My Genealogy Hound

John R. McCarrell, an extensive stock raiser and farmer of Black River Township, was born in Lawrence County, Ark., December 24, 1834. His father, James McCarrell, was a native Kentuckian, who came to Arkansas with his parents when eight years of age, being among the first settlers of Lawrence County. They settled at a point near Smithville, in the year 1808, where James McCarrell grew up and lived the greater portion of his life. His occupation was farming, and at one time he owned two of the finest farms in that section of Arkansas. He also served as county treasurer of Lawrence County, for a number of years, filling the office with honor and credit. His death occurred in 1872, after a long and useful career. John R. McCarrell remained with his father until December 22, 1852, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Davis, of Tennessee. This wife died January 24, 1884, after a faithful and happy married life of over thirty-three years. They were the parents of sixteen children, ten of them yet living. After his marriage Mr. McCarrell commenced farming near Smithville, and in 1876 he moved to the present place, which he has greatly improved since his arrival, having about 150 acres under cultivation, on the Flat Creek Bottoms. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served until the close of the war, performing in that time many a deed of valor. He was present at the battle of Pilot Knob and several others, and a great part of the time was on detached duty. He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865, and shortly afterward returned home to attend to the cultivation of his farms. On March 10, 1886, he was married to Mrs. Emma Rutledge, a widow, of Lawrence County, who formerly resided in Tennessee. They have two children by this marriage: James P. and Sarah E., the latter the wife of Frank Hastin; and those by Mr. McCarrell’s first wife are John H., Susan (wife of Robert Eddy), George W., William T., Martha (wife of Mr. Harroll), Fannie (wife of W. Taylor) and Cora Belle.