Van Buren County

Biography of Col. A. R. Witt of Faulkner County

Street Scene Conway Arkansas

Col. A. R. Witt, a prominent citizen of Faulkner County and leading druggist in Conway, Arkansas, was born in Hamilton County, Tennessee, in 1830. He moved to Alabama in 1836 and later to Van Buren County, Arkansas, in 1842. Educated at Arkansas College in Fayetteville, Witt was elected State land commissioner in 1857. He organized Company A, Tenth Arkansas Infantry, during the Civil War, eventually becoming a colonel. Post-war, he farmed and served in various political roles, including State senator and chancery clerk. In 1877, he moved to Conway, establishing a successful drug business and serving as postmaster. A Democrat and active in several secret societies, Witt married H. C. Miller in 1865, with whom he had six children. He significantly contributed to the development of Faulkner County and was a member of the Baptist Church.

Biography of J. E. Martin of Conway

Street Scene Conway Arkansas

J. E. Martin, a prominent merchant in Faulkner County, Arkansas, settled in his current location in 1875. Born in January 1840 in White County, Tennessee, Martin was the fourth of nine children of Daniel and Rebecca (English) Martin. His family moved to Arkansas in 1848, settling initially in Van Buren County. Martin began his commercial career in 1871 and moved to Conway in 1875. A Democratic politician, he served as Faulkner County’s first sheriff in 1874 and later in the legislature. Martin married twice and had nine children. He was an active participant in the Civil War and community development until his death.

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