My Genealogy Hound

Martin Lacy is one of the prosperous general merchants of Independence County, Ark., and by his superior management and rare business ability and efficiency, he has done not a little to advance the reputation the county enjoys as a commercial center. He was born in the “Emerald Isle” in 1846, and two years later was brought by his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Lacy, to America, but the latter’s death occurred soon after her arrival in New Orleans. He was then taken in charge by his father, James Lacy, who had previously come to the United States, and was removed by him to Missouri, where he was reared and educated. Martin Lacy is the only surviving member of two children born to this couple, and after first acquiring a fair knowledge of the English branches, in the common and subscription schools of Clark County, he entered on a course of study in the Christian Brothers’ College, of St. Louis, and was graduated from this institution in 1869, at the age of twenty-two years, his course there being marked by hard study and rapid progress. After leaving school he engaged as a clerk and book-keeper with M. L. C. Bevans, of Canton, Mo., and after remaining thus employed for about four years, he went to Shreveport, La., where he was occupied as book-keeper with John W. Bowers & Co., wholesale grocers. At the end of two years he removed from there to Winchester, Mo., and again resumed his old occupations of clerking and book-keeping, but this time was an employee of John Hennessy. In the year 1877 he came to Arkansas, and filled the latter position for N. E. Duffy, at Oil Trough, Ark., where he remained three years, purchasing, in April, 1880, a stock of general merchandise, and embarking in business at Oil Trough, in a store-house which had previously been erected for the purpose. His stock consists of dry goods, boots, shoes, clothing, hats, caps, hardware, tinware, drugs, etc., and Mr. Lacy is also engaged in dealing in cotton. Upon his shelves will at all times be found an excellent assortment of the various articles in which he deals, and in all his relations with the public, he is strictly honest and fair. He is assisted by James M. Nichols. He is a communicant of the Catholic Church, and his wife is a Baptist. On the 24th of March, 1880, he was married to Miss Sallie E. Toler, a native of Missouri, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride’s parents, in Oil Trough. They have had four children: Martin, who was born December 31, 1880, and died March 31, 1882; Jesse, born May 18, 1883; Dollie May, born December 5, 1884, and James Edwin, whose birth occurred March 26, 1888. Mr. Lacy has always supported the principles of the Democratic party.