My Genealogy Hound

R. L. Landers, sheriff, Melbourne, Ark. R. L. Landers, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1845, and is the son of George T. and Jane (Browning) Landers, natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. The parents came to Arkansas in 1851, and settled in Izard County, where they reared a family of five children, four now living: Robert L., Nanny J., wife of Guston Rose; Mary T., wife of J. F. Driskill; and G. R., a farmer of this county. The father, George T. Landers, only lived three years after coming to Arkansas. He was Democratic in his political principles. When he came to this State, he brought with him fourteen negroes and considerable money, and was quite successful, financially, after coming here. The mother died in 1885. R. L. Landers was early taught the principles of farm life, and a limited education was obtained in the subscription schools of Tennessee, and Izard County, Ark. When seventeen years of age he superintended his father’s plantation, and at the age of twenty-one, he commenced life for himself. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Forty-seventh Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. Gibson, and served west of the Mississippi River, until 1864. He was sergeant of his regiment at the time he was discharged. After the war he commenced tilling the soil, which occupation he followed until 1869, when he was elected sheriff, and held the office until 1875. He then returned to the farm and cultivated the soil until 1881, when he was again elected sheriff, and held this position for one term. In 1886 he was again chosen to discharge the duties of this office, and is the present incumbent. Mr. Landers seems to have a peculiar fitness for this position, and his long service in this capacity has proven that he is surely the right man in the right place. During 1884 and 1885, he served as justice of the peace. By his marriage, which occurred in 1864, to Miss Sarah E. Shannon, were born the following living children: Mary E., wife of A. E. Feltz; W. T., G. R., Frances T. and Rosa L. Mr. Landers is the owner of about 500 acres of land, with 140 acres under cultivation, and also has considerable town property. He is Democratic in his political views, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member of the Odd Fellow order. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.