My Genealogy Hound

Prof. Bartley M. Welton, farmer and teacher, was born in Madison County, Ark., October 20, 1851. His father, William, was born in Illinois, and came to Arkansas, locating in Madison County, which he assisted to divide into sections. He also helped to divide Franklin County into sections, and here married Mary J. Stokes, a native of Tennessee, who was reared here. After his marriage he lived in Madison County fourteen years, farming and freighting from Fort Smith. In 1861 he came to Franklin County, and later served in the Southern army until the year the war closed, and on his return from the Price raid in Missouri he was taken prisoner in Benton County, Ark., and was retained at Fayetteville, Ark., until June, 1865, when all of the armies were disbanded. He then came to his home in Franklin County, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1879. Mrs. Welton is still living in Franklin County. Our subject was but nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county, where he received the rudiments of his education. He afterward attended the University of Fayetteville, but left when a member of the sophomore class, and began life as a teacher. Since 1875 he has taught school every year in Franklin County, with the exception of one term, when he had a school in Johnson County. February 24, 1878, he was united in marriage with Amanda Stewart, who was reared and educated in Franklin County, and is a daughter of William Stewart, deceased. Mr. Welton now lives on a farm adjoining the old home place, and for the past ten years has successfully engaged in farming in connection with teaching. He was deputy sheriff under R. Q. Shores, and deputy sheriff under W. L. Huggins last year, the present sheriff, and at present is deputy assessor under J. B. Fulks. He has served as justice of the peace two terms, and is at present justice of the peace of Limestone Township. Mr. Welton is a Royal Arch Mason, and for three consecutive years has served as Master of his lodge; he is also an official of the chapter. Mrs. Welton is a member of the Baptist Church, and is the mother of the following children: Lawrence, Luther and Lular (twins), Virgil, Myrtie, Ruth, Burl and Idus L.