Ben H. Allen.  In sketching the life of this gentleman it is but just to say that his good name is above reproach, and that he has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him.  As a tiller of the soil he has been quite successful, and is still following that calling.  He was born in North Carolina, February 10, 1838, to William and Nancy (Crump) Allen, both of whom were born in North Carolina, the father being an agriculturist by occupation.  Their marriage took place in their native State in 1835, and resulted in the birth of ten children, nine of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest.  The other members of the family living are Frank, Bettie (wife of J. J. Micenhimer), Lucy (wife of John Thompson), Sallie (wife of J. Burns), Cara (wife of Phil Randel), Fannie (wife of G, Lanier), and Maggie (wife of Mr. Bennett); George is deceased.  About 1856 the father of those children was judge of Stanly County, and was magistrate for a number of years.  He died in 1885, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, also a Mason.  His wife died in 1870, a member of the same church as himself.  Ben H. Allen was married in 1869, to Miss Bettie Howell of Pope County, and to this marriage two children have been born: Minnie and Bettie.  He was called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 1874, she being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in Stanly County, N. C., he was married, in 1877 to Miss Eugenia Randel, by whom he has four children: Bennie, Randel, Samuel and Loy.  Mr. Allen is a well-to-do farmer, and is the owner of 320 acres of land, of which 155 acres are under cultivation.  He emigrated from North Carolina to Arkansas in 1859, and has since been a resident of Pope county.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Second Arkansas Cavalry, and served as a private soldier on the Confederate side until 1865, taking part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Jonesboro and Nashville.  Since the war he has devoted his time to farming, and not only is his land valuable for farming, but it is also heavily underlaid with coal.  Mr. Allen and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of Russellville Lodge No. 254, of the A. F. & A. M.

M. H. Baird, a prominent educator of Pope County, was  originally from Georgia, his birth occurring in 1845, and was the second of eight children born to William and Christian (Campbell) Baird, natives of  Tennessee and Georgia, respectively.  The father was a farmer and lived in Alabama nearly his entire life.  He came to Arkansas in 1868, settled near Russellville in Pope County, and there resided until his death in 1888.  The mother is still living and makes her home with a daughter in Russellville.  M. H. Baird was reared in Alabama, where he had fair advantages for an education, and when seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company G, Nineteenth Alabama Infantry, in the Western Department.  He was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga and all the engagements of the Georgia campaign with Johnston.  After this he was with Hood and surrendered at Greensborough, N. C.  Returning to Alabama, he was engaged in the boot and shoe manufacturing business until 1868, when be came to Arkansas with his parents.  He then followed farming for a year or two, attended school a year in Russellville, and in 1870 taught his first term of school in Conway County.  Since then he has been almost constantly engaged in teaching, principally in Pope County, and is one the most popular and successful educators in that county.  He is now teaching his fourth year as first assistant of the Russellville public school, and has been connected with the public schools of Pope County since 1870.  The first county teachers' association was organized in Pope County in 1872, and our subject was elected secretary, serving in that office in every institute or association since.  He has been a most earnest advocate of the free-school system since its adoption.  Mr. Baird was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Quinn, a native of Arkansas and the daughter of Robert Quinn, one of the early pioneers from South Carolina.  Mr. Baird owns a fine farm of 120 acres one, mile and a half east of town, and has seventy-five acres of this under cultivation.  He also owns a comfortable residence in town.  To his marriage have been born three children -- a son and two daughters: Della, Daisy and Max.  The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Baird has been an earnest worker in the Sunday school, having organized many schools in various parts of the county.  He is now a teacher in the school.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Russellville Lodge No., 247, is an Odd Fellow, Chosen Friends No. 36, and is a member of the K. & L. of H., No. 535.  The Professor is a staunch Democrat, and is a consistent worker for that party.

William A. Baird is one of the self-made and influential men of Dover, Ark.  He was born in Cherokee County, Ala., December 2, 1863, and in 1869 moved with his father to Arkansas, his early education being completed in the high school of Russellville, under the instruction of Prof. J. H. Shinn, now State superintendent of public instruction.  His father, William Baird, was a farmer of Cherokee County, Ala., but was born in East Tennessee.  William A. was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of nineteen, having obtained a sufficient education, he began teaching in the common schools, and carried on this calling in connection with farming for two years, when he was elected to the honorable and trustworthy position of county treasurer, a position he filled with marked ability for two years.  He was then chosen one of the county examiners of schools, but at the expiration of two years he embarked in the drug business, at Dover, which he has successfully continued up to the present day.  Starting on a small capital, he has steadily increased his business, until now his annual sales amount to $6,000, and he has acquired the reputation and title in his town of being a "hustler."  Outside of his business, he is the owner of considerable property, in the north part of the town, besides other property, and, as be has, at all times been strictly honorable and endeavors to please his patrons, his success is fully merited.  On January 14, 1886, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Maggie West, a daughter of D. P. and Katie West, of Dover.  To Mr. and Mrs. Baird two children have been born: Porter L. (born October 19, 1886), and George H. (born December 12, 1888).  Mr. Baird is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  He is a member of the Union Labor party, and has always shown himself to be public spirited and liberal in the support of worthy enterprises.

E. A. Bell, merchant, Potts station, Ark.  This prominent and successful business man owes his nativity to Lincoln Co., N. C., his birth occurring in 1847, and is the son of Alexander and Mary (Oates) Bell, natives also of the Tar Heel State.  The father was one of the early settlers of North Carolina, and was a farmer by occupation.  He removed with his family to Pope County, Ark., in the year 1851, purchased land and continued agricultural pursuits.  His wife received her final summons in 1881, and he followed her to the grave in 1884.  The paternal grandparents were natives of the Emerald Isle, and the maternal grandparents were pioneers of North Carolina.  E. A. Bell was reared principally in Arkansas, received his education in that State, and in the fall of 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Stermon's battalion under Gen. Joe Shelby, and was principally in State service.  He was discharged at Louisburg in June, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Pope County, and was engaged in farming.  In the fall of 1865 Miss Rebecca Dickey, daughter of Alexander Dickey of Pope County, became his wife, and the fruits of this union were four children: William S., Martha C., one deceased, and Macy H.  He was engaged in farming until the year 1882, when he moved to Potts Station on the Fort Smith & Little Rock Railroad, and there he has been engaged in merchandising ever since in partnership with his brother, Calvin Bell, under the firm name of Bell & Bro.  They have a lucrative trade and are pushing, enterprising business men.  Our subject still carries on his farm by hired help, and is one of the county's best citizens.  In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.  He and Mrs. Bell are members of the Arkansas Reformed Presbyterian Church, and is a liberal contributor to all worthy movements.

William T. Blackford has had an active career as a merchant, and by his advanced and progressive ideas has done not a little for the mercantile interests of this section.  He first saw the light of day in White County, Ill, January 2, 1858, being born to A. J. and F. E. (Hon) Blackford, who were born and reared in that county.  In 1872 William T. Blackford moved from Illinois to Jackson County, Ark., with his parents, and here began the battle of life for himself at the age of twenty-two years.  Although he was not given much of a chance for acquiring an education, he has since remedied this defect in a great measure by contact with the world, by business life of activity, and by thoroughly reading up the general topics of the day.  In 1884 he opened a general mercantile establishment at Scottsville, Ark., and this together with farming, which is his principal occupation, has received his attention up to the present time.  He owns and controls about 266 acres of fine land in Pope County, the proceeds of which, together with his $3,000 stock of general merchandise, amounts to a handsome annual income.  He was married in 1881 to Miss F. E. Sherrell, a daughter of Sam and Ellen Sherrell, and in time the following family of children gathered about their board: A. J., Harry, Oscar C. and Minnie A., the first two named being deceased.  Mr. Blackford has always been a faithful and zealous Democrat, and at all times strives to promote the interests of his party.

James C. Bonds is one among the substantial farmers of Pope County, and is a man of recognized worth and progressive spirit.  He was born on the farm on which he now lives, two and a half miles west of Dover, January 24, 1837, to Robert and Mary E. (Dickson) Bonds, who were born in Dickson County, Tenn., in 1811 and 1814, respectively.  In 1834 they came to Arkansas, and settled on the farm on which James C. is now living, where they reared their family consisting of three sons, James C., Robert C. and Hugh D., and one daughter, Sarah A. A., of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, and the only one now living.  Although his early opportunities were very limited, he obtained such an education as to enable him to carry on the business of the farm successfully, and being reared from his earliest youth to a knowledge of the business he has been successful.  The year following his father's death, which occurred in 1852, he went to California, and was engaged in farming and mining for nine years, but with no very favorable financial result, and in l866 he returned home and once more began following the plow on the old homestead, where he has remained up to the present time.  In his early days be walked three miles to school, the same being held in a log building erected for the purpose of holding meetings and schools, and his first teacher was Andrew J. Bayliss.  This building was about one mile north of Dover at the  graveyard.  Logs split in halves formed the seats, and the cabin was without windows.  The books used were mostly the old blue-backed speller or elementary spelling book of Webster.  The year of his return from California, Mr. Bonds married and settled down to life on his mother's farm, At the end of three years she divided the land among her three sons for farming purposes, although she was still the owner, and each paid rent for the use of the same.  She afterward deeded her place, which consisted of 240 acres to her four children, and until her death, which occurred in 1877, made her home with her son, James C.  The latter has since purchased 160 acres adjoining his land, and on this farm he raises cotton, corn, oats, hay, potatoes, etc., diversifying the crops as much as possible.  His marriage, which took place on November 21, 1866 was to Miss Lavinia Elizabeth Rye, a daughter of Tristam and Peggy G. Rye, who were among the earliest settlers of this county.  To Mr. Bonds' union the following children have been born: Jessie Viola and Jeania Leola (twins, born September 4, 1867, the former being married to Samuel W. Winingham of this county, and the latter to Prof. J. A. Evans also residing here), Maggie A. (was born June 27, 1869, and was married to P. P. Winingham, a dealer in general merchandise at Morrilton), and Mary E. (born February 24, 1873, still residing with her parents, and is president of the Young People's Christian Endeavor.) The family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Bonds holds the office of ruling older.  He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the K. of H. and the Farmers' Alliance; in the former he has filled every station in the lodge.  He is Sunday-school superintendent, a Democrat, and as he and his wife are hospitable and kindly, they are highly respected in this community.  Mr. Bonds' grandfather, Drury Bonds, and wife Sarah came to this country in 1834.  The family consisted of the following children: Dobert, James G., Drury K., Sarah E., Mary and George J.  The latter and Drury K. became ministers of the gospel.  The grandfather built the first water-mill in Pope County, it being two and one-half miles west the town of Dover, and consisted of a cotton-gin and grist-mill.  He died in 1855, and his widow in 1863.  Robert Bonds, the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, became associated in the general mercantile business with John Wilson and T. J. Paxton immediately after coming here, and continued thus associated a number of years.

Rev. J.J. Bowden, farmer, Moreland, Ark. Mr. Bowden , who is familiarly known as “Uncle Jacky Bowden” was born in Georgia, January 22, 1814, and is the son of John and Anna (Blackburn) Bowden, both natives also of Georgia, and of English and German descent, respectively. The father was born in 1751, and was married about 1796. He and wife emigrated from Georgia to Tennessee, and here they received their final summons, the father dying at the age of ninety-five, and she at the age of sixty-five years. Their family consisted of fifteen children, eight sons and five daughters of whom grew to mature years. Two died in infancy. Those living are named as follows: Polly, William, Feriba, James, Anna, Jane, John S., Jackson J., Charles, Newton, Wiley, Lucinda and Allen. The paternal grandfather of these children emigrated from England to America at an early day, and fought for independence in the Revolution. When about six years of age Rev. J.J. Bowden emigrated with his parents to Tennessee, and there remained until 1844, when he moved to Arkansas. While a resident of Tennessee he met and married Miss Salina Lay, a native of Georgia, who bore him six children, tow of whom are now living, one in Texas, and the other in Conway County, Ark. After coming to Arkansas Mr. Bowden settled in Gum Log Valley, but afterward purchased eighty acres of land on Crow Mountain, where he resided six years. He afterward purchased 300 acres at Gravel Hill, and gave eleven acres of this to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, the land, at the present time, being valued at $100 per acre, upon which he has expended on his own account, and out of his own pocket, at least $500. Later he sold this farm, and retired to his farm at Gravel Hill, where he now resides, and where, despite his increasing years, he still carries on his occupation of farming, though in a limited way, having rented most of his land to tenants. When Mr. Bowden first located on his present farm, the country was thinly settled, and in all the country from Cross Plains to Dover there were but two families. On Crow Mountain, where there are now about 200 families, there were at that time just two families. Mr. Bowden joined the church in 1828, and has always taken a deep interest in church work. When leaving Tennessee he brought letters from his church, which he deposited in Gum Log Valley, in what is now known as David Chapel, where he assisted in erecting the first church edifice in Valley Township. And probably the first in Pope County. Mr. Bowden was licensed to preach in 1848, by Dr. A. Hunter; ordained a deacon by Bishop Paine in 1852, and ordained an elder by Bishop Early in 1857. His first ministerial work was on Crow Mountain, where he organized and erected the first church. In 1865, after the close of the war, owing to the unsettled condition of affairs, Mr. Bowden was called upon to take in hand the organization of the churches of Dover circuit, on which there were twenty-four appointments, and to which it was difficult or impossible to send a regular itinerant, Mr. Bowden found the churches in a demoralized condition, but undertook the work, which he successfully accomplished in about a month, presiding over that circuit only a year. He organized the Sunday school at Gravel Hill, or Bowden Chapel, directly after the war, and also assisted in the organization of several others. He went to Little Red River in 1840, where Methodism had never penetrated, and established a church, which has grown from the seed thus sown to a flourishing circuit. His first wife dying in 1852, Mr. Bowden was married, in August of the same year, to Miss Narcissa E. Bewley, daughter of R.S. Bewley, of Pope County. The fruits of this union were ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The remainder are all married, with the exception of one son and a daughter. They are named as follows: Robert S., Benjamin B., Charles D., George A., Anhana C., Miles E., and Sallie F., all but one of whom are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. From 1845 up to the beginning of the Civil War, in which he took no part, Mr. Bowden was militia captain. He was appointed postmaster at Moreland post office in 1866, which position he held for three or four years. He joined a temperance organization at Dover in 1867, and as this is a subject in which he takes a great interest, temperance organizations have been established all over Pope County. Although in his seventy-seventh year and somewhat deaf, Mr. Bowden can read ordinary print without the aid of glasses. He lost his wife in 1885. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church also, and was an active worker in the same. Despite his old age, he raised, the present year, with his own hands, two and one-half bales of cotton, thirty bushels of corn and forty bushels of sweet potatoes, besides he preached nearly every Sunday.

C. L. Bowden, farmer, Allegan, Ark. Among the successful agriculturists of Pope County, whose merits are such as to entitle him to representation in the present work, is Mr. Bowden, the subject of this sketch. He is a native born resident of Arkansas, his birth occurring in 1850, and is a son of the Hon. John S. and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Bowden, both natives of the Big Bend State, where they were united in marriage. They emigrated to Arkansas about 1840, settled in Marion County, where they remained for about two years, and in 1842 came to Pope County, settling in Gum Log Township. From there they afterward removed to Valley Township, where they entered and bought 200 acres of land, and the father had about ninety acres of this cleared at the time of his death, which occurred in 1865. He was a prominent man and a member of the Legislature three terms. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the twelve children, eight are now living. Mrs. Ann Mullens, Mrs. Caroline Brashear, James H., Allen, Charles L., W. Franklin, Mrs. Bell Doughit and Margaret. Charles L. Bowden, subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Pope County, and in 1869 began working for himself as a tiller of the soil. On Christmas of that year he was married to Miss Margaret L. Ashmore, daughter of James and Denia (Matthews) Ashmore, both natives of Tennessee. Mr. Bowden purchased eighty acres of land in 1872, and of these he has cleared twenty-five acres, and erected an excellent frame house, outbuildings, etc. Later he bought ninety acres more, improved about fifteen acres of this, and now altogether has about eighty-five acres under cultivation. He is one of the most thoroughgoing, enterprizing citizens, and a man of good, sound judgment. To his marriage were born nine children: Denia (wife of R. J. Barrett), Minnie May (deceased), John S., William J., Frank O., Clifton R., George R., Virgil R., and Emory. Mr. and Mrs. Bowden are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee, and he is also a member of the Sunday school board. During an average season, Mr. Bowden's farm will yield twenty-five bushels of corn, or one-half a bale of cotton to the acre.