My Genealogy Hound

John W. Conley. This young agriculturist is the son of a man who during a residence of fourteen years in this county became well known and prominently identified with the county’s interests. James Conley was born in the “Old Dominion,” being a member of one of the first families there, and was married in the State of Arkansas to Miss Rebecca Cutright, who was born in Indiana. They took up their abode in Mississippi County, Ark., in 1854, settling at Daniel’s Point, and began farming along the river, Mr. Conley having been previously engaged in flat-boating. He made this his home until his farm was carried away into the river, then moved back to Clear Lake and bought 160 acres of land, on which there was a slight clearing and a few improvements made. He erected him a house, made other improvements in the way of buildings and fences, and there resided until his death in 1868, having lived a life of usefulness and honor. His widow still survives him. From earliest boyhood John W. Conley has been familiar with life on a farm, and at the age of nineteen years entered upon active life as a farmer, which occupation has received his attention up to the present time, the perseverance and industry he has displayed being rewarded by substantial results. He first tilled the soil in Chickasawba Township for seven years and in 1883 settled at Clear Lake on a tract of 106 acres, which had previously belonged to his father, where he has made some improvements in the way of repairing. His marriage with Miss Elma Patterson was celebrated in 1874, she being a native of Indiana, and a daughter of an old pioneer of this section. To them have been born a family of five children: Rebecca, Andrew J., Rosetta C., Eldord and Naomi. Mr. Conley is serving as school director, and has always been interested in the advancement of education, as well as all other good works. He was born in 1856, and was the second of seven children.