Washington Co., AR - Biographies - James Felton *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** James Felton may be mentioned among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Washington County, Ark. His birth occurred on the 5th of December, 1826, in Smith County, Tenn., his parents, Thomas and Polly (Glover) Felton, being natives of the same State. About 1841 the family moved to Missouri, and in Greene County the father improved a farm and reared his family. His death occurred in 1862. James Felton made his home with his father until he attained his majority, and September 1, 1853, was married, in what is now Christian County, to Miss Cordelia P. Tillman, a native of Tennessee. After his marriage he farmed in Christian County until the breaking out of the war, and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate service, First Missouri Infantry, serving until the surrender of Vicksburg, and participating in the battles of Elk Horn, Grand Gulf, Corinth, Iuka, and the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. He was taken prisoner in the last engagement, and was kept at Camp Morton until the close of the war. Four of Mr. Felton's brothers were in the same regiment as himself; one was killed and the other three were wounded, but he escaped unhurt. After receiving his discharge he returned to his family in Missouri, and shortly after removed to Texas, where he raised one crop. In February, 1867, he came to Arkansas, locating in Washington County, where he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, three miles east of Boonsboro. He has 100 acres under cultivation and a good frame residence and good barns. He has a family of six children: Buena Vista (wife of J. A. Nugent), L. J., E. W., Veta (wife of William Huffaker), Lenora and Zulah. The family attend the Missionary Baptist Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Felton are members.