My Genealogy Hound

Robert B. Whitesides (deceased) was another of the many representative citizens of Polk County, Ark., whose native soil was the Palmetto State, his birth occurring in York County in 1828, and was the son of Maj. Whitesides, a native of Ireland. The father was reared in his native country and remained there until about fifty years of age, when he emigrated to America. He settled in South Carolina, and there his death occurred many years ago. Robert B. Whitesides came to Pope County, Ark., in 1856, and there married the widow of William W. Williamson. She was the mother of two children by her first husband, William D. and Sallie N., and five children by Mr. Whitesides: Robert Lee, Edward B., Martha E., Lucy Ann and Walter D., all of whom are now living with their mother with the exception of Robert, who is in Texas. Mr. Whitesides was a farmer by occupation and followed this until his death which occurred on the farm where his widow resides, in 1886. He was for many years intimately associated with the county’s interests, and in his death the county keenly felt the loss of one of its best citizens, a man who had taken part in its development and witnessed its growth for many years. He was the owner of 700 acres of land, 250 acres under cultivation, lying on the north side of Arkansas River, seven miles below Dardanelle. In 1863 Mr. Whitesides enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served until cessation of hostilities. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Whitesides rents her land mostly, but lives at home and cultivates a portion of it herself. She and one daughter are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. She was the daughter of Darling Love of Pope County, but who was a native of North Carolina. The latter came to Pope County fifty-two years ago, bought land here and reared a family of eight children, three of whom were killed in the Confederate Army. Two brothers of Mrs. Whitesides, Ransom D. and Calvin M. Love, live near Russellville, where the former is engaged in the hardware business, and the latter is a farmer and preacher. A sister, Madrid, married Squire R. O. Morton, and is now living near Potts’ Station. The remainder of the children are deceased.