My Genealogy Hound

John F. Spikes, who is one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the county, was born here on the 20th of February, 1836, and is one of a family of seven children who were born to the marriage of Joseph Spikes and Permelia Waddell, who were born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1806 and 1805, and died in 1853 and 1864, respectively. They were married in their native State, and moved to Arkansas, being among the very first families to settle in what is now Randolph County. Mr. Spikes was engaged in farming and trading, and in every enterprise to which he turned his attention he met with good returns. He was sheriff of Randolph County for many years, and was filling the duties of this position at the time of his death. He was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John F. Spikes received fair educational advantages in his youth, and made his home with his mother until a short time before her death, when he started out in life for himself. After the war he was left without means, but as he inherited some of his father’s excellent business qualities, coupled with his energy and enterprise, he has succeeded far beyond his expectations, and is now the owner of 840 acres of some of the best land in the county. When barely twenty-one years of age he was elected constable, and served in this capacity for eighteen years, then positively declined to serve further. In 1874 he was elected county sheriff, and at the end of the term, although solicited by many to again become a candidate, he declined to put up his name. Although he is a non-partisan, he has always supported the men and measures of the Democratic party. He is a Mason, and he and his wife, whom he married February 7, 1863, and whose maiden name was Martha E. Mock, are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mrs. Spikes was born in Randolph County in 1840, and is a daughter of Matthias Mock. To their union eight children have been born: Amanda P. (wife of Franklin Tiner, a farmer and teacher of the county), Mary J., James C., William A., John W., Sulah M., Thomas F. and Joseph A., all at home.