My Genealogy Hound

J. H. Dial, merchant and planter, Holly Grove, Ark. In the business of merchandising Mr. Dial is second to none in Duncan Township, and in connection is also extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. A native of Greene County, Ala., he was born June 28, 1821. His father, David M. Dial, was born in South Carolina in 1785, was married to Miss Jennette Spence in 1801, and successfully tilled the soil all his life. His wife was born in Newberry District, S. C, in 1783. To them were given thirteen children, only two now living: J. H. (the subject of this sketch) and his sister, Rebecca (the wife of George Rix, of Keokuk, Iowa). David M. Dial was an elder in the Old School Presbyterian Church. His wife was a member of the same church. They immigrated from South Carolina to Greene County, Ala., in 1818, where the father died in 1834, the mother in 1855. At the age of sixteen J. H. Dial started out for himself, and began farming on a tract of land he owned in Sumter County, Ala. In the year 1853 he moved to this State and purchased land in Monroe County. When the late war broke out he enlisted in the Confederate army, Company E, Thirty-first Regiment Infantry, under Capt. O. H. Oates, and was wounded in the battle of Stone River, Tenn., December 31, 1862. He was first taken to the field hospital and remained there ten days, then being removed to Nashville in a six-horse wagon, going as fast as it could over the rough roads. There he was put in the guard house and three days later in the penitentiary, where he was kept four or five days and then taken to the hospital. It was found necessary to amputate his right arm, which operation was performed by Surgeon Massy, and he was then removed to Mr. Robinson’s, a private house, where he was nursed and taken care of for three months by two noble ladies, Mrs. Cartright and Miss Mary Hadley. Being taken to Louisville (Ky,) as a prisoner, he and his companions were there robbed of all their clothes and money. Later, going to Baltimore, Md., and thence to Petersburg, he was finally released and from there went to Shelbyville, Tenn., where he received his discharge. Starting on a tramp for home he walked the entire distance from West Point, Miss. In 1864 he was again taken prisoner when at Clarendon on some business, had his wagon and mules taken from him and was put in prison at Devall’s Bluff and kept for a week or ten days. Had it not been for the kindness of Mr. Steele and Mr. Phillip Trice he would have suffered, but they furnished him clothes and money and he fared sumptuously for a prisoner. Mr. Dial was married to Miss Letitia Caulfield, a daughter of Henry and Isabella (Watson) Caulfield, on November 2, 1853. She was born in Greene County, Ala., her parents being from Ireland. Her father came to this country in 1821. He was a successful and energetic farmer and died in Greene County, October 16, 1867. The mother died March 15, 1870. They were the parents of six children, two daughters now being the only living members of the family: Bessie (the wife of Jere Horn, of San Marcos, Tex.) and the present Mrs. Dial. J. H. Dial and wife had a family of eight children, of whom six survive at this time: Belle (the wife of T. G. Trice, of Holly Grove, Ark.), Mary V. (widow of Dr. C. H. Boyd, of Holly Grove, Ark.), Margie (wife of W. M. Harrison of Pine Bluff, Ark.), their sons, David M., Thomas G. and Jere H., all live in Holly Grove, Ark. Mr. Dial owns a valuable farm and is a successful farmer. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.