J. J. Mardis, attorney at law. The name of Mardis is identified with the professional standing, the welfare and material and social happiness of Poinsett County, of which he is a native-born resident, his birth occurring November 18, 1850. He is the youngest of a family of six children of John P. and Delilah (Hamrick) Mardis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Alabama. They were early settlers of Poinsett County, and entered Government land, on which they resided until his death, which occurred in 1856; in addition to managing his farm, he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine, his services being required over a very large area. His widow still survives him, and resides on the old homestead. Their children are as follows: Amanda J. (Mrs. Thorn), B. R. J. (married, and residing on the old homestead), N. B. (a widower, residing in Scott Township), and J. J. (our subject.) The latter was educated in the schools of Harrisburg and vicinity, and, after reading law in that town for some time, he was admitted to the bar in 1886, since which time he has been actively engaged in practicing his profession, and is considered by all to be a practical thinker and an earnest and forcible speaker. His property has been acquired through his own exertions, and 100 acres of his farm are under cultivation. He was married here in April, 1872, to Miss Sue Harris, and of seven children born to their union six are living: John A., Agnew, Henry, Maggie Lee, Simmie and Freddie. Dovie died in August, 1886, at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Mardis is a daughter of John and Sarah (Copeland) Harris, who were Tennesseeans, and came to Poinsett County, Ark, in 1829, taking up their abode on a farm near Harrisburg, where the father died in 1885, the mother in 1884. Mr. Mardis has taken quite an active interest in politics, and always votes with the Democratic party; he served on that ticket in the capacity of magistrate for six years. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Harrisburg Lodge, No. 184, and also belongs to the K of H. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since December, 1887, have been residents of Harrisburg, where Mr. Mardis has built up a large and constantly increasing clientage. He is well versed in the intricacies of the law, and is thoroughly competent and reliable.