My Genealogy Hound

J. T. Rolfe, proprietor of the Vanndale Hotel, if for no other reason, deserves especial mention as a direct descendant of the famous John Rolfe and Pocahontas; this is undisputed and reliable, as the traditions for many generations point directly to those illustrious characters as the founders of the family. Mr. Rolfe was born in Mecklenburgh County, Va., in 1834, being a son of Samuel D. and Susan (Stone) Rolfe. He attained his majority in the “Old Dominion,” and became engaged in mercantile pursuits at the age of sixteen. Coming, in 1857, to Arkansas and settling in Poinsett (now Cross) County, where he resumed his interests of merchandising at a town called Pineville. This place has now disappeared. Here Mr. Rolfe remained until 1862, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, in McGee’s company. After the war he took up farming and gave his attention to it until 1882, also serving as constable and deputy sheriff for two years during that time. In 1882 he moved to Vanndale and built a hotel and has been engaged in the hotel business since that time, with very successful results. The hotel building is a large, two-story structure 28x60 feet, and erected at a cost of $1,200. Mr. Rolfe was married, in 1860, to Miss Lizzie Rose, who died in 1864, leaving one child, Mary Susan (now Mrs. Rodgers). He was subsequently married to Mrs. Mary V. Rolfe, the widow of his brother Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe are the parents of one son, Samuel A. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches, and also of the K & L. of H. In addition to his hotel, Mr. Rolfe owns a store in Vanndale, in which a large and steadily increasing business is being carried on.