ROBERT FRANKLIN LIVINGSTON, better known as “Casey Livingston,” was born in Izard County, Arkansas, in 1853, the son of Robert and Polly (Finley) Livingston, who were also natives of Izard County. The father died in Baxter County, six miles below the mouth of North Fork, in 1870, at the age of forty-three years, and his widow three months later, at the age of thirty-three years. The paternal grandfather also spent his last days in Izard County. Robert Livingston was a successful tiller of the soil, and he and his wife were worthy and active members of the Baptist Church, and took a deep interest in church work. He owned three good farms on White River, was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and politically was a stanch Democrat. Of a family of nine children born to himself and wife, four are now living: Robert Franklin; Sarah Jane (Garton), who resides on the old home farm; Millie E., wife of Charles P. Tolbert, a farmer of Johnson County, Tex.; and Fannie, wife of Woods Blivins,who resides in Mt.Home. The rest of the children died when quite young.
The scholastic education of Robert Franklin Livingston was received in the academy conducted by Prof A. J. Truman, but owing to the death of his father, which occurred when he was seventeen years of age, he began tilling the old home farm, and after raising one crop he returned to school. In 1872 his marriage with Mrs. Harriet L. Stinnett, who was born in Henry County, Tennessee, occurred, and to them four children were given: Ophelia; Lorena, wife of Laurel Tolburt, a farmer of the county; Robert Clifford, and Daisy. After his marriage Mr. Livingston located on a farm about a mile and a half northeast of Mt. Home, and as it was heavily covered with timber he at once energetically began the work of improvement and now has a beautiful and valuable home. His farm is considered one of the best in the county, and his residence is commodious, substantial, convenient and pretty. He has been quite extensively engaged in the handling of cattle and mules, selling to the home market; is enterprising and industrious, and, as a result, his efforts have been attended with success, and he is now the owner of a fine farm of 107 acres (his home place), besides an interest in the old Livingston homestead and a farm on the North Fork. Although he has never held any official position, he has taken quite an active interest in politics, and has always labored for the success of the Democrat party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and move in the best social circles of their section.
