My Genealogy Hound

W. H. Poynter has passed the uneventful life of a farmer, and has continued steadily to “pursue the even tenor of his way” until he is now ranked among the leading men of his calling in Pope County. He possesses advanced and progressive views regarding agricultural affairs, and has always been very desirous of keeping out of the beaten path in which his forefathers trod. He was born in this county, September 8, 1847, and in the town of Dover, in and about his father’s hotel, he was reared to manhood. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1863, joining Company A, Hill’s regiment, Cabel’s brigade, and was in several hard battles, among which were Poison Springs, Mark’s Mill, Prairie de Ann and others. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Dover, and as his father had died during the Rebellion, he began working at the carpenter’s trade, in order to support his younger brothers and sisters, which business he followed until 1876. In 1872 he purchased thirty-three acres of land, lying one mile from Dover, which he improved, by clearing it of timber and reducing it to a state of cultivation, and this start formed the nucleus to what is now a substantial fortune. As his means increased he continued to purchase land in the county, and at one time was the owner of at least 1,200 acres. He now owns 600 acres, principally in the valley, of which 325 are in a good state of cultivation, and is valued at $10,000. He has the finest residence in the township, consisting of a handsome, two-story frame building, and containing ten rooms. He also has large and commodious barns and other buildings, and his principal crops are corn and cotton, of which he has a large and promising crop. His marriage to Miss Dosie Tucker occurred January 27, 1869, she being a daughter of Russell Tucker, of Dover. Their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Sallie C. (who has been attending the Searcy Female College, and has already obtained a good scientific education; she is an accomplished musician, and during her vacation is giving instruction on the piano to quite a large class), Delia is next in order of birth, then comes Anna, Sidney, Nora and Guy. One child, Maudie May, died when about four months old. The family worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Poynter is a Democrat in politics.