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"Early History.--Kingston was laid out in 1853, by King Johnson, an immigrant to Madison County from Middle Tennessee. The public square is situated at the junction of the road from Clarksville to Springfield with the road from Jasper and Carrollton. Lot No. 1 was bought by William Berry and William King, No. 2 by E. H. Basham, and No. 3 by John and Kenner Henderson. The first house was built by King Johnson; the second was the store building of Johnson & Rodgers; the third and fourth were built by E. H. and Allen basham; the next by the Henderson brothers. The town was named by James McConnell in honor of King Johnson. The first merchant was one Phelps, who retired from business in 1852. King Johnson & William rodgers began business with the founding of the town, and continued many years. Berry & King, Henderson Bros., E. H. Basham & Co. and one Wilkinson were engaged in business before the war. The population in 1860 was forty-five white and fourteen colored. Present Condition.--The first house rebuilt after the war (the town having been burned) was the present residence of E. H. Basham, in which --- Powell, from fort Smith, opened the first store. Joel Northcutt and Vellines & Basham were engaged in business prior to 1875. The present business of the town is as follows: Bunch Brothers, Frank Nantes, S. B. Grigg & Son, general merchandise; W. R. Hedgpeth, M. D., drugs; Canfield & Sisco, groceries; J. W. Merideth, photographer; E. H. Basham, wagon and smith shop; Mitchell & Gurley, blacksmiths; Canfield & Williams, steam mills. Kingston Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M., was instituted November 8, 1866. Original officers: G. D. Neill, W. M.; J. J. Mashburn, S. W.; F. M. Reeves, J. W. The present membership numbers sixty." (Goodspeeds' History of Madison County...) Kingston Collection at the University of Arkansas |