John L. Proffitt, Ouachita County, AR

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SOURCE: Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
Contributed by Carol Smith.
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Ouachita County, Arkansas - from Goodspeed's History of Arkansas

John L. Proffitt, although a native of McNairy County, Tennessee, born July 22, 1846, has been a resident of Ouachita County, Arkansas since
about 1869, and has fully identified himself with every interest of the same. His parents, William F. and Senia (Lott) Proffitt, were born in Virginia
and Kentucky, respectively, but the former died in the Lone Star State during the Rebellion, when forty-five years of age. He was about
twenty-two years old when he left his native State, and was a resident of a number of different States before locating in McNairy County,
Tennessee. Here h was married, and in 1849 came with his family to Calhoun County, Arkansas, and here continued to make his home until his
removal to Texas, in 1865. After the war his widow returned to Calhoun County, Arkansas, and here she is now residing, aged about
seventy-three or seventy-four years. In his early days Mr. Proffitt acted as an overseer, but in later years turned his attention to mercantile
pursuits and farming, becoming quite wealthy, but lost all during the war. He was a Democrat, was justice of the peace in Calhoun County, and
he and wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Of a family of six children born to them, four are now living, three being residents of
Ouachita County,and one of Calhoun County: H. G. (is a butcher at Camden), William H. (is a farmer of Calhoun County), Sarah (is the wife of
James McDonald), and John L. (is a farmer of this county). The latter spent his school days in Calhoun County, and in 1864 joined the
Nineteenth Texas Infantry, Confederate States Army, and remained in the service until May, 1865, during which time he was not wounded or
taken prisoner. After the war he remained in Texas until 1867; then came to Arkansas, and in 1869, located on his present farm. He was married in
1869 to Catharine Yeager, a daughter of Judge Michael Yeager, of Calhoun County. She was born in Ouachita County, Arkansas in 1847, and
died on March 21, 1871, having been an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Three and one-half years later Mr. Proffitt wedded
Miss Gatsey Pate, a daughter of William Pate, of Calhoun County, formerly, now of this county. She was born in Alabama in 1851, and by Mr.
Proffitt she is the mother of six children: Lou, Laura, Mary, Sallie, William C. and Ella. Mrs. Proffitt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and he is a Democrat, and since his residence in this county, he has been coroner two years.