My Genealogy Hound

Hezekiah T. Barksdale, one of the prominent planters of Union Township, and a native of Laurens County, S. C, was born March 5, 1836. He is a son of John and Martha (Griffin) Barksdale, the father being a native of South Carolina, born November 28, 1790, and a farmer by profession, and a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents married in Laurens County, S. C, in 1813, and are the parents of nine children—six sons and three daughters. Only three of these children are living at the present time, viz.: Elizabeth J., Elihu and the subject of this sketch. The father died in South Carolina, August 15, 1858, and the mother January 19, 1854. Hezekiah Barksdale, he whose name heads this sketch, married Miss Roberta Hatley, and they are the parents of three children, viz.: Olga, Iris O. and Blake K. Mrs. Barksdale died in 1881. She was a lovely Christian woman, and a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1882 Mr. Barksdale married Miss Amyrillus Morgan, of Hempstead County. To them was born one child, which is dead. The second wife died in 1884, and in 1885 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Louisa May, of Hempstead County, Ark. They have three children, viz.: John C, Mary E. and Pearl M. Mr. Barksdale moved from South Carolina to Arkansas in 1858, settling in Ouachita County, where he resided until 1870, in which year he moved to Nevada County. He served in the Civil War, enlisting in 1861, under Capt. J. Griffin, and fought in many of the chief battles. He was captured at Jonesboro, in 1864, and carried to Nashville, where he was retained as a prisoner only about fifteen days before being exchanged. Mr. Barksdale was wounded at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 1863, in the forehead, causing the loss of his right eye, and remained in a hospital at Nashville several days, in 1865 returning to his home, to engage in farming. Success has indeed crowned his efforts, he being today a prosperous and highly esteemed citizen of the community in which he resides, and owning about 620 acres of finely cultivated land. He is a member of the Masonic order, and treasurer of the Corinthian Lodge No. 448.