My Genealogy Hound

James R. Knotts is a South Carolinian by birth and bringing up, having been born in Chesterfield District of that State on the 31st of August, 1827. James and Mary J. (Edding) Knotts, his parents, were also born in South Carolina, and died in Randolph County, Ark., he in 1857, when about fifty-seven years of age, and she when about fifty-five years old. After the celebration of their nuptials in their native State, they removed to Randolph County, Ark. (in 1829), and located at Cherokee Bay, and about six years later took up their abode on a farm in the neighborhood, on which James R., their son, is now residing. From their youth they had been members of the Baptist Church, and they took a great interest in church work. The paternal grandfather, James Knotts, was a native of Wales, who came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in Virginia. He was a commissioned officer in the Continental army during that war, being a participant in many battles, and was at Yorktown. He afterward moved to South Carolina, and there resided until his death, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. He was always noted for his great physical strength up to the time of his death, which occurred quite suddenly. He was a farmer by occupation. James Knotts, father of our subject, was a farmer and mechanic, though he never served a regular apprenticeship at the trade, but picked it up at odd times, having a natural taste for the work. He was quite an extensive manufacturer of all kinds of implements, such as wagons, axes, guns and the like, in connection with which work he also conducted his farm in an admirable manner, being ably assisted by his wife, who was an excellent business manager. Of their large family of children our subject is the eldest, and three are now living: Joseph T., a blacksmith and farmer of the county; Burton, also a farmer of the county, and James R. The latter always made his home with his parents, and a few years prior to their deaths he engaged in the timber business, making several trips to New Orleans, rafting. During this time he also made two trips to Texas, and there spent one winter and also in the Indian Territory. After his return home he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, and the property of which he is now the owner has been acquired through his own exertions. Although he was a heavy loser during the late war he has retrieved his losses, and is now counted among the prosperous tax payers of the county. He saw some hard service during the Rebellion; and although he enlisted to join in the Mexican War, he was not mustered into the service. He was married to Elmira, the daughter of Jesse Walrond. She was born in Virginia in 1846, and when a young girl was brought to Arkansas by her parents. Eight of a large family of children born to their union are living: James J., Harriet W. (wife of Wesley Bennett, a farmer of the county), Joseph L., Virginia, Rufus, Essie, Burley and Burton D. Mr. Knotts is a Democrat, politically.