My Genealogy Hound

James M. King, one of the oldest living settlers of Central Arkansas, is a native of East Tennessee, and was born in Knox County, April 27, 1818. His parents, Richard and Sarah (Yeates) King, were both originally from North Carolina, and descendants of early settlers of that State. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Yeates, was a colonel in the American Revolution, and throughout the entire war was noted for the bravery and spirit of daring that characterized his career as a soldier. In a family of five sons and three daughters, James M. is the youngest child. His boyhood days were spent in a manner similar to that of other boys of the time and like them his education was necessarily meager, as the facilities for schooling were then limited; but his close observation, reading and keen perception, have placed him on an equal with many who boast of a college course. At the age of eighteen his parents moved to Alabama, prior to the removal of the Indians from that country, and in 1837, at the outbreak of the Florida War, he shouldered his rifle and served until the cessation of the trouble. He also rendered valuable assistance in helping to send the Indians from that country. His parents died at the age of seventy and seventy-two years, respectively, their deaths occurring within a week of each other, the father being buried on Monday, and just one week later his good old mother was laid by her husband’s side. In 1840 Mr. King was married to Miss Eleanor Jett, a native of Georgia, and by her became the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living. He started for Arkansas in 1843, making the trip overland with an ox-team, and met all the inconveniences and perils incident to that mode of traveling, with a strong and hearty courage, hardly characteristic of the present generation. On reaching this State he located in its northern part, in Marion County, where he began farming, and remained for five years. In 1850 he settled near Pleasant Hill Church, then Prairie County, and during his residence there was a citizen of Pulaski, Prairie and Lonoke Counties, the change in county lines causing this singular condition of affairs. In 1858 he was elected sheriff by a unanimous vote, and moved to Brownsville, then the county seat of Prairie County, but before the expiration of his term the war broke out, and he, at his own expense, organized and transported to Springfield, Mo., a company of cavalry. He was made captain, and led them to the charge at the battle of Oak Hill (also known as Wilson’s Creek), where one-half of his company was killed and wounded, he, himself being wounded twice. Before really able to ride he returned to Arkansas and organized another company, and throughout his entire career, only brave and noble actions attended him, such as will always reflect great credit upon himself and family. He participated in a hard-fought battle at Verdigris River with the Indians at that time the country round resounding with his heroism and gallantry. The Indians were lead by their chief, Opotholoholo, the Captain commanding a battalion. During the engagement a warrior singled out our subject and fired at him, but missing his aim, the captain immediately charged upon him, and then came a hand-to-hand encounter, in which he was victorious, though not until the Indian had dealt him a blow with his gun that stunned him. The rifle used by the savage is now in the possession of Capt. King’s family, and is highly prized as an heirloom. After the reorganization of the army at Corinth he returned to Brownsville, and was again elected sheriff of Prairie County. In 1863, when the Federal army occupied his country, he went with his family to Texas, where he resided until the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 he returned to Arkansas and located where his first settlement in the State had been made. He was elected, in 1874, as sheriff of the county of Lonoke, and at the expiration of the first term was re-elected. In 1878 he was elected to the State legislature from Lonoke County, and in 1882 elected county judge, and re-elected in 1884. Capt. King is a member of the Baptist Church, in which denomination he has officiated as a minister for twenty-three years. He is truly one of Lonoke County’s representative citizens.