Barton Arnold Carl

CARL, B.A. - Mr. B.A. Carl, one of Prairie Grove’s oldest and most highly honored citizens, peacefully passed away at his home in Prairie Grove this morning at 11:30 o’clock. Mr. Carl had been confined to his bed for about three weeks, and his death was no surprise, but on account of his feeble condition the close of his long and useful life had been expected at any time in the past two weeks. Mr. Carl had been a very active man all of his life until the last few years, and when on account of advanced age he gave up active business pursuits, he was not contented unless he could find something to employ his time. For a long term of years Mr. Carl was actively identified with every interest looking to the advancement of his town and community and the betterment of its citizens. In his active years he gave liberally of his time and means to the advancement of our school and church interests, and our citizens honor and respect him for his noble character and the life he lived in our community. Barton Arnold Carl was a native of the State of Tennessee. He was born in Coffee County of that State, September 12, 1832. When still a young boy he came with his parents to Arkansas. The family first lived in Franklin County, later moving to Benton County, where he spent a number of years. During the period when the gold excitement was so high in California, he joined a party from Northwest Arkansas and crossed the plains in wagons and after a five months trip arrived in California. After remaining in the gold mining region for three years, during which time he was fairly successful, he returned home by way of Nicaraugua and New Orleans, and located on a farm a few miles south of Prairie Grove. January 20, 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Parks. To this union were born eight children, two of whom have preceded him to the grave. Mrs. Carl and the following children survive him: Messrs. E.D. Carl, John T. Carl, E.C. Carl, F.H. Carl, W.W. Carl and Van W. Carl, all of whom live in Prairie Grove. He is survived my two brothers, Messrs. Thomas and Jesse J. Carl, who live in Benton County. When the Civil War came on he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Company K, 34th Arkansas Infantry, and those who served with him say he never wavered when the shot and shell flew thickest. When the war was over he returned to his home here and again engaged in farming until 1883, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Prairie Grove. He was a very successful merchant, but on account of advancing age, he retired from active business pursuits in 1901 and lived a retired life since that time. Mr. Carl was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a man of strong Christian character, uncompromising in that which he thought to be right and by his fair and honest dealings he won and held the friendship and highest esteem of all our people. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Prairie Grove Camp of Confederate Veterans. The funeral services will be held at the Methodist church Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock and the body buried in the Prairie Grove cemetery. [Prairie Grove Herald 9/2/1915]

The funeral services of Mr. B.A. Carl were held last Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Methodist church, of which he was a member for a long period of years. The services were conducted by the pastor, F.R. Hamilton, assisted by Rev. W.B. Wolf and Rev. F.A. Bradshaw. The services were attended by a large congregation of friends, who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to this good man, who was so well known and highly respected throughout this part of the State. At the conclusion of the services at the church, the remains were taken to the Prairie Grove cemetery for burial, the members of the Masonic fraternity and the Eastern Stars acting as escort of honor. At the grave the Masons had charge of the service and conducted their burial rites. The newly made grave was banked with many beautiful floral tributes from relatives and friends of the deceased. [Prairie Grove Herald 9/9/1915]

Barton Arnold Carl, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, was born September 12, 1832 in Coffee County, Tennessee, the son of Thomas Carl, born in Dutchess County, New York, who lived at Hillsboro, Tennessee. Maiden name of subject’s mother was Nancy Shead, daughter of Jabel Shead. He went to school at Mount Comfort, Washington County, Arkansas and Bentonville, Arkansas. He was a farmer, miner and merchant, a Democrat, a member of Methodist Episcopal Church, South and a Mason. He served in Company K, 34th Arkansas Infantry, Brooks Regiment, Fagan’s Brigade. He served under Major F.R. Earle from 1862 to close of the war. He married Sarah Park, daughter of John P.A. and Mary Park, who lived in Tennessee and Arkansas. [1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

This Indenture made this 13th day of April in the years of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty one between BARTON A. CARL of the age of Eight years on the 12th day of August last Son of THOMAS CARL in the County of Washington and State of Arkansas of the one part and JAMES M.TUTTLE of the County and State aforesaid of the other part Witnessth that the said BARTON A. CARL by and with the consent of the said THOMAS CARL affixed to this Indenture and by the free will and consent of the said BARTON A. CARL hath placed and bound himself apprentice to the said JAMES M. TUTTLE to learn the trade of a farmer which he which he the said JAMES M. TUTTLE now follows and with the said JAMES M. TUTTLE to dwell dontinue and serve from the day of the date hereof until the said BARTON A. CARL shall have attained the age of Twenty-one years which will be on 12 day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and fifty three during all of which time the Said apprentice shall will and faithfully serve his master, keep his secrets and obey his lawful commands. He shall do no damage to his said Master, nor willfully suffer any to be done by others if in his knowledge be intended he shall give his master seasonable notice thereof. He will not waste the good of his said Master nor lend them unlawfully to any. He shall not play cards, dice or any other unlawful game. He shall not contract matrimony during said time. He shall not haunt or frequent taverns, tippling houses or places of gaming. He shall not absent himself from the service of this said Master but in all things and at all times shall demean himself as a good faithful apprentice to-wards his said Master during the whole time aforesaid and James M. TUTTLE covenants and agrees to and the said Barton A. Carl that he will teach and instruct the said BARTON A. CARL or cause him to taught and instructed the best way and measure he can in the said trade of a farmer with all things belong thereto and that he will find and allow to the said apprentice, meat, drink and washing, lodging, suitable appearel for wearing and holy days and all other things fit and convenient for an apprentice during the time aforesaid. And will also give or cause to be given unto the said BARTON A. CARL a good common English education and at the expiration of the said term will give unto the said BARTON A. CARL a good horse saddle and bridle, a good fine suit of clothes, farming utencels for one hand and fifty Dollars in cash. In Testimony whereof the said BARTON A. CARL and his father THOMAS CARL and the said JAMES M. TUTTLE have hereunto and respectively set their hands and seals the day and year first written above, Signed ,sealed and delivered in the presence of us, B.H. Smithson. Approved and ordered to be Recorded at the April Term of the Court of Probate in the year 1841. [Washington County, Arkansas Miscellaneous Record Book 1841-1879]

CARL, Barton Arnold – Resolution of Respect – Hall of Occidental Lodge No. 436 F. & A.M. – Prairie Grove, Ark. Sept. 8th, 1915

Whereas, our Lodge is again bereft of one of its oldest and most honored members, a MAN in the true sense of the word, consequently when he was made a mason in the early sixties at Camden, he was material eminently fixed for the builders use. Bro. B.A. Carl has never departed from the course of true manhood during his long life, as a true citizen, an honorable soldier and as a Christian he has ever been honest, truthful and honorable, from principal and not from policy.

Resolved that we emulate his example and recommend it to all men and that we are comforted by the assurance that our loss is his eternal gain, he having finished the designs upon the Treselbord of life he was transferred to the Grand Lodge above for a more noble purpose and that in the resurrection of the just, we shall, if faithful meet him again in the Grand Lodge above.

Resolved that we, his brethren of Occidental Lodge, tender to his bereft family our most sincere and profound sympathy.

Resolved, that in testimony of our esteem for our departed brother and in token of sorrow for his death, the members of this Lodge wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days, that these resolutions be spread on the minutes of this Lodge and a copy be sent the Prairie Grove Herald for publication and also to other county papers. – R.O. Hannah, J. Ed Rogers, J.H. Zellner [Prairie Grove Herald 9/9/1915]