Biography of James Oddy Rush, St Francis County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Paul V Isbell Date: 19 Nov 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** NEXT TO CORA RUSH-A COUNTRY DOCTOR-Forrest Park Cemetery The Forrest City Times' Art Souvenir-1905-Page 19: Perhaps the most handsome views in the county is "Rushmore", which represents the typical Southern Plantation, owned by Dr. J. O. Rush, of Forrest City, and comprises 300 acres situated one and a half miles due west of said city in the very heart of prolific agricultural section. The improvements include an overseer's residence, two-story servants' quarters and ten tenant houses, several of which are large double houses built of huge cypress and poplar logs hewn down to 5 and 6 inches, and showing almost a solid face, the lengths varying from 14 to 24 feet. Rushmore is situated in the center of a proposed improvement district for the purpose of drainage, and is on the line of a canal to be constructed from Forrest City to Spy Buck creek, which empties into the L'Anguille river. These public ditches are the backed by Dr. Rush and Capt. James Fussell. [From History of St. Francis Co., 1954-Times Herald Publishing Co. ] Born near Mayview, Mo., Dr. Rush was the son of the late Joel G. and Annie (Brigg) Rush. He moved to this county in April 1896, and began practicing at Colt, moving to Forrest City in 1900, where he had an office in the Dyer building on Front Street. It was in 1907 that he built his home, which included his office at 300 North Front St.. He has lived there ever since. Dr. Rush married Miss Cora M. Peak, daughter of James and Belle (Langdon) Peak of Lexington, Mo., on April 24, 1901. Their children include Frances Marian, who is Mrs. E. T. Slaughter of Dallas, Tx.; Anne Virginia, Mrs. David Gates of near Forrest City; and Stella Mae, who is Mrs. W. B. Rich, Jr. of Forrest City. Dr. Rush has over 3, 700 Indian relics in his home museum, which are catalogued and form one of the largest collections in the state. These are now in the St. Francis Co. Museum in the same home! He bought the first Ford second-hand in the county, and had the first Ford dealership here. By 1952, he had 600 acres of land when he transferred his farms to his children. A sketch of Dr. Rush would not be complete without something else, however-his deep, hearty laughter, which has sounded up and down Forrest City streets for more than half a century. Copyright With Permission: 1905 Art Souvenir-Forrest City Times NewspaperWeston McCollum Lewey, Publisher-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas