My Genealogy Hound

W. R. McCrary, numbered among Lonoke’s active merchants and a dealer in general merchandise, was born in Lowndes County, Ala., in 1836, being the son of G. L. and L. A. (Ruttledge) McCrary, both natives of Georgia. The progenitors of the McCrary family were three sturdy brothers, Irish, who came to America at an early day, and settled in the Carolinas. When W. R. McCrary was about eleven years old he accompanied his parents to Mississippi, where he remained until twenty years of age, at that time leaving the parental roof to enter the Kentucky Military Institute. He graduated as a civil engineer, receiving the degree of C. E., and at once repaired to Selma, Ala., where he accepted the position of assistant engineer on the Selma & Gulf Railroad. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Mississippi, having previously served twelve months in a battalion, where he was commissioned lieutenant, and participated in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, in the entire Georgia campaign and at the siege of Vicksburg and Resaca. In 1864 he went with Hoods’ campaign into Tennessee and took part in the battle of Franklin; and while in the engagement at Nashville received a severe wound in the head, for months his life being despaired of. While in the hospital he was taken prisoner to Fort Delaware, and during his confinement was paroled and sent to Richmond. In the meantime he had been commissioned captain. After the close of the war Capt. McCrary embarked in the drug business at Columbus, Miss., and in 1874 came to Arkansas, establishing himself in the mercantile trade at Lonoke, which he has since carried on successfully, as his manner of doing business ensures for him the liberal patronage of the entire community. Mr. McCrary has taken an active interest in all advancements and enterprises of the town, especially in educational matters, and for ten consecutive years was a member of the school board, resigning in 1889. In social affairs he is identified with Lonoke Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., and is also a charter member of the Knights of Honor. In 1872 he was married to Miss Eugenia Witherspoon, a native of Lowndes County, Miss., who came with her parents to Arkansas. To them have been born a family of four sons and two daughters. Mr. McCrary and family worship at the Presbyterian Church.