Many Early Settlers Lived in Log Houses

In 1823, William Hector moved his family living in  Missouri to a log house built on an ancient Indian mound just east of Big Lake and close to present-day Dell. . .They were of Native American blood but living as whites. . .William knew the area well. . .It had been the hunting grounds of his people for many years. . .When Missouri made it unlawful for Native Americans to live in their state, the Hectors decided to move to Arkansas. . .READ MORE

Hector Township named for the William Hector Family, First Pioneers

Hector Farm, ca 1900

William Hector moved his family to Mississippi County from Missouri in 1837. William actually lived east of Big Lake as early as 1828, when he helped survey the then Territory of Arkansas.  Born in Virginia in 1791, William lived on his farm, in the area that is now called Roseland, until his death in 1865. His son Sam Hector, who arrived with the rest of the Hector family, also owned land in the Roseland area, as well as several pieces of property north of Pemiscott Bayou, directly above present day Dell. Goodspeed speaks of Sam in his BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF NORTHEASTERN ARKANSAS:
 
    "Let it be remembered that this region of country abounds in lakes, and that, on the map attached to Part II, of the Historical Collections of Louisiana, drawn and printed at an early period during the last century, Big Lake, on the borders of Mississippi County, Ark., and Dunklin County, Mo., are marked as the extreme northern limit of De Soto's expedition; thus the reader will have some solid reasons to believe that the movements of De Soto in 1541, in this county, have been properly traced. The country in and around Big Lake, or Mich-i-gam-ias, its Indian name, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, still bears upon its surface traces of a wide but now extinct population; and precisely such a ditch as described by the Portuguese narrator can now be traced near the home of Mr. Sam Hector, of Big Lake.
    Sam Hector, a truthful, upright citizen of Big Lake, who is proud of his Indian blood, lived in 1833 at an Indian village called Chil-i-ta-caw, the site of Kennett, Dunklin County, Mo., not far from Big Lake.
    When he settled on this lake in 1837 the Indians occupied the country, chief among whom was Corn Meal, John East, Moonshine, John Big Knife and Chuck-a-lee. The latter killed an Indian named Keshottee on an island in Little River, still known as Keshottee's Island. He thinks the Indians gave the name to the Bayou now called Tyronza. Corn Meal told Mr. Hector there had been an Indian town on his (Mr. Hector's) place, and several along the banks of Little River. Where these villages were said to have been located he has often seen apple and peach trees growing in the woods."
 
 Descendants of William Hector remained a part of Dell Community history well into the 20th century. 

In 1901, Hector Township was established from part of Chickasawba Township, honoring this pioneer family.

Hector Farm, ca 1900