James Jeffery, the tree from which sprang the descendants herein
enumerated, was a Virginian, of English parentage.  He came to Arkansas in
the year 1816, stopping for a while in Lawrence County.  Shortly thereafter
a younger brother, Jess, also came and settled there.

 James had settled on a piece of land there when, about the year 1824 the
Land Office was first  opened in the Territory, and a man by the name of
Henderson, who was said to have left Kentucky for killing a man, came and
entered on Jim's place, and notified him to leave it   This man, Henderson,
was said to be a very dangerous man. Soon after he entered on that land, he
and James met, when an affray took place.  Henderson struck James on the
head with a gun barrel, which gave him a scar he carried the balance of his
life.  Henderson, being pressed by James jumped back and snapped his gun at
Jim's breast.  Jim's boy, Daniel, snapped his gun at Henderson, and
Henderson leveled his gun again at Jim, young Jess, who was then about 15
years old shot Henderson dead.

 Young Jesse's friends run him off to White River to Jahoida Jeffery's, who
was then in the Legislature at Little Rock.  His friends kept him concealed
in a thick cane brake, under a walnut tree bush near by.  This bush from
this cause was let stand, and was only removed a few years ago, when it had
grown to 12 or 15 feet in circumference.  When Jahoida came home he moved
young Jess to a rock house, called "Chandlers Cave", a short distance North
of Melbourne.  This cave had previously been used by Chandlers in making
counterfeit money. Jehoida then went to Lawrence County and arranged bail
for his father and brother; and later on they stood trial at Little Rock,
and was acquitted.

 Old Jess was said by James to be a very desperate character, a desperado,
possessing much physical strength, active and full of nerve; while James
was a quiet, orderly man, and a devoted Christian of the Baptist order.

 Soon after the above incident James left his place in Lawrence County and
moved to White River, where some of his boys had settled, where he remained
the remainder of his life.

 Jahoida Jeffery was the first of this name to settle on White River.  He
settled at Mount Olive on the l0th day of September 1816, after an overland
journey from Southern Illinois.  He had previously pioneered for a while in
East Tennessee, Western Kentucky and in Southern Illinois.  He was a
soldier in the War of 1812, in the service against the Indians between the
Missouri and the upper Mississippi Rivers.  In a woods fight against the
Indians, called the "Battle of the Sink Hole", he encountered a Souix
warrior single handed, killed and scalped him, and brought the scalp with
him to White River.

 Jahoida was a member of the Territorial Legislature from Independence
County about the year 1824, and brought forward a Bill to divide the County
and create a new one to be called  Izard County, in honor the then acting
Governor.  In after years he was a member and brought forward a similar
Bill to divide the new one called Fulton, in honor of the Then acting
Governor.  He was Judge of Izard County from 1833 - 38.
  There are more of his descendents than of any other one of his brothers.

 Daniel Jeffery came to White River from Lawrence County about the year
1824, married, and took up a half section of land opposite the mouth of
Livingstone Creek. He soon became quite a prominent man in the County, was
elected Sheriff in 1835 and served one term.  Was elected Coroner in 1852,
serving one term.  He also represented the County in the Legislature one
term -- year not known.

 Daniel also had an experience with an Indian, which is worth mentioning
here.  One night after the family had retired they were awakened by the
fierce end violent barking of their dogs.  Daniel got up and went out to
see what their excitement was about, when he found they had "treed" an
Indian back near the smoke house, who had evidently slipped in there to
steal a side of bacon.  Daniel, knowing the dogs would hold the Indian up
the tree throughout the remainder of the night, did not call them off, but
went back to the house and to bed.  Next morning after it became light,
Daniel went out, called off the dogs after their faithful watch through the
night and called the Indian down.   He took him into the house and gave him
a good warm breakfast, after which he told the Indian to "Vamoose", and
never come back there again.  The Indian was only too glad to accept that
invitation; and as Daniel had no further trouble with any of them it is
supposed the Indian took him at his word. Daniel opened up a large farm
there, which remained in the possession of the Jeffery family for nearly
100 years before going to other owners.

 Jesse Jeffery, known by the older ones of this family as "Young Jess",
besides having had to kill a man in order to save his father's life, also
held the distinction of having the largest family of any of the name, being
the father of 21 children, some of whose names we were unable to learn, so
not enumerated in this collection.  Three of the 21 are still living -
Mary, Ambrose and Emmanuel. These two boys, also two other brothers Martin
and John, in their younger days added greatly to any singing choir, all
having pleasant tenor voices except Ambrose, who sang bass.  John was a
natural choir leader. Jesse did not settle on White River, but selected a
place a few miles East, near the present site of Jumbo.

 Could learn nothing, more of the other brother, James, more than that he
settled one mile above the mouth of Piney Bayou on White River, his place
later becoming known as the "White House", and that he reared a family of
eight children, none of  whose families we could trace except  Avarilla's
-- the Dillards.

 Elijah Jeffery, oldest son of Jahoida, opened up a farm, a portion of
which was later laid off into town lots in Mount Olive.  He built his house
about 200 yards North of the Present depot.  The house still standing and
occupied by the widow of his son, Ambrose, and her youngest son, Chadwick.

 Elijah never aspired to political honors. preferring a home life devoted
to the maintenance of his family.  It is said of him that his only cuss
word when becoming somewhat peeved was, 'I 'LL BE HAM ME'.  Along this line
of thought it is worthy of note to record that very few of this family of
people ever used profane language.  When occasion arose for strong words
they found other ways to express their feelings

      As Jahoida Jeffery was on his way from Southern Illinois to seek a
home in the wilderness of the White River Valley he had a second son born,
in the woods near White River.  This son was Miles Jeffery, a remarkable
man in many respects, and a good citizen in his day and time.
Notwithstanding the fact that he was born in the woods and raised in a
wilderness, yet at the age of 30 years he was a fair scholar, and well
posted in most of the English branches, and perhaps as well versed in
general reading as any man in Izard County. He was elected Sheriff of Izard
County in 1844, serving one term.  He also served a term in the State
Legislature -- year not known.  He was a true Christian, of the Cumberland
Presbyterian order.  Dieing in early life, his loss was regretted by hosts
of friends.

      Rev. Daniel M. Jeffery, known as "Little Daniel", owing to his small
stature, also to designate him from an Uncle of his bearing same name,
settled one mile East of Mt. Olive on Pelham Creek, near the Devils Knob,
and opened up quite a large farm. He joined White River Presbytery,
ordained to the ministry and held pastorates in different congregations
throughout the remainder of his life.

      Those of you who ever heard Uncle Daniel lead in prayer will remember
that he almost invariably closed his prayer as follows, "And when Thou art
done with us here, hand our bodies to the grave in perfect peace with Thee
and all mankind".  His prayers were answered, as he died shouting happy in
the pulpit in the old brick house at Mt. Olive after having preached a
ermon.
      His descendants at this time number over 300.

 Augustus C. Jeffery was another of these boys who converted the White
River cane brake into a fertile farm, it lying between Jahoida's and
Elijah's. He erected a two-story house, which is still standing, and owned
by the widow of Lee Jeffery, who purchased the farm in his early days.

      These first settlers owned quite a few slaves, and as evidence of
some of their work there still remains the front steps to this house which
were hewn from stone, and which undoubtedly required several negroes to
handle.

       A.C, Jeffery was Clerk of Izard County in 1846-48.  He was County
Judge in 1864-68.  He moved to Melbourne soon after the County Seat was
established there, erected a dwelling on the hill South of the Arnold
Spring about one mile East of Melbourne, and opened up a mercantile
establishment with W. C. Dixon.  A few years later he moved back to Mt.Olive.
       Judge Jeffery was a well educated man for that day and time, and
well versed in the early history of that county and of its early
inhabitants.  His writing of  "The Early Settlenent of White River Valley,
And Of Izard County" is quite interesting and instructive, and well worth
study.  He was buried in the old family burial ground on the bank of the
river above Mt.Olive.

 Isaac Jeffery was a soldier in the Civil war.  He was at home on furlough
in 1864, when one day a band of bushwhackers rode into Mt.Olive.  From all
accounts Isaac's family was living at the Cedar Springs at that time.
Isaac , seeing the band ride in, and wishing to evade them, ran across the
little field and out into the woods South of the house. Some of that party
seeing him as he crossed the field mounted their horses and ran up the
creek, heading him off on the hillside and shot him dead.  The place where
he was killed is near where Jahoida B. Jeffery later built -- about 1903.
      This house where Isaac lived was the first house ever built at
Mt.Olive.  It was built by Col. Stewart in 1814, on the ridge near where
the old store house now stands, and later moved across the road to the
Cedar Spring.  It was also the first house in Izard County in which the
Gospel was preached.  That house stood for more than 100 years.

 Of  Miles' family it is recalled that Ambrose owned a river farm just
above the mouth of Livingston Creek, his house standing near the river
bank, but long since removed.  He devoted some study to law, and did some
practice in the J. P. Courts.
       In his later and last years he lived at Mountain View.

      Asa Jeffery opened up a farm one mile up Livingstone creek from its
mouth.  He did quite a bit of Keel boating in an early day.  Would load his
boat with country produce at Mt. Olive and points below and take it to
Jacksonport, and return with merchandise and other wares.  That was a slow
and hard way of transportation, but the only way available.  "Head two,
head four", would not be recognized in this day and time as a command from
a Keel Boat Pilot to his crew of men.

 Patrick H. Jeffery owned a farm one mile East of Mt. Olive, some of it
lying on the river.  In connection with his farming he operated a cotton
gin at Mt. Olive.  He was Post Master there for a long number of years.
After the railroad came he disposed of his farm and purchased the old store
building in town  which he converted into a residence, where he remained
till his death.  The house still stands as one of the few old landmarks of
that place, and owned by his daughter, Sallie.

 R. J. (Dick) Jeffery devoted much of his earlier life to mercantile
pursuits, selling goods at Melbourne for a number of years.  He left there
and went to Mt. Olive, seeing after his farm in Harris Bottom.  Later on he
moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where he now resides.

 Bill Wallace and his wife, Attie, settled about two miles up Livingstone
creek.  He also had some river bottom land at the mouth of that creek.
Bill was an intelligent man, well liked by his acquaintances. Lively and
full of fun.  One summer day he came over to Mt. Olive during a very dry
spell of weather, and someone asked him how his crops were standing the dry
weather. He said "If we don't get rain in 15 minutes our corn crop will be
ruined".

 About the year 1818, John Milligan, then a beardless boy about 18 years
old, wandered West from W. Va., and took up his abode in the valley of
White River.  He had been brought up to the Tanners trade, and was a fair
English scholar.  He stopped in Lawrence County and married Eda Ragsdall, a
grass-widowed daughter of James Jeffery.  Young Milligan commenced
drinking, and the young couple soon began disagreeing, and soon parted.  He
acted badly and strolled away.  After
Sometime he was taken sick high up on White River and came near dying. As
soon as he could travel he started back to "The Girl He Left Behind".  He
got as far as Jehoida Jeffery's on White River and tried to borrow a horse
to go on home,  He received a severe rebuke for his conduct, but got no
horse.  Milligan then started on afoot, sick and in tears.  Scorched with
fever, he lay down by the side of a dim path at the head of what is known
as the "Two Mile Branch" two miles East of Mt. Olive, in a thick cedar
brake, to die.  In this forlorn condition he made vows to his God, which we
have heard him a assert in his old days he never allowed himself to depart
from.

 He went back to his wife, set up a tan yard and went to work.  He joined
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and went to preaching. Old age found him
with a large household -- a rich man, and one of the ablest ministers in
the White River Valley.

 The late Rebellion found him a very old man; his wife and one half grown
boy at home and a host of sons out battling for their country under Dixie's
flag.  Early in the year 1864, whilst the demons of  hell seemed to reign
in great triumph all over this country, this old man and woman, with their
boy sat around the fire-side at night when four young men abruptly thrust
themselves into his room with cocked pistols, demanding his money. Without
betraying much alarm the old man remonstrated with such logic that they
turned from him to the boy, while one of them threw a skillet on the fire.
As soon as it was red hot they strapped the boy's feet and swore they would
burn them off to his knees if they didn't give up their money.  The old man
bore up till he saw his boy's feet almost in the sparkling vessel and heard
his screams, when he told them to hold.  He then took a light and showed
them where to  dig in a stable.  They dug up a vessel of gold and silver
money.  He asked them what kind of an excuse they would render at the, bar
of God when they got there.  They snatched the bucket, blew out the light
and ran away in the dark.  He died soon after, believing he recognized the
favor of the robbers, and so communicated his belief to his friends.

 John Milligan had served in the Legislature from this county, and was an
exemplary citizen. (The above is taken from A. C. Jeffery's writings)

 Jahoida B. Jeffery was quite a useful man in his vicinity.  At different
times he occupied positions of trust in minor matters, such as Justice of
the Peace; School Director; Superintendent of Sunday Schools, etc.  Was a
Ruling Elder in the church, frequently officiating at burial services in
the absence of a minister, made caskets for the dead, and was usually the
leader in singing at church and Sunday School services. He was also a
blacksmith.

 Lee Jeffery was well and favorably known throughout most of the County.
Coming into possession by purchase of the Gus Jeffery farm he devoted his
time to farming and stock.  Was a very successful farmer, and accumulated
quite a bit of property.  He, also, was a Ruling Elder of the church,
superintendent of Sunday Schools at different times.  Lee had many lasting
friends.
 He was the victim once of an accident or incident which came near costing
him his life.  It was late summer or fall when he, with a bunch of other
young men were working in the river at Wild Haws, near where Guion now is,
trying to get some cedar rafts over that shoal.  On a Sunday while laying
up, one of the boys had taken his old long  barreled pistol from the tent
on one of the rafts, taking it to pieces to clean it.  Albert Jeffery, a
cousin to Lee -- and a very close one, too, had noticed the pistol having
been taken to pieces, when only a few minutes later he passed there again
and picking it up pointed it at Lee, remarking -"Major, how would you  like
for some one to come at you like this?" -- pulling the trigger as he did
so. To the great horror of both the pistol fired, the ball striking on left
side of  Lee's chin, and lodging just under the skin of his shoulder.
Failing to get a Doctor to him there, he was placed on a bed in a canoe,
and Albert and Robert Johnson poled the boat up to Mt. Olive, reaching
there about 11 o'clock that night.  Dr. Robert Jeffery was hurried to him
and extracted the ball.  Other than his suffering, and quite a while taken
for the healing of the wound no lasting inconvenience to him resulted.

 Miles Jeffery, son of Asa, has followed diversified trades - farming,
timbering, operating cotton gins, etc.  Was for a time the Inspector for
the Missouri Pacific Rail Road.  In later life he sold his farm at Mt.Olive
and moved to Batesville, buying a farm there on the river in  West
Batesville.  He perhaps holds the distinction of being the heaviest man in
the entire family, Weighing over 200 pounds.  This family of people,
generally speaking, were and are of a slender build.

 Robert, a brother of Miles, is also a heavily built man.  He devoted most
of his activities in his earlier life to the tie and timber trade.  For the
past few years he has isolated himself down in the swamps of Lower White
River, where he remains alone, several miles from any one, raising hogs
which supply their own provender from the forage of the vast woods that
surround on all sides.  He has never married.

    The Landers boys, Ewing, Ernest and Oran, after their father's death
took charge of the farm formerly owned by Patrick Jeffery.  They erected a
new dwelling by the roadside, acquired through purchase the upper half of
the Lee Jeffery farm, and a few years later purchased the Dr. Robert
Jeffery farm across the river, also some other land near it.  Being
intelligent, sober and industrious they have made farming pay where others
failed.  Neither of them have ever married.

     Dr. Roberts' boys, Emmett, Paul, Forrest and Harry have made fairly
good success in their different professions, Emmett selecting the Legal,
Paul the Medical and Forrest and Harry the Mercantile.  This too, through
their own efforts.

Part two  - Part three - Part four

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