My Genealogy Hound

Hon. J. P. K. Hale, a prominent merchant of Osceola, owes his nativity to Maury County, Tenn., where he was born in 1842, being the sixth of eleven children of Bird S. and Martha Ann (Dyer) Hale. The parents were also natives of Tennessee, but were of Virginia stock. The father was a farmer and trader, and was well known in that section. He died April 17, 1852, leaving a family of eleven children, eight girls and three boys. Three years after his death, on November 5, 1855, the widow of Mr. Hale started for Mississippi County, Ark., and arrived at Osceola November 21, of that year. Since that time Mrs. Hale has died, and, also, one of the children. The family have made this county their home ever since, and the sons have worked very hard to keep the family together. Hon. J. K. P. Hale was reared to comprehensive knowledge of the agricultural interests of the day, and in 1863 began farming on his own responsibility. In 1874 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and ex-officio clerk of the county, probate and common pleas courts, and recorder of Mississippi County. On January 31, 1889, he was elected to the State legislature to fill the unexpired term of J. O. Blackwood (deceased), and has served one session. He also served as justice of the peace for many years. In 1870 Mr. Hale, in partnership with his brother, W. P. Hale, opened a general store in Osceola, but the former sold out to his partner after a short time, and returned to the duties of the farm. In 1882 he opened a grocery store, and in 1889 a dry goods store, and is conducting both establishments at this time. He chose for his life’s companion Miss Malissa A. Tucker, who became his wife in 1862. She died August 14, 1880. On March 21, 1881, he married his present wife, who was originally Miss Mary E. Pollard, of Posey County, Ind. Three children were born to this union: Lillian Bird, born May 12, 1882; Mary Pollard, born May 27, 1884, and Helen, who was born February 29, 1888, and died March 21 of the same year. Mr. Hale is a member of Osceola Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., and Osceola Chapter No. 57, now being treasurer of the Lodge, and H. P. of the Chapter. He has occupied every station in lodge, chapter and commandery, and has served as district deputy grand master for the Second district of Arkansas, and for the Western district of Tennessee. He has the name of being one of the brightest Masons in the State. He is also the moderator of the Osceola Baptist Association, and clerk of the church at Osceola. Mr. Hale and most of the family are members of the Baptist Church. He was instrumental in securing and assisting in the incorporation of the town of Osceola.