Biography of John H Rainey, Mississippi Co, AR ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: Sep 1998 ********************************************************************* Bibliography: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas. Chicago: Goodspeed Publishers, 1890. John H. Rainey. There are few men, if any, who have occupied a more prominent position or contributed more toward the development of the resources of Mississippi County, than Mr. Rainey, a man whose history has been so intimately connected with the affairs of Chickasawba Township, that to mention one necessitates a sketch of the other. He was born in Jackson County, Ala., in 1833, the son of Samuel H. Rainey. a prominent farmer of that State. The latter removed to the State of Arkansas, in 1844, with his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Kelso, and his family of six children, and settled in Mississippi County, near where our subject now resides. He remained one year on this place, then moved to Osceola, and entered a farm of 160 acres two miles north of the town, on which he made many necessary improvements, and soon had a pleasant and comfortable [p.547] home in the woods. On this farm he resided until his death in 1854, his wife having departed this life two years earlier. John H. Rainey was reared on his father's woodland farm, and his character was so molded in youth that it was perhaps natural for him to look upon farming as the only calling with which he should identify himself in after life. At the age of twenty one years he left home to carve out his own fortune, and for a number of years worked as a farm hand, but in 1860 he was appointed by Sheriff Charles Bowen, to the office of deputy sheriff of the county, and was given entire charge of affairs when the war broke out. as Mr. Bowen was anxious to join the army. He continued to discharge his duties very satisfactorily until 1862, when the Federal troops took possession of the county, and he was then compelled to turn his attention to other matters. He took no part in the war. but during hostilities met with several stirring adventures. He continued to farm on rented land until 1866, then purchased a tract of land embracing 160 acres near Osceola, nearly all of which place he succeeded in clearing, and soon after bought 320 acres adjoining, on which he cleared another 160 acres, thus making 320 acres under plow. In 1881 he sold the latter farm and moved to Chickasawba Township, purchasing wild land to the extent of 660 acres, on which he moved, and began immediately to improve with good buildings and by clearing his place from brush and timber. He has continued from time to time to purchase land until he is now the owner of about 4,200 acres. with some 300 acres under cultivation, and has the timber of 700 acres deadened for removal. In 1885 he removed to a farm he had purchased in Cooktown, and two years later bought one and one-half acres in North Chickasawba, on which are a cotton gin, a store house and a small residence. Mr. Rainey has cleared over 600 acres alone, which is a fine record for one man. His life has been one of unremitting toil. and though he commenced for himself without much means he is now in possession of fine property, the result of honest industry and perseverance, and thoroughly deserves the respect which is accorded him. He has now attained the age of fifty-six years, and for the remainder of his days can take the world easier, and enjoy the fruits of his early toil. On his lands are extensive tracts heavily covered with valuable timber, which will prove a source of wealth as soon as it can be put on the market. Mr. Rainey contemplates the immediate erection of a saw. mill. as he will require large quanties of lumber in erecting numerous houses on his own farm. He was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah H. Brown, a native of the State and a daughter of one of the old pioneers of this section, and to their union have been born the following interesting little family: Sarah J., Samuel H. and John H. He always voted the Democratic ticket, and is an active advocate of public schools, having served in the capacity of director for a number of years. He commands the respect and esteem of all for his sterling integrity. sober and sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal and progressive ideas. His wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rainey has also held the following offices: In 1873-74 he was county assessor, in 1875-76 county surveyor, and is now a member of the Board of Equalization, to equalize the assessment of county property. To this office he was appointed by Gov. Eagle.