My Genealogy Hound

W. S. Liddell, postmaster, and one of the prominent business men of St. Francis, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., and is the son of William and Louisa (Mitchell) Liddell, the latter a daughter of Archilles Mitchell, of Virginia. William Liddell is a native of Tennessee, and immigrated to Arkansas, settling in Clay (then Greene) County, in 1852. There Mrs. Liddle died in 1881, and he in 1887. W. S. Liddell remained on the farm until he enlisted in the Fifth Trans-Mississippi Regiment, commanded by R. A. Hart, and was in the battle of Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863, where he was captured and carried to Alton, Ill., and there held as a prisoner of war until March, 1864, when he was removed to Fort Delaware, Del. There he was held until the close of the war. After this he returned to Clay (then Greene) County, Ark., continuing on his father’s farm, and was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Dalton, in 1867, a native of Clay (then Greene) County, and the daughter of Timothy Dalton. Mr. Liddell continued farming until 1832, and in connection with it he found time to assist in conducting a store and attend to his duties as post master of Chalk Bluff. When the “Cotton Belt” Route was opened through the county in 1882, Messrs. Liddell & Sons built a storeroom in St. Francis, which was just started, and moved their stock of goods. The original firm, up to the time of the death of Mr. Liddell, Sr., was Liddell & Sons; since then it has been changed to Liddell Bros. They carry a stock of goods valued at 12,000 during the busy season, consisting of general merchandise. W. S. Liddell is at this time postmaster, which office he has held since 1878, beyond the existence of St. Francis as a town. Since coming to this place he has built a nice house, which he now occupies. To his marriage were born seven children, four now living: James Albert, who assists his father in the post office and store; Stella May, at home attending school; Fannie E. and Thomas. In politics Mr. Liddell affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of Eastern Star Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., also of Chalk Bluff Lodge No. 72, I. O. O. F. In the former he has held the office of secretary for about eight or ten years, and has also served as treasurer and junior warden.