My Genealogy Hound

William H. Pyburn. Prominent among the citizens of Lonoke is William H. Pyburn, a native of Arkansas, born in Monroe (now Prairie) County on March 11, 1840, and a son of Richard and Nancy (Kellem) Pyburn, formerly of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. Richard Pyburn came to Arkansas in 1823, and located at Indian Bay, on the White River, where he engaged in the mercantile business, also following the occupation of steam-boating, and piloted the first boat up the White River. He became a very popular citizen, and represented Prairie County in the General Assembly of Arkansas. His death, which occurred in 1855, at Pyburn’s Bluff, was deeply felt by the entire community. After his father’s death, William H. moved to Brownsville, where he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted (in 1860) in Pleasant’s Trans Mississippi regiment, and in Capt. William Goodrum’s company. He served until the close of the war, and was commissioned second lieutenant, participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, and at the battle of Helena he was wounded and taken prisoner, and for twenty-one months was incarcerated at Johnson’s Island, and there received his parole. After the war Mr. Pyburn returned to Arkansas, and located soon after in Lonoke, and there worked at his trade, that of carpentering, which he learned when young. He soon after accepted a position as book-keeper with W. H. Eagle & Co., continuing with them until they sold out to Daniel & Strauss, with whom he remained, filling the same position for eight years. In 1888 he was offered his present position with W. H. Eagle & Son. He has been three times married, and is the father of six children, of whom two sons and one daughter are now living: Richard M. (now operator and agent for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, at Roxton, Texas), Ella B. (the wife of George F. Hall, also an agent of the Texas & Pacific Railroad, at Roanoke, Texas) and Claud K. (at home.) He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and has held the office of deacon in this church for a great many years, and is a Knight of Honor. Mr. Pyburn has always taken an active interest in the advancement of the place, and contributes liberally to all enterprises of a worthy character.