My Genealogy Hound

W. J. Fleming, postmaster of Fort Smith, is a native of Pope County, Ark., and was born March 29, 1845, his parents being Reuben R. and Melinda (Latimer) Fleming, natives of Tennessee. The father was a farmer by occupation; was married in Bedford County, Tenn., and about 1840 settled in Pope County, Ark., where he died in 1846. The grandfathers, William Fleming and Robert Latimer, were early settlers of Tennessee, whither the former went from England. Our subject attained his growth in Johnson County, Tenn., and when sixteen years of age enlisted in Company A, of the Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate Army. He served from September, 1861, until taken a prisoner near the close of the war at Port Hudson, La. He then filled the office of sergeant –major. After his parole he returned to Clarksville, Ark., and served in the Indian Territory in the commissary and quartermaster’s department until the cessation of hostilities. He then spent some time in Lawrence and Baldwin City, Kas., after which he lived six months at Springfield, Mo. After clerking eighteen months in the Indian Territory, in 1868 he engaged in merchandising at Hartford, Sebastian Co., Ark., continuing in business there three years. His next venture was in the milling business, at which he spent two years. After 1878 he served two terms as circuit clerk of Sebastian County, and then from 1882 until 1883 sold goods at Greenwood. In the latter year he became a resident of Fort Smith, where he has been engaged in mercantile life for two years. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster, which position he now holds. While in Hartford he married Sarah J., daughter of James T. and Rebecca M. Carter, a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have the following children: Bertie M., Annie R., Willie R. and James T. Mrs. Fleming worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Fleming is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry.