My Genealogy Hound

Capt. D. Newton is the present efficient sheriff and collector of Ouachita County, Ark., and is one of the most popular officials the county has ever had. His birth occurred in Autauga County, Ala., October 1, 1835, he being a son of David and Martha (Broadnox) Newton, natives of South Carolina and Alabama, respectively, both of whom died in the latter State when the subject of this sketch was a mere youth. He was thus thrown upon the world to make his living as best he could, and in 1848, when in his twelfth year, he came to Arkansas, and for some time attended the common schools of Ouachita County. From the time of his arrival here up to the present date he has been associated with the different interests of the State, and up to 1856 was engaged in farm work. He then opened a mercantile establishment at Camden, but in 1862 abandoned this work to enlist in Company B, Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry, going out as lieutenant, but afterward became commander of his company, which position he held until the final surrender. He was a brave officer, and had the confidence and love of his men. He returned to Camden to find himself perfectly destitute of means, but he borrowed a team from the Federal quartermaster, and went to draying, and so anxious was he to accumulate some property that he worked almost day and night, and had soon saved enough money to again open a mercantile establishment, which occupation received his attention until 1874. He then was a tiller of the soil for some time, and has since been engaged in operating a shingle-mill, which is known by the name of the Camden Shingle-Mill Company. He manufactures cypress shingles exclusively, the capacity of the mill being 100,000 shingles per day. Several hands are employed throughout the year, and an extensive and paying business is done, their product being shipped to Texas and Western markets. Mr. Newton also farms, and gives considerable attention to fruit-growing, making grape-raising a specialty, from which he manufactures considerable wine. He deserves great credit for the enterprise and energy which has ever characterized his efforts, and has always been found to be liberal in his contributions to worthy enterprises, and interested in the general advancement of his county. In the fall of 1858 he was married to Miss Ora E. Stone, a native of Alabama, and by her he is the father of seven living children: Robert D., Martha R., Ora, Virginia B., J. Eustace, John B. and Eva. The Captain is a Mason, a member of the Royal Arcanum, the K. of H., and the A. L. of H. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in 1886 he was elected to the office of county sheriff and collector, and was re-elected in 1888.