My Genealogy Hound

K. W. Rector, farmer, Arkansas. No worthy reference to agricultural affairs of this county would be complete without mention of Mr. Rector, among others engaged in tilling the soil, for, although young in years, he has already attained an enviable position in the ranks of the farmers. He owes his nativity to Izard County, his birth occurring on the farm where he now resides, in 1858, and he is the son of J. W. and Ann E. (Cooper) Rector, natives of Kentucky. J. W. Rector came to Arkansas in 1852, settled in Izard County, on the place where his son, K. W., now resides, and tilled the soil for many years. He was at one time surveyor of the county. During the late war he was a lieutenant in Capt. Cook’s company, and served four years, participating in a number of battles on the east side of the Mississippi River, where he was on duty a part of the time. He surrendered at Jacksonport, Ark., on the 5th of June, 1865, after which he immediately came home, and engaged in farming to replenish his fortune, nearly all of which had been lost during the war. He owned, at the breaking out of strife, quite a number of negroes, and a large number of stock of all kinds, which he lost. He was also the owner of about 800 acres of land. This was a very thinly settled country when he first located here, and he suffered many inconveniences, his nearest neighbor being about five or six miles distant, and the nearest mill ten miles away. After the war he filled the office of supervisor, or county judge, which position he occupied only one term. He was married in 1850, and to him and wife were born nine children, eight now living: J. M. (resides in this county), Mrs. Mary Richardson, G. S. (resides in this county), Miss Ellen J. (resides in Van Buren County), K. W., Mrs. Sarah E. Sheid (resides in Texas), J. L. (resides in this county), Nancy E. (makes her home with her father, in Texas) and Joseph I. (with his father). J. W. Rector moved to Texas in January, 1885, and bought land in Palo Pinto County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He was born on the 3d of December, 1820, and Mrs. Rector was born on the 30th of August, 1830. Both are enjoying good health, and bid fair to live many years. At the age of twenty-one years K. W. Rector began life for himself by farming, and this occupation he has since followed. He was married, on the 25th of September, 1879, to Miss Martha C. Bigham, of this county, and they are the parents of five children: Margaret E., born September 12, 1880; Samuel B., born September 15, 1882; Effie J., born March 8, 1884; Joseph L., born March 3, 1886, and Rufus S., born September 5, 1888. Mr. Rector started life with little capital, but with the assistance of his life companion is now the owner of about 400 acres of land in one tract, and with fifty or sixty in another, considerable stock, and is one of the leading farmers of the county. He has about 145 acres under cultivation, with good buildings, outhouses, etc. Mrs. Rector in the daughter of Samuel and Susanah (Woods) Bigham, natives of Tennessee, who came to this county at an early day, and here reared a family of four children, three now living: James W., Mary B., Mrs. Martha Rector (wife of the subject of this sketch), Ursulla C. (wife of Rufus Landers). Mr. Bigham was killed during Gen. Price’s raid through Missouri, in 1864. He was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Bigham was married the second time, in 1867, to Joseph H. Russell [see sketch]. Mr. and Mrs. Rector are both church members, he a member of the Baptist Church, and she of the Christian. In politics, he is Democratic. Mr. Rector is a man who is in favor of all public improvements, and is deeply interested in educational matters.