My Genealogy Hound

J. W. Graddy & Bro., farmers and proprietors of a saw-mill, are sons of Lewis and Matilda (Ford) Graddy. The father, a farmer of Scotch and Irish descent, was born in Tennessee, and died in 1862. His widow was born in North Carolina, and is now living. They were married in Alabama, and came to Mississippi, where they resided till 1858, when they removed to Arkansas. Matilda is the mother of seven children (five now living): Edward F., G. W., Mary J. (deceased), Sarah F. (deceased), Nancy C., J. B. and J. W. J. B. Graddy, the oldest child and junior partner of this firm, was born in October, 1846, in Alabama. He lived in Mississippi till the age of twelve years, when he came to Sharp County, Ark. He attended school in both States. In October, 1865, he married Miss Mahala E. Bell, who was born in Kentucky in 1845; they have had seven children: Lewis W., Charles S., Clara E., Margaret C., John H., George W. and Lucy E. Mr. Graddy served all through the war, a part of the time in the Confederate army, in Capt. Nunn’s company, and the remainder in the Union army. He has eighty acres of land, twenty acres being under cultivation. J. W. Graddy, the second child, and senior partner of this firm, was born in Alabama, August 8, 1848, and received his education in Mississippi and Sharp County, Ark. In 1869 he married Miss Alice Hamilton, who was born in Arkansas in 1849. Their family consists of six children: William A. (deceased), Benjamin F., James P., Winnie A., Martin L. and Artie M. He has eighty acres of land, about thirty-five being under cultivation. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1887 this firm erected a saw-mill and cotton-gin at a cost of $2,000, the capacity of the mill being 8,000 feet per day. Both are good business men, and have secured a good trade. They are Democrats in politics, and J. W. served one term as justice of the peace.