My Genealogy Hound

Judge A. J. Witt, county judge, Pocahontas, Ark. Few men have attained the prominence in Randolph County, in a social as well as a business point of view, that has Judge Witt, who is courteous and pleasant in all his relations to the public. His birth occurred in Weakley, Tenn., on the 31st of December, 1855, and he remained in his native State until twelve years of age, when he came with his parents to Randolph County, Ark. When of a suitable age, he had been placed in private schools, where the opportunities afforded were enjoyed to the best advantage. After finishing his scholastic training, he engaged in the teacher’s profession, and this continued for twelve months, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of Randolph County. At the end of eighteen months, he again returned to teaching school, so continuing for nine months, after which he clerked in a store until the fall of 1882. He was then elected sheriff of the county, and served four years. After this he retired from public life, and was engaged in tilling the soil for two years. In 1888, he was elected county judge, which office he still fills. Previous to this, on the 14th of November, 1887, he was appointed to the office of postmaster at Pocahontas, which position he still holds. For his companion in life, he selected Miss Ida M. Kibler, a native of Cross County, Ark., and was married to her on the 3d of May, 1883. She is the daughter of William Kibler, a native of North Carolina. To this union were born two children, Mary Ethel, at home, and Edith Gertrude (deceased). Judge Witt is the owner of 420 acres of land and considerable town property. He has always taken an active part in school work, and in everything pertaining to the good of the county. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the K. of H. He is the son of Isaac H. and Mary C. (Shelton) Witt, and grandson of Charles Homer Witt, a native of East Tennessee, and a farmer by occupation. Isaac H. Witt was a native of East Tennessee, and his wife of Weakley County, Tenn. The maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Shelton, was a native of the same State, was a tiller of the soil, and was also a minister in the Baptist Church, being one of the pioneer preachers. The Witt family were among the first settlers of Gibson County, Tenn. The father of Judge Witt is a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church, but he has always carried on farming in connection with his ministerial duties. He emigrated to Randolph County in 1868, and settled in Warm Springs Township, where he is residing at the present time. He was one of the first Baptist ministers of this county, and is still preaching at the present time. The mother died on the 30th of August, 1888, at the age of fifty-six years. They reared a family of eight children, Judge Witt being the eldest. The remainder are named as follows: Christiana E., wife of P. W. Kidd, of Warm Springs Township; Cora E., wife of James W. Shaver, of the same township; Caleb E., now living at Portia, Ark., and is a successful M. D.; Marion J., who died at the age of seventeen years; I. R., wife of James Williams, of Clay County, Ark.; Lulu S., a teacher, residing at home, and William J., at home.