My Genealogy Hound

Philip N. Vaugine, one of the oldest and most prominent of Jefferson County merchants, was born near Pine Bluff, Ark., on February 24, 1836, and is a son of Francis and Audele (Dereuisseaux) Vaugine. Both parents were born at Arkansas Post, Ark., in 1800 and 1808, respectively, and were married in 1826. The father was a farmer and trader, and in the latter capacity was noted for his shrewdness in making a bargain. In fact he was very successful in both branches, but trading in furs, skins, etc., was his principal business, and his shipments to the New Orleans market were very large. In politics he was an old line Whig, but did not take any active part in politics. His father was a native of France, who emigrated to the United States and settled at New Orleans, afterward moving to Arkansas Post, where he remained for some time, and then came four miles below Pine Bluff, at which place he died in 1831, when sixty-three years of age. He was a farmer and trader, like his son after him. He served as major in the War of 1812, and several battles previous, but after the mother country had lost her child he determined to adopt the United States as his future home. The family of Vaugine is one of the oldest in Jefferson County, the male members attaining a widespread celebrity for their business ability and trading qualities. The family on the mother’s side were French Canadians, whose forefathers settled in Arkansas prior to 1793. The mother herself made a trip on the first steamboat that ran on the Arkansas River, a side wheeler, the “Tom Bolin,” commanded by Capt. James Bolin. Nine children were born to Francis Vaugine and his wife, of whom two only are living at the present time, Philip N. and Francis G., the latter a prominent farmer of this county, who, during the war, was captain of Company G, First Arkansas Cavalry, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was wounded and captured at Pilot Knob, September 27, 1864, remaining a prisoner of war until the close, in 1865. In the charge on the fort at this place he, the first and second lieutenants and twenty-two men, remained on the battle field, of whom seventeen were killed outright, and the first lieutenant later died from wounds received. Philip N. received his education at the schools of Jefferson County, and partly in Arkansas County. Upon reaching his twenty-third year he determined to see what fortune had in store for him if he commenced in life for himself. Accordingly he began farming, and continued in that line for two years, but at the end of that time gave it up to enter the employ of Matthew Murphy, of New Gascony, as salesman. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company G, of the First Arkansas Cavalry, Trans-Mississippi, Confederate States Army, and continued in service until June, 1865. He took part in Steele’s raid, and was also operating on White River. Afterward he was in several engagements around Tahlequah, I. T., and then with Price in his raids through Missouri. While fighting under Price one of his brothers, Charles, was killed at Pilot Knob; another brother, Matthias J., was captain of an independent company, and was killed in Jefferson County. After the war was over, Philip again commenced farming, and at the end of three years he opened up a store in Plum Bayou. He has been a successful man in all of his ventures, and at the present time owns 440 acres of land, with 300 acres under cultivation, his plantation being three miles south of Sherrill Station. He owns two large business houses, one on his plantation and one at Sherrill Station, on the Altheimer Branch, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative patronage, carrying on a large trade. In 1869 he was married to Miss Mary E. Mitchell, of this county, who died in the same year. Mr. Vaugine felt the loss of his amiable wife deeply, and has remained a widower since that time. He has never taken an active interest in politics, but his sympathies are with the Democratic party. Like the balance of his family he is a member of the Catholic Church. He is one of the most prosperous and enterprising men in the State, and his good fortune is the result of his own intellect and perseverance.