My Genealogy Hound

Rev. William B. McCool, occupied as a minister and farmer in Davis Township, was born in Fayette County, Ala., October 25, 1844, and is the son of A. J. and Nancy (Ashcraft) McCool. [See sketch of Y. B. McCool, this work.] Mr. McCool came to this State in 1861 with his parents, and enlisted the same year in the Eleventh Arkansas Regiment, remaining in the Confederate service until the close of the war, and participating in the fight at New Madrid and Island No. 10, where he was taken prisoner and held five months at Camp Douglas, Chicago. He was exchanged at Vicksburg and reorganized the colored regiment, taking part in the fight at Clinton, La., and Old Franklin, Miss. He was finally paroled at Crystal Springs in the spring of 1865. Returning home, he attended school for a time, but afterward engaged in farming, and in 1861 united with the Missionary Baptist Church, being licensed to preach in 1870 and ordained in 1872. Since then he has had charge of from two to four churches constantly, and his laborious and earnest efforts in the work of the ministry have been much appreciated. In the year 1871 Mr. McCool was married to Amanda N. Paxton, of Mississippi, and daughter of J. J. and Isabella Paxton. Mr. McCool bought the place where he now resides in 1871, and has made many improvements, now having a good double log-house and commodious barn, and also a fine orchard. The farm consists of sixty acres, besides which he owns forty acres of excellent timber land. Five children have been born to this union: George F., James B., William W., Mary I. and Hattie. Mr. McCool is Chaplain of Sheridan Masonic Lodge.