My Genealogy Hound

Judge D. A. Newman, closely identified with the affairs of Fenter Township, has been a resident of this county since 1853. He is a native of Marshall County, Ala., was born in 1819, and is the son of Stephen and Jane (Barr) Newman, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. Stephen Newman, a wagon-maker by trade, was one of the old pioneers of Alabama, and a man who took an active part in public affairs of the day. He was justice of the peace for a number of years. He died in 1854, at the age of fifty-two years, his wife surviving until 1885, having reached ninety years. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of nine children: Elizabeth (deceased, married Abner Parris), D. A. (the subject of this sketch), Nathaniel G. (who died in 1865), William Carrol (died in the Mexican War), Rhodie (deceased, married John Ceips), Nancy (now Mrs. Hall, of Alabama), Caleb (deceased), Stephen Jasper (deceased) and Mary Jane (deceased). At the age of seventeen years, D. A. Newman enlisted in the Indian War, under Benjamin Snodgrass, and served six months. He then returned to his native county, became engaged in farming for himself, and in 1847 enlisted in the Mexican War, serving until its close. In 1853, Mr. Newman emigrated to Arkansas and settled in Hot Spring County, near Rockport, where he has lived ever since, excepting one year spent in Texas. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Third Arkansas Infantry, and served one year. He was married, in 1840, to Sarah Ceips, a native of North Carolina, who died in 1885, when sixty years old. She was a member of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of seven children: Christopher G. (who resides in Yell County), Stephen D., John W. (deceased), James C. (deceased), Hiram J., Lavina Jane (now Mrs. Rayns), J. W. (deceased). Mr. Newman has always taken an active interest in politics, and has held the office of justice of the peace for two years, sheriff six years and judge two years. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, is a self-made man, having educated himself by the light of pine knots, and is not afraid of hard work. He owns eighty acres of fine land, and is one of the leading men in his county.