My Genealogy Hound

Samuel D. Apperson, the present popular and capable assessor of St. Francis County, was born in Marshall County, Miss., near Holly Springs, February 22, 1853, being the son of W. T. and Martha (Howes) Apperson, originally from Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The parents had a family of six children, three now living, of whom Samuel D. is the third in order of birth. The latter accompanied his parents to Arkansas when quite young, and having settled near Forrest City before the present site was located, can justly be deemed a pioneer of the community. He remained here until 1873, attending the schools of the county, and then drove stock over the States of Tennessee, Indiana and Mississippi. In 1875 he returned home and came to Forrest City, where he conducted a general freight and dray business until 1880. His fitness for the position becoming recognized, he was elected marshal of Forrest City and served two terms of one year each. In 1886 he accepted the superintendence of trestle work on the Bald Knob Railroad from Bald Knob to Memphis, receiving a salary of $115 per month. Returning to Forrest City he found employment awaiting him as farm superintendent, which position he held for one year. Mr. Apperson was then elected county assessor to fill a vacancy, and is now discharging the manifold duties of that office in a highly creditable manner. He is a member of the K. of H. and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and a Democrat in his political views. He is of French descent, his grandfather having been a native of France. Mr. Apperson is progressive in his ideas, and many improvements in the city owe their existence to his liberal support and hearty cooperation.