DANIEL RATCLIFFE BOONE A community's history can only be appreciated in context with the events that created and formed its growth. It is with this understanding that I am proud to provide a biographical sketch of one of Lonoke's pioneer citizens.That my great grandfather, Daniel Ratcliffe Boone, arrived in Lonoke in the early years of its incorporation was no mystery. The city archives are rich with his history. He left his mark as an early city mayor, founder of D.R. Boone & Son Drugs, President of the Bank of Central Arkansas, and early superintendent of the Lonoke School District. What was remarkable was the circumstances of his arrival. Daniel was born in Grenada, Mississippi on June 12, 1856 on the verge of the American Civil War. He was raised in this mileau by his father Capt. William J.A. Boon and mother Augusta White Boon. His early boyhood years were spent in Mississippi, both Grenada and Hernando which is located in the far northwestern corner of the State. His family were pioneers of DeSoto County, Mississippi. His grandparents emigrated from Boon Hill, Johnston County, North Carolina in 1830 to take advantage of land grants when the territory opened. They were among many who resettled with the promise of good farm land. He was named for his grandfather Daniel Boon, a large landholder in the area. His grandfather was noted as the son of the Joseph Boon who served as a U. S. Senator from North Carolina in 1787 during the ratification of the United States Constitution. His grandfather was a staunch Baptist who was frequently referred to as Reverend Boon, and had been one of the founders and trustee of Wake Forest College in 1833, later to become a well known university. William was among the first class and studied and lived in Wake Forest, North Carolina from 1833-1841. Daniel's mother, Augusta White, also came from a prominent North Carolinian family who too settled in DeSoto County. His father, William, was a planter and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives. During the Civil War William had joined what was to become General Albert Sidney Johnston's First Regiment Infantry. He was appointed Captain of Comapny D "DeSoto Greys" a volunteer force from its county citizens. After the war William felt the South would prevail and continued to use and buy up Confederate currency until his certain bankrupcy made him flee Mississippi to escape his debtors. We now know that his close friend, Dr. Lemuel Hall, was already in Lonoke with his medical practice in the 1880's before his arrival. Dr. Hall had served under Capt. Boon as leutenant of Company D. Daniel was educated in grade schools in Mississippi and was first married to Anna Moore Jones in Panola County, Mississippi bearing one daughter, Eulalie. His wife died early in 1877. He started his career by teaching in Texas. but his father was influential in persuading his son to move to the new township of Lonoke. First mentioned in the lonoke democrat August 17, 1882.