My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Patrick H. Wheat is, not without merit, conceded to be one of the most prominent citizens of Lonoke. He is a native of Mississippi, and was born in Lowndes County, October 24, 1823, the son of Illa Nun and Ann Haynes (Geer) Wheat, Illa Nun Wheat was of Georgia birth, and a descendant of one of the early families of that State. The progenitors of the family were three sturdy Scotchmen, who came to America at an early day, and were gallant soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Illa Nun Wheat chose the profession of medicine, and graduated from the medical school at Paris, France. Returning to America he located in Alabama, and there married Miss Ann Evans, a daughter of Gov. Evans of Alabama, subsequently participating in the Creek War, and acting as aid-de-camp to Gen. Jackson, in the battle of New Orleans. His wife died in Alabama, and he afterward removed to Mississippi, where he met and married Miss Ann Haynes, originally from Tennessee. When Capt. Wheat was nine years of age he went to Perryville, Mo., to attend a Catholic school, and remained there for three years. He then started on a journey with his father to Texas, and while on this trip his father sickened and died. The remainder of his boyhood days were spent in his native State, with nothing occurring to break the monotony of his quiet life. In January, 1850, he located in Devall’s Bluff, then in Prairie County, became engaged in farming, and also kept a warehouse. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service and was commissioned paymaster in the army of Arkansas. In 1862 he organized a company of cavalry of 196 men, in which he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of Company A, Fagan’s First Arkansas Cavalry. Capt. Wheat participated in several engagements, the first being near Lonoke, one in White County, and also at the battle of Prairie Grove, besides several skirmishes. He had three horses shot from under him at the battle of Grand Prairie, but was not once injured. After the war he returned to his home and resided there until 1872, then moving to Lonoke, from whence in 1889 he came to his present farm. In 1845 he was married at Holly Springs, Miss., to Miss Lavinia A. Walton, a native of Cumberland County, Va., but who moved with her parents to Mississippi. Mrs. Wheat died in 1872, leaving one son, and in 1873 Capt. Wheat married Mrs. Martha A. Reynolds, a native of Lonoke County, Ark., and the daughter of A. J. Legate, the oldest settler in this county. Capt. Wheat married his present wife in 1889. She was formerly Miss Lou M. Boone, of Mississippi, who came to Arkansas with her brother. The Captain is a member of the Lonoke Lodge, and King of Lonoke Chapter A. F. &A. M., and in 1872 he was elected State senator. He also has an interest in the Wheel store at Lonoke, in which he is director. The family worships at the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Wheat is a member in high standing. Capt. Wheat has always taken an active interest in matters pertaining to the advancement of the country, and especially supports educational enterprises.