Page 46 - Jefferson County AR 1889 History (Goodspeed)

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JEFFERSON COUNTY.
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recognized as one of the most prominent physicians ton is buried at Pine Bluff, by the side of his de-

of Central Arkansas, and deservedly popular. I n ! voted wife, who died several years previous. Mr.

1854 he married Ellen N. Woodson, who bore three i Clayton was a law-abiding and upright citizen.

children, two of whom are now living: Thomaa B. He had a host of friends in Je5818on Connty, and

and Amanda R. Mrs. Childress died in 1883. especially in Pine Blu5, and hie lose was deeply

The Doctor is an iduential Democrat, and a mem- felt throughout the community. Politically, he

ber of the Catholic Church. waa a Repnblican, and in effiret societies a Maeon,

John M. Clayton,who was prominent amongthe and also held the office of Deputy Grand Master of

men of Jefferson County that have passed away, the Knighta Templar at the time of his assassina-

waa born near Chester, Penn., onOctober 13,1840, tion. He left six children to mourn him, the

and was a eon of John and Ann (Glover) Clayton. eldest being Mise Emma Clayton, the present

He was reared and remained on a farm until at- poatmistwss at Pine Bluff, who received her ap-

taioing hie maturity, obtaining in the meantime a pointment in July, 1889.

good education at the common schools and acade- W. J. Cole, an indnstrions, enterprising citi-

mies of his birthplace. When the Civil War com- zenof Jefferson Connt?, owes his nativity to Wayne

menced, although yet in hie youth, he gallantly County, Tenn., where his birth oocnrred January

enlisted, and served in the Army of the Potomac, 16, 1847. His father, George B. Cole, wan also

participating in nearly all of the important en- born in Wayne County, Tenn., in the year 1820.

gagements. Shortly after the war was over, he re- The latter was reared in his native State, and after

moved to Je5erson County, Ark., with his young growing up, manied Mise Bettie A. Curtie, of Ten-

wife, and located on the farm of his brother, Gen. nessee origin. Their union waa blessed by the birth

Powell Clayton, who had preceded him here aev- of eight children, five sous and three danghten, five

era1 years, and who took an adive part in the Re- of whom are still living, and four are residents of

bellion. Gen. Clayton became one of the most this State. One is located in Missouri. George

prominent men of Arkansas, having been elected B.Cole was a enocessful agriculturist, and owned

to the highest office in the Stab-Governor, and a b u t 220 acres of good land in Washington and

also United States Senator. John M. Clayton re- Imard Counties. He sewed in the late war, and

mained on the farm for several years, and was very was at the battle of Vioksburg, receiving hie dis-

succesefnl as a planter. He held his first office in charge in the fall of 1883,after which he returned

the township of Richland, being elected justice of home and resnmed his former occupation of tilling

the peace, and subsequently was elected to the the soil. He subsequently went on a visit to Ten-

State Senate, holding the speaker's chair for a short nessee, where hie father was living, and was killed

time p tern. I n 1876 he was elected sheriff of while on his return in 1864. The mother died in

Je5erson County, and held that office for ten yeam, 1885 in Jackson Connty, Ark. Both were mem-

being re-elected at the expiration of each term. I n bers of the Methodiet Church. W. J. Cole was

the fall of 1888 he became a candidate for Con- educated at FayetteviUe, Washington County,

gress, his opponent being Hon. Mr. Brecken- Ark., but from there went to Izard County, and

ridge. The contest waa very close, with Mr. Breck- removed from there to JacLeon County in 1865.

enridge receiving thecertificate. I t was, however, I n 1870 he came to Jefferson Connty, where he

I decided to contest the validity of the election, and married Miss Mary Jane King, a native of Ten-

while doing 80, on January 19, 1889,Mr. Clayton nessee, on February 4, 1874, and the fruits

was foully assassinated, being shot while sitting of this union are five children, two sons and

near a window. This cowardly deed sronsed the three daughters-George W., Roxanna, James H.,

indignation of the press and people throughout the -1.Mattie C,and Mary E. Four are now living, and
country, but up to the present writing his murder-
em have never been brought to justice. Mr. Clay- all reside at home. Mr. Cole has two orphan boys
living with him, an3 they are the sons of Joeeph
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