Scott County Arkansas Biographies

GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland

Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago and Nashville, 1891.

Dr. A.C. JAMES

Dr. A.C. James, physician and farmer, Crow, Ark. In any worthy history of Arkansas mention should be made of the prominent citizens, among who is to be found the name of Dr. A. C. James. This gentleman was born in Arkansas in 1842, and is a son of John and Sabrina (Hayes) James, both natives of the Palmetto State. The parents moved to Tennessee at an early day, and from there to Yell County, Ark., in 1838. The father was a carpenter by trade and built the first houses in Dardanelle and Danville. Both parents died in Yell County, Ark., in 1853. Dr. A.C. James was reared principally in his Native State, and as his educational facilities were not of the best he has gained the most of his schooling by self-study. At the early age of eleven years he was thrown on his own resources, and as he had been early trained to the duties of the farm it was but natural that he should adopt this as his chosen calling. However he did not care to be wholly dependent upon this, and as a consequence began the study of medicine. About this time the war broke out, and he enlisted in 1862, remaining in service until the spring of 1865. In l870 Dr. James resumed his medical studies, and in 1872 went to North Carolina, came back two years after to Arkansas, where in 1875 he began the practice of medicine under Dr. John R. Blake, of Tennessee, and has had a good practice ever since. One year later he commenced the practice of his profession and is a popular and very successful practitioner. In 1867 he was wedded to Miss Jane Wicker, a native of North Carolina, and the daughter of Charles and Sarah (McKiver) Wicker, natives also of the old Tar State. Of the four children born to this union only John E., is now living. Those deceased were named Charles D., Arthur C. and George C. The mother of these children died in 1880, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1881 Dr. James was married to Miss Mattie P. Carroll, a native of Arkansas, who bore him two children: Catherine and T. B., the last named dying in 1884. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. James died two years later, and the Doctor took for his third wife Miss Ella A. Gilliam, their marriage occurring in 1887. She was born in Indiana in 1856. One child, Rosie A., is the result of this union. Dr. James is a Democrat in politics, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for the past twenty years. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. He is a self-made man and a very popular one.