History of Batesville, (Independence County) Arkansas United States of America

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Biographies:

William Read Miller, governor of Arkansas, was born at Batesville, Ark., Nov. 27, 1823; son of John and Clara (Moore) Miller, and grandson of Simon and ??? (Rucker) Miller. He worked on his father's farm and attended school until 1843. He was married Jan. 23, 1849, to Susan E., daughter of Judge William C. BHens of Arkansas. He was clerk of Independence county, 1848-54; state auditor, 1854-55, 1856-68, 1874-76, and 1887, and was appointed accountant of the Real Estate bank of Arkansas by Governor Conway in 1855. He studied law, 1848-68, as his official duties permitted; was disfranchised and declared ineligible to hold office under the constitution of 1868, and the same year was admitted to the bar. He practised law at Batesville, 1868-74; was Democratic governor of Arkansas, 1877-81, succeeding Gov. A. H. Garland, and his administration was rendered conspicuous by his uncompromising opposition to the repudiation of any part of the public debt. He retired to private life in 1881, but in September, 1886, was elected state auditor for the eighth time, serving from January to November, 1887. He died at Little Rock. Ark., Nov. 29, 1887.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel W. Peel, representative, was born near Batesville, Independence county, Ark., Sept. 13, 1831; son of John W. and Elizabeth Peel; grandson of Richard Peel, who with his brothers, John, Thomas and James, sons of Thomas Peel, an immigrant from Ireland to Virginia and thence to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, settled in Batesville in 1815. Samuel W. received a common school education and was clerk of the Carroll county court 1858-61; was major of the 3d Arkansas militia in the state service in 1861; colonel of the 4th Arkansas volunteer, Confederate service, 1862-65, and saw service at Wilson's Creek, Prairie Grove, and in later engagements. He read law with his brother-in-law, Judge J. M. Pitman, and came to the bar in 1866. He was married. Jan. 30, 1853, to Mary E., sister of Senator J.H. Berry , and practised law in Bentonville, Ark., in partnership with his brother-in-law, who removed to Bentonville in 1869. He was prosecuting attorney for the fourth judicial circuit, 1873-76, and Democratic representative from the fifth district of Arkansas in the 48th-52d congresses, 1883-93, serving as chairman of the committee on Indian affairs in the 50th and 52d congresses.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor