Biography of J M Pickren, Fulton Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: 26 Sep 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** page 297 J. M. Pickren, one of the most extensive and prominent farmers of Fulton County, Ark., is a native of the county, born November 15, 1848. His father, John Pickren, was a native of Italy, born in 1798, and when only nine years of age took passage in a vessel and worked his way to America. He landed in New York, remained there for a short time, and then went to Pennsylvania, whence, after a stay of five or six years, he journeyed to North Carolina, continuing there until about 1840, when he came to Fulton County, Ark. Previous to his advent into North Carolina he had followed various occupations, but while in that State he had charge and superintended the hands working in the gold mines of that State After coming to Arkansas he settled on the tract of land owned by his son J. M., and followed agricultural pursuits successfully for a number of years. He was killed in 1863 by the Jayhawkers, who claimed to be United States soldiers. He was married in 1841, and was sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. He was married in North Carolina to Miss Mary Stoop, a native of North Carolina, and of German origin. Five children were the fruits of this union, two of whom died when small and one was killed at the same time as the father, when sixteen years of age. Those living are: Mary, wife of H. Tracey, and is now living in North Carolina, and J. M., the subject of this sketch. The latter commenced work for himself as a farmer in 1872, and cultivated the old homestead, which consisted of 510 acres, 150 under improvement. He was married November 7 of the same year to Miss Nancy Farril, a native of Missouri, and seven children have been the result of this union: Maud, born August 4, 1874; John, born January 4, 1876; Harry, born April 21, 1878; Minnie. born February 12, 1879; Luther, born April 15, 1881; Myrtie, born June 7, 1885, and Cuthbert, born May 20, 1887. Mrs. Pickren is the daughter of Wilson and Mary (Grubb) Farril, and one of ten children, six now living: George, John, Mary, Nancy and Hardie, besides one in Ozark County. Mr. Pickren is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the I. O. O F.; and in his political views he is with the Democrats.