J. W. Ingram is a substantial farmer and miller of the county, and as such deserves honorable mention in these pages. As he was born in this county. May 8, 1839, the people have had every opportunity to judge of his character, and he has won the confidence and esteem of all. He is a son of James P. and Rebecca (Mansker) Ingram, the former having been born in Virginia, February 6, 1800, and the latter in Tennessee, March 6, 1811. James P. Ingram was removed by his father to Kentucky in 1805, and there remained until 1824, when he removed to Randolph County, Ark., and settled on what is now known as the Old Ingram Farm, on the old military road, six miles southwest of Pitman's Ferry. Here he lived from 1834 until he died, August 12, 1874, at the age of seventy four years. His widow resided on this farm for fifty-three years, and died on the 27th of June, 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years, three months and twenty-one days. She came with her parents to this State in 1817, and lacked only a short time of having lived here seventy years. Mr. Ingram was an industrious agriculturist, and accumulated property to the amount of 1,000 acres of land. He served as constable eight years, justice of the peace six years, and county judge four years. He was married on the 12th of April, 1825, his wife being only a little over fourteen years of age at that time. Their family consisted of eleven children, the following being those who are now living: G. H., a farmer of this county; Leddie B., wife of H. H. Hatley, and J. W. Those deceased are Lurana, wife of W. P. G. Johnston, and Hannah E., who died at the age of twenty years; the rest died in childhood or infancy. J. W. Ingram commenced life for himself at the age of eighteen years, and was married then to Miss Rebecca M. Mansker, their union taking place on the 12th of April, and to them the following children have been born: M. E., wife of W. C. Smith, of this county; Martha R., wife of William Jolly, of this county; W. G. C.; Sarah L., wife of Robert G. Johnson, being those living; and L. V. J., the deceased wife of Benjamin Phipps, and Mary L., who is also deceased, having been the wife of F. M. Ezell. Mrs. Ingram was born October 18, 1839, and is now no more, having passed to her long home April 25, 1870. Our subject's second union took place October 9, 1870, his wife's maiden name being Josie C. Mock, of this county. Five of their children died when small, and three are now living: R. G. C., who was born September 2, 1883: T. F., born May 17, 1875, and J. R., born March 22, 1877. The mother of these children died on the 28th of December, 1883, having been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, and her husband espoused his third wife, Mrs. Mary P. (Kerley) Tilley, on the 10th of April, 1884. Laura Dean, who was born on the 16th of April, 1885, being the only one of their three children who is now living. Mrs. Ingram's first union took place on the 2d of July, 1871, and she bore her husband three children: Sarah L., born December 10, 1872, and Thomas J., born August 3, 1877, being the only ones living. Mr. Tilley was born in Tennessee, and died on the 12th of February. 1882, having been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. While serving in the Confederate army he lost all the fingers of one of his hands, and was discharged from the service. Mr. Ingram, the subject of this sketch, also served in the Confederate army, joining Company I. Shaver's regiment, on the 8th of August, 1863. He surrendered at Jacksonport. Ark., June 5, 1865, having been with Price on his raid in Missouri. During this time he lost all his property except his land; but this he returned to, and began to improve, erecting in 1869 a cotton-gin, which he continued to operate until 1878, when it was burned to the ground. The loss is estimated at $3,500. On the 17th of January, 1873, he was taken ill with erysipelas, and by the 21st of that month he had lost his eye sight. He has had ten children he has never seen. He is a wealthy farmer, owning 1,460 acres of land, with some 248 acres under improvement. He has a steam cotton-gin, seventy head of cattle, twelve head of horses and mules, and numerous other domestic animals. Although blind, this does not deter him from work, and he can readily bind wheat and oats, feed a threshing machine or steam cotton-gin. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is a democrat. He and his wife are church members, he belonging to the Methodist and his wife to the Baptist Church.
 

 A. W. James is a man who has been exceptionally successful in his career as a planter, and owing to his desire to keep out of the old ruts, and to his ready adoption of new and improved methods, together with energy and shrewd business tactics, he has acquired an extensive land area embracing at least 1,400 acres. Many of his broad acres are devoted to the culture of cotton, and his plantation is one of the finest in the State. He was born in Smith County, Tenn., October 18, 1826, but grew to maturity in the State of Arkansas (Phillips County), whither his parents moved in 1840. At the breaking out of the Mexican War he joined the service, and was on active duty for one year. He was not wounded while on duty, but now receives a pension for his services. In 1848 his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Slaten was consummated. She was born in 1848, and bore following children: Bartlett, Mary, Daniel. Laura, Martha and Jehu. Mr. James did not side with either faction during the late war, but after the close of hostilities he settled in Randolph County, where he has since made his home. He has always cast his vote with the Democratic party, and for the past thirty years has been a minister in the Baptist Church, but has not preached a great deal during the last few years. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (Brookshire) James were born, reared and married in North Carolina, and as stated above moved to North Carolina in 1840. The father served in the War of 1812, and was a participant in the battle of New Orleans. He and wife both died in Phillips County, Ark., the latter being sixty years of age at the time of her death. Only two of their ten children are now living. The paternal grandfather was a North Carolinian, who died in Smith County, Tenn.
 

 W. P. G. Johnston is one of the leading farmers of this section of the county, and the condition of his farm shows the care and attention to details which have ever characterized his efforts. He was born in Tennessee in 1833, and is a son of Gregory and Martha (Burton) Johnston, who were born in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, were married in Tennessee about 1820, and engaged in farming in Randolph County, Ark. (whither they moved in 1848), until their respective deaths in 1877 and 1875, when aged seventy-seven and seventy-three years. Six of their nine children lived to maturity, and five are now living: Rev. L. F.; L. B.; Aurena, wife of Rev. Jesse Robertson; James F. and W. P. G., all of whom are residents of Randolph County. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the father was a Democrat in his political views. W. P. G. Johnston commenced farming for himself at an early day, was married to Miss Lurana Ingram in 1852, and by her became the father of five boys and one girl, three of whom are living at the present time: James L., George G. and John F. Mrs. Johnston died in December, 1865, having been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Johnston wedded, in 1867, Miss Jane E. Ross, of this county, to whom were born six children: Robert G., Rufus M., Samuel P., Walter S. and Martha J., living, and one deceased Mr. Johnston was called upon to mourn the death of his second wife in 1876, she having been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a good and faithful wife and mother. Mr. Johnston's third nuptials were celebrated on the 3d of March, 1878, the lady being a Miss Pernecia J. Lewis. Charles A., Horace B., Mary A., Ida B., Joab and Amanda E. are their children. In 1862 he joined the Confederate service under Col. Jeff. Thompson, and operated east of the Mississippi River until he was discharged after the battle of Fort Pillow, on account of sickness, and returned home, where he remained until he had thoroughly regained his health. In 1863 he again enlisted, becoming a member of Col. Baber's regiment of infantry, and was with him until the surrender of Little Rock, at which time he was taken prisoner, and was kept in captivity for some time. After taking the oath of allegiance he was allowed to return home in 1864, and here he remained unmolested until the close of the war. He engaged in farming and erected a cotton-gin, which was the second gin put up in this section of the county. These occupations have since received his attention, and he has done well, being now the owner of 216 acres of land, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
 

 Mrs. Nancy Green Jones was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1829, and is the relict of Green R. Jones, and a daughter of Joseph W. and Charlotte C. (Ellis) James, both of whom were born in the State of Tennessee, the former's birth having occurred, it is supposed, in Nashville; he died in Pocahontas, Ark., when forty-three years old; the latter died there at the age of seventy-six years. The paternal grandfather was born in Scotland, and at a very tender age was taken to the United States, where, after growing to manhood, he was married to a Miss Duke, of Virginia, she being a niece of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. The maternal grandfather was a nephew of that general. Mrs. Jones has been married three times, her first husband being William Herbert Allaire, who was born and reared at Long Branch, N. Y., and was a millwright by trade. He died in 1856 at Pocahontas, Ark. His father was Alexander B. Allaire, a Frenchman, who at one time owned the present site of Long Branch, and afterward moved to White Plains, becoming a wealthy merchant of that place. His father was Capt. Allaire, of France, who married the Baroness of Breton, Denmark. The coat of arms belonging to her family is still in possession of her descendants in New York City. To our subject and her husband, William Herbert Allaire, were born three children: Fannie C., Flora C. and William Herbert, who was a cadet at Westpoint, graduating in the class of 1882. He is now a lieutenant at Fort Wayne, Detroit, Mich. Our subject's second husband was William Evans, who was born and reared in New York City. During the war he was a Federal enrolling officer, and was shot and killed in his own house, this act being in retaliation of a Confederate enrolling officer having been killed in like manner. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans a daughter was born named Lucy. His widow was married after the war to Green R. Jones, who died in Pocahontas, Ark. Mrs. Jones is an estimable lady and for the past thirty-five years has been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
 

 John Jones, a well-known resident of the county, was born on the farm where he now resides, October 27, 1835, and is a son of John and Mary (Black) Jones, the former being one of the very first settlers of Randolph County, Ark., and was the first man to locate on Jones' Creek, which took its name from him. Here his death occurred in 1842, when about sixty years of age. His wife also died here in 1838, about the age of her husband. He was a professed Christian, and had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. They were well-to-do citizens, and were the owners of a number of slaves besides other property, also a large amount of real estate; at the time of his location here the nearest postoffice was sixty miles away. Six sons and two daughters blessed their union, of which children three are now living: John, Andrew and Sarah, the latter being the wife of William Sloan. John Jones attended the early schools of Randolph County, and after his parents' death, which occurred when he was a small boy, he made his home with an elder brother, James, until twenty years of age. Although he started in life for himself with no means, he has done well, and is now the owner of a finely improved and well located farm on Jones Creek. When the war cloud, which had so long hovered over our land, burst, Mr. Jones showed his willingness to aid the Southern cause, and in 1861 enlisted in Company A, Col. Trumbull's regiment of infantry, and was in many battles, among which were Corinth, Richmond, Ky., and a number of skirmishes. He afterward joined Capt. Mitchell's company, Col. Reeves' regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, and was at Independence and Fayetteville, seeing, during his term of enlistment, some very hard service, but was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. Mary Wells, a daughter of Hutchinson Wells, became his wife February 23, 1859. She was born on the 14th of January, 1843, and by Mr. Jones became the mother of five children: William Irvin; Armitta, wife of Charles Tisdell, a farmer of the county; Rufus, Elizabeth, and another. After the death of his first wife Mr. Jones, in 1884, wedded Mrs. Mary (Galbraith) Wayland, who was born in Anderson County, Tenn., November 5, 1841, and by her has one daughter, Ola Ann. When small, Mrs. Jones came to Lawrence County, Ark., with her parents, and was married there to Jonathan Wayland, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is a Democrat.
 

 Adolphus H. Kibler. This substantial and representative agriculturist was born in Lincoln County, N. C., December 9, 1820, and was educated in his native State, receiving excellent educational opportunities in Lincoln Academy, which advantages he did not fail to improve. At the early age of twelve years he entered the employ of a merchant, with whom he remained as a clerk for sixteen years, and then, tiring of the work, he turned his attention to farming, which has been his chief occupation. He remained in his native State until 1857, then emigrated west, and located in Randolph County, Ark., where be has since made his home, and by his own individual labor has become the owner of a fine tract of land embracing 320 acres. He has been honored with various offices in the county, and was first elected in 1859 internal revenue commissioner, which position he held four years. In 1878 he was chosen county treasurer, was re-elected three times, serving in all eight years, and discharged the duties of this office in a highly creditable manner, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1845 he was married to Miss Mary A. McKeraff, a daughter of John McKeraff. She was born in Burke County, N. C., in 1824, and her union with Mr. Kibler resulted in the birth of six children, four of whom are now living: Augusta, wife of H. H. Woddell, a farmer of Pocahontas: Mary Alice, wife of Dr. Wise, of Paragould; Harriet, wife of Dr. G. W. Crosby, of Pocahontas, and George M., a farmer of the county. Those dead are Laura and Willie. Mr. Kibler and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; he is a Democrat, and has been a Mason for the past twenty-five years. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Arkansas Confederate Infantry, and was forage master of the regiment until the close of the war, when he surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark. He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Lorance) Kibler, both of whom were born in Lincoln County, N. C., and died in North Carolina and Randolph County, Ark., in 1848 and 1859, respectively, the latter being sixty-four years of age at the time of her death. They were married in their native State, and when a young man, the father was engaged in blacksmithing; also farmed the latter part of his life, and was very successful in the accumulation of this world's goods. He served in the War of 1812, acting as drum major, and in his political views he was a Whig. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and were the parents of the following family: Adolphus H., Mauernia, wife of Jacob Dailey, of Benton County, Ala.; Sophronia, also living in that county, and Dr. M. H., who is a prominent physician of Northeastern Arkansas, and resides near Black's Ferry in Randolph County. Miles M. was a captain in the Confederate army during the late war, and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. William was surgeon of a regiment in the Confederate army, was wounded at Murfreesboro, and was aid on Gen. Claiborne's staff. He afterward resided in Cross County, Ala., and there died. The paternal grandfather, David Kibler, was a German, who came to America about the close of the Revolutionary War, located in Lincoln County, N. C., and after a number of years removed to Iredell County, of the same State, where he spent the balance of his life. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Lorance, was born in England and also located in Lincoln County, N. C.

 
 Marion H. Kibler, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of Randolph County, Ark., and has been a practicing physician here since 1853. He was born in Catawba County, N. C., January 19, 1831, and until eighteen years of age passed his days in his native State; but at this time a strong desire to learn medicine caused him to commence its study with Dr. John Scurry, at Cross Plains, Ala., and he made such sufficient progress under his instruction as to justify him on entering the active practice of the profession soon after, in partnership with his instructor. While in Alabama he was the first physician to use chloroform in Benton (now Calhoun) County, as an anæsthetic, and his experiment proving highly satisfactory, it was largely adopted by other physicians. The early training which he received in this science was by no means sufficient to satisfy a person of his inquiring mind, consequently he attended a course of lectures at Augusta, Ga. Since 1853 he has been a resident of Randolph County, Ark., and his career here as a physician has long been well and favorably known to the many who have tested his healing ability, and his success is shown by the extended territory over which he goes to alleviate the sufferings of the sick. In 1863 and 1864 he was examining surgeon in the Confederate service. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Amanda J. Cain, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Cain. Mrs. Kibler was born in Alabama December 27, 1839, and died in Randolph County, Ark., May 30, 1876, leaving one daughter, Ella S., the wife of Dr. G. A. Seals. The Doctor married his present wife July 27, 1887, her maiden name being Nannie M. Hulett, a daughter of A. J. and Anna M. Hulett. By her the Doctor became the father of one child, Marion Hulett. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His parents, Michael and Catherine (Lowrance) Kibler, were prominent residents of North Carolina, in which State the mother was born. The father was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were on route from Germany to the United States. They located in Pennsylvania, and afterward in North Carolina, where Michael grew to manhood and married. He spent his life in that State, and died in 1848, at the age of fifty-six years. He was a blacksmith and a farmer, a Whig in politics, and in his religious views was a Lutheran. Four of his six children are now living: A. H., ex-treasurer of Randolph County, Ark.: Minerva, wife of Jacob F. Dailey, a prominent merchant of Piedmont, Ala.; Sophronia, at Piedmont, Ala., and Dr, Marion H. The two deceased are Miles Michael, who was a lieutenant in the Confederate army, and was killed at Richmond, Va., and W. R., who was a surgeon in an Arkansas regiment, was wounded at Franklin, Tenn., and died from the effects of the wound several years after the close of the war.
 

 Rev. D. N. King, minister and farmer. Warm Springs, Ark. Although young in years Mr. King has already done much good in the world by administering to the spiritual wants of his fellowmen and by living a life of such consistency and purity as can not fail to have its effect on the rising generation. His birth occurred in Georgia on the 13th of January. 1852, and he is the son of Carter and Louisa (Flanigan) King, natives of Georgia, and of Irish parentage. Carter King was a farmer and a tanner by occupation, which he followed in Georgia until 1866, when he moved to Tennessee and settled in Roan County. He there farmed on rented land until 1869, when he came to Randolph County, Ark., and settled in Warm Springs Township, where, in 1869, he purchased eighty acres. This he proceeded to improve, but one year later sold out and moved into a different neighborhood. where he died shortly afterward, in March, 1871. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, a member of the Baptist Church, and was well respected by all who knew him. He served one year during the latter part of the war in the Confederate service, and surrendered in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of eleven children, six now living: D. N., Rebecca F. (wife of F. M. Thornsberry). James M., Sarah E. (wife of H. C. Croger), Joseph J. and Mary L. (wife of James Hovis). Mrs. King then married in 1873 Mr. G. A. Barrett, and by him became the  mother of two children, one living. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett are still living in this county. At the age of twenty years D. N. King was married to Miss Mary S. Wooldridge, of Arkansas, and immediately afterward engaged in tilling the soil. He had very little property at the time of his marriage (1872), but he is now the owner of 160 acres, of which seventy-five acres are under a good state of cultivation and with good buildings, etc. He is one of the enterprising citizens of this section, and lays a great deal of his success in life to the exertions of his chosen companion. He was ordained a minister in the general Free Will Baptist Church, and began preaching the Gospel on the 8th of October, 1882. Since then he has performed the marriage ceremony for about nine couples, and has baptized a large number of converts. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of seven children: Louisa J., born on the 15th of April, 1873, and died on the 14th of September, 1874; W. L., born on the 22d of September, 1876, and died on the 6th of April, 1880: John C., born on the 25th of January, 1879: E. E., born on the 8th of November, 1881; Jasper N., born on the 10th of February, 1884; Dora L., born on the 23d of August, 1886, and one who died young. Mr. King is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been a school director in his district. Mrs. King is a member of the Baptist Church.

 
 Dr. J. N. Kirkpatrick, Elm Store, Ark. To the people of Randolph, as well as surrounding counties, the name that heads this sketch is by no means an unfamiliar one, for the owner is ever to be found by the bedside of the sick and afflicted, and his career as a practitioner and thorough student of medicine has won for him no less a reputation than have his personal characteristics as a citizen and neighbor. His parents, E. S. and Annie (Woodrome) Kirkpatrick, were both natives of Tennessee. The father, who was born February 22, 1810, came to Arkansas in 1835, settled in Big Bottom, on White River, Independence County, and there remained one year. In 1836, he moved to Lawrence County, and settled on Reed's Creek, twenty miles northeast of Batesville, Ark., where he bought 160 acres of land, and where he reared his family. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Annie Woodrome, daughter of John Woodrome, whom he wedded in 1830. To them were born ten children, and seven of these lived to be grown: J. N.; James E., living in Wilmington, Cal.; W. T., living in Franklin County, Ill.; A. R., living in Oregon County, Mo.; and H. C., in this county; the others are now deceased. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born on the 3d of March, 1814, and died in 1860. For his second wife, Mr. Kirkpatrick selected Mrs. Elizabeth (Goacher) Smithee, and to this marriage were born four children, only one now living, Eva J., a teacher in Conway County. E. S. Kirkpatrick was a brick and stone mason by trade, and some of the first houses in Batesville are monuments of his handiwork. When he first came to this State, he brought with him only a team, but later became the owner of considerable property and about 500 acres of land. Mr. Kirkpatrick was in the Black Hawk War, and was in the fight at Kellog's Grove, under Maj. Dement, and had his horse killed from under him in this fight. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and politically he was a Democrat. He died in September, 1876. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was also a member of the same church. The paternal grandfather, John Kirkpatrick, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans. The maternal grandfather, John Woodrome, was also in the War of 1812, and was also a participant in the battle of New Orleans. The paternal great-grandfather served under Gen. Greene in the war for independence, and the maternal great-grandfather was a native of South Carolina, was in the Revolutionary War also, and served under Gen. Gates during the entire term of service. Dr. Kirkpatrick was born in Franklin County, Ill., October 30, 1831, and was educated in the subscription schools of the county, attending such schools as were available until 1856. He then entered the St. Louis Medical College, and afterward came back to Arkansas, and settled in Randolph County, where he now resides. This was in 1857, and he has since lived in the same place, practicing over a large territory, often riding thirty-five miles to relieve some suffering mortal. The Doctor resided here at the time of the war, but did not enter the service. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Sarah Catherine Wann, a native of Alabama, and the fruits of this union were nine children, these now living: Robert S., Eleanor A. (wife of H. A. Clark), Albert N., Hiram T., Charles M. and R. F. When the Doctor first commenced his practice in this section, he had the modest sum of 25 cents in his pocket, and borrowed a horse to ride. By close attention to his profession, he has accumulated considerable property, and is the owner of 366 acres. He has also his town property, consisting of business house and stock of drugs, and also a good deal of personal property. He is W. M. of the Masonic lodge, and in politics is a Democrat.
 

 G. B. Kline. As far back as can be traced the ancestors of Mr. Kline have been native Germans, and in Bavaria, Germany, our subject was born in 1834. His parents. G. B. (Sr.) and Louisa (Wayner) Kline, were well-to-do land holders in their native land, and there lived and died. The grandfather was also a Bavarian, and the family is one of the oldest and wealthiest there. They are Lutherans in religious faith. G. B. Kline was educated in Germany, and when about eighteen years of age he emigrated to the United States, landing first in the city of New York. He went from there to Virginia, where he had an uncle living, and made his home with him for several years, working at his trade, that of a shoemaker. but afterward worked as a section hand on the railroad. After some time he went to the “Buckeye State,” working at his trade two years, then lived successively in Virginia and Illinois. While in the latter State he heard the speeches of Lincoln and Douglass, who were then opposing candidates for the United States Senate, their speeches being delivered in the city of Bloomington. He was in Washington, Ohio, when Buchanan ran for the presidency. After leaving Illinois he went to Memphis, Tenn., and followed his trade for several months in that city, then came directly to Pocahontas from that place. Here he has since made his home. During the Civil War he espoused the Southern cause, and was in active service for eight or ten months. He was taken prisoner at Yellville, but was afterward paroled. After the close of the war he embarked in the shoemaking business on quite an extensive scale, and for some time employed several journeymen. In addition to this work he kept a saloon for some years, and his house was always orderly. He is now the owner of some valuable town property, and has 200 acres of good land three miles from Pocahontas. He is a Democrat in his political views, and is a Master Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H. He has been married three times, his first wife being Miss Angeline Lillard, who died soon after the birth of her first child. George. His second wife, nee Ann Hubble, also bore him one child, Laura C., and died after about six years of married life. His present wife was a Miss Wilmoth B. Galner, and they have one child. Frederick.
 

 James R. Knotts is a South Carolinian by birth and bringing up, having been born in Chesterfield District of that State on the 31st of August, 1827. James and Mary J. (Edding) Knotts, his parents, were also born in South Carolina, and died in Randolph County, Ark., he in 1857, when about fifty-seven years of age, and she when about fifty-five years old. After the celebration of their nuptials in their native State, they removed to Randolph County, Ark. (in 1829), and located at Cherokee Bay, and about six years later took up their abode on a farm in the neighborhood, on which James R., their son, is now residing. From their youth they had been members of the Baptist Church, and they took a great interest in church work. The paternal grandfather, James Knotts, was a native of Wales, who came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in Virginia. He was a commissioned officer in the Continental army during that war, being a participant in many battles, and was at Yorktown. He afterward moved to South Carolina, and there resided until his death, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. He was always noted for his great physical strength up to the time of his death, which occurred quite suddenly. He was a farmer by occupation. James Knotts, father of our subject, was a farmer and mechanic, though he never served a regular apprenticeship at the trade, but picked it up at odd times, having a natural taste for the work. He was quite an extensive manufacturer of all kinds of implements, such as wagons, axes, guns and the like, in connection with which work he also conducted his farm in an admirable manner, being ably assisted by his wife, who was an excellent business manager. Of their large family of children our subject is the oldest, and three are now living: Joseph T., a blacksmith and farmer of the county; Burton, also a farmer of the county, and James R. The latter always made his home with his parents, and a few years prior to their deaths he engaged in the timber business, making several trips to New Orleans, rafting. During this time he also made two trips to Texas, and there spent one winter and also in the Indian Territory. After his return home he turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and the property of which he is now the owner has been acquired through his own exertions. Although he was a heavy loser during the late war he has retrieved his losses, and is now counted among the prosperous tax payers of the county. He saw some hard service during the Rebellion; and although he enlisted to join in the Mexican War, he was not mustered into the service. He was married to Elmira, the daughter of Jesse Walrond. She was born in Virginia in 1846, and when a young girl was brought to Arkansas by her parents. Eight of a large family of children born to their union are living: James J., Harriet W. (wife of Wesley Bennett, a farmer of the county), Joseph L., Virginia, Rufus, Essie, Burley and Burton D. Mr. Knotts is a Democrat, politically.
 

 J. T. Lomax, a member of the well-known law firm of Lomax & Collier, is a gentleman well versed in the usages and intricacies of law. He is one of the ablest of jurists, and has few peers in his comprehensive knowledge of State and international law. His birth occurred in Perry County, Tenn., in 1851, and he is the son of James and Elizabeth Lomax, and the grandson of Thomas Lomax, a native of South Carolina. The latter was reared to farm life, but for forty-one years he was county clerk and recorder of Perry County, Tenn. He is a prominent citizen, and is now residing in Tyler, Tex., in the enjoyment of comparative good health, at the age of eighty-six years. James Lomax was also reared to the arduous duties of the farm, and is still engaged in that pursuit. He came to Randolph County, Ark., in 1857, settled in Roanoke Township, improved a good farm, and now resides in the same neighborhood. J. T. Lomax came with his parents to Randolph County, when a child, and remained on his father's farm until seventeen years of age, receiving his education in the meantime in private schools. At the above mentioned age he began teaching school, and followed this occupation until 1882, studying law in the meantime. The two years following he taught school in Pocahontas, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1883, after which he established himself in practice at this point, and has been actively engaged ever since. The firm hold a large and growing clientage, and their co-partnership is a happy and prosperous one. They make a specialty of collecting and abstracting, and have a complete set of abstracts of Randolph and Clay Counties. Mr. Lomax was married, in 1879, to Miss Josephine V. Mitchell, a native of Randolph County. Mr. Lomax is closely identified with school matters, and has been one term county examiner. He was also mayor of the town one term. Aside from his practice Mr. Lomax is also the owner of some town property. He is of English descent on his father's side, and German on his mother's.
 

 Erasmus D. Looney, farmer, Dalton, Ark. All his life Mr. Looney has followed, with substantial success, the occupation to which he was reared, and in which he is now engaged, farming. One of the largest land owners in Davidson Township, he is also one of its recognized leading agriculturists, and as a man, no less than as a citizen, he is highly esteemed. His birth occurred May 1, 1848, and he is the son of W. S. Looney, who was also a native of Arkansas, born in 1820. The elder Looney received very meager opportunities for schooling, but his father, being an educated man, taught his children at home, and thus they became fairly educated. W. S. Looney was married in 1834 to Miss Pollie Wells, a native of Tennessee, and the result was the birth of two children: one who died when small, and Erasmus D., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Looney died in 1851, and Mr. Looney was married, the second time, to Miss Catherine Garrett, and ten children were born to their union, all of whom died young. Mr. Looney was forced into the army, but being very unhealthy his son Erasmus D. took his place, and the father remained at home. When first married the latter possessed very little property, but at the time of his death he was the owner of about 1,000 acres, with about 300 acres improved. He had made all this without assistance, and was a self-made man in every sense of the term. He was a member of the Golden Circle during war times, and in his political views affiliated with the Democratic party. Previous to the war he owned a dozen negroes, besides other personal property, to a great extent, horses, cattle, etc. He was one of the wealthiest men in the county, but lost all except his land during those times. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Knox County, Tenn., and was the first white man that settled on Eleven Points, as he came here as early as 1802, and entered 1,500 acres of land. He brought three negroes with him, and for a number of years was obliged to go to Cape Girardeau, Mo., 135 miles distant, and be gone for about two weeks, to buy his groceries and other necessary articles. Their meat was obtained from the forest which abounded in bears, deer, turkeys, etc. He could not raise hogs on account of the bears. Very little farming was done in those days, as from six to ten acres was considered a good crop, and the horses and cattle lived on the cane. A number of years elapsed before there were any settlers besides himself and two brothers named Stubblefield, on this stream, and it was fifteen to twenty miles to the nearest neighbor. He had a fine orchard, and made brandy in great quantities, about 1,500 gallons per year. Erasmus D. Looney early in youth learned the mysteries of farm life, and obtained a fair education by attending the subscription schools of his day. In 1863, he joined the Confederate army, Company E. Col. Reeves' regiment of cavalry, and served until June 5, 1865, when he surrendered at Jacksonport. Ark. He was engaged in a number of battles, notably Prairie Grove,  Fredericktown, Pilot Knob, Jefferson City, California, Brownville, Lexington, Glasgow, Independence and quite a number of minor engagements. After the war Mr. Looney returned home, and went immediately to work to repair the losses sustained by the war. He commenced farming, and continued this occupation until 1867, when he engaged in merchandising. Previous to this, in March, 1866, he married Mrs. Frances E. Herren, nee Overton, of Mississippi County, Mo., and seven children blessed this union, five now living: Laura B., wife of Frank Jackson, and born January 18, 1867; William S., born December 22, 1868; Mary A., born November 7, 1872; Caroline, born November 27, 1875; Richard (deceased), born July 4, 1878; Della (deceased), born September 3, 1881; Thomas Estell, born March 5, 1882. The two who died were Della, March 5, 1873, and Richard, March 5, 1883. Mrs. Looney was born July 8, 1844, and is the daughter of James and Mary (Beacham) Overton, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Overton came to Missouri at an early day, and settled in Mississippi County. They were the parents of six children, three arriving at maturity, Richard (deceased), whose family resides in Mississippi County, Mo., Charles (deceased), and Frances E., wife of our subject. Mrs. Looney was first married to Mr. Thomas Herren, and by him became the mother of one child, James W., who lives at Cherokee Bay, Randolph County. Mr. Herren was in the Confederate army, and was murdered by Leeper's men in the last year of the war. Mrs. Looney's father died in 1865, and her mother in 1854. Mrs. Looney and her daughter, Laura B., are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Looney is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the county.