My Genealogy Hound

Archie S. Casbeer began life as a saloon keeper at Wittsburg in 1870. In 1874 he commenced clerking in the store, and in March, 1879, opened a general merchandise establishment, which he continued for three years, after which he conducted a saloon and grocery combined. In 1886 he started his present store, carrying a small stock of general merchandise valued at about $1,000. He also owns 587 acres of land in this county, and forty acres in St. Francis County. Mr. Casbeer was born in St. Francis County, October 13, 1844, being a son of Thomas M. and Martha A. (May). The former was born in Maury County, Tenn., on July 4, 1813, and was of German parentage. Thomas Casbeer, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, immigrated to Arkansas in 1817, and was one of the early settlers of St. Francis County. Thomas Casbeer, Sr., was a farmer, blacksmith and proprietor of a large saw-mill. He was married September 13, 1838, and died on September 25, 1872. Mrs. Casbeer first saw the light in North Carolina, September 25, 1820, and died October 2, 1867; she was the mother of thirteen children, five of whom are now living. Archie S. Casbeer enlisted in the Confederate service in a cavalry regiment during the war, in which he served one year, and was in the battles of Big Creek, near Helena, Pilot Knob, Fort Scott, and a number of skirmishes. Mr. Casbeer is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is a strong Democrat, and has held the offices of constable and deputy sheriff. January 7, 1874, he was married to Delana Block, a native of this county, who died June 28, 1887, having become the mother of two children, one of whom is living. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Casbeer has a gourd dated 1766, which was used as a powder-flask by his grandfather, T. M. Casbeer, Sr., at the battle of New Orleans.