Dalton's History IndexBooks, Indexes and Excerpts PageReturn to Randolph County HomepagePart Two
MISCELLANEOUS
SOME OF RANDOLPH
COUNTY'S NOTED MEN OF THE PAST
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In writing a history of the nation, or of a state, the historian invariably includes a list of the "Ten Greatest Men" of the nation or state, although the number is not always ten.
This list is usually secured by referring to the Hall of Fame or by a "straw vote" from the people. This is not such a hard task where miles of terra firma spread between the author and those whose friends and kinsmen were not included. The story is different with the poor historian of a county. Here he is placed "face to face" with all the people and with a list which would put the current "Who's Who" or "The Four Hundred" to shame, and with the unpleasant (and possibly unwise) task of attempting to choose a limited number of names from a long list of illustrious citizens of our own native count. But here goes, "so help me God."
The three "first citizens" of the county are like the story of the fellow who, upon imbibing too freely of the "spirits which invigorate," when asked who the toughest character in town was, replied, "There's just two of them and I'm both of 'em."
JOHN JANES
The "first citizen" of Randolph County cannot be designated. John Janes, who, as Shinn's History states, settled on Janes creek in 1809, is given recognizance by that historian as being the first man to locate in the county. Janes was a Revolutionary soldier who was in the battle of Yorktown. Soon after the close of the Revolution he came west, stopping at the post of St. Louis for awhile and then coming on down into this section. Certain members of the family claim as early as 1805. His place of settlement is said to have been on what is known as the Bridges farm, about one mile above the present J. J. Brooks farm, near a large spring. His son, Jim Janes, father of Mrs. Belle Galbraith, now living in Poca-
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hontas, built what is probably the oldest house still standing in the county, in 1840. This old house is just south of Ravenden Springs. At any rate, John Janes is one of the first citizens of Randolph County. He married Mary Black, daughter of David Black, who settled on Elevenpoint in 1815. The Janes family intermarried with the Wells, Black, Galbraith and Wayland families early.
MATTHIAS MOCK
Next on the list of firsts is Matthias Mock, mentioned a number of times elsewhere in this book. He settled on Mud creek in 1815, and Reynolds in his history of Arkansas gives him credit as being the county's first settler. Mock married Leah Shaver, daughter of John Shaver, another early settler on this creek, as his first wife, and after her death he married Margaret Mansker, June 24, 1828, a daughter of George Mansker who settled on the creek named for him, just north of the city of Pocahontas in 1817. Mocks third wife was Amanda Rasberry. Mock was the father of a large family, and from these there are legions of descendants scattered over the South and West as present time. There is within the county at the present time at least a hundred families who trace their ancestry to Matthias Mock.
DR. WILLIAM JARRETT
Third on the list of "first" citizens is Dr. William Jarrett. His descendants say that he came to the community where the present-day Jarrett schoolhouse is located about 1800. He is reputed to have purchased a land claim from Richard Fletcher in 1801, in this community. Richard Fletcher was the father of John Gould Fletcher who lies buried in the old Lindseyville cemetery, and who was the father of the first Fletchers in Arkansas. If this claim could be proven, it would establish William Jarrett as the first known settler in the county. Fletcher was one of the original settlers in Watauga, the first settlement in Tennessee, and it may be that he
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owned a claim here before the family came, otherwise that family would come in for consideration as the first family of the county.
Dr. Jarrett married Hannah Seavers, who was a daughter of Martin Miller. Martin Miller owned land in this community during the first years after 1800, and in 1821 he made a will giving a part of this to Mrs. Jarrett. Mrs. Jarrett first married Gabriel Seavers, a soldier of the War of 1812, and who was wounded at the battle of New Orleans.
Dr. Jarrett was a physician, possibly the first one in Randolph County. He is mentioned in the writings of Englemann, the German scientist who made a trip from St. Louis to Little Rock in 1837. Dr. Jarrett was the father of Henry Conway Jarrett and other children. Henry Conway was the father of Uncle Joe Jarrett who lives on the old homestead at this time, and also other children.
DR. PEYTON R. PITMAN
Dr. Peyton R. Pitman settled at what is now known as the old Pitman Ferry on Current River about 1811 or 1812. He was a physician and also justice of the peace for many years. When the county was formed in 1835, he was chosen as the first county judge. For many years his name figured prominently in the affairs of the county. He was at one time postmaster at the old Fourche de Thomas postoffice, and it is possible that he lived at that place even though he owned and operated the ferry and his large plantation on Current River. Erasmus D. Pitman was his son, and a number of people in the county at this time are his descendants. When Dr. Englemann passed down the old Military road in 1837 he states that the doctor (Pitman) had a very fine home and broad acres of fertile land on both sides of the river. Elsewhere in this book is a picture of the old ferry place as it appears today.
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BURWELL J. WILEY
Burwell J. Wiley, who was the first clerk of Randolph County for a period of seven years and the third county judge for four years, was one of the best known men of the county during the first days of settlement.
He was a school teacher, justice of the peace, and was prominent in all public affairs for many years. He was the father of Henry Wiley and other children. A number of Henry Wiley's children reside in Pocahontas at this time. Wiley township was named for this family.
On the records of the county, book number one, page one, dated April 19, 1852, is recorded what is known of the records of Randolph county as the "Genesis of Randolph County." It concerns the activities of B. J. Wiley and its author is unknown, possibly written by a contemporary official.
The "Genesis" is as follow: "In the beginning was B. J. Wiley and B. J. Wiley was the clerk, and the clerk was B. J. Wiley, so sayeth the law. This is the book of the generation of Randolph County. The territory of Arkansas begat Lawrence County and Lawrence County begat Randolph County. Randolph County was in existence three hundred and sixty-five days and begat B. J. Wiley. B. J. Wiley reigned fifteen years, during which time he labored hard in the services of his country and begat sons and daughters. And after B. J. Wiley had lived forty and seven years, in the fifteenth year of his reign, there came a voice from his subjects (the people) saying: 'B. J. Wiley, thou good and faithful servant, in whom we are well pleased, thou has labored long and faithful, thou has done mighty deeds, thou voice has heard in the council halls of they state, thou name has been enrolled on the escutcheons of fame and safely filed in the archives of the halls of the legislature of your adopted state, there to remain a monument to future generations.'
"Then our beloved and favorite son, thou wearied mind and toiling limbs must have rest and refreshments; retire
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from thy labor, enter into private and perfect retreat, and let they gray hairs go down in peace to they grave. An when thou art dead, thy body laid beneath the green sod, then will we rear a monument over thy remains and wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. And B. J. Wiley heareth a voice and was well pleased; and the fifteenth year of his age, the eighth month of the year, and the sixth day of the month, and the fourth hour of the day, Wiley retired from his labor. And on the same day all his labors were completed.
"On the seventh day of the same month of the same year he rested from all his labors. Such is the generation of the first born."
This is the story of one of Randolph County's first officials, told in a unique way by someone who knew Mr. Wiley well and desired to make a matter of public record the activities of the one who did much to help get the wheels of the infant county in an infant state rolling smoothly.
JAMES P. INGRAM
In the list of leading men in the history of Randolph County the name of James P. Ingram figures prominently, as does that of his son, J. W. (Blind Bill). The elder Ingram settled near the present Ingram cemetery, between Maynard and Supply, in 1824, and for exactly one-half a century he was one of the leading men of the county. He was county judge from 1854 to 1860, was justice of the peace and deputy sheriff for over twenty years, and possibly was the administrator of more estates than any man in the county's history. The official records show where he was guardian of many orphan children, was road commissioner and other local activities.
In the family history section of this book will be found a more detailed story of these two men. Uncle "Blind" Bill followed in the footsteps of his father, except he held no county office for many years and the one of the great characters of the county. Both men were sociable, yet unassuming
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men. While well fixed in this world's goods, they avoided display and show. The story goes that during the time James P. was county judge, one day a prominent attorney of this time desired to see the judge on official business. Not knowing Judge Ingram personally, he rode up to the judge's home and inquired for "Squire Ingram." Mrs. Ingram told him he would possibly find him down on the creek. The visitor rode down to the creek and found "a fellow attired in a long shirt, plowing corn with a yoke of oxen." He asked the fellow where he could find the judge. Thereupon the "fellow in the long shirt" told him he was the judge, much to the surprise of the attorney.
Many descendants of James P. Ingram reside in the county today. My wife's great grandfather.
EDWARD McDONALD
The name of Edward McDonald in the history of Randolph County has an interesting angle. So far as we know, no one knows where he came from. He was a prominent figure in the county, especially in the Fourche de Thomas settlement during the early days. He was old Lawrence County's representative at the Territorial Legislature in 1820 at Arkansas Post. Richard Searcy and Joseph Hardin also served with him. McDonald was elected President of the Council.
He married Milly Drenold at the home of Jarrett Robinson at Fourche de Thomas (then called Columbia) March 21, 1842, although he had figured prominently in the affairs of this section for many years previous. This was possibly his second marriage.
The records show where he purchased lots thirteen and fourteen in the town of Davidsonville, February 6, 1817, from William Drope, a cotton merchant of New Orleans who was also a land speculator who owned several tracts of land in this section at that time.
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On date of July 29, 1822, Jacob Miller sold Joseph Looney and edward McDonald the farm known as the Hix plantation on Current River.
He was also justice of the peace for a number of years and is listed as witness and executor of several wills, but his name seems to fade from the written records and memory of men during the forties, and oblivion has swallowed up his final destiny. Possibly someone who is a descendant of this early man of old Lawrence and Randolph County will tell us where the family now resides.
JOSEPH J. ANTHONY
After the organization of Randolph County, her first Representative in the lower house of the Arkansas state legislature was Joseph J. Anthony.
At the time of his election, Anthony lived in section 20, township 21, north range, 3 east. His farm was the southeast quarter of the section named above. This place is east of the present town of Supply and is now in Clay County. For several years after the formation of the county, Randolph extended over into what is now Clay County for some distance.
During the first term of the legislature in 1937 Anthony was murdered in the old statehouse by John Wilson, who was the Speaker of the House at that time. Thus Randolph County's first representative is remembered chiefly as losing his life while at the post of duty for his people.
Trouble came up over Anthony's stand against the rechartering of the Real Estate banks of which Wilson was president at the time. An argument ensued after Anthony had offered an amendment and the two met in the aisles in bodily conflict. Anthony was stabbed and died instantly. Wilson was arrested and charged with first degree murder. The case was taken to Saline County where he was acquitted, a verdict
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which caused intense indignation throughout the state. Wilson was a brother to the wife of James Campbell, the first sheriff of Lawrence County. After the crime Wilson was expelled from the legislature, Grandison D. Royston taking his place as Speaker, and he moved to Pike County (he then represented Clark County) where five years later he again was elected to the same office, and again caused trouble in the body, this time with Dr. Lorenzo Gibson, who reminded Wilson of his previous crime here when he showed a disposition to start a fight.
The records of the county show that on date of January 1, 1838, one Samuel Anthony appeared in court and asked to be appointed administrator of the estate of Joseph J. Anthony, stating that "so far as is known he left no will and no known relative or representative nearer than myself." He does not state his relationship, which was possibly a cousin. He was appointed.
ROBERT N. HAMIL
One of the best known merchants who has lived in Randolph County was R. N. Hamil. He is a son of William A. Hamil and Sarah Elizabeth Crepps, natives of Indiana but who came to the county in 1848 when R. N. was one year of age. For over one-half century "Uncle Bob" sold merchandise in Pocahontas.
The author's maternal grandfather once told us many years ago that in 1882, the year following the serious drouth, that he and many of his neighbors traded with Mr. Hamil on credit from March until "gathering time" to enable them to make a crop after the complete failure of the year before.
He said he and the others living around him (He lived out east of Attica at that time.) would hitch up early in the spring and drive into Pocahontas, where they would go to the store of Uncle Bob and "lay in the summer's provisions." It was not a case of going to town every few days as we are accustomed to doing at this time.
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The story goes that a certain resident of the county approached Mr. Hamil and asked to be furnished through the summer. After the necessary papers had been made, Mr. Hamil asked the man what he wanted to buy that day. The reply was, first on the list, a complete outfit of fish hooks, gun powder, shot and several kinds of "twist and flat" tobacco. Upon hearing this the story goes, Uncle Bob tore up the papers and told the man he just couldn't see his way clear to credit him.
An advertisement of forty-six years ago listed him as "The Pioneer Merchant of Pocahontas."
N. Hamil was a half-brother of Uncle Bill (William H.) Waddle and Isabelle Waddle, the first wife of John P. Black, another early merchant of Pocahontas. Mrs. Kate Henderson was an own sister to Mr. Hamil.
His son, Dr. W. E. Hamil, lives in Pocahontas at present.
ELDER ISAAC H. WITT
One of the pioneer preachers of Randolph County was Isaac Witt, better known among the older citizens as "Parson Witt." Parson Witt came to Randolph County from Gibson County, Tennessee, in 1868. He was the son of Charles Homer Witt of the above-named county.
The wife of Parson Witt was Mary Christiana Shelton, daughter of Jeremiah Shelton, also a Tennesseean. Both Eld. Witt and his father-in-law were Missionary Baptist ministers. Jeremiah Shelton is of the same Shelton family as the noted Revolutionary soldier, John Shelton, who built the well known "Old Rock House" which has been a landmark since about 1790 on the road between Dixon Springs and Hartsville, Tennessee.
The author's paternal grandmother, Christiana Everett Dalton, was also a member of this same Shelton family, which was also related to the Johnson family (John, "Muxy" Jim and others).
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The children of Parson Witt were Almus J. who was sheriff and collector and judge of Randolph County, postmaster at Pocahontas and a noted attorney here for many years; Christiana, who married P. W. Kidd; Cora, who first married James W. Shaver and later Wm. L. Johnson; Dr. Caleb, who married Genevieve Maynard; Isora, who married James Williams; William, who married Naomi Hatley, and Lula, who first married Paul Lewis and later Carroll Odom, and later Wm. L. Johnson.
Isaac Witt was a typical pioneer preacher and did much and lasting good in the communities where he labored.
ELI ABBOTT
One of the leading men of the county around the close of the past century was Eli Abbott. For many years he was one of the most progressive citizens the county has had. Starting out in young manhood with no special financial or educational advantages, through shrewd business management he became one of the largest landholders in the county around the turn of the century. Many citizens of the central part of the Randolph County were assisted in a financial way by Mr. Abbott.
Possibly the most valuable and best known act of Eli Abbot was is building of the school known as Abbott Institute in 1893. Seeing the need for a local school of higher learning, he built the school and for several years was patronized by a large number of young men and women who had finished the lower grades elsewhere and who came to Maynard to board and take training for teaching and other professions. More is said about this school in another chapter.
Mr. Abbott owned several good farms along Fourche and developed a large tract of bottom land in Current River bottoms near the present Reece Ridge schoolhouse.
Mr. Abbott was married twice, the last time to Lula Austin. Joe Abbott of Maynard, Lehman of Little Rock and Mrs. Paul Maynard are children of the last marriage.
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B. F. BIGGER
B. F. Bigger (Frank), for whom the town of Biggers is named, is a native of the county, having been born here in 1851, the son of J. G. and Catherine Lewis Bigger. He married Ida May Simington, a daughter of Col. T. S. Simington. Mr. Bigger is known as having been the proprietor of the Bigger's Hotel in Pocahontas from 1881 until his death.
This hotel was known far and wide as one of the most popular stopping places in north Arkansas, especially for the commercial traveller, usually called "drummers" in that day.
During the years in which Mr. Bigger operated the hotel he acquired a large tract of land on Current River, where the town of Biggers now stands, and established a ferry and operated a still. When the Frisco railroad came through in 1902-03 it ran through his land and he and others laid off the town. Three of the children of Frank and Ida bigger reside in Randolph County at this time. They are: Tom, Mrs. R. O. Smith and Mrs. Kate Harrison.
LEWIS DALTON
Born October 25, 1835 --- Died November 14, 1929
One of the leading farmers and stockmen of the county was Lewis Dalton, who came from Ripley County, Missouri, to Elevenpoint River valley in 1860.
In this year he married Sarah A. Stubblefield, a daughter of Fielding Stubblefield, who had been living on this stream almost a half century at this time. Here Lewis Dalton opened up a farm near his wife's relatives and began farming, a vocation which he followed the rest of his life, very successfully. In 1874, after the death of his brother, William, he became postmaster and operated a store. He also owned a mill and cotton gin. This was the beginning of the village of Dalton. For fifty years and possibly longer Lewis Dalton was personally active in the job of building up one of the finest farms and some of the finest livestock which the county has ever had. He was a strong believer in the job of taking good
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care of his livestock. He often said that he personally enjoyed seeing big hogs eat yellow corn. The story goes that once while showing a visitor one of his fine brood sows, the visitor asked him if the hogs' ancestors hadn't been of pretty good blood, thereupon Mr. Dalton walked over to the corn crib and opened the door which showed a great pile off ear corn, remarking, "Here is her grandmother."
Mr. Dalton was also interested in some property and business interests in Pocahontas. He was the father of the late F. Dalton, a long-time resident of Pocahontas, and Mrs. Ascenith Dalton, now of Imboden.
DENNIS W. REYNOLDS
Dennis W. Reynolds was born in Jackson County, Illinois, in 1840. He was a son of James M. Reynolds, a North Carolinian who settled in Illinois soon after the War of 1812.
Dennis Reynolds was married three times, first to Nancy Luttrell, second to Mrs. Mary Kelsey and last to Mattie Wilkes. He and his last wife both died in April, 1924.
He came to Cherokee Bay in 1857 where he began for himself in the mercantile business, which he continued until the outbreak of the Civil War. After serving in the war he returned home and operated stores at Corning and at Old Reyno many years. He was the first business man in the town of Old Reyno, which was named for him.
After several years at this place the Frisco railroad came through Cherokee Bay, missing that town, and, as has been told in this book before, the town was moved to the railroad and the present town of Reyno sprang up. It was also named as the old town.
For many years Mr. Reynolds was sponsor of the Old Settler' Reunion which was held in different communities of the county.
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He was one of the outstanding men of the county in his day, being a large landowner and benefactor to many people.
He was the father of Mrs. Annie Martin of Pocahontas, Mrs. Leota Seymour of Reyno, Mrs. Pearl Freeman of Thayer, Missouri, and other children.
JOHN WILSON MEEKS
Possibly no other man who has lived in Randolph County as few years as Judge J. W. Meeks ever became so thoroughly "one of us" as he did. Coming here from Mammoth Spring in 1914, he immediately became a leading citizen of the town and county.
J. W. Meeks served the Sixteenth Judicial District as judge for twelve years. He was one of the men responsible for the removal of the remains of Thomas S. Drew, Randolph County's only Governor, from an unmarked grave in Hood County, Texas, to the Masonic cemetery in Pocahontas.
Judge Meeks was a great friend of the late W. Jeff McColgan, who was a native of the same section of Illinois as was Judge Meeks. As is related in the article about Mr. McColgan in this book, Judge Meeks, Uncle Jeff and the late Senator Wm. E. Borah (of Idaho) were all schoolmates in the vicinity of Barnhill and Taylorville, Illinois, in the days following the Civil War.
The judge and Uncle Jeff were Democrats but Mr. Borah was a Republican. During the days of the Hoover administration when conditions were bad and the party in power unpopular (especially with Democrats), the author had several occasions of being associated with Mr. Meeks and Mr. McColgan, and we remember the two discussing national politics and any time Borah's name was mentioned they agreed that "Bill Borah was the best Republican alive."
Judge Meeks died in 1938. His widow and two daughters reside in the county at the present time. His only son, Charles C., was killed wile in service during World War I.
CAPTAIN J. N. BOLEN
Captain Bolen was a native of Pennsylvania where he was born in 1831. He came to Randolph County in 1865, and is known as the editor of the old Randolph Herald, which he published for many years.
Bolen was a staunch Democrat. Being a confederate soldier, he attained the rank of captain, a title which he wore the remainder of his life.
He is remembered as being one of the old school weekly paper editors who "feared no man" when it came to "publishing all the news that is fit to print." He is possibly the best known editor of a newspaper who has lived in Randolph County, except L. F. Blankenship who followed him in the publication of the Herald which has become the Star-Herald, the only newspaper printed in the county today (1946).
Grandfather told us that one time a fellow who had made it a habit of dropping in the Herald office each time he was in town, in order "to get his name in the paper," during the time of Captain Bolen, dropped in the office as usual, thereupon the captain wrote in his "locals" that "John Doe made his usual visit to the Herald office while in town Tuesday."
Captain Bolen married Mary Caroline Albitten in 1858. She lived until 1940, dying at the age of 103. She lived in Pocahontas with her daughter, Mrs. Ella Schoonover, the last wife of Jacob Schoonover.
Mrs. Schoonover, the daughter, died in 1941 at the age of 82.
Mrs. Bolen was a cousin of Mary Todd, the wife of Abraham Lincoln.
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PATRICK HENRY CRENSHAW
Patrick Henry Crenshaw was named for his great grandfather on his mother's side, the renowned Revolutionary orator, Patrick Henry, who the histories tell us was the original coiner of the statement, "Give me Liberty or give me Death."
He was one of the most noted lawyers of his time. He was born in Alabama in 1849 and came with his family to Randolph County in 1856. The first Randolph County home was on Elevenpoint River, near where it flows into Spring River. He was a Confederate soldier. His first occupation was a clerk in a store but later he studied law in the office of Baber and Henderson in Pocahontas and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He was a very able lawyer and is remembered today for his witty sayings. In one session of the court he is said to have become irritated with the circuit judge and called the judge "Judge Necessity." When called upon by an opposing attorney to explain his statement, he replied "don't you know, why 'Necessity know no law'."
Mr. Crenshaw married a daughter of Atty. L. L. Mack of Greene County.
He was an ardent fox hunter, an eloquent speaker and a member of the Catholic church.
A. W. W. BROOKS
The list of early prominent men should include that of A. W. W. Brooks. Mr. Brooks was born in 1832 in Davidson County, Tennessee, near Nashville, the son of Richard P. and Mary Brooks. His father was an official of that county many years. A. W. W. joined the Confederacy and after the close of the war came to Arkansas, first settling in Lawrence County, but in 1867 moved into Randolph, in the vicinity of the present-day Sharum community. He landed here penniless and rented some fresh new ground the first year and
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started farming. He was very successful in this occupation. At one time he owned eight thousand acres of the best land in Black River bottoms.
He first married Julia Richmond, also a native of Tennessee, in 1855. The children of this union were William P. (Billy,), who is remembered by many person at this time; Ellen, who married J. P. Rogers; Alice, who married Robert Surridge, and Maggie, who married David Fender. After the death of the first wife, Mr. Brooks married a widow, McIlroy, and to this union was born one child which we remember. Her name was Fannie. Later descendants of A. W. W. Brooks are well known to the public, as the family, for many years, was the best known family in the Black River bottoms section of Randolph County.
William P. Brooks, known as Billy, followed in the footsteps of his father and for many years was one of the leading farmers in this section and owned one of the most prosperous plantations in upper Black River bottoms. The Brooks plantation was for many years a landmark for this section. Descendants of the family still reside in the county.
PURKINS-SKINNER-ESSELMAN
In the list of noted persons of early Randolph County there is a "family combination" which deserves mention. The parties of which I refer are Judge James H. Purkins, Dr. J. C. Esselman and Will H. Skinner.
J. H. Purkins came to Randolph County from Virginia in 1856. He settled on a farm on Current River along the river in the vicinity of what is now known as the old Downey farm. Prior to coming to this section he was a merchant in the "Old Dominion." He married Clementina Singleton and they were the parents of three children, Clement, Rena and Eliza, who married Dr. J. C. Esselman. After the death of his first wife he married Ava Payne and they had one son, James, who was killed in the Civil War at Glasgow, Missouri.
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For many years the Purkins Plantation was a noted landmark on Current River. This was possibly the first farm improved on the west side of this stream, in the lowland section.
Dr. J. C. Esselman, who married Eliza, the daughter of Judge Purkins, came to Randolph County in 1866 from Tennessee. He was a soldier in the Confederate army and was in many battles. He was with General Price in his raid through Missouri. He married Miss Purkins in 1864. To this union was born E. P., Tam O., Mazie, who married Mi___ N. Carter, and Kate, who married Will H. Skinner.
Dr. Esselman was one of the best known physicians who has lived in Pocahontas. During his lifetime he had a wide range of practice and was considered to be one of the best in his profession in the state.
Will H. Skinner, who married Kate Esselman, came to Randolph County from Ohio in 1885. He is remembered by many of the older citizens as being a good druggist, leading banker and a very public spirited man. He was one of the men instrumental in securing the first power plant for the city of Pocahontas besides other civic activities.
His widow, Mrs. Kate Skinner, still lives in the old home near the new Randolph County courthouse, and although advanced in years, is very active and takes an interest in all public matters. She is a genuine friend to many and this author makes grateful acknowledgment for some valuable information regarding the city of Pocahontas before the turn of the century. Her sister, Mrs. Carter, is also still living. She occupies the old Carter home on Thomasville with her daughter, Lucille.
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A. Z. SCHNABAUM
A. Z. Schnabaum's name should be included in any list of leading men which have lived in Randolph County.
Mr. Schnabaum came to the United States from Austria in 1881. Like many others who came to this section from the countries of Europe during that period, he came to take advantage of the opportunities of the new country, and to avoid the oppression and crowded conditions in the older country.
Abe Schnabaum is remembered by the older citizens as "Abe Snowtree" as he was called during the first years that he lived in the county.
He was a successful merchant of Pocahontas and Biggers for many years. For a long period of time during the close of the last century and the period of the present century through the time of the first World War, Abe Schnabaum owned and operated the two stores, cotton gins and many acres of farm land. He built his wealth up by careful and consistent dealings with the people of his adopted county and was one of the best-fixed men of his day. He was a good businessman and also a valuable citizen. Many persons living today recall instances where Abe Schnabaum helped them over rough spots. Although a "foreigner" he was a heave investor in war bonds of the first World War and did many other deeds which helped his adopted nation and local community. His widow and two sons and one daughter reside in the county at this time.
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ELIAS C. MOCK
E. C. Mock was a merchant at Maynard for many years. He helped a lot of people during this period. He was always an unassuming "common man" although during his lifetime he accumulated what would be rated a fair-sized estate. Uncle Elias was a son of Isham and Polly Jarrett Mock, both members of very early families of the county. He had a lot of relatives and friends in Randolph County and during his many years as a merchant and small town banker he did many acts which were beneficial to the town and county and helped many of his friends and neighbors over spots which were tough during the days of the depression of the 30's.
His widow still lives in Maynard. They reared two daughters, Mrs. Robert Vann and Mrs. Alene Smith.
Mr. Mock passed away about 10 years ago, a well known, highly respected native son of the section of the county where he spent his entire lifetime. J. B. Weaver, a lifelong neighbor of Mr. Mock, wrote in 1934 that Mr. Mock had been a substantial and valuable citizen of the town of Maynard for a half a century, at that time.
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RANDOLPH COUNTY POLITICS
Randolph County is said to be "the banner Democratic county" of the state. Just how true this is is not definitely known. So far as we know, only two Republicans have been elected to office in the county in the last sixty-five years. Just how many have been in office prior to that time is not known. No other political party has figured in the county since the death of the old Whig party.
Two townships in the county have a strong Republican population. These are Little Black and Roanoke.
Randolph County has had a lot of good and efficient officials, and, of course, some who were not so good or efficient.
Randolph county folks take their politics pretty seriously. One characteristic of the citizenry of the county is that they are not very strong on the idea of continuation in office. During the past fifty-eight years only five men have served over four years in succession in the same office, and only one of these served eight, the balance six each.
Prior to fifty-eight years ago only four men served over six years, and these for only eight years each. No man has served over eight years successively in the same office in the one hundred and eleven years of the county's existence. This is quite a contrast from some counties of the state which have perpetuated the same group in office, some for as high as thirty years in one place.
It cannot be denied that too long in office tends to breed corruption and builds up "machines." True, democracy almost demands that the "pie" be passed around as one Randolph County aspirant once stated.
Some families have figured in county politics all down through the years while others have not. One family, the Johnson, has had three generations in one family in office.
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Rev. L. F., his son, William Henry, and W. H.’s son, Ben. Mont Armstrong, served in four different offices of the county – judge, circuit clerk, county clerk and sheriff. Ben F. Spikes was sheriff, treasurer and county clerk. Rufe Baker was representative, circuit clerk and county clerk. A. J. Witt was judge, sheriff and representative.
A number of men have served in two different offices. W. H. Phipps and A. H. Kibler are the only two men since the Civil War who have served over six years in the same office. Mr. Phipps was county clerk and Mr. Kibler treasurer, eight years each.
Only three men in the county’s history have served fourteen years altogether. They were Joe T. Robinson, who was county and circuit clerk for that length of time, and B. J. Wiley was county judge and county clerk, and Mont Armstrong was judge, county clerk, circuit clerk and sheriff for the same time.
Ben F. Spikes was county clerk, sheriff and treasurer for a total of twelve years. A few men served ten years altogether, and on down the line.
The county has been fortunate in the fact that there has not been a lot of organized machine politics in her history. A few townships acquired reputations of being controlled by a “clique,” or in a few remote cases, by one man. This condition did not last, though, and although some good men who ran for office during the time suffered as a result of these remote spots, generally the parties involved were “small fry” in so far as the county as a whole was concerned.
We have, as a whole, a pretty clean political set-up, and it is with pride that we say that a majority of our folks vote their own sentiments without listening to those who would dictate to them if allowed.
So far as we can learn, no man has lost his life during an election day fight, and no very great number of actual personal encounters have resulted from political differences.
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A few men have been defeated for their second terms; a few have been accused of “selling out,” but in a majority of cases the officials have asked for and received the “customary” second term.
A small number of Randolph County officials have, “gotten in bad” while in office, especially in the collector’s and treasurer’s offices; a few have made bad records, but mostly the men who have served us down through the years have been good men and carried on their work efficiently.
No woman has been elected to office in the county. Only four have been candidates up to the present time, and they suffered defeat.
At the present date (July 31, 1946) there are nine former county judges living. They are: H. M. Bishop, S. M. White, Ben A. Brown, Dee Mock, George W. Million, Joe S. Decker, Joe Snodgrass, C. H. Brooks, and Oscar Prince.
Eleven representatives are living. The are: T. W. Campbell, Horace E. Ruff, W. L. Pope, E. N. Ellis, J. J. Lewis, E. G. DuBoios, J. E. Smith, H. H. Price, r. K. Baker, Alvin Burrow and Walter Jackson.
Nine circuit clerks survive. They are: Ben A. Brown, J. J. Lewis, Dee Mock, Ed. R. Hicks, Joe Snodgrass, R. K. Baker, Jeff Lawton, Jack Thomas and Carl Brown.
Eight county clerks are still living. They are: Ben Johnston, Ernest T. Harrison, W. H. Phipps, R. K. Baker, Myrt Waldron, Jim Shivley, Harry Talbott, and Wesley Nibert.
Six sheriffs are still alive. They are: R. H. Gullett, J. P. Spikes, C. H. Brooks, J. T. Thompson, Roland Morris and Guy Amos.
Nine treasurers survive to the present. They are: S. M. White, J. D. Gossett, H. L. Haynes, Clarence Abbot, Will S. White, John J. Moore, Jeff Lawhon, Edgar Poe and Lawrence Dalton, author of this book.
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Seven tax assessors are living at this time. They are: R. I. Higginbotham, H. H. Holowell, W. E. Tiner, Wesley Brown, Luther Harnden, Walter Jackson, and Earle Tilley.
The last named man in the above list is the present incumbent.
A small per cent of the voters of the county are influenced through the use of liquor in the election. This is regrettable and an undesirable situation. It breeds corruption and is an uncertain problem within itself. It is generally known that a man who will sell his vote for a drink does not rate his great American privilege very highly, and a lot of times will vote for the fellow who gives him the biggest or last drink.
But an all-over look at the political set-up in Randolph County through the years will cause one to see that we have a pretty good county at last, and one which would rate with the very best in the state.
HISTORIC SITES
The author has for a number of years advocated that the county and state should work together and take the necessary steps to mark the more historic spots within Randolph County.
Why we say the state should be interested in this is the fact that several of these spots are “firsts” in the state’s history.
We think that a small state park should be set aside and supported by the state at Old Davidsonville because of the fact that this is the site of the first courthouse, first postoffice and first land office in Arkansas.
The site of the first court held in the state is also in our county, not far from Davidsonville. This place should be marked by the state.
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We hope that some day when a future reader peruses these pages and comes to this article he will say, “Well, they finally did this.”
Below we list a few of the places which should be marked besides the two sites named above. They are:
The old Lindseyville site and cemetery, which has the grave of John Gould Fletcher and other early settler of Arkansas.
The old Salem church site (First Baptist church in Arkansas, at the present day Jarrett schoolhouse).
Old Pitman Ferry site across Current River in northeast Randolph County, the first ferry in the state and site of two Civil War battles.
Bettis home site in Pocahontas, founder of Pocahontas.
De Munn mill site near Pocahontas, first in the state.
John Janes first home, considered by some as the first settler of the county. Also the site of the first home of Dr. William Jarrett and Matthias Mock in the county, both very early settlers.
Old Mount Pisgah church site, first Methodist church in the county.
Siloam church, oldest existing Methodist church in the county.
Glaze Creek Church of Christ, oldest existing church of that faith in the county.
Old Military road which runs across the county, the first road in the nation west of the Mississippi River to receive Federal recognition.
Hite cemetery, site of first church in Cherokee Bay.
There are many other places which should be marked. This list is possibly the major ones. The North and East have long ago marked many places in their section of far lesser importance.
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