Biography of James G Sanders, Scott Co, AR

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Submitted by: Charlene Holland <Char@presys.com>
        Date: 9 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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     	James G. Sanders, the eldest son of Richard and Mary (Strickland)
Sanders, was born in Pickens County, Ala., on February 19, 1843, was
reared on a farm, but up to the breaking out of the war he was kept in
school, being educated in the University of Alabama, and having the best
of educational advantages. At the age of eighteen, or in 1861, he
enlisted in Company B, Second Alabama Infantry, commanded by T. J. Hardee,
and remained in service until peace was declared. He was in the battles
of Iuka, Corinth, Shiloh and Vicksburg, where he was taken prisoner,
paroled and sent to Demopolis, Ala., where he remained until exchanged
during the following February. He then was sent to Chickamauga, where he
arrived in time to participate in that battle. He was also in the battles
of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Ringgold, Marietta,
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Dalton, Peach Tree Crook and Franklin. From
there he was transferred to Mobile, where he remained about one month as
guard on the coast near that city. Afterward he was sent to Charlotte,
N. C., where he engaged in last battle fought by Gen. Johnston's command,
it being at Smithfield. N. C. During this entire time he was wounded but
twice, first at Corinth by bayonet in the left side, and second by a
bullet in the right thigh. At the close of the war he returned to his
home in Alabama, and there found that his mother had died during his
absence. Here he remained with his father nearly two years, at which time
his father and family moved to Red River County, Tex. They remained in
the Lone Star State only one year, and then moved to Arkansas, settling
in Cedar Creek Township, Scott County, near his present residence. Here
our subject bought his first piece of land, he and his father together
buying 840 acres. Soon after James G. bought an additional tract of 120
acres, which he improved by erecting a house and other buildings. He has
seventy-five acres under cultivation, and his principal crops are corn,
cotton and oats, all of which yield well; potatoes also a good crop. For
several years he has given his attention to the raising of cattle and
hogs, having an improved breed of cattle. Through energy and industry he
has made a success of farm life, and is spoken of among the most
substantial man of the county. He was married on July 31, 1866, to Miss
Sally M. Cowsert, of Alabama. They have ten children: four of whom are
sons and six daughters-named as follows: Mary A., Ellen E., Josie,
Beatrice E., William M., Minnie L., James G., Knox, Virginia M., and an
infant yet unnamed. All are at home but the daughter, Josie, who is
married to M. M. Ellis, of Wills Point, Tex. The family are Baptists. Mr.
Sanders is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, of which he has been
secretary from the time of its organization. He is also a worthy patron
of the order of the Eastern Star, also a member of the Farmers' Alliance,
of which he is secretary, and in his political views he is a Democrat. He
has been justice of the peace for many years, being elected to that
position soon after coming to this county, and he has also held the
position of school director, taking a great interest in the welfare of
the schools of his township. He is assistant postmaster at the office of
Cedar Creek, the office being at his residence, and his oldest daughter
being postmistress. Mr. Sanders is a man of education, and is trying to
give his children all possible advantages in that direction. He is well
pleased with his home in Western Arkansas.