Benton Co., AR - Biographies - John A. Fields

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John A. Fields was born in Wilson County, Tenn., September 29, 1833, 
son of Redden and Polly (Farrington) Fields, grandson of David and 
Mary (Jarmon) Fields, and grandson of John and Easter (Charlin) 
Farrington. The father, Redden Fields, was born in Wilson County, 
Tenn., June 3, 1803, and was a farmer by occupation. At the age of 
twenty-three he married Miss Polly Farrington, and afterward moved to 
Benton County, Ark. (1857). A year later he moved to Hickory County, 
Mo., and in 1862 he went to Southern Iowa, where he practiced as 
veterinary surgeon. In 1866 he moved to Illinois, and from there in 
1873 to Henry County, Tenn., where he still continued working at his 
profession. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat in 
politics. His wife was also born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1804, and 
died October 29, 1849. They were the parents of six children: Amanda 
M., Paralee, David C., John A., Polly A. and Joel H. The paternal 
grandparents of our subject were both natives of North Carolina, and 
both born in the year 1768. They died in 1828 and 1842, respectively. 
The maternal grandparents were natives of South Carolina, and both 
were born in the year 1771, and the maternal grandfather died in the 
year 1861. John A. Fields, subject of this sketch, received a fair 
education in Wilson County, Tenn., and in 1853 moved to Benton County, 
Ark., where he engaged in the stock business and farming. At the 
breaking out of the war he joined Gen. Standwatie's command, Arkansas 
Cavalry, but in 1862 joined Col. Thompson's regiment, Second Arkansas 
Cavalry, and was made lieutenant of the same, remaining in service 
until the close of the war. He was at the battles of Neosho, 
Fayetteville, Ft. Gibson and many other battles. In 1867 he married
Miss Mary L. Smith, daughter of William and Mary (Townsend) Smith, 
natives of Tennessee and Vermont, born in 1818 and 1816, respectively. 
Mrs. Fields was born in Bradley County, Tenn., December 7, 1848, and 
by her marriage became the mother of three children: Charles L., Mary 
E. and Bessie L. Mr. Fields is a Democrat in politics, as were also 
his father and grandfather; is the owner of 230 acres of land, and he 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.