My Genealogy Hound

Hon. John W. Stayton is a prominent attorney of Newport, Ark., and is a native-born resident of Helena, Ark., his birth occurring on the 6th of November, 1835. He is a son of Thomas N. and Esther (Harns) Stayton, who were born in Delaware and Virginia, respectively, but their marriage occurred in the State of Arkansas, whither the father had moved with his father, Hill D. Stayton, in 1820. They located in what is now Helena, Phillips County. Hill D. was a civil engineer, and came here with a contract for surveying land for the Government, and this occupation he followed until his death. The maternal grandparents were Virginians, who, at an early day, settled in the State of Kentucky, and later in Louisiana, coming from there to Arkansas about the year 1832, also taking up their abode in Helena. Mr. Harns was a planter, and died in Helena. Thomas N. Stayton was a small boy when he was brought to Arkansas, and his early youth was spent in farm labor. Like the majority of boys, the occupation which received his attention in his youth became his calling in after life, and his enterprises in the interests of agriculture have been attended with good results. Although he has now almost attained his four-score years, he is still quite active, the “ravages of time’’ having had but little effect upon him. Of six children born to himself and wife, but three are living: John W., Dr. D. A., and R. F., wife of Dr. C. C. Herring. John W. Stayton remained on the home farm until he had attained his eighteenth year, when he entered the high school of Helena, and while there formed the resolution to make the profession of law his occupation through life, and upon leaving school he entered upon his legal studies with a determination to succeed, and after a most thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar in 1857, at Helena. From that time until the opening of the Civil War he was actively engaged in practicing in that town, then took charge of the county clerk’s office, and served faithfully and well until the night of the 9th of July, 1862, when Helena was captured by the Federal troops, and everybody was put under arrest, Mr. Stayton being among the number. Upon his release he went to St. Louis, and being urged by some of his friends to accept a position there, did so, and remained about one year. From that time until 1866 he resided in Helena, and at the latter date came to Jacksonport, and embarked on the sea of merchandise, and successfully conducted this business until 1874, when he again engaged in the practice of his profession. The first office which he held was that of city recorder of his native town, and in 1868 he was chosen mayor of Jacksonport, and in 1874 was appointed by the governor as justice of the peace. Upon the re-organization of the State government, under the constitution of 1874, he was elected on the Democratic ticket, and in 1884 was chosen to the position of State senator from the Twenty-ninth District, and served a term of four years. In 1885 he was elected president pro tem, of the senate, and was acting governor in the absence of Gov. Hughes. From 1874 to 1878 he was county and probate judge, and the efficient manner in which he discharged the duties incumbent upon the different and responsible positions he has held is too well known to need any additional words of compliment; suffice it to say that he always labored on the side of right and justice, and that his career was above reproach. Since 1885 he has been a resident of Newport, and as a member of the legal fraternity he has few superiors, and is a fluent and elegant pleader. He has always been victorious whenever his name has been announced before the public as a candidate for any office, and, although he has never been an office seeker, he has been recognized as a leader by his numerous friends and acquaintances, and, as a natural result, honors have been bestowed upon him. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity. On the 31st of June, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Wickersham, a native of St. Louis, by whom he has had four children, three now living: Joseph M., partner with John W. in business; Mattie B. and John W., Jr.