My Genealogy Hound

Wesley Hinson was born in Union County, N. C., September 3, 1843, and is a son of Jeremiah J. and Elizabeth Hinson. The father lived in his native State, North Carolina until 1853, from that time until 1859 living in Saline County, Ark. He finally located upon a farm at the foot of the mountains, in Vine Prairie Township, Crawford County, and there farmed until his death in 1877, aged sixty-two years, with the exception of some time spent during the war in Texas. He was of Iris and Spanish descent, and for twelve years was an ordained minister in the Methodist Church. His father was also named Jeremiah J. Wesley Hinson was the oldest of three children, and when but a boy lost his mother. He came to Crawford County when nine, and at the age of eighteen joined the Second Arkansas Battalion. He operated in Virginia with Lee’s army, and participated in the Seven Days Fight, the Seven Pines, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and at Gettysburg was captured. He was taken to Columbus, Ohio, and after taking the oath of allegiance went to Bedford County, Penn., and worked some time in a machine shop. In September, 1863, he joined Company D, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, being mustered in at Harrisburg. After Lincoln’s proclamation ordering all who had fought in the Confederate army to the Northwest, he went first to Minnesota and then to Ft. Wadsworth, Dak., remaining until September, 1865. He then went to Pennsylvania, and was discharged the following year, since which time he has lived in Crawford County. In December, 1866, he married Johanna, daughter of George and Hester Ann Ragsdale, who came here with her parents in an early day. She lost her mother when but a girl, but her father is now living in Washington County. He served two years in the Confederate army. Mr. Hinson first homesteaded forty acres of land upon coming here, but by patient economy and good management is now the owner of 160 acres of good land, and is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He is now serving his fourth term as justice of the peace, and has had but two cases appealed, which were both confirmed. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to which he has belonged since 1853, and of which his wife has been a member since 1867. He does a good work as Sunday-school superintendent. He belongs to the Pleasant Hill Masonic Lodge, No. 233; has served as Senior Deacon and Senior Warden, and is now Worshipful Master. He is also Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 63, and Organizing Deputy of that order in the thirteenth district, which comprises Sebastian and Crawford Counties and the northern part of Franklin. In politics he is a Democrat.