Biography of Van Buren Izard Sr, St Francis County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Paul V Isbell Date: 19 Nov 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** The Forrest City Times' Art Souvenir-1905-Page 114: Probably the best-known man in St. Francis County is Mr. Van Buren Izard. He was born February 27, 1837, and enjoys the distinction of being the first born white-child in the territory of what is now Forrest City. His parents, Mark W. and Permelia (Shackleford) Izard, were among the early pioneers, having located here in 1824. Mr. Izard saw the first light on the site of the old Baptist church on the hill near the cemetery. His father was a noted man. He was twice speaker of the house in the Arkansas legislature and twice the president of the senate, which is an unusual record. By appointment of President Pierce he was made governor of the then territory of Nebraska, and his incumbency was continued under President Buchanan. He was appointed the purchasing agent and made superintendent of construction of the first capitol building of Nebraska at Omaha. Mr. Izard was a large slave holder, and with his help did much to develop this section. He was educated in the private schools of St. Francis county, public schools at that time being an unknown quantity. When the war came he enlisted and was a participant in the battles of Prairie Grove and Helena, besides numerous minor engagements. He was a member of Co. E, McRae's regiment, of the Confederate Army. Col. Izard was appointed by Governor Berry to be Colonel of the militia of the eastern district of Arkansas, and that commission was never revoked. When the troubleness times of 1889 came he was appointed Sheriff by Governor Eagle, and he was a very strong factor in conserving peace of our town and county. He has been a member of the city council at various times from the establishment of municipal government here, and his work on the school board, of which he was a member for several years, was of a most valuable and conscientious sort. On January 29, 1859, Colonel Izard was married to Miss Mary Fondren, of Oxford, Mississippi, and five children were born to them. Lena, the eldest, is the wife of Mr. J. W. Williams, the successful merchant of Wynne; Richard J. Izard is a thriving lawyer and insurance man of Forrest City; Kate is now Mrs. E. A. Long, and also resides in this city; Van B. Jr., is in a large mercantile establishment at DeVall's Bluff; Pearl died at the age of four years. Copyright With Permission: 1905 Art Souvenir-Forrest City Times NewspaperWeston McCollum Lewey, Publisher-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas