JAMES ESTES. This intelligent man of affairs keeps abreast of the times and is a successful tiller of the soil of Marion County, Arkansas He was born in Cannon County, Tennessee, July 10, 1839, a son of John and Charlotte (Elkins) Estes, and grandson of Gilbert Estes, who came to this country from England and participated in the Revolutionary War, being killed in the battle of Horse Shoe Bend. One of his sons was in the War of 1812 under Gen. Jackson. Mrs. Malinda Thomas is the only one of that family now living, and she has attained the age of eighty-five years and makes her home with the subject of this sketch.
In 1850 John Estes came with his family to Marion County, Arkansas, his brother Edward having preceded him several years, and James Estes, the subject of this sketch, accompanied his father, being then ten years of age. He grew to manhood in Yellville, and when the great Civil War came up he, in July, 1861, enlisted in an Arkansas regiment, in which he served until the war closed, taking part in the battles of Ash Hill, Pea Ridge, Little Rock, Pleasant Hill and others. He was a useful and faithful soldier, and gave all his energies to the success of the cause he espoused. He returned home June 20, 1865. Three of his brothers were in the Confederate service and only one, Matthew, was wounded.
In 1861 Mr. Estes married Miss Mira M. Moore, whose parents, Alfred and Lavina (Marlow) Moore, died in this county, the father being killed during the war, and the mother’s death occurring in 1855. Mrs. Estes was born in North Carolina September 1, 1843,, and was one of her parents’ eight children. Mr. Estes made his home in Yellville for some ten years after the war, then moved to a farm on Greasy Creek, and a few years later came to his present location, his farm here consisting of 160 acres of well-tilled land. He raises stock also, and has one of the most valuable places of its size in the county.
He is a strong Democrat, and in 1879 was appointed deputy county clerk of Marion County, and has held the offices of deputy sheriff and deputy treasurer, as well as other responsible positions. He is prominent in all public matters, active and generous in his support of worthy measures, and is a substantial citizen. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1861, and he and his family are attendants of the Christian Church, of which his wife is a worthy member. Mr. and Mrs. Estes are the parents of the following children: Lee, A. L., Ella (wife of J. E. Butler, of Texas), Amanda, J. M., C. C., Daisy, Virgil, Cora, Edna and Irene. Mrs. Estes’ brothers and sisters are as follows: Mary, wife of J. J. Keeter, is deceased; Minerva is the wife of Jesse White, of Lawrence County, Missouri; Sarah A., deceased; Martha is the wife of G. Davenport, and lives in this county; Letha, the wife of Thomas Nowlin, is living in this county; Katie is the deceased wife of John Auglin, and one child died young.
