My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Charles D. Pruet (deceased) was one of four brothers who came from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1857, and engaged in farming and stock-raising, and various other enterprises. He was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1827, and was married on the 23d of January, 1847, to Miss Caroline M. Nelson. After coming to Greene County, Ark., he entered a tract of land on which he located and began improving. In 1862 he joined the Confederate forces, being lieutenant of his company, and was soon after advanced to the rank of captain, and was in the army twenty-two months, participating in the most of the battles in which the Army of the Cumberland was engaged. He was wounded in the engagement at Chickamauga, and also at Murfreesboro, so severely in the latter battle that he was compelled to return home. In 1870 he embarked in mercantile pursuits on his farm, in partnership with his brother Robert, and did a thriving business there for ten years. In the fall of 1882 he started a general store in the then new town of Paragould, being one of the first merchants of the place, and was alone in business until 1886, when he formed a partnership with D. D. Hodges, and the firm name was changed to C. D. Pruet & Co., remaining as such until Mr. Pruet’s death on the 20th of August, 1887. He was a prominent Mason, and was buried by that order. He operated a cotton gin on his farm for many years, and was engaged in stock raising and dealing. He left a fine farm of over 500 acres, the most of which was in a high state of cultivation, and also left behind him a name that will long be remembered, for he was honest, industrious and enterprising, and known to be a stanch supporter of church and educational institutions. He was well-known throughout the country as a man of unimpeachable honesty, and was possessed of exceptionally fine business qualifications, and natural characteristics which won the respect of all. He contributed the most of the means for the erection of a church near his home, and did much to build up the town of Paragould, being one of the best business men of the place. He was followed to his long home by numerous friends and neighbors who had known and loved him in life, and is now sleeping in the cemetery near the scene of his greatest usefulness. He was married in 1875 to Miss Irene McElwee, a native of Tennessee, who came to Arkansas with her mother in 1873. Her father, Samuel McElwee, was an extensive farmer and died in 1865. Mrs. Pruet’s mother resides with her on the homestead in Arkansas.