My Genealogy Hound

Judge M. T. Sanders, Helena, Ark. Matthew T. Sanders was born in Abbeville District, S. C., but during his childhood his parents moved to Alabama and settled in Greene County. His father, Dr. Charles P. Sanders, was a native of Charleston, and was married to Elizabeth Ann Thomson, of Anderson District, S. C. After their removal to Alabama, his father became a prominent physician and practiced his profession with great success until his death. His mother is living. The subject of this sketch was educated in part at Erskine College, S. C., but completed the collegiate course at the University of Alabama, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. The same year he located in Helena, Ark., where he began the practice of his profession. He entered the military service of the Confederate States in 1861, was afterward appointed first lieutenant of artillery, and assigned to ordnance and staff duty. At the close of the war he was a member of McNair’s staff, Churchill’s division, received his parole at Shreveport, La., returned to Helena in 1866, and resumed the profession of law. He soon became a successful and prominent lawyer, and enjoyed an extensive practice until he was elected to the bench. Judge Sanders has always been an active Democrat. For two years after the close of the war he was editor of the Helena Clarion, a leading Democratic journal. For several years he was chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of his county, and in the local political revolution in Phillips County, by which the Democrats, after an exciting campaign, defeated the Republicans in 1878, he was chosen for county judge. In this administration of county affairs he relieved the tax-payers of oppressive burdens, reduced current expenses of the county 50 per centum below what they were previous to his election, and earned the lasting gratitude of the people by many wise reforms in matters affecting the welfare of the county. In 1882 Judge Sanders was a Democratic candidate for Congress in the First Congressional district, but after a partial canvass of the district withdrew from the race. In July of the same year he was nominated for circuit judge by the Democracy of the first judicial circuit, and elected the following September by a majority of more than 5,000 votes over his Republican opponent, Col. W. H. Hawes. This honor was unsought, and for that reason affords the best evidence of the confidence of the people in his ability, integrity and purity of character. He was re-elected in 1886. Judge Sanders has served nearly eight years on the bench, and by his fine legal attainments and superior administrative capacity he has proven a valuable acquisition to the judiciary of the State. He is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Episcopal Church. In 1868 he was married to Miss Sallie Alexander, of Helena, Ark., and by this union has five children.