My Genealogy Hound

Samuel W. Godfrey, is another example of what energy, industry and perseverance can accomplish, for, possessing and applying these attributes in the right direction, he has become a wealthy man, and is thoroughly conversant with all the details of farm work. He was born in Leake County, Miss., on November 25, 1844, and is a son of George W. and Nancy (Wallace) Godfrey, who were born in South Carolina and Ireland, September 25, 1814, and October 10, 1814, and died in Bradley County, Ark., April 30, 1859, and July 17, 1866, respectively. They were married in South Carolina, and on January 1, 1858, landed in Bradley County, Ark., where Mr. Godfrey continued to follow agricultural pursuits. Samuel W. is the sixth of their nine children, four now living, and until thirteen years of age resided in the State of Mississippi, and such educational advantages as he received, which lasted about only six months, were obtained in this county. He made his home with his parents until their respective deaths, but in 1862 enlisted in the Confederate service, joining Company H, Twentieth Arkansas Regiment Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Baker’s Creek, Big Black, Vicksburg, besides many skirmishes, and receiving three flesh-wounds during his service. After the war he returned to Bradley County, and here has since given his attention to farming, and is now the owner of an estate of 800 acres, about 200 of which are under cultivation. Nearly all the land is located on the Saline River, thirty-two miles south of the county seat, and is one of the finest bodies of land in the county, if not in the State. Mr. Godfrey erected him a handsome and commodious residence in 1884, and in his house the post-office of Blanchton was established in 1882, he being appointed postmaster, in which capacity he has since served. He is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Seymour, and has held the office of justice of the peace of Eagle Township for twelve years. He was made a Mason in 1866, and is now a member of Palestine Lodge No. 109, and he and his present wife are members of the Baptist Church. In 1872 he wedded Margaret C. Gillis, who was born about 1854, and died on January 9, 1882, having borne a family of five children, only one of whom survives, Mollie E. Mr. Godfrey married his present wife December 29, 1886, she being a Miss Eugenie York, who was born September 1, 1864, a daughter of Nelson B. and Louisa J. (Watson) York, a sketch of whom is given in this work.