My Genealogy Hound

George L. Rector is a prominent merchant of the town of Nashville, and having lived in this county from the time he was seven years of age, is well known and highly respected. His birth occurred in Tennessee, in 1851, being the second of five children born to William H. and Augusta M. (Cox) Rector, who were also native Tennesseans, the former a successful merchant of Philadelphia. He began the battle of life for himself when quite a young man, and after his marriage moved to Post Oak Springs, where he did a good business for about five years, after which he removed to Texas, and a year later to what was Hempstead County, Ark., now Howard County. He settled on a farm on the present site of Nashville, which comprises 200 acres of fine land, and here he continued to make purchases from time to time, until he became the owner of 800 acres. In 1860 he opened a store in Nashville, being one of the first merchants of the town, and here he continued in business until he was closed out by the war. In the fall of 1865 he reopened his mercantile establishment, in partnership with W. C. Sypert, the firm name being Rector & Sypert, and this connection lasted until Mr. Rector's death, in January, 1868. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, taking an active part and holding offices in the same, but a few months prior to his death he united with the Christian Church. His widow survives him, and is in the enjoyment of good health. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Rector, was a prosperous planter, his land being situated on the Tennessee River in Tennessee, and here he passed a quiet, unassuming and truly Christian life until his death in 1862. The immediate subject of this sketch has been a resident of Nashville, Ark., from his earliest youth, but his education was received in his native State and in Virginia, attending Hiwassee College of the former State and Emery and Henry of the latter. He then spent three years as a clerk in a shoe store in Louisville, Ky., thus laying the foundation for his business education. In 1876 he returned to Nashville, Ark., and, in partnership with F. P. Holt, opened a general supply store, which he continued for one year, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with J. G. W. Yowell, the name of the firm being Rector & Yowell for six years. They were very successful during this time, but Mr. Rector withdrew and started a hardware business, now known as the Rector Hardware Company, his stock being valued at $17,000. He keeps all kinds of farming implements, including carriages, buggies and wagons, and he also sells entire saw-mill plants, and has a trade that extends throughout the adjoining counties and into Indian Territory. His annual sales amount to $40,000. He is an earnest advocate of public schools, and is at the head of all enterprises that promise to benefit Nashville, and was an earnest worker for the building of the railroad through the county, being sent to Memphis at the railroad convention. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife, who was formerly Miss Willie Kelley, and whom he married in 1883, is an Episcopalian. She was born in Missouri, a daughter of Dr. William Kelley, who was a surgeon in the Confederate army and died while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Rector are the parents of four children: Henry, Nellie, Lillian and Jesse.