Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Gainesville Arkansas Census & Civil War.

1914.


From Left: Stevenson's Grocery, United States Post Office, Frank Dalton's News Boy, Dr. Gregory's Office and Pharmacy, Frank Scott's General Merchandise, Dearborn Implement Store, A private residence. Nothing remains of the original town site today.

Although the above photo is dated 1914, Gainesville was long gone by this time.  In 1892, the town was destroyed by fire, only two business were saved.  Off and on over the years a business would start up then leave.  In the 1940's and 50's a business was built, but not in Gainesville but up or down the road at the turn off to the Gainesville Cemetery, the last known business to be around Gainesville was in 2008.  The 1892, fire made Gainesville a ghost town and was left in the memories of those who lived there.
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History of Greene County & Gainesville Arkansas.

The first settler to the area was Benjamin Crowley of Kentucky who arrived in 1821 and established a home about 12 miles west of Paragould. Greene County was formed on 5 November 1833 out of portions of Lawrence County and contained portions of present Clay and Craighead counties. The county was named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. The original county seat was in Benjamin Crowley's home. By 1836, when Arkansas became a state, the county seat was located at a settlement called "Paris" (not to be confused with present-day Paris, Arkansas).  In 1848 a national highway was put through and the county seat was moved to the community of Gainesville, Arkansas which had a reputation as a relatively lawless town. The county seat remained there until 1883 when it was moved to the new town of Paragould. The residents of Gainesville opposed the move and it is reported that shots were fired and tempers were high. A new courthouse was built in 1888 and the building still survives in downtown Paragould.

Gainesville served as the headquarters of Greene County government for 44 years, from 1840 until 1884, when an election was held to decide whether to move the seat to the new railroad town of Paragould.

In 1846 Gainesville consisted of a log court house , two store buildings an five dwellings houses. The community did not have a name until it "gained" the location of the county seat in 1840 , an hence became "Gainesville". At its height , the town had a population of about three hundred or three fifty in 1884.

The first newspaper in Greene County was established in 1874 by Rev. J. D. C. Cobb, Frank M. Daulton published a paper at Gainesville for a number of years.

When the county seat was moved to Paragould late in 1884 , the business and professional men moved to Paragould , leaving their homes to go down in disuse. The majority of the population followed. Since then the community has consisted almost entirely of farmers.
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GAINESVILLE WIPED OUT - SOURCE : ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC MARCH 25 , 1892

THE LITTLE ARKANSAS TOWN SUFFERED A LOSS OF $35,000 BY FIRE YESTERDAY

PARAGOULD , ARK. , MARCH 24 , THE BUSINESS PORTION OF GAINESVILLE , THE OLD COUNTY SEAT OF THIS COUNTY , AND SEVEN MILES NORTH OF PARAGOULD , WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE THIS FORENOON . THE POPULATION OF THE TOWN IS 900 . THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE BACK ROOM OF THE POST OFFICE . MR. SNODGRASS , THE POSTMASTER , WENT IN BEFORE BREAKFAST , BUILT A FIRE AND RETURNED TO HIS RESIDENCE . SOON THE FLAMES WERE BURATING FROM HIS BUILDING. THE POST OFFICE FIXTURES , MAILS , LETTERS AND MONEY WERE BURNED. THE FIRE SPREAD NEXT TO THE HOTEL OF W.O. JONES , CONSUMING IT AND CONTENTS. THE FLAMES LEAPED ACROSS THE STREET AND LICKED UP THE ENTIRE OPPOSITE ROW. THE STOCK OF ED JACOBS , VALUED AT $10,000 , WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THE INSURANCE IS $5,000 . TEN STORES AND FIFTEEN STORE - HOUSES WERE CONSUMED.

ONLY TWO BUSINESS HOUSES WERE SAVED , THE JACKSON DRY GOODS COMPANY AND FRANK STOCK ,THEIR STOCKS ONLY BEING CONSIDERABLY DAMAGED . SEVERAL OF THE HOUSES BURNED WERE OWNED BY CITIZENS OF PARAGOULD , TWO OF THEM BY OBAR & CO. OF ST. LOUIS . THE RESIDENCE OF MR. OTTO BOENER AND ITS CONTENTS WERE DESTROYED , WITH A LOSS OF $ 3,000 AND AN INSURANCE OF $1,000. THE TOTAL LOSS IS $35, 000 INSURANCE $11, 000 . THE SMALL MERCHANTS HAD NO INSURANCE AND ARE RUINED.
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In 1862, Gainesville was a busy place men from all over Greene county came to enlist in the war. These men would from D., company, also known as the “Greene County Rough's.”  This company would be part of the Eight Arkansas Infantry.  This is a short list as the compamy records were destroyed twice, there may be as many as 40 or more names not known of this the compamy.

The company completed it's organizaion on March 8, 1862, and was enlisted into the Confederate States on March 27, 1862. Only those highlighted are know to have been living in Gainesville at the time of the company's organizaion.

Allison, D K
First Sergeant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed first sergeant, March 27, 1862; captured at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 8, 1862.

Bradshaw, William H
Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Breckenridge, William B Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; later enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; born in Missouri, March 13, 1843; died in Arkansas, March 16, 1904; buried in Beech Grove Cemetery, Greene county, Arkansas; married Miss Sarah E. Mielar in Greene county in 1863; widow Sarah E. Breckenridge filed Arkansas pension application #5078 from Greene county, August 8, 1906; eyes black, hair dark, complexion dark, height 5’10”.

BriscoeGainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; killed in action at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862.

Carter, John S. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Cheatham, J. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; killed in action at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862.

Crow, William H. Private—Enlisted in Co. H, 1st Arkansas Regiment 30-Day Volunteers, at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pocahontas, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Davis, Jeremiah S. Private—Enlisted in Co. H, 1st Arkansas Regiment 30-Day Volunteers, at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pocahontas, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Druehl, Joseph Fifth Sergeant—Enlisted in Co. H, 1st Arkansas Regiment 30-Day Volunteers, at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; appointed first corporal, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pocahontas, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed fifth sergeant, March 27, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Evans, Thomas Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; wounded at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Fretwell, William Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; missing in action at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; no further information.

George, Francis M. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Grant, Calvin Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

High, John Q. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; promoted second lieutenant in 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863; confined at U.S. Military Prison, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where he died of pneumonia on January 13, 1864.

Holleman, William H. Corporal—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed corporal, March 27, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; born May 24, 1841; died November 4, 1905; buried in New Friendship Cemetery, Greene county, Arkansas; widow C. A. Holleman filed Arkansas pension application #5155 from Greene county, August 8, 1906.

Holt, Thomas M. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in Tennessee, c1841; eyes blue, hair light, complexion fair, height 5’10”; widow Dosha Holt filed for pension in Oklahoma.

Huffstetler, John Third Lieutenant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; elected third lieutenant, March 27, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863; confined at U.S. Military Prison, Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where he died on neuralgia on September 14, 1863; born in Missouri, c1833; bought land in Greene county in 1860.

Huffstetler, William H. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; wounded at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Jackson, Felix D. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Jones, B. C. Second Sergeant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed second sergeant, March 27, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Ledbetter, Simpson J. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; promoted third lieutenant; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in South Carolina in 1843; eyes blue, hair black, complexion dark, height 5’10”.

McIntosh, Charles C. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

McIntosh, George W. Private—Enlisted in Kuykendall’s Company 30-Day Volunteers at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pitman’s Ferry, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Mack, Robert C. First Lieutenant—Enlisted in Kuykendall’s Company 30-Day Volunteers at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pitman’s Ferry, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; elected first lieutenant, March 27, 1862; wounded at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863; no further information; appointed assistant quartermaster, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in Tennessee, c1826.

Mauldin, James Knox Polk Private—Enlisted in Co. H, 1st Arkansas Regiment 30-Day Volunteers, at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pocahontas, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. B, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; born in Tennessee, c1844; eyes blue, hair light, complexion fair, height 5’10”.

Menser, David J. Corporal—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed corporal, March 27, 1862; erroneously listed as killed in action at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; born July 19, 1843; died May 1, 1890; buried in New Friendship Cemetery, Greene county, Arkansas; widow Martha J. Menser filed Arkansas pension application #18367 from Greene county, August 20, 1901.

Murray, Guy S. Captain—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; elected captain, March 27, 1862; wounded and captured at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; paroled at Iuka, Mississippi, October 19, 1862; resigned for disability; appointed quartermaster-sergeant, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in Tennessee, c1824; bought land in Greene county in 1856 and 1859.

Nettles, William B. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Pollard, J. B. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863, and paroled on July 16, 1863.

Porter, Nathan S. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; detailed as pioneer, defenses at Port Hudson, Louisiana, May 18, 1863; captured at Port Hudson, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Russell, William Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; killed in action at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862.

Segraves, John T. Corporal—Enlisted in Kuykendall’s Company 30-Day Volunteers at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; appointed third corporal, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pitman’s Ferry, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed corporal, March 27, 1862; wounded at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in North Carolina, c1839; eyes blue, hair black, complexion dark, height 5’8”.

Shelton, David Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in Arkansas, c1839; eyes gray, hair dark, complexion dark, height 5’11”.

Stephens, James Fourth Sergeant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed fourth sergeant, March 27, 1862; hospitalized at Columbus, Mississippi, in 1862; no further information.

Thompson, William F. Second Lieutenant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; elected second lieutenant, March 27, 1862; resigned for disability at Tupelo, Mississippi, July 30, 1862; born in Giles county, Tennessee, 1832; married Miss Millie T. Holleman in Greene county, Arkansas, December 1858.

Wallingsford, William P. Private—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; enlisted in Co. B, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in Tennessee, c1841; eyes black, hair dark, complexion fair, height 5’9”.

Wood, Benjamin F. Third Sergeant—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed third sergeant, March 27, 1862; wounded at Corinth, Mississippi, October 5, 1862; enlisted in Co. E, 7th Arkansas Cavalry Battalion; appointed third sergeant; paroled at Wittsburg, Arkansas, May 25, 1865; born in South Carolina, c1832; eyes blue, hair light, complexion fair, height 5’11”; bought land in Greene county in 1860.

Wood, James A. Corporal—Enlisted at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; appointed corporal, March 27, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863.

Wright, Thompson Private—Enlisted in Kuykendall’s Company 30-Day Volunteers at Gainesville, Arkansas, November 10, 1861; discharged at Pitman’s Ferry, Arkansas, December 9, 1861; enlisted in Co. D, 8th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, at Gainesville, Arkansas, March 8, 1862; captured at Port Hudson, Louisiana, July 9, 1863, and paroled on July 10, 1863; bought land in Greene county in 1859.
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Gainesville 1880, Census.

I will only be listing the head of the families, if you see a name or a name of interest and you would like the rest of the family names you can request it at at the following.  dsegelquist1@cox.net

1. Edwin Right, Age 28, Druggist.
2. Isaac B. Penny, Age 27, Drygoods.
3. John M. Minder, Age 26, Groceries.
4. D. L. McClamroch, 59., Carpenter.
5. James R. Bunker, Age 30,-------------
6. Joel Campbell, Age 46, Carpenter.
7. John M. Delisle, Age 26, Teacher.
8. James W. Newberry, Age 37, Mille.
9. Mary E. Cox, Age 37, Keeping House.
10. John N. Johnston, Age 38, Postmaster.
11. Lorenzo D. Errick, Age 52, Tinner.
12. Daniel Johnston, Age 56, Saloon Keeper.
13. Pleasant K. Parson, Age 54, Physican.
14. William L. Gentry, Age 42, Blacksmith.
15. Frank M. Dalton, Age 48, Printer.
16. Frank Jackson, Age 34, Farmer.
17. Allen D. Mack, Age 29, Attoney.
18. James R. Snodgrass, Age 35, Clerk in drygoods store.
19. George H. Lowrance, Age 27, Framer.
20. Henry D. McGee, age 46, Farmer.
21. Elizabeth A. Borns, Age --, Keeping House.
22. Safronia Fguther, Age 43---------
23. Amelia Thorn, Age 62,-------------
24. Leonidas Steadman, Age 41, Selling Drygoods.
25. Martin V. Camp, Age 44, Physician.
26. Daniel J. Miller, Age 51, Farmer.
27. Thomas A. Thorn, Age 35, Physican.
28. Henderson Tates, Age 58, Farmer.
29. Elmer E. Stubbs, Age 33, Jeweler.
30. Calvin Wall, Age 55, Physican.
32. Richard Jackson, Age 37, Drygoods Merchant.
33. James R. Jackson, Age 42, Drygoods Merchant.
34. Uem Looney, Age 37, Saloon Keeper.
35. David Thorn, Age 51, Minster.
36. Woodson Brown, Age 35, Laborer.
37. Otto Bohner, Age, Painter.
38. James A. Hunter, Age 39, Blacksmith.
39. Ezkiel O. Seely, Age 36, Carpenter.
40. William R. Young, Age 57, Brick Mason.
41. William Thomason, Age 29, Farmer.
42. John A. Bonham, Age 37, Carpenter.
43. Litteberry L. Mack, Age 62, State Judge.
44. Josiah Thorn, Age 56, Farmer.
45. W. S. Ledbetter, Age 35, Keeping Saloon.
46. Mumuh Elder, Age 48, Farmer.
47. Thomas H. Wyse, Age 53, Physician.







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