Izard Co., AR - Biographies - R. L. Landers

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R. L. Landers, sheriff. Melbourne, Ark. R. L. Landers, was born in Bedford
County, Tenn., in 1845, and is the son of George T. and Jane (Browning) Landers,
natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. The parents came to Arkansas
in 1851, and settled in Izard County, where they reared a family of five
children, four now living: Robert L., Nanny J., wife of Guston Rose; Mary T.,
wife of J. F. Driskill; and G. R., a farmer of this county. The father, George
T. Landers, only lived three years after coming to Arkansas. He was Democratic
in his political principles. When he came to this State, he brought with him
fourteen negroes and considerable money, and was quite successful, financially,
after coming here. The mother died in 1885. R. L. Landers was early taught the
principles of farm life, and a limited education was obtained in the
subscription schools of Tennessee, and Izard County, Ark. When seventeen years
of age he superintended his father's plantation, and at the age of twenty-one,
he commenced life for himself. In 1862 be enlisted as a private in Company E,
Forty seventh Arkansas Infantry, under Capt. Gibson, and served west of the
Mississippi River, until 1864. He was sergeant of his regiment at the time he
was discharged. After the war he commenced tilling the soil, which occupation he
followed until 1869, when he was elected sheriff, and held the office until
1875. He then returned to the farm and cultivated the soil until 1881, when he
was again elected sheriff, and held this position for one term. In 1886 he was
again chosen to discharge the duties of this office, and is the present
incumbent. Mr. Landers seems to have a peculiar fitness for this position, and
his long service in this capacity has proven that he is surely the right man in
the right place. During 1884 and 1885, he served as justice of the peace. By his
marriage, which occurred in 1864, to Miss Sarah E. Shannon, were born the
following living children: Mary E., wife of A. E. Feltz; W. T., G. R., Frances
T. and Rosa L. Mr. Landers is the owner of about 500 acres of land, with 140
acres under cultivation, and also has considerable town property. He is
Democratic in his political views, is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also a member
of the Odd Fellow order. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church.