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Among the substantial agriculturists of Rankin Township is Mr. Carden, who was born in Orange County, N.C., November 12, 1834, being the son of James Carden and Clara C. Shamly. The father, a farmer by occupation, of Scotch and English descent, was born in North Carolina in 1801 and died January 16, 1854. His wife was born in North Carolina, and two years after her husband's death went to Tennessee, where she survived until 1871. She was the mother of nine children, of whom Wiley, Robert J., Josiah E., Elizabeth, James Alex and our subject are living. John W., the second child, received a limited education in Orange County, N.C., but his father dying when he was seventeen years of age, he was obliged to work and help support the family. He remained with his mother until about twenty-one and then went to school for six months, after which he entered upon work in a tobacco factory at Talleho, continuing four years, the last few years as overseer. In 1860 he came to Pulaski County, Ark, and in June 1862 enlisted in the artillery company under Capt. Daniels. He was in the battle of Pleasant Hill LA, and many skirmishes following Geo. Banks through Louisiana. After serving three years he went home on a furlough, and before his return the war ended. He was later employed by the Government for six months at $75 per month, when he commenced farming in Pulaski County, remaining till January 27, 1881, when he removed to Perry County. He has now one of the best stock farms in the State, comprising 900 acres of land, with about 400 acres under cultivation, and upon this place are a great number of horses, mules, hogs, sheep and cattle. Mr. Carden has been a member of the Masonic order thirty two years, is a Democrat and has been overseer of roads a number of years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In February 1858 he married Miss Anna Shamlin, of North Carolina, who died in January 1868. They had two children, both now deceased. In June 1869 Miss Elizabeth Kumpe of Alabama became his wife, whose father emigrated from Germany, where he was born in 1807. By this marriage there are eight children (six living); Charles R., Anna L., Mary L., John F., Frederick E., Sidney (deceased), Martin L. (deceased) and Luella J.