My Genealogy Hound

Isaac S. Chrisman is a son of Isaac S. and Lucinda (Allen) Chrisman, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The former was educated in the ‘‘Old Dominion,’’ but when a young man moved to Tennessee, where he married, remaining for some years in the Middle and Western portions of the State. He was a gallant soldier in one of the Indian wars, and his death, which occurred in 1837, left his widow with seven children. Mrs. Chrisman married again, and with the family moved to Arkansas, in 1857, settling in White County. It was not quite like going to a strange country, for one of her older sons, Dr. F. M., had gone to Arkansas in 1853. Her death occurred sometime after they were settled in their new home. Of the seven children mentioned only two are now living: Ruth and Isaac (the subject of this memoir). The latter came to Arkansas when about seventeen years old, and resided in White County a number of years. When Civil War was declared he enlisted as private, in 1862, in Col. Dobbins’ regiment, and after serving in the ranks a short time was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, in which capacity he continued till the close of the war, participating in the fights at Helena, Jenkins’ Ferry and Little Rock. He was taken prisoner near Helena, in 1864, and held till the final close of the war, passing most of the time at Fort Delaware. After being discharged he returned to White County and resumed his farming operations up to 1876, when he sold out and moved to Lafayette Township, Lonoke County. Mr. Chrisman commenced improving a place in the heavy timber, a hard undertaking, but he has cleared 100 acres, constituting one of the best farms in the country, all finely and carefully cultivated. He has about five acres of choice timothy and red clover, and an orchard of some two acres. A comfortable house, good barns, etc., combine to show that prosperity reigns. In addition to his farm, Mr. Chrisman owns 220 acres of excellent timber land, from which, it is safe to say, he will realize a large sum of money. In March, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Addie Stewart, a native of West Tennessee, and the daughter of R. M. Stewart. To them have been born ten children, only two living: Ruth (a young lady attending school, at Little Rock) and Ava. Mr. Chrisman has served as assessor of White County for two years. Himself and wife are consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, It should have been stated before that he was a soldier in the Mexican War, serving as second sergeant.