My Genealogy Hound

W. J. Landrum, traveling salesman for Thomas W. Baird, successor to Baird & Bright, dealers in machinery, Little Rock, Ark., is a native of Mississippi, and was born in Holly Springs, Marshall County, in 1852. His father, John F. Landrum, was born in Tennessee in 1832, and up to the breaking out of the late war was a well-to-do farmer, but, like many others, suffered serious losses. He was married in 1850, to Miss Mary A. Edmonson, of Virginia, and the daughter of Sidney and Lucy C. Edmonson. Mrs. Landrum was born in 1833, and was an attractive and interesting woman. To the union of Mr. Landrum and wife a family of seven children were born, only three of whom are now living: W. J., B. F. and Lucy C. (the wife of John C. Skelton.) John F. Landrum immigrated to Arkansas from Mississippi, in 1855, and located in Des Arc, Prairie County, where he purchased land in the woods and built a log-house, soon having the place in cultivation. He served in the late war, first going out in the cavalry, in 1861, but after a short time he was appointed manager on the Confederate side of the Atlantic Hospital, where he remained until 1863. He was then taken ill and died soon after. His wife married again in 1865, her second choice being Mr. Samuel Wagoner, a native of Kansas, and by whom she had one daughter, now deceased. Mrs. Wagoner died in Little Rock, in 1867, in the full faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. J. Landrum began life for himself in 1872, engaging as fireman in the employ of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, which position he held for two years. He then worked at the boiler and machinist business at Little Rock until 1885, at the expiration of that time accepting the position of traveling salesman for Baird & Bright, in which he has since successfully remained. In 1875 his marriage with Miss Emma C. Davis, of Little Rock, was consummated. Mrs. Landrum was born in Murray County, Ga., in 1859, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, natives of Indiana, who moved from that State to Georgia, in 1863, and located in Murray County. The father died in 1872, and after his death Mrs. Davis emigrated to Arkansas and settled in Pulaski County, where her death occurred in 1873. She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Landrum five children have been born, only two now living: Ora C. and Oscar S. Mr. Landrum owns eighty acres of good land in Izard County, Ark., and also eighty acres in Pulaski County. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and a stanch Democrat. Mrs. Landrum is an earnest worker of the Methodist Episcopal Church and, with her husband, enjoys the esteem and universal respect of the community. Mr. Landrum is one of the oldest commercial travelers on the road in point of experience, and is a courteous, affable gentleman, enjoying an extended acquaintance.