My Genealogy Hound

Mack H. Staner, prominent among the farmers and stock raisers of Jefferson Township, this county, was born in Tennessee in 1832. His father, Coonrod Staner, was a native of North Carolina, who married Miss Delila Holmes, of Tennessee nativity. They came to Arkansas about the year 1849, and settled in Saline County, where Mr. Staner purchased 120 acres of improved land, on which he resided until his death, in the year 1857. He was the father of eleven children, four of whom are living: Levanna (widow of George James, lives in Saline County), Polly (widow of John Morgan, lives in Perry County), Peter (lives in this county), Mack H. (the subject of this sketch) and Michael (living in Perry County). Mr. Staner believed in the principles of Democracy. He and his wife, who died about 1858, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their son, Mack, at the age of twenty-one years, began farming in this county on land he leased for four years. At the expiration of this lease, he rented until the death of his father, when he purchased the place on which he now resides, consisting of 120 acres with about 100 acres under cultivation, upon which are excellent buildings, barns, outhouses, etc. He raises a large number of horses and hogs, and realizes handsome profits. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, enlisting in Company D, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry Regiment, and serving east of the Mississippi River. He participated in the following battles: Port Hudson (where he was promoted to lieutenant for meritorious service). Holly Springs, Miss., Island No. 10 and a number of minor engagements. In 1862 or 1863 he was captured at Island No. 10 and sent north to Camp Butler, Ill., where he was held for five months. After being paroled he came to Vicksburg, Miss., and thence to Port Hudson. When Vicksburg fell he was between the two places—Vicksburg and Port Hudson. His colonel, pressing horses into service, mounted his men and operated between the two places. Coming back to this side of the river in 1864, he rejoined the Confederacy in arms and served until the close of the war, surrendering at Benton, this county, in 1865. He returned home, but his solitary possession was the horse that carried him in the war. He prospered, however, and in 1866 was married to Miss Harriet Glenn, a native of this State. She and Mrs. Taylor were murdered in 1878, during the absence of Mr. Staner in Little Rock on business, the murderer being a nephew of Mack. His object was robbery, and he succeeded in getting some $200, but was hanged in Benton in 1879, after making a confession. Mr. Staner was married the second time to Miss Fannie Higginbotham, of Alabama, in 1883. She was born in 1862, the daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Franklin) Higginbotham, natives, respectively, of Alabama and South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living: David (deceased), J. H. (who resides in Texas) and Mrs. Staner. Mr. Higginbotham was first married to a Miss Little, who presented to him two children: William (residing in Pulaski County, Ark.) and James (deceased). Mr. Higginbotham died in 1862 and his wife in 1888. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Staner, having no children, are rearing a little niece of Mrs. Staner, Florence Higginbotham. He is a member of Paran Lodge No. 309, A. F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Being a strong Democrat he takes much interest in the politics of his county. He is also an active champion of schools, churches, etc.