HON. EDWIN E. ROSSON. There is no class of men who more surely rear up visible monuments to their industry and their enterprise than the hardworking and thrifty farmers of a community, and among these Hon. Edwin E. Rosson holds a prominent place. He was born on the place on which he now lives in Richwoods, September 11, 1856, and is a son of Simeon Ellis and Mary (Whitfield) Rosson, who were born, reared and married in Hardeman County, Tennessee. and thence moved to Arkansas in 1842, locating in what is now Bickell’s Cove. In 1844 they came to Richwoods and were among the first to settle here, and here the father passed from life in March, 1865, at the age of forty-eight years, his widow still surviving him at the age of seventy-three. He was a farmer while a resident of Tennessee and held some minor official positions after coming to Arkansas, such as justice of the peace, and later as sheriff of Izard County, holding the last named position two terms, or eight years. At a still later period he represented this county in the State Legislature and served twice as a member of the Senate, the duties of which responsible position he was holding at the time of his death. He was quite an orator, was a forcible and eloquent speaker, was greatly opposed to the war and did all in his power to prevent it.
He became the father of three sons and five daughters, two sons and three daughters of whom are living, of whom the subject of this sketch was the seventh in order of birth. He received his education in the schools of Richwood and continued his attendance at school off and on until he was eighteen years of age, when he turned his attention to farming on the old homestead, having bought out the other heirs, and has been thus occupied ever since. He has a fine tract of 225 acres, some of which is among the most productive land in the county, and his place is also well improved with good buildings. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two years, was elected sheriff in 1890 and held this position also for two years. In 1880 he was married to Elizabeth Newberry, of this county, by whom he has four children, one son and three daughters. Mr. Rosson has always supported the principles of the Democrat party and is one of the substantial citizens of the county.
