My Genealogy Hound

John Ragin Broughton has been a resident of Bradley County, Ark., since December, 1859, although his birth occurred in Sumter District, S. C, October 3, 1841. He is one of three children born to Edward N. and Epsie E. Broughton, their names being: Letitia B. (who died in November, 1879), Maggie L. (who is living in Ouachita County, Ark., with her husband, H. F. Richardson), and John Ragin (who first settled in Arkansas, in Ouachita County, in January, 1859. The principal part of his rearing was received in Greene County, Ga., and there he received a good English education. At the age of sixteen years he began doing for himself, and that he has succeeded is amply proved, when the fact is known that he owns 427 acres of land, 100 acres of which are under cultivation, exceedingly fertile, and will average one bale of cotton to the acre. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, in Blankenship’s Company, Ninth Arkansas Regiment, and served as a private and non-commissioned officer, until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Corinth, Baker’s Creek, Resaca, the Dalton campaign, Nashville, and numerous engagements of less importance. On December 22, 1864, after being slightly wounded, he was captured, and was kept a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio, until March 1, 1865, when he was paroled at Richmond, and returned home. He is a Democrat, and has served as school director in Sumter Township eight years. He is a strict member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is a liberal contributor to all worthy public enterprises. He was married near Princeton, in Dallas County, Ark., September 27, 1868, to Miss Mattie Lee Holloway, a daughter of Blake and Emile Holloway, who were among the early settlers to Arkansas Territory. Mrs. Broughton’s grandfather, Dorris, assisted in ferrying the Indians across the Ouachita River, when they were being moved to the Indian Territory. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Broughton resulted in the birth of two children: William E. and Epsie L. Mrs. Broughton died August 7, 1889.