My Genealogy Hound

Clarence Lafont. Nowhere in all Mississippi County is to be found any young man of more energy or force of character than Clarence Lafont possesses, and no young agriculturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. His birth occurred near where Osceola now stands, on what is called Hill Place, and he is the son of N. B. and Viola V. (Willson) Lafont. The father was born in the State of Missouri, and moved to Osceola, Ark., in about 1867. Being a man alive to all business enterprises, he not only engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in connection also carried on merchandising for two years. After this he continued farming, and in 1870 purchased about 300 acres of land on Frenchman’s Bayou, located there and cultivated about 200 acres of land. He was a man well known and much respected for his many good qualities, and his death, which occurred in 1885, was universally regretted. He left two children: Miss Ella, now residing in Osceola, and Clarence. The latter received his education at Covington, Tenn., and in the public schools of Osceola. After the death of his father he cleared 100 acres of land, and now all together has 300 acres of cleared land and several hundred acres of timber. This year, besides his own land, he has rented 100 acres, and runs from thirty to seventy-five hands, whom he supplies from his store. This year he will raise on the home place some 200 bales of cotton, at a cost of about $10 per bale. Mr. Lafont is only twenty-three years of age, but for good management and other business qualifications his equal is not to be found in the county. He carries on a farm of from 100 to 300 acres, and, while cotton is the principal crop, he also raises enough corn to last through the year.