My Genealogy Hound

John W. Killough, an exemplary citizen, a prominent merchant and stock raiser of Vanndale, was born in St. Francis County in 1840, and was the youngest son of John G. and Fannie P. Killough. His parents died within one month of each other when our subject was but a child. His father was a school-teacher and also engaged in stock raising. After the death of his parents Mr. Killough was adopted in the family of Dr. John P. Mardis, of Poinsett County, remaining with him until twenty years of age. He then engaged in farm labor until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, and participated in the battles of Iuka, Mississippi, Corinth, Pocahontas (Tenn.), and at the siege of Port Hudson, and many skirmishes. After the seizure of Port Hudson he was paroled and returned home, and after his exchange assisted to organize a company, in which he was commissioned second lieutenant, and served principally in Eastern Arkansas. At the close of hostilities Mr. Killough again commenced farming, following this till 1869, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Poinsett County, remaining here until 1873, then removed to Wittsburg, Cross County, and in 1879 entered into a partnership with a Mr. Erwin, and in 1884 they moved their stock to Vanndale, where they opened a store, retaining the firm name of Killough & Erwin till 1887. Mr. Killough here erected a fine hotel, and a number of residences. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary E. Books, a native of Tennessee. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are still living: Oliver N. (a lawyer of Vanndale), Ida Estella (wife of George P. Gardner, of Mammoth Spring) and John Wesley, Jr. (who is clerking at Mammoth Spring). Mr. Killough has served as justice of the peace two years; was county judge in 1880, and was sheriff of Cross County three years, filling these offices with satisfaction to the citizens and credit to himself. Mr. Killough owns 4,000 acres of land, and has about 400 acres under cultivation, one-third of which he cleared himself. He is also engaged in raising fine stock, mules, Poland-China hogs, etc., making a specialty of short-horn cattle. Mr. Killough is a member of the Masonic order, also of the K. of H. and the K. & L. of H, and is one of the leading citizens of Cross County, always foremost in all work for the improvement of the county, and has made a worthy county official and a good business man.