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J.A. McBath, the efficient circuit clerk and ex officio county clerk, is a native of Perryville Ark, and was born September 5, 1851. He is a son of Russell McBath and Malinda Taylor, the father a native of Tennessee who was one of the pioneers of Perry County and one of the first merchants in Perryville where he also operated a grist and saw mill. The father was one of the first postmasters of that same city and resided there until 1863, when he moved to Pulaski County. He was married in 1847 to Miss Malinda Taylor who was born 1827 and this union gave them seven children of whom four are still living: William, Lorena, Luzetta and J.A. The latter was educated in the public schools of Perryville and attained a proficiency in his studies that indicated a bright prominence in after life. In February 1878 he was married to Miss Ida W. Priddy of Texas by whom he had four children: Claude D. (born November 7, 1874, died April 1875), E.L. (born in 1876), W.R. (born in 1879), and J.H. (born in 1883). Mrs Ida McBath departed this life February 17, 1887. Mr McBath is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been Master of his lodge at Perryville. Between the years of 1876 and 1882 he was established in the drug business and was also postmaster. Previous to that in 1874 he was elected county clerk serving two years; prior to this he served on the board of registration. He then retired from active political life until 1882, when he was urged by his many friends to stand as a candidate and did so being again elected to the same office which he has now held for five terms with the greatest credit. He is a Democrat in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. Mrs McBath was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to which he also belongs and he is well known as a liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises.