there were no clearings on it, and he erected a shanty in which he lived by himself until a log house was built. In 1874 he constructed the first steam mill and gin in the township, at that time the woods abounding in game, including bear, deer, and wild turkey. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum are the parents of nine children, eight living: Benjamin, Preston, Rebecca (now Mrs. Ott), Lovenia (wife of B. Burns), Samuel, Charles and Virg. Mr. Slocum joined the Confederate army in 1863, and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner south of Little Rock on July 4, 1863, and removed to Little Rock, from which he was paroled, and afterward rejoined the army, serving throughout the war. Upon the close of hostilities he returned home and engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in its affairs.