My Genealogy Hound

Hon. J. S. Trimble. A worthy history of Independence County, Ark., could not be given without mentioning the name of Mr. Trimble, who for over three-score-years and ten, has been a prominent resident of the county. During his long term of years here, his good name has remained untarnished, and he has well and faithfully performed every duty, both public and private, that has fallen to his lot. He is a native of the Blue Grass State (Kentucky), his birth having occurred at Smithland, in Livingston County, March 28, 1815. His father’s name was James Trimble; he was born in Augusta County, Va., in 1774. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Stewart; she was born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1782. After their marriage his father moved to Kentucky, in quite an early day, where Mr. Trimble was born, as above stated. In 1817, his parents moved to what was then a portion of Missouri Territory, but which is now the State of Arkansas, and here J. S. Trimble grew up to manhood, his early education being received in the common schools of the country and at Batesville. Immediately after completing his school days, he commenced to apply himself closely to agricultural pursuits, and in 1850, he was elected from Independence County, Ark., as a member of the lower house of the State legislature. He was always a Jeffersonian, and a Jackson Democrat of the strictest sect; he believed in the strict construction of organic law, both State and National; he also believed that it was by strict construction, alone, that the rights of the minority were to be protected in the government; and, if the declaratory and restrictive clauses of the constitution be removed, the rights of the few could not be maintained or protected. His great speech in the house of representatives, December 24, 1850, and the introduction of the joint resolutions on Federal relations, which were published in the Arkansas Banner at the time, places him at once in the front rank as a sound and able debater. In 1856 he was elected to the senate of the same body, and served by re-election until 1864. At this date, he was again chosen to the same position, by the soldiers in the service of the Confederate States, by virtue of a bill passed for that purpose, but, owing to the unsettled condition of affairs at that time, this legislature was disorganized after the first year of its existence. Thus, Hon. J. S. Trimble has served his county nine years in the State senate, and four years in the house of representatives, making thirteen years’ service, as a faithful legislator, and in both of these capacities he has discharged his duties with ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. This was during the most turbulent times of our American history. He has always believed in the State rights doctrine, and when South Carolina withdrew from the Union, he was a warm advocate of secession, and was a strong friend of the South during its entire struggle; and, although exempt from military duty (by virtue of his being a member of the senate of Arkansas during the entire war), yet he was too strong a Southern sympathizer not to participate in the great war between the States, which he considered just, and for some time served in the Confederate mail service, in the State of Texas. After the war, he was elected Treasurer of Independence County, on only a few days’ notice, to fill out an unexpired term of R. Lee, deceased, and, although there were three worthy candidates in the field, who had for some time been canvassing the county, he was elected by a very large majority. He gave bond for $40,000, served the people faithfully, quit the office with clean hands, but declined re-election. Mr. Trimble has always kept up with the times in reading, has shown himself to be a man of strong native intellect, sound judgment, sterling principles, well posted in governmental affairs, and is perhaps as highly esteemed and respected as any man in the county. In 1850, he was married to Miss Catherine P. Hamilton, of Conway County, Ark., and by her he became the father of one child, a daughter named Elvira, who is now the wife of Joseph Wright, of Sulphur Rock, Ark. Mr. Trimble lived in Greenbriar Township, Independence County, for about seventy-two years, and on New Year’s, eve, 1886, moved into his new buildings in Sulphur Rock, to be near his only child and grandchildren during his declining years. He is of old Virginia stock, his father, James Trimble, having been born in that State, in 1774. His mother was also a Virginian, born in Culpeper County, and after their marriage moved to Kentucky, in quite an early day, where they reared the most of their family, ten children in all, three only of whom survive. The father was a surveyor by occupation. Immigrating to Arkansas in 1817, he used to get contracts of surveying, and return his work to St. Louis, Mo., before there was any land office established in the State. Shortly after his removal to Sulphur Rock, Mr. T. assisted in having the town incorporated, and became first mayor, but declined a re-election. In his younger days, he was active in the cause of education and temperance, and has never lost interest in either cause. He is a rapid and impressive speaker, and as a legislator has few equals, being always in his seat when the senate was in session, and his place was never vacant at the meetings of the committees with which he was connected. Mr. Trimble was always prompt, industrious, efficient and conscientious. With his superior business qualifications, clear head, and excellent practical common sense, he was much respected by his associates, and soon became one of the most honored and influential members of the senate. His social and domestic attachments are very strong. His friendship is sincere and true; his grasp of the hand warm and cordial. Of him it might be said:

“His life is gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this is a man.”