My Genealogy Hound

Vincent Segraves is a successful merchant of the county, and was born here on the 26th of February, 1839, being a son of Vincent and Lavina (Lacy) Segraves, who were born in South Carolina and Knox County, Tenn., in 1789 and 1814, and died in Randolph County, Ark., in 1870 and 1871, respectively. The father left his native State when he was a young man, and went to Tennessee, and afterward removed to Illinois, and from there to Arkansas, in 1833, being one of the very first settlers of Randolph County. He was a farmer, and as such was one of the most successful men in this part of the State; in connection with this work he kept a distillery. During the War of 1812 he was a soldier, belonging to Jackson’s Guard, and with him participated in the battles of New Orleans and Pensacola. He was a well-known and prominent citizen of Arkansas, and had been a life-long Democrat. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church, and were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. Vincent was the seventh of the family, and received his early education in Randolph County. He remained on his father’s farm until twenty-five years of age, then commenced to farm for himself; but his labors in this direction were interrupted by the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service, and the following year joined Company A, of the Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry, and was an active worker for the Southern cause until the close of the war, holding the rank of lieutenant, and taking part in the engagements at Murfreesboro, Richmond, Ky., and was with Price on his raid through Missouri and Kansas, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. He has since been engaged in farming, and in connection has followed merchandising since 1886, at which time he formed a partnership with W. E. Hibbard, but at the end of nine months became associated with J. W. Witherford. He owns fertile lands to the amount of 120 acres, and has sixty-five acres under cultivation. In 1866 he married Caroline Waddle, who was born in Randolph County, Ark., in 1842, and is a daughter of Henry Waddle. She and Mr. Segraves are the parents of nine children: Frances B., wife of Lewis A. Manning; Rufus H., William J., Emanuel W., John H., Detty Ann, Mary Emma, Sula W. and Agnes. Mrs. Segraves is a member of the United Baptist Church. Mr. Segraves is a stanch Democrat in his political views.