My Genealogy Hound

William T. Blackford has had an active career as a merchant, and by his advanced and progressive ideas has done not a little for the mercantile interests of this section. He first saw the light of day in White County, Ill., January 2, 1858, being born to A. J. and F. E. (Honn) Blackford, who were also born and reared in that county. In 1872 William T. Blackford moved from Illinois to Jackson County, Ark., with his parents, and here began the battle of life for himself at the age of twenty-two years. Although he was not given much of a chance for acquiring an education, he has since remedied this defect in a great measure by contact with the world, by business life of activity, and by thoroughly reading up the general topics of the day. In 1884 he opened a general mercantile establishment at Scottsville, Ark., and this together with farming, which is his principal occupation, has received his attention up to the present time. He owns and controls about 266 acres of fine land in Pope County, the proceeds of which, together with his $3,000 stock of general merchandise, amounts to a handsome annual income. He was married in 1881 to Miss F. E. Sherrell, a daughter of Sam and Ellen Sherrell, and in time the following family of children gathered about their board: A. J., Harry, Oscar C. and Minnie A., the first two named being deceased. Mr. Blackford has always been a faithful and zealous Democrat, and at all times strives to promote the interests of his party.