Adam F. Kuykendall, born September 22, 1856, in Conway County, Arkansas, was a notable farmer and stock raiser in Tupelo Township, Faulkner County. Son of Amos R. Kuykendall and Hester (Stone) Kuykendall, Adam was raised in a pioneering environment, contributing to early agricultural development. He married Alice Stone on October 2, 1881, and they had three children, two of whom died in infancy. After Alice’s death in 1887, Adam returned to Faulkner County, where he continued farming. Active in local politics and the Methodist Episcopal Church, he supported public enterprises and was involved with the Agricultural Wheel and Farmer’s Alliance.
Adam F. Kuykendall, a farmer and stock raiser of Tupelo Township, Faulkner County, Ark., was born in Conway County on September 22, 1856, about two miles from the iron bridge on Cadron Creek. His parents were Amos R. and Hester (Stone) Kuykendall, natives of Cherokee Nation and Pennsylvania, respectively. Amos R. Kuykendall, born about 1821, was brought to this area in infancy and lived in this community until his death on July 8, 1859. At the age of twenty-five, he became one of the officials of his county, serving as commissioner of internal improvement, and held this office for the remainder of his life. He was also a member of Congress and of the State Assembly of Arkansas. Amos R. Kuykendall was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as an elder for many years.
Hester Stone Kuykendall was a daughter of Elias and Rebecca Stone, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively. They moved to Arkansas in 1839 and were among the early settlers of Conway (now Faulkner) County.
Adam F. Kuykendall’s early life was full of romance and adventure. Growing up at a time when there were few settlers in that part of the country, he became familiar with the haunts of bear, panther, deer, and wolf. He enjoyed hunting and had ample opportunity to hone his skills. His school life was limited due to the five-mile trek through the wilderness to reach the schoolhouse. Despite the hardships, he was well-suited to a pioneer life and contributed to developing Arkansas. He helped his step-father, John P. King, clear the first farm near Conway as late as 1868.
At thirteen, Adam started making his living as a farmer and stockman, renting land and driving his own cattle. Between 1875 and 1881, he traveled over Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Indian Territory, herding cattle. In 1881, he decided to settle in his native county, buying land three and one-half miles northwest of Conway.
On October 2, 1881, he married Mrs. Alice Stone, widow of James Stone, whose father was Richard Bradshaw of Maysville, Ala. They had two children, Elias S. and Balus L., both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Kuykendall also died on April 15, 1887, in Texas, and was buried in Devine, Medina County, Texas. Their daughter, Hester A., still lives and resides with her paternal grandmother.
After his wife’s death, Adam returned to Faulkner County and worked as a foreman on J. W. Farmers’ farm for about six months before moving to his own farm. After securing a crop, he exchanged his farm for one of fifty acres, which he cleared and cultivated, focusing primarily on cotton.
Mr. Kuykendall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and actively participates in local politics, voting with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel and Farmer’s Alliance, showing a keen interest in public enterprises and offering them his liberal support.