I am searching for information about R. V. McWhirter. The only records I have to go by are from an 1880 census record for Arkansas, Poinsett County, Little River TWP.

It states that:
R.V. McWhirter was born in 1839 in Tennessee. He married S. (Sallie?) J. Miller and had the following children: James Henry (1866), John Vinson (1868), Nancy Priscilla (1870), Alis (1872), Thomas D. (1874), William (1875), and Mary/Mollie (1879). R.V.’s parents are unknown but the 1880 census stated that his father was born in South Carolina, and mother in Tennessee.

I have searched census records and am unable to locate him before 1880. I have gathered a little info on his children except for Alis, Thomas D., and William.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated and I am glad to share what I have collected so far.
Thank you, Tena