My Genealogy Hound

Rev. J. L. Short, Sr., a prominent agriculturist of Washington Township, Fulton County, Ark., and the son of Joab and Sarah (York) Short, was born in Franklin County, Tenn., in 1824. His parents were natives of Rockingham County, N. C., and were of Irish descent. Joab Short was born on the 12th of August, 1788, and died on the 1st of April, 1866. The mother was born in 1790, and died in September, 1870. They left their native State about 1810, and moved to Tennessee. They were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom lived to be grown: Alpha, wife of E. Thacker; Omega, wife of A. Muse; Mary, wife of Rev. John Byrum; Gracie and July (twins), the former the wife of P. Holley, and the latter of F. M. Yell; Sarah, wife of Thomas Muse; Tabitha, wife of John Antney; Delia, wife of William Walsh (deceased); Caroline, wife of John Ross; J. L., Constant B. (deceased), Joab B., killed at the battle of Shiloh, and C. C. (deceased). Mr. Short was a Democrat in politics, and was a very prominent man in his section of the country. He was quite wealthy, and was the owner of a number of slaves. His son, Rev. J. L. Short, had all the advantages for a thorough education in his youth, enjoying opportunities above the average. Since then, by close study and observation, he has become a well informed man. He commenced work for himself at the age of nineteen as a tiller of the soil, and this he has followed since in connection with his pastoral work. His wife was formerly Miss Frances Hawkins, a native of Tennessee, whom he married on the 22d of November, 1842. One child was born to this union, named Sarah, who became the wife of J. W. Blanton, and now resides in Cooke County, Tex. Mrs. Short died in April, 1844, and our subject was married the second time to Mrs. Frances B. (Campbell) Short, widow of Col. A. M. Short, who was in the Mexican War, and took part in some of the prominent engagements of that war. He was county clerk of Coffee County, Tenn., at the time of his death, which occurred in 1852 or 1853. He left two children, J. L., who lives in Fulton County, and is engaged in farming, and Nancy J., wife of John Pendergrass, who is a tiller of the soil and resides in Izard County. J. L. Short’s second marriage occurred in 1857, and to this union were born eight children: Tabitha P., born on the 12th of December, 1860, is now at home; C. B., born in March, 1863, is married and lives in Izard County; M. L., born June 24, 1865; J. B., born March 11, 1867; Julia F., born May 4, 1869, and the wife of Mr. Lavell; Manrie, lives in Fulton County; J. M., born April 5, 1872, and J. N., born June 24, 1875. Mrs. Short was born in 1831, and is the daughter of John and Helender (Neel) Campbell, natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively. Mr. Campbell was justice of the peace of his section for many years, was in very comfortable circumstances and a much respected citizen. He was the father of eleven children: William (deceased), James, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ex-county treasurer of Coffee County, Tenn. (he is now living in the Lone Star State); Sarah, widow of R. Blanton, and Nancy, widow of Coleman Blanton, live in Tennessee; Caroline, widow of M. Holland, and now residing in Bedford County, Tenn.; Armsted is a farmer and lives in Texas; Susan resides in Texas; Civility, wife of James Angle, resides in Texas; Frances B., Duncan, lives in Coffee County, Tenn., and John T. (deceased). Rev. J. L. Short has been a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church thirty-three years, and his wife is a member of that denomination. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party. He is the owner of 270 acres of land. Previous to coming to Fulton County he had lived in Izard, Independence, and other counties of the State.