James Dickerson Hogan, Sr. was the son of Sanders Samuel "Sam" Hogan and Margaret Jane Crankfield. He was born on September 13, 1838 in Blythewood, Fairfield, South Carolina ( Blythewood is actually a town in both Fairfield and Richland Counties ) and died on January 23, 1922 in Atkins, Pope, Arkansas. He was named in honor of Colonel J. Dickerson Hogan, a descendant who fought in the Mexican War. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a Private in Company "A' of the South Carolina Cavalry, CSA in Hampton's Legion ( also called the Edgefield Hussars ). They later became Company "I" of the Second South Carolina Cavalry Regiment, CSA. During his service he eventually rose through the ranks becoming a Sergeant and finally a Captain and commanded a band of scouts in the Second South Carolina Cavalry Regiment, CSA commanded by General Matthew Calbraith Butler. Their assignment was to keep track of the Yankees and report to General Butler regarding their troop movement and strength. They were very successful in their mission.

One of his greatest contributions to the Confederacy was the “Great Beefsteak Raid” in which he led his men in capturing a herd of 5,000 cattle in September of 1864 from the Union forces at Coggins Point on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. This allowed the Confederate forces to have several rare meals of beef at the Yankee's expense. His men called him "Captain Dick."

On one scouting mission reported in the Atkins Chronicle of May 26, 1916, Captain Hogan and about 40 of his band of scouts engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Union Michigan troops at Stafford County, Virginia in 1863. Captain Hogan was shot through the right lung, but he was rescued by 17-year old William Walker Russell who was also a member of the scouts. They became lifelong friends. On another mission he was captured by the Yankees and was brought to the tent of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman. Although he was wounded, he challenged the General to a duel and the General did not accept the challenge, but offered a meal instead. Captain Hogan later escaped.

After the end of the War, Captain Hogan returned to South Carolina where he married Cynthia Marietta Cloud on March 15, 1866. Cynthia was actually his second cousin as she was the daughter of Franklin Darlington Cloud and Sarah Hogan

Captain Hogan and Cynthia had thirteen children:

Minnie Tranquilla "Minnie" Hogan Gray, 1867-1957
Hattie Eudora Hogan Haney, 1868-1935
Alice Ophelia "Shug" Hogan Ross, 1871-1914
Franklin Brooks Hogan, 1872-1891
Sallie Irene Hogan Gibson, 1874-1933
James D. Hogan, 1877-Date Unknown in South Carolina
Walton Cloud Hogan, 1879-1940
Mattie Jo Hogan Mathis
Lionel Butler Hogan, 1888-1944
Annie Lois Hogan, 1885-1910
May Alberta Hogan, 1888-1888
Mable Cynthia Hogan Finney, 1891-1943
Aimee Elizabeth Hogan Hammock, 1893-1979

Captain Hogan appears in The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas as follows:
J. D. Hogan is one of the wide-awake, enterprising and substantial men of the county. He was born in Kershaw county, S. C., September 13, 1838, to S. S. and Margaret J. ( Crankfield ) Hogan, who were born and reared in the Palmetto State, and there spent their lives, being earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of their deaths. J. D. Hogan was reared in his native State, his education, which was rather limited, being also received there, but in 1859 he commenced doing for himself and determined to better his education. Accordingly, when he had obtained sufficient means he entered school in Columbia, but was taken sick in October, 1860, with typhoid fever, and upon thoroughly recovering did not again enter school, but helped to swell the ranks of the Confederate Army, becoming a member of Butler's command in the Spring of 1861. Farming has been his principal occupation in life, at which he has been quite successful, and he is now the owner of 280 acres of land, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation and well improved. He was married March 15, 1866, to Cynthia M. Cloud, and the following are their children: Minnie T., Hattie E., Alice O., F. B., Sallie S., Mattie J., Walton W., Lionel D., Nannie Lois, May Alberta, and James D. All are living with the exception of May Alberta and James D. Mr. Hogan is a staunch Democrat, and for ten years held the office of trial justice. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ever since childhood, and their eldest four children are also members. He has been a resident of this county since December 24, 1888, and here expects to spend the rest of his days. His wife is a daughter of Franklin D. and Sarah ( Hogan ) Cloud.

The stone shows J D Hogan; Capt of Gen. Butlers Scouts CSA; son of Samuel Sanders and Margaret Jane Crankfield Hogan; married Cynthia Mareitta Cloud 15 March 1866 in South Carolina; Copied from Cemeteries north and northeast of Atkins, Pope County, Arkansas, by C. L. and Lina Boyd with permission