My Genealogy Hound

Maj. James T. Poe, farmer, Sharman, Ark. Maj. Poe, a second cousin of the famous writer, Edgar Allen Poe, was born in Alabama in 1829, passed his boyhood and youth in that State, and was there married in 1850 to Miss Mary Nail, a native of Alabama, born July 14, 1834. Ten children were born to this union—five sons and five daughters—four sons and two daughters now living: Nathan, Cappie, Mary (wife of Zenus Park), Louisa (wife of Silas Daugherty), Lee and Willie. Maj. Poe emigrated to Saline County, Ark., in 1856, from Alabama, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the Confederate army to fight for the cause of the South in Company A, Eleventh Arkansas Regiment. He was made first lieutenant of the regiment, and later was elected major of the same, which position he held during the remainder of the war. Previous to the war he held the office of county and probate judge of what is now Saline County, Ark., but resigned this position to enter the army. The first year Maj. Poe was stationed at Fort Pillow and Island No. 10, and was taken prisoner at the last named place. He was retained a prisoner at Johnson’s Island for about six months, and was then exchanged at Vicksburg. Later he was sent to Port Hudson, and was there during the siege and after the fall of that place. His command was then mounted, and he served in the cavalry until the close of hostilities. He was at Jenkins’ Ferry, Mark’s Mill and Poison Springs. After the war he went to Columbia County, Ark., whither his family had moved in 1863, and has been a resident of this county ever since. In 1874 he was elected representative of this county, and served for two years, filling the position in an able and highly satisfactory manner. He is the owner of 460 acres of land, and has about 125 acres under cultivation. He is a Royal Arch Mason, member of the Chapter at Magnolia, and was made a Master Mason at Calhoun, this county, in 1863. He and wife and all the children, but the youngest, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Major takes a deep interest in all matters relating to the welfare of his community, and is one of Columbia County’s most influential citizens. His parents, Calvin and Mary (Willingham) Poe, were natives of North Carolina and Augusta, Ga., respectively, the father born about 1805. The mother died in Alabama, about 1848 and the father in Grant County, Ark., in 1883. The latter moved from North Carolina to Alabama, and thence about 1870 to Arkansas, where he received his final summons. Their marriage resulted in the birth of ten children—five sons and five daughters —two sons and two daughters now living. The paternal grandfather, John Poe, was born in Virginia and was of English descent.