Biography of James Everett Chrisp, White County, Arkansas *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bonnie Palmer Date: Jun 1997 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/white/white.html *********************************************************** From "A Centennial History of Arkansas", edited by Dallas T. Herndon, the Director of the Dept. of Archives & History, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago-Little Rock, 1922. JAMES EVERETT CHRISP James Everett CHRISP filled the office of circuit clerk & recorder in Little Rock for nearly 3 years, his duties being discharged with marked capability, promptness & fidelity, until death ended his labors on Oct. 29, 1921. He was born on a farm in White Co., AR, May 8, 1873, and was a representative of an old family of English lineage. His great-grandfather, Jock CHRISP, was born in London, England, and was a cooper by trade. Coming to Amer., he served as a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, thus aiding in winning independence for the nation. He lost a leg in the battle of Bemis Heights. His son, William CHRISP, the grandfather of James Everett CHRISP, born in VA, was a member of the Tenth VA Calvary in the War of 1812 & was stationed at Norfolk, VA. He died at the age of 76. He had a family of 9 sons & 8 daughters & 7 of the sons were in the Confederate army & 6 lived to return home. The same military spirit was evidenced by James E. CHRISP at the time of the Spanish-American war in his attempt to get into the army, although he was not successful in the attempt. His father, Robert Wesley CHRISP, was born Mar. 7, 1835, in Gibson Co., TN, and at the age of 18 years he became a resident of White Co., AR, where he still makes his home. He has devoted his life largely to the occupation of farming, carefully tilling the soil as the years have gone by & thus providing for the support of his family. His military service covered 4 years in the 7th AR Infantry during the Civil War, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, then was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi dept. to organize the same. He was with General Price on the Missouri raid, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Helena, Polk Farm, Pilot Knob & others. His brother, James CHRISP, served with the Texas Calvary & died during the war; his brother John was quartermaster with General Pillow; and another brother, Horace, was in the 12th Tenn. Regiment. Stark, Henry & Luther CHRISP were with General Forrest. Robert Wesley CHRISP was always given his his political allegiance to the democratic party & at all times he was loyal to the interests of the state, supporting all measures & plans for the general good. He married Sarah Frances NEAVILL, a native son of AL, and they became the parents of 15 children, 8 of whom, 7 sons & a daughter, reached adult age, while 3 sons & 1 daughter are living. James E. CHRISP, who was the 10th in order of birth in the family, spent his youthful days on the home farm, with the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He began his education in the country schools & also spent one session as a student in Searcy College. He early took up the occupation of farming & also gave considerable time to the profession of teaching, these 2 vocations dividing his interests & his activities until he was called to public office. It was on the 1st of Jan., 1919, that he entered upon the duties of his position as circuit clerk & recorder for a term of 2 years & on the expiration of that period he was reelected for the succeeding term of 2 years, so that his incumbency would have continued him in the position until he had completed 4 years service in that connection. He always gave his political support to the democratic party & at all times kept thoroughly informed concerning its issues & its attitude upon vital questions. The death of Mr. CHRISP on Oct. 29, 1921, was a great loss to his family, his friends & the county which he so acceptably served. The governor of AR has appointed Mr. CHRISP's widow to fill out his unexpired term as circuit clerk of Pulaski Co. On the 14th of Feb., 1912, in Little Rock, Mr. CHRISP was married to Miss Lillian FOULKES, who was born in White Co., AR in 1878. He was highly esteemed in Little Rock, as is his wife, and they gained many friends. Mr. CHRISP was a member of the Baptist church to which his wife also belongs, and Mr. CHRISP was a Scottish Rite Mason & member of the Mystic Rite Mason & a member of the Mystic Shrine, loyally following the teachings & purposes of the craft. His life was at all times actuated by high & honorable principles & those who knew him esteemed him greatly for his sterling worth & devotion to duty whether of a public or private nature.