My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Thomas C. Monroe is the present efficient county and circuit clerk of Columbia County, Ark. and the neatness and order manifested in every detail of the work shows that he is the beau ideal of a public servant—intelligent, punctual, industrious, honest and uniformly courteous to all. He was born in Dallas County, Ala., November 27, 1842, being the third of a family of seven children born to Thomas C. and Mary J. (Graves) Monroe, both natives of Virginia, the former being a wealthy planter. He was a prominent politician, and being a Jeffersonian Democrat, his vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas during the presidential campaign of 1860. He filled the principal civil offices of his county, and at one time filled an unexpired term as circuit judge of the district. With all the strength of his nature he opposed secession at the Montgomery Convention in 1861, but when the ordinance was passed he submitted to the inevitable, and in a memorable speech which he made on that occasion said that he had three sons that would do their duty in obedience to the will of the people. His effort was eloquent and affecting, and brought tears to the eyes of the Convention and the people there assembled. After a useful and well-spent life, he passed from the scene of his earthly labors in 1865, his death being mourned, not only by his immediate and sorrowing household, but by all who knew him. His children are as follows: G. W. (a physician of Montana), James W. (a planter of Tex.), Capt. Thomas C. (the subject of this memoir), Mary J. (wife of R. J. Adkinson, of Gonzales, Tex.), Sarah C. (wife of J. L. Kerr, also of that place), Martha D. (deceased), and Robert W. (who died in Western Texas, his family now residing in Williamson County of that State). Thomas C. Monroe was educated in the common schools of Alabama, and in May, 1861, when scarcely nineteen years of age, he enlisted in the Confederate army in a company from Perry County, Ala., which was attached to Col. (ex-governor) John A. Winston’s Eighth Alabama Volunteers, and on June 10, 1861, he participated in the engagement at Big Bethel, soon after which he was made adjutant and did most of the work in making out the muster rolls of his regiment. He served in this capacity until called to the command of his company, and after that was in every engagement of the army with the exception of three—second Manassas, Sharpsburg, and Fredericksburg—only escaping these by reason of wounds received at Gaines’ Mill, in the seven days’ fight around Richmond. Here he was wounded severely three times, still carrying the scar of one in his right cheek. He rejoined his command even before his wounds were healed, and fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, being wounded three times in the latter engagement also, and having his left arm broken. He was captured and taken to Baltimore, and after remaining in the hospital in the Westminister Buildings for three months he was paroled and soon exchanged. He at once reported for active service, but upon medical examination he was found unfit for duty in the line, and was put on detached service with Gen. Harry E. Peyton, inspector-general of the army. The latter soon recognized Mr. Monroe’s superior fitness for the position and recommended his permanent appointment to the War Department, which would confer the rank of major and aid-de-camp, but before the application was acted upon, the retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox Court House was made and there he surrendered. Returning to his home in Alabama, he engaged in school teaching, but in 1869 emigrated to Arkansas and settled in Union County, where he engaged at teaching, remaining until 1870, when he moved to Claiborne Parish, La., and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1878 he returned to Columbia County, Ark., and was first employed as a book-keeper in the mercantile house of R. R. Sherman, continuing to fill this position until 1880, when he was elected circuit clerk for the county, the duties of which position he is now discharging. He is well known for his many worthy qualities of mind and heart, of which sterling integrity and superior capabilities are among the chief. In private as well as public life he is liberal, generous and high-minded, has the instincts and training of a true gentleman, and while he is not aggressive nor disputatious, he has a decided will of his own and the moral courage to express his views when occasion so demands. He has always been found a true and trusty friend, and although he has always desired that “the left hand should not know what the right hand doeth,” many of his deeds of kindness and benevolence are known and appreciated. He is of the stuff of which great men are made, possessing the characteristics which adorn the private station and keep the public service pure. His marriage, which occurred in 1805, was to Mrs. Elizabeth (Mahan) Driver, a daughter of Maj. A. M. and Mary Mahan, of Alabama, and to them a family of eight children have been born: Claudia (wife of W. C. Blewster, of Magnolia, Ark.), Clara (wife of J. R. Willis, also residing here), Thomas S. (in the Clerk’s office as deputy to his father), Robert E. (deceased), Mary A., Jennie, George W. and Laura.