My Genealogy Hound

Samuel E. Spikes. Among the families who were early settlers of the State of Arkansas, was that of which the subject of this sketch is a worthy member, although the exact date of their settlement is unknown. He himself was born on the farm where he now lives, May 15, 1840, and is one of three surviving members of a family of four children born to William and Mary L. (Masters) Spikes, who were born in Hawkins County, Tenn., and near Charleston, S. C., in 1784 and 1802, and died in 1855 and 1881, respectively. At the time they located in Randolph County, Ark., the settlers were very scarce, and the nearest neighbor was eight miles away. He cleared a farm on which he resided until his death, and in addition to managing this farm he carried on the cooper’s and wheelwright’s trades which he had learned in his youth. He was a successful financier, but was rather improvident and spent his money freely, laying up but very little for a rainy day. He was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he had been a member for many years, and in his political views was a Democrat. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary L. Masters, was first married to a Mr. Alexander, and with him moved to Arkansas, where he was afterward drowned. She then wedded Mr. Spikes, being his third wife, and by him became the mother of the following children: Samuel E., Elizabeth C. (widow of George Kerzey), Mary P. (widow of Madison Gallich), and two others deceased, one of whom was L. F., who died while serving in the Confederate army. Mr. Spikes’ first union resulted in the birth of six children: Joseph W., who was the third sheriff of Randolph County, and died in New Orleans; Jesse, John William, Martha and Nancy, all of whom died in the same county, except Nancy who died in Texas. Samuel E. Spikes enlisted, in 1862, in Capt. B. Shores’ company, Col. Adams’ regiment, and served until the close of the war, being a participant in the battles of Cane Hill and Delhi. After his return home he was married to Miss Mary Frances Stone, a daughter of Rufus Stone. She was born in Tennessee, May 6, 1847, and died in Randolph County, Ark., December 24, 1882, having borne a family of eight children, seven now living: William R., Samuel E., Mary C., Martha J., Fannie E., Robert A. and Francis M. A daughter named Eliza A,, was born April 9, 1870, and died November 24, 1887. Our subject started in life without means, but by his own energy and good management he is now one of the wealthy residents of the county. He is a Mason in good standing, and is a Democrat in his political views. After his marriage, his mother made her home with him until her death.