My Genealogy Hound

James Redden, a prominent and pioneer planter, residing in Johnson Township, Logan County, Ark., is a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring in Henry County, on February 15, 1829. His parents, William and Milly (Berks) Redden, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, and they were married in the last named State. The father was a farmer by occupation. Their union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, only one besides our subject now living: Lemuel. The father was drafted in the War of 1812, went to Norfolk, and was there discharged. He and wife emigrated from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1836, settled in what is now Logan County, and there the father’s death occurred about 1880. The mother died about 1856, and she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Redden was married in Logan County, in 1861, to Miss Martha Smith, a native of Georgia, born in 1837. The result of this union was the birth of seven children—four sons and three daughters: Denison J., J. C, William, Joseph, Dora, Emily and Jennie. Mr. Redden was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in Company B, under Capt. H. Butts, in 1863, but he served only about nine months and then came home. In his early life he followed building cotton-gins. He is the owner of 240 acres of good land, and has 75 acres under cultivation. His principal crops are corn and cotton. He has a comfortable home and can spend his declining years in ease and plenty. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is one of the county’s most honored and esteemed citizens.