My Genealogy Hound

Charles H. Halley is a prosperous merchant and planter of Desha County, Ark., and although he has only resided here since 1884, he is recognized as one of the leading citizens, and fully deserves the success which has attended his efforts. He was born in Bradley County, Ark., in 1853, and in 1877 was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Ward, a daughter of A. J. and Ellen (Howell) Ward, she being a native of Pope County, Ark., born March 8, 1857. They have two children: Charles C. and Hilary W. Mr. Halley received good advantages in his youth, and was educated at Locustdale, Va., and after reaching a suitable age turned his attention to planting and stock dealing, and these occupations have received his attentions nearly all his life. In 1876 he began merchandising at Mulberry, Franklin County, Ark., and after remaining in business at that place for two years he sold out, and next became a railroad station agent. From 1878 to 1884 he was conductor on a passenger train on the Little Rock, St. Louis & Texas Pacific Railroad. Since the last-named date he has been in the mercantile business at Halley Station, in partnership with Greene W. Clark. Mr. Halley is the owner of a fine farm of 127 acres with 100 acres under cultivation, and on this property is erected a fine steam cotton-gin and grist mill. He also owns a mill and gin at Heard Station in Chicot County. He is a man of much enterprise, public spirit and intelligence, and is by nature generous and liberal minded. He is a member of the K. of P. Mr. Halley’s father-in-law, A. J. Ward, was treasurer of Crawford County, Ark., for ten years; has held the highest rank in the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F., and his death, which occurred in 1881, was lamented by all. His wife died August 20, 1889, an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.