Goodspeed 1890
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Dr. William D. Alford, physician and merchant, Murfreesboro, Arkansas.
Among all classes and in every condition of life there are those who
succeed in whatever they undertake, whether of a professional, agricultural
or commercial nature, and prominent among them stands the name of Dr. W.D.
Alford. He was born in Alabama in 1835, and was the eldest of twelve
children born to Rev. Madison E. and Nancy (Orrick) Alford, the father a
native of Alabama, and the mother of South Carolina. Rev. Madison E. Alford
spent his youth on a farm, and after his marriage, which occurred in
Alabama, he came to Arkansas in 1841 and settled near Murfreesboro. He had
made the study of medicene his profession in Alabama, and was licensed to
preach at Greenville, Clark County, Ark., soon after he came to this State,
by Rev. Andrew Hunter, presiding Elder of Washington District, Ouachita
Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church. Soon after his arrival here he
began his ministerial duties, and was one of the pioneer Methodist
Episcopal preachers of Pike County. He became well known as an evangelist,
organizing churches in this and adjoining counties, and organized the
church at Murfreesboro, Pisgah, Brocktown and near Bingen, also many
others throughout the county. He owned a farm, but devoted his whole time
to the ministry, and after spending his entire life in this work ceased his
labors in 1876. He was truly a good man, and his influence was perhaps as
great as any one residing here since. The mother died in 1875. Dr. William
D. Alford attained his growth on the farm, had practically no educational
advantages, and continued to reside at home until he was twenty-one years
of age. During the last few years at home, he had been studying with such
instruction as his parents could give him, and upon leaving began teaching
school. This he continued for some time, and he was just prepared to attend
college when the war cloud burst upon the nation. He enlisted in Company G,
Fourth Arkansas Infantry, August 10, 1861, and participated in the battle
of Pea Ridge. Immediately after the battle he was appointed assistant
surgeon, and accompanied the sick and wounded troops to Little Rock from
Van Buren. He remained in the hospital at Little Rock until the fall of
that city in September, 1863, when he was taken prisoner and sent to Camp
Morton, at Indianapolis, where he was retained as assistant for the sick.
He remained there until the surrender of Gen. Lee, and then returned to
Pike County, Ark., where he at once engaged in agricultural pursuits. After
farming for two years he again began the study of medicine, attended the
American Medical College at St. Louis, Mo., graduated, and has since been
in constant practice in the town and vicinity. He is the owner of a farm of
ninety acres, fifty acres under cultivation in the river bottom, and 160
acres in another tract, and has also some town property. He has been
engaged in selling drugs for some time, and in 1890 formed a partnership
with Mr. Dean in his present business. Dr. Alford has been married twice;
first, to Miss Mary E. Brewer, in 1859. She died in 1869, leaving three
children: James A. (the only one living), William M. (died at the age of
six years in 1872), and Henry M. (died in infancy). Dr. Alford was married
the second time, in 1870, to Miss Rebecca Ann Sharp, a native of Tennessee,
and the daughter of John Sharp, an old settler here. Three children were
the fruits of this union: John E., Thomas F. and Robert N. Mr. Alford is a
local Elder, and has been actively engaged in church work in the Methodist
Episcopal denomination for years. The family are members of the same. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity and is Worshipful Master of Pike Lodge
No. 91. He is an earnest advocate of education, has been school director of
this district for years, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the
county.
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Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas, The Goodspeed
Publishing Company: Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis, 1890, Pike County,
page 314.
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Update 03.19.01 David Kelley 1997 BIO-0006.HTM