1978 (about)
by Helen Leonore Pollock George
daughter of Robert Bode Pollock, grandniece of Benjamin Franklin Pollock

Benjamin Franklin Pollock, Sr. was born in Limestone County, Alabama on October 4, 1830. He was the third of six sons born to Lorenzo Dow and Sarah Pollock.

At a very early age, Benjamin moved with his parents to Washington County, Arkansas.  Lorenzo Dow died in August of 1840, leaving Sarah alone to raise six boys.  Sarah married Andrew Agnew on September 30, 1847.

On August 6, 1830, in Springdale, Benjamin married Susan Littreral, daughter of James and Rahoma Litteral.  Nine children were born to Benjamin and Susan-- six daughters adn three sons.  Sarah Elizabeth (17 June 1851) Martha Adaline Jane (1854) Mary Rhue (27 Jan 1856) Margaret Frances (Feb 1859) Jonas Tibbits (30 Jan 1861) Elvira Clementine (26 Oct 1864) Louisa Matilda (12 Feb 1867) Albert S. (27 Feb 1870) and Benjamin Franklin Jr. (31 Mar 1875).

Evidently the Pollock family stayed in Clear Creek-Elm Springs area during the civil war even though times were very difficult there.  Arkansas seceded from the Union in 1861.  Confederate troops trained in the Elm Springs are in the objective of both Union and Confederate raiding parties.  The Civil War ended in 1865.

Sometime in the 1870's, the Pollock family moved to Springdale, occupying the property which was, as the time, the only house in that section of the town.  Soon after coming to Springdale, Benjamin engaged in the drug business.  with Dr. Hiram Daily.  After Dr. Daily died, the stock was divided between his son H.A. Daily and Benjamin Pollock and both continued business for a while.  Then Benjamin purchased the furniture business of George W. Lea.  With an exception of a short time when F.C. Ritter was a partner with him, Benjamin conducted the business alone until he got sick just before his death and he disposed of the business to Mr. L.M. Riggs,

While Benjamin was engaged in the drug business he also for a time conducted the Frisco House, a hotel which stood near the site of the Auditorium.

On October 15, 1897, Susan Pollock passed away, and on January 13, 1901, Benjamin married Mrs. Mary B Hale.  Herschel Pollock, a grandson of Benjamin and the son of Albert Pollock, who died in January of 1897, lived with Benjamin and Mary.

Mrs Hale passed away in Mary of 1906 and Benjamin who was in poor health then, grew worse until he died July 21, 1906.  He is buried in Bluff Cemetery, Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas.   He was survived by Mrs. Sara E Banks and Mrs. Margaret F. Ritter of Sprigndale.  Jonas Tibbits Pollock of Zena, Louisiana Territory, Louisa M Swartwout of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Benjamin F. Pollock Jr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory.

Benjamin and Susan were members of the Methodist-Episcopal Church South and Benjamin was a long-time member of the Mason fraternity.

Sources:

    1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 Federal Census records.  Washington County, Arkansas.

    Land, marriage, and probate records of Washington County, Arkansas.

    Cemetery and obituary records and family records in possession of Dan E. Flanery.  5933 W Encanto Blvd., Phx, AZ 85035.

  Rothrock, Thomas, "Elm Srpings' First Half-Century".