GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland
JAMES G. SANDERS
James G. Sanders, the eldest son of Richard and Mary (Strickland) Sanders, was born in Pickens County, Ala., on February 19, 1843, was reared on a farm, but up to the breaking out of the war he was kept in school, being educated in the University of Alabama, and having the best of educational advantages. At the age of eighteen, or in 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Second Alabama Infantry, commanded by T. J. Hardee, and remained in service until peace was declared. He was in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Shiloh and Vicksburg, where he was taken prisoner, paroled and sent to Demopolis, Ala., where he remained until exchanged during the following February. He then was sent to Chickamauga, where he arrived in time to participate in that battle. He was also in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Ringgold, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Dalton, Peach Tree Crook and Franklin. From there he was transferred to Mobile, where he remained about one month as guard on the coast near that city. Afterward he was sent to Charlotte, N. C., where he engaged in last battle fought by Gen. Johnston's command, it being at Smithfield. N. C. During this entire time he was wounded but twice, first at Corinth by bayonet in the left side, and second by a bullet in the right thigh. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Alabama, and there found that his mother had died during his absence. Here he remained with his father nearly two years, at which time his father and family moved to Red River County, Tex. They remained in the Lone Star State only one year, and then moved to Arkansas, settling in Cedar Creek Township, Scott County, near his present residence. Here our subject bought his first piece of land, he and his father together buying 840 acres. Soon after James G. bought an additional tract of 120 acres, which he improved by erecting a house and other buildings. He has seventy-five acres under cultivation, and his principal crops are corn, cotton and oats, all of which yield well; potatoes also a good crop. For several years he has given his attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, having an improved breed of cattle. Through energy and industry he has made a success of farm life, and is spoken of among the most substantial man of the county. He was married on July 31, 1866, to Miss Sally M. Cowsert, of Alabama. They have ten children: four of whom are sons and six daughters-named as follows: Mary A., Ellen E., Josie, Beatrice E., William M., Minnie L., James G., Knox, Virginia M., and an infant yet unnamed. All are at home but the daughter, Josie, who is married to M. M. Ellis, of Wills Point, Tex. The family are Baptists. Mr. Sanders is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, of which he has been secretary from the time of its organization. He is also a worthy patron of the order of the Eastern Star, also a member of the Farmers' Alliance, of which he is secretary, and in his political views he is a Democrat. He has been justice of the peace for many years, being elected to that position soon after coming to this county, and he has also held the position of school director, taking a great interest in the welfare of the schools of his township. He is assistant postmaster at the office of Cedar Creek, the office being at his residence, and his oldest daughter being postmistress. Mr. Sanders is a man of education, and is trying to give his children all possible advantages in that direction. He is well pleased with his home in Western Arkansas.