My Genealogy Hound

Richard Hood, a prosperous merchant of Yell County, Ark., came to Richland Township in 1872 from Monroe County, this State, where he has resided since 1856. He was engaged in farming up to his removal to Yell County, when he opened a general merchandise store, keeping a good line of all kinds of produce and dry goods, and has met with very good success, having laid up a comfortable fortune to keep him in his older days. He was born in Marengo County, Ala., April 27, 1829, the son of Robert and Rebecca (Bates) Hood, natives of Virginia. The father followed farming all his life, dying in 1860 at the age of fifty-eight years, the mother passing to her final home in 1870 at the age of fifty-seven years. Richard Hood spent the early part of his life in De Kalb County, Ala., receiving but a very limited education, his first occupation being farming, as above stated. He enlisted in the army in 1861 under Gen. Price, following him in his raid, also taking part in the battles of Helena (Ark.), Pilot Knob (Mo.), Prairie Grove (Ark.), and a great many skirmishes, remaining in the army until the close of the war, when he returned home. He was married in 1858 to Miss Martha C. Williams, daughter of J. Williams, a native of Tennessee, and although they have no children of their own they have raised and taken care of a number of orphans: James Hood (a nephew) and Emma Hood (of Monroe County), also Urice James Beckit. Our subject and his wife are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Hood is also a member of Baker Creek Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and in politics supports the Democratic party. He is ever ready to assist in matters of a public nature that would be of benefit to his county or party, and is one of the successful and representative citizens of this township.