Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Kenneth M. Head

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        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE:  Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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Kenneth M. Head, of Batie Township, Benton Co., Ark., and son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Nix) Head,
was born June 15, 1839, in Rutherford County, N. C. Joseph Head was also a native of the same
county, and was a millwright, a carpenter and a cabinet-maker by trade. As a millwright he was
considered by all as an expert, and although owning a farm in North Carolina, he left that for
his sons to manage, and devoted his time to his trade. He built some of the most extensive grist
and saw mills in that country. January 5, 1855, he moved to Arkansas. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth
(Nix) Head, was also born in Rutherford County, N. C., was married in 1827, and became the mother
of nine children, six now living: Anderson, of North Carolina; Kenneth M., Mrs. Hester Davis,
Mrs. Maria Strain, Harvey M. and Joseph. Those deceased were named Amanda, Alphia and Baylis. Mr.
Head, as before stated, moved to Arkansas in 1855, settled in Washington County, and there
remained until 1862, when he was taken prisoner by the United States troops and sent to
Springfield, where he died the same year. The mother continued to live on the old place until
1882, when she, too, passed away at the age of seventy-two. Philip Head, grandfather of Kenneth
M., was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and there married Miss Mary Tanner, grandmother of
Kenneth M. A remarkable incident is connected with the life of the grandmother. After her
marriage and coming to North Carolina she pulled up a walnut sprout and set it out in the yard.
Years passed by and it became a large tree. Two years before her death the tree was struck by
lightning, and at her request was made into a coffin, in which she was buried two years later.
She was then in her eighty-second year. The grandparents Nix were both of Irish descent, and the
grandfather was ninety-two years of age when he died. Kenneth Head was but fourteen years of age
when he left North Carolina for Arkansas, and received his entire education in the former State,
never attending school after coming to Arkansas. They made the trip overland from North Carolina
to Arkansas, and were two months and five days on the journey. They settled in Washington County,
and began clearing a farm. The nearest church or school was five miles distant, consequently his
educational advantages were rather meager. At the breaking out of the late war Mr. Head enlisted
in Company K, Twenty-second Arkansas Confederate troops, under Col. King, and during his service
was in several battles: Prairie Grove, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry, and surrendered at Fort Smith. He
returned home after the war and remained with his mother, being the whole support of the family
until December, 13. 1868, when he married Miss Cannie Mullins, daughter of Leland and Millie
Mullins, who were natives of Kentucky and South Carolina, respectively. Her father was fifteen
years old before he had a hat. Cannie Mullins was born in Lawrence County, Mo., and moved to
Madison County. Ark., where she married Mr. Head. To their union were born seven children, five
now living: Fannie C., Sarah, Martha, Joseph and Walter. The two deceased were named Mary and
Julia Cleveland. Mr. Head continued to live in Washington County, Ark., until about 1883, when he
moved to Benton County, of the same State, here purchased a farm of 200 acres. 100 under
cultivation, and here he has since made his home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
is a Democrat in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Breckinridge, and his last
for Grover Cleveland. Mrs. Head at heart is a Methodist, but still has never connected herself
with any church, yet living a true Christian life. Mr. Head believes strongly in the Quaker
faith.