My Genealogy Hound

Jerry H. Colvard was born July 16, 1845, in Carroll County, Ark. His father, Wade H. Colvard, was born in North Carolina, and when young went to Hardeman County, Tenn., in an ox-cart. In 1836 he went to Washington County, Ark., and in 1847 came to Franklin County, where he purchased land of Anthony Brown, and farmed until his death, December 7, 1864. He was one of the best and most successful farmers of the county. The mother, Latha (Gage) Colvard, was born in Tennessee, and when about grown went to Washington County, Ark., where she was married. She died in Sebastian County in 1863, and was the mother of ten children. Those now living are Melissa, Benjamin D., Jerry H., Lydia, Robert B. and George N. Those deceased are Andrew J., Nancy, Thomas J. and Columbia. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of England, and an early settler of North Carolina, where he died. His wife was born in Wales, married in North Carolina, and died at the home of our subject, aged ninety. The maternal grandfather was born in North Carolina, and served in the War of 1812. After living some time in Tennessee he came to Washington County, Ark., which he represented for several terms in the General Assembly of the State. He afterward located in Franklin County, where he died, and where he second wife, the grandmother of our subject, still lives. Jerry H. Colvard was reared on a farm in Franklin County, and received a limited education. When fifteen he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army. After fighting at Wilson’s Creek, he was discharged, and then re-enlisted in Company A, of McCullough’s regiment. He passed his time upon the plains until the following December, when he joined the Indian Department of the regular army, under Cooper, at Newtonia. Coming to Fort Smith he was assigned to Clark’s regiment, and at the battle of Prairie Grove, he lost his left leg, which was amputated below the thigh. The cannon ball which shot him is still in his possession. He was laid up in the hospital some time, and then returning home went with his father to Texas, where he remained two months. He then re-entered the Confederate Southern army at Pine Bluff, and remained in service until he surrendered with the Southern army. Mr. Colvard afterward went to Franklin County, Ark., where, February 7, 1867, he married Mary A., daughter of S. B. Holder, a native of Greene County, Mo., who was reared in Greene County. To this marriage eight children have been born: Alice, Annie, Rufus, Sunnie S., Edward E. and Burt. Two children died in infancy. Mr. Colvard is the owner of eighty acres of land in Sebastian County, and has served several times as chairman of township conventions, besides having been a delegate to the State convention. He is a Democrat, and his voice is often heard in the behalf of his party. During the outbreak in Scott County, in 1879, he was captain of a company, and he has in his possession a letter from the adjutant-general of the State in commendation of his conduct.