My Genealogy Hound

James M. Dorris has been a resident of Prairie County for twenty-two years, but has been a resident of the State since 1859. He is a Kentuckian, born in Fulton County August 7, 1838, and is a son of Samuel H. and Anna (Howton) Dorris, who were also natives of the “Blue Grass State.” The father, who was born in 1795, was a farmer throughout life, and a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and died in his native State in 1847, his wife’s death occurring in 1846, she being born in 1799. James M. Dorris made his home with a sister in Kentucky until about sixteen years of age, then resided with different parties until he attained his majority. His early advantages for acquiring an education were not of the best, but he read with avidity such books as came in his way, and by the time he was ready to commence his medical studies he was a well-informed and intelligent young man. He became a disciple of AEsculapius under the direction of Dr. J. B. Blanton, of Hickman, Ky., and was a conscientious and faithful student for over two years. In 1859 he came to Arkansas and located at Searcy, and until the opening of the war was occupied as a hardware merchant. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a member of Company A, of Col. Matlock’s regiment, one of the best drilled, as well as one of the best fighting companies west of the Mississippi River. Capt. James A. Poe commanded the company, in which he served until the close of the war, being engaged in various detached duty the most of the time. He was a participant in a number of skirmishes, and while home in Arkansas on a furlough, the army was disbanded in Louisiana. He then returned to Searcy and again engaged in the hardware business, but sold out after one year’s experience, and settled about six miles northwest of Des Arc, where he began the practice of medicine, and was one of the leading members of that “healing art” for about seventeen years. He also conducted a farm, and was engaged in raising stock, and in all these enterprises was extremely successful. During the war he lost all his property, but since that time he has accumulated a handsome competency, and is now the owner of about 1,500 acres of land, about 250 acres being in White County. His land embraces five farms, and he has about 300 acres under cultivation and well improved. He has always been a stanch Democrat in politics, and while a resident of White County served in the capacity of associate justice in the county courts, and in September, 1888, was elected to the last-named office in Prairie County, and in this capacity has shown sterling integrity, sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal views. His decisions are made after careful and painstaking study of the evidence and all feel that his judgment can be relied upon. While in White County the Judge was married on October 17, 1860, to Miss Fannie E. Old, a daughter of Thomas Old. She was born near Somerville, Tenn., and was there reared to womanhood. She and the Judge are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are the parents of the following family: James T. (deputy sheriff of Prairie County), Samuel H., Lucien A. and Rosie (who is attending college at Gallatin, Tenn.).