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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Col. V. B. Izard, whose name is identified with only that which is good and noble, and who has attained an enviable position in the hearts of the citizens of Eastern Arkansas, owes his nativity to St. Francis County, Ark., where he was born in 1837, being the son of Mark N. and Permelia (Sharkelford) Izard. The genealogy of the Izard family is traced to Scotland, whence at an early day the great-grandfather of our subject emigrated to the New England States. Three of his sons afterward settled in South Carolina, and some time subsequent the grandfather of Col. V. B. Izard separated from his two brothers, and located permanently in Lexington, Ky. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Gov. Mark W., was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1800, removing from his native State to St. Francis County, Ark., in 1824. Here he was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits for some years, and also opened one of the first farms or plantations in the county. Mark N. Izard was not a man who attained high intellectuality as the result of a collegiate education, for he had scarcely more than ordinary literary attainments. Something besides scholarly accomplishments drew around him hosts of friends in the pioneer days of Eastern Arkansas, it may have been his inborn worth, and intuitive genius. He entered the political field with no other qualifications to recommend, or guide him, than his own broad sense, untiring energy and clear judgment. First elected to the Territorial legislature, he served as a member of the Constitutional Convention, distinguishing himself in both cases, and to the credit of his county. He afterward served in both branches of the Arkansas State legislature (two or more times each), assisting first as speaker of the house, and later as president of the senate. While still actively engaged in the affairs of his own State, a candidate for another term in the State senate, an incident occurred which changed the field of his political labors from the State of Arkansas to the then Territory of Nebraska. This was his appointment as United States marshal of the Territory mentioned, by President Franklin Pierce, the first to hold that office. The demise of Gov. Burt, the incumbent of that position when Gov. Izard was serving as marshal, made it necessary that another Governor should be appointed. There were, of course, many aspirants for the place, but Gov. Izard with his usual characteristic originality of method, carried the official news of Gov. Burt’s death to the President, and solicited the influence of the then two senators of Arkansas, W. K. Sebastan and R. M. Johnson, to have him made Governor, but they thought action on their part useless. This rebuff, however, did not daunt him. Going in person to President Pierce, after a clear statement of his ideas, he received the appointment to the coveted office. Upon leaving the president he again sought the senators to learn if they had used their influence in his behalf; they responded in the negative, whereupon he produced his commission before their astonished gaze, with the remark that he was glad to succeed without their help. He then started on his perilous trip to Nebraska, though the mild winter greatly modified the exposure incident to the journey. On February 20, 1854, he reached Omaha, his arrival being formally announced to both houses. The house appointed a committee of reception to wait upon him, and with the council proceeded in a body to the house, Acting Gov. Cunning presenting him to the legislature in a brief address. Gov. Izard responded in his usual courtly and entertaining way, and on the 23d took the oath of office, entering at once on the discharge of his manifold duties, his son James Izard acting as secretary. On February 27, 1855, Gov. Izard was duly inaugurated, and delivered his first formal message. The house being assembled in joint session, it was arranged that his colored servant should announce his presence at the door. That dignitary received his instructions to say, ‘‘Mr. Speaker, the Governor is now approaching,” but he changed the phraseology to a vernacular peculiar to himself, saying, “Mr. Speaker, the Gubner done come.” Greeted by shouts of applause the “ Gubner” proceeded to deliver his annual address, after which, the citizens in order to celebrate the event in a suitable manner gave a brilliant ball or reception, in which His Excellency and son James were cordially welcomed, the only ball of the kind ever given in Omaha. On the 28th of the same month the legislature proceeded with its duties, and for a period extending over the most eventful era in history, Gov. Izard presided over the Territory of Nebraska. He met the perplexing questions of the times, face to face, always displaying an executive ability, equal to the emergency. He was in sympathy with the South at time of secession, but believed the rights of the people could best be obtained under the constitution. Gov. Izard was also in favor of popular sovereignty, and gave his opinion on this subject in a clear, concise way, in his introductory address of February 22, where he said: “ The enemies of the law for organization of this Territory, the enemies of popular sovereignty are looking with anxiety for an opportunity to taunt us with breaking up in a row. Let wisdom and moderation govern all your actions. I feel that there is wisdom and integrity enough here to lay the foundation for a government, the blessings of which are soon to be enjoyed by a population unparalleled in the settlement of any country; a population which will vie in point of numbers and intelligence with any country, new or old. We have the experience of those who have gone before us—let us profit by their example. Let us show the world we adhere to and adopt the principles of popular sovereignty.” The second Territorial legislature met Tuesday, December 18, 1885, and when all was in readiness, a committee waited on the Governor stating their desire to receive any communications. Gov. Izard appeared and proceeded to deliver his annual speech. His personal appearance was commanding, and his popularity unquestioned, the people knowing that their confidence was not misplaced. He had the interests of the new settlement at heart, and his message of that date was devoted principally to the improvements of the Territory and the protection of the people. Under his governorship the State prospered, in spite of the times. Vast public improvements were made, among which was the building of the State capitol, under his personal direction, and his career as Governor was one which reflected honor upon Nebraska, and redounded with credit to himself. He was once requested to go to Kansas and quiet the troubles there, afterward receiving a request from President Buchanan to receive the governorship of Kansas. His answer was that his Territory was in good condition, and at peace with all the world, and that he did not care for further gubernatorial honors. He resigned the governorship of Nebraska in 1858, his resignation being at first repealed, but his desire to return to his family despite the strongest solicitations, secured at last his release from an office in the State which undoubtedly owes its present prosperity largely to his earnest efforts of long ago. His return to St. Francis County was more than cordially welcomed by all, and here among his friends and in the association of his early pioneer companions, he spent his declining years, closing his eyes to worldly scenes in 1866, leaving a name and memory that will never fade from his descendants, or the world at large, whose appreciation of the works of a good man cannot decrease. The son of Gov. Izard, Col. V. B. Izard, has been a life-long resident of St. Francis County, with the exception of the period of his father’s office in Nebraska, where he was employed as teller in the Western Exchange Bank, and afterward in the land agency business. He was married in Oxford, Miss., January 28, 1848, to Miss Mary T. Fondren, and by her is the father of four children: Lena P., Richard J., Katie and V. B., Jr. After his marriage Col. Izard engaged in farming on a large plantation which is part of the present site of Forrest City. He entered the Confederate service in 1862, in the Trans-Mississippi Department, and served until the close of the war, when returning home he resumed agricultural pursuits, and subsequently embarked in merchandising, his avocation since that time. Col. Izard has always held a prominent place among the citizens of the county, and while never having made politics a profession—as did his father—he has frequently been sent as delegate to various conventions, for the purpose of soliciting candidates for State affairs. He is a member in high standing of the Baptist Church, to which he lends his liberal support, and is also a Royal Arch Mason.

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This family biography is one of 87 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of St. Francis County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: St. Francis County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional St. Francis County, Arkansas family biographies here: St. Francis County, Arkansas Biographies

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