My Genealogy Hound

Jasper M. Vanhoozer, farmer and stock raiser, Harrisburg, Ark. Located in the midst of one of the finest agricultural centers of Poinsett County, the farm which Mr. Vanhoozer owns and occupies is conceded to be among the best in the vicinity; and this is saying not a little, for on every hand may be seen superior farms, whose ownership denotes thrift and prosperity. Mr. Vanhoozer first saw the light of day in Lincoln County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on the 7th of September, 1845. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Ketchum) Vanhoozer, were natives of Tennessee, and the father was one of the pioneers of Middle Tennessee. He was a participant of one of the Indian Wars, and died in the year 1846, on the 26th of September. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and much respected citizens. The mother, after surviving the death of her husband for about twenty-seven years, died in 1873. They were the parents of four children, two sisters and Jasper N. now living. One sister, Gestin, married Joseph Birdwell, and now resides in the Lone Star State. The other sister, Fenton, is the wife of Jesse Hardgrove, and resides near the old homestead, in Tennessee. Jasper M. Vanhoozer received a fair education in the common schools of Tennessee, and at the age of seventeen years, he left the farm of his father and enlisted in the Confederate army, in Company A, Forrest’s Cavalry, and participated in the skirmish at Athens and Corinth. After the last named battle, Mr. Vanhoozer re-enlisted in Company E, Thirty-second Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. Hood, and was in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Murfreesboro. He was wounded at Port Hindman, in 1863, and at Murfreesboro, in 1864. Here his services ended, as he never regained his health sufficiently to return. After cessation of hostilities, he returned to Tennessee, and engaged in tilling the soil, which industry he has since carried on. By his marriage, which occurred in June, 1867, to Miss Susan Darnell, he became the father of four children, two now living: Nancy Ann, wife of Charles Presley, a farmer now living in Tennessee, and Benjamin Lewis, a farmer, unmarried, and residing in Poinsett County. Mrs. Vanhoozer was the daughter of James and Susan (Merrill) Darnell, natives of Tennessee. In 1869, Mr. Vanhoozer and family moved to Poinsett County, Ark., and here purchased forty acres of partially improved land. He has added to this tract from time to time, until he now has 270 acres on Crowley’s Ridge, with about sixty-five acres under cultivation. He also has 200 acres in St. Anguille Bottom, and is improving the same; has twenty-seven acres under cultivation. He rents land for cotton. Mr. Vanhoozer votes with the Democratic party, but is conservative in politics. Mrs. Vanhoozer died in 1883, and in the same year Mr. Vanhoozer was married to Miss Sarah Hall, daughter of Newton G. and Sarah J. E. (Robertson) Hall, natives of Mississippi. By this union Mr. Vanhoozer became the father of the following children: Leana C., James L. and Sarah A. Mr. Vanhoozer is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds membership in Harrisburg Lodge No. 184, and was treasurer of that lodge for a number of years. He is a member of White Hall Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., and is at present treasurer of that society. He has served as school director a number of years, and has always taken an active interest in and given his support to all enterprises for the good of the community, and is one who believes in progressive farming.