My Genealogy Hound

James F. Quattlebaum, a leading planter of Central Arkansas, and a prominent resident of Jefferson County, was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on December 14, 1854. He is a son of Henry M. and Louisa (Miller) Quattlebaum, of Edgefield and Lawrence Districts in the same State. The parents were there married and resided until 1861, when they moved to Arkansas and located in Jefferson County. The father was a very successful farmer during his life, and had the reputation of being one of the best in the State. In ante-bellum days he was an overseer on some of the largest plantations in his native State. His sympathies were with the Union before and during the struggle, and his strong denunciation of secession won the hatred of many Southerners, but his principle never changed even in the face of the strongest opposition, and his cause was vindicated by the total overthrow of the Confederacy. His death occurred in 1872 at the age of forty-seven years, in Jefferson County, his wife dying before him in January, 1869. The mother was a devout Christian woman and a member of the Baptist Church, but attended service in the Methodist Church as there was none of the Baptist creed in her neighborhood. The father was married three times and was the sire of twelve children, of whom seven are yet living: Martha A. (wife of W. F. Lindsey, a promising planter of Arkansas County), James P., Ada E. (wife of J. M. Barrett, a well-known farmer of Jefferson County), Lee M. (a merchant in Lincoln County), Jones D. (a farmer and salesman in Jefferson County), Lawrence M. (residing with father) and Henry M. (also at home with his father). James F. received a good public school education, and early in life was taught self-reliance and industry. After the death of his father, the care of the family devolved upon him as the eldest son, and he looked out for their maintenance and education in a manner that is deserving of the greatest credit. He commenced farming in 1874 and now owns 620 acres of land with 120 acres under cultivation, and has been one of the most successful planters in his county. In September, 1882, he was married to Miss Sallie Wheat, a daughter of A. J. Wheat, of Pine Bluff, by whom he had four children, one living and three dead, the first named Frank and the latter Horace M., John P. and Mary L. In politics Mr. Quattlebaum is a Democrat and stanch supporter of his party in that section. In 1879 he was elected constable and filled the office for almost two years. He was next elected justice of the peace and served nearly six years. Mr. Quattlebaum is one of the foremost citizens of Jefferson County, and a man much admired for his personal worth. He is active in all public and private enterprises for the good of his county, and is popular throughout that entire section.