My Genealogy Hound

Robert D. McGaughy, one of Jefferson County’s leading citizens and a man whose representation of enterprise is of the best, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., May 19, 1839, and is a son of Eli A. and Rebecca (Stewart) McGaughy, of Indiana and Alabama, respectively. Both parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and sincere, Christian people. In politics the father was a Democrat and wielded considerable influence amongst the men of his party. He was a prosperous farmer during his life, and on the occasion of his death in 1869, at the age of 63 years, left a very good fortune. His wife died before him, in 1849, and he afterward married Mrs. Mary Russell. By his first marriage he became the father of a large family, of whom seven children lived to maturity, but two only remain at the present time: Robert D. and Emma, wife of Uriah Herron, a prominent banker of Paris, Texas. Robert D. was educated in Alabama and remained in his birthplace until February, 1857, when he left home and came to the State of Arkansas, locating in Jefferson County. He immediately commenced farming, an occupation of which he had a practical knowledge, and from 1874 to 1878 was engaged in commercial life at Colton Center, building up a profitable trade during that time. He now owns 280 acres of very fertile land and has placed about 175 acres under cultivation. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Sixth Arkansas Infantry, and served until the surrender at Greensboro, N. C., May 2, 1865. He took part in a great many of the important battles and a number of minor engagements, besides innumerable skirmishes. Principal among them were the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, through the Georgia campaign, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta and Jonesboro. At the latter place he was captured and confined for nineteen days before he was exchanged. He then fought at Franklin, Nashville and Bentonville, S. C., seeing some very hard service and performing his duties in a manner that often won the praise of his superior officers. After the war was over he went to Alabama to look after his father’s business, but after one year’s stay in that State he came back to Jefferson County, which he has made his home ever since. In 1888 he was elected justice of the peace of Plum Bayou Township, an office that he filled with entire satisfaction to everyone. On October 24, 1865, he was married to Miss Josephine Stephenson, of Alabama, but lost his wife in Jefferson County, on May 15, 1875. She left two daughters, one of whom resides at home with her father. The other child, Ella, died in her thirteenth year. January 12, 1876, Mr. McGaughy was married to Miss Ida J. Cherry, of Toledo, Cleburne County, Ark., by whom he had three children; Edward D., Floy E. and Harry G. This wife died August 31, 1885, and on May 19, 1887, he was married to Miss Mamie E. Stephenson, a sister of his first wife. This marriage gave them one child, Robert Earl. Mrs. McGaughy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devout Christian woman, earnest in her endeavors to do good on every occasion. Her husband is a Royal Arch Mason, and in politics a Democrat.