Johnson-Pope County ArArchives Biographies.....Brock, J. H. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 August 16, 2009, 9:22 pm Source: See Full Citation Below Biography Author: S. J. Clarke J. H. BROCK. J. H. Brock, member of the Clarksville bar, was born on a farm in Pope county, Arkansas, March 12, 1875, and is a son of David and Jane (Booher) Brock, who were natives of Mississippi and of Pope county, Arkansas, respectively. The former was a son of Russell Brock, who was born in Mississippi and in 1857 removed with his family to Pope county, Arkansas, where he followed farming. He served with the rank of major in the Confederate army during the Civil war. The grandfather in the maternal line was William Booher, who was born in Arkansas and spent practically his entire life in Pope county. He, too, was a Confederate soldier, who reached the rank of lieutenant. The marriage of David Brock and Jane Booher was celebrated in Pope county and in 18S3 they removed to Johnson county, where he purchased a farm, both residing thereon until called to their final rest. The farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres of productive land, which he carefully, systematically and successfully cultivated. He, too, was a Confederate soldier, serving from 1862 until the close of hostilities and on one occasion he was slightly wounded. He voted with the democratic party and in religious faith he and his wife were connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. They had a family of fifteen children, of whom nine are living: Lou, who is the wife of J. P. Underwood, a farmer and trader of Clarksville; J. D., a farmer living in Piney, Arkansas; Tempie, the wife of C. W. Smith, who follows farming in Oklahoma; J. H., of this review; Susie, the wife of H. M. Smith, a miner of Colorado; Zeta, the wife of Robert Lowery, a teacher of Blaine, Arkansas; Thomas, who follows farming at Blaine, Arkansas; Maude, the wife of John Cagle, a farmer of Knoxville, Arkansas; and Lizzie, the wife of Willis O'Neal, who devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits in Clarksville. An old log schoolhouse was the little temple of learning in which J. H. Brock pursued his education. He read and studied whenever opportunity offered and through this means and through the experiences of life has learned many valuable lessons. Turning his attention to farming in early life he devoted thirty-five years to the work of tilling the soil and brought his farm under a high state of cultivation. He also traded in horses, sold goods, operated a sawmill and utilized every opportunity for advancement and step by step he has steadily progressed. On the 16th of December, 1896. Mr. Brock was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Townsel, who was born in Logan county. Arkansas, a daughter of James Townsel, who was a native of Ohio and received his discharge from the Union army in Arkansas, afler which he decided to remain in this state and here spent the rest of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Brock became parents of six children, three of whom are living: lcie, the wife of E. E, Wright, a farmer and merchant of Piney, Arkansas; James, who is living with his father; Townsel, who is in school. The wife and mother died September 4. 1915, and on Ihe 22d of April, 1917, Mr. Brock was married lo Miss Jean Phillips, who was born in Johnson county, Arkansas, a daughter of Robert Phillips, a native of Scotland, who came to this state in 1879 and here followed farming and mining. Mr. and Mrs. Brock are parents of a daughter, Jean, three years of age. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, being a past master of his lodge. In .politics he is a democrat and for a number of years he served as justice of the peace. All of these interests and experiences finally led Mr. Brock into the field in which he is now active. It was in 1905 that he began the study of law, having purchased and borrowed books and pursued his law study independently. In 1912 he was admitted to the bar. He had practiced in a justice court soon after he began to study and he entered upon the real practice of law in 1914 in Clarksville, where he has remained. Steadily he has progressed and has made for himself a creditable position in the ranks of the legal fraternity of Johnson county. In 1917 he was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney by H. H. Ragon, under whom he served during his term of office. He was then appointed to the same position by Sam Rovex and is still serving in that capacity. He devotes all of his time and attention to his official duties and to the private practice of law. However, in addition he owns three hundred and seventy-five acres of land, about one-half of which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. Thereon he raises cattle, hogs and horses and likewise produces large crops in grain and cotton. He has made every dollar that he possesses and has proudly won the American title of a self-made man. Energy, ability, force of character and determination have constituted the strong elements in his success and his course commands for him the respect, confidence and good will of all who know aught of his career. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/johnson/bios/brock426bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb