Randolph County Georgia Archives - Biographies - Stephen Dexter Arthur 1834 - 1903 ************************************************************************** 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/randolph.htm ************************************************************************** submitted by Michelle May 2002 KNICKERBOCKER COMMUNITY CENTER MEMORIAL STEPHEN DEXTER ARTHUR 1834-1903 Stephen Dexter Arthur was born in Barnwell,South Carolina, November 23,1834, the son of John James Arthur and Jemima Arthur. He had three brothers and four sisters. When a young man he moved to Randolph County, Georgia, where on July 9,1861, he enlisted in Company E, 13th Regiment, Georgia Infantry of the Confederate Army. At one time during a battle, the flag bearer was killed and Stephen Dexter volunteered to carry the-flag as the battle continued. On September 22, 1863, he was captured by the Union Army, commanded by General Sherman, at Fisher's Hill, Virginia. He was held prisoner of war until January 21, 1864, when he was included in a prisoner exchange at Boulware's Wharf, James River, Virginia. On December 13, 1865, Stephen Dexter Arthur married Eliza Jane Bridges in Randolph County, Georgia. Their children were John James, Minnie Lee, Fannie M., Bessie Elizabeth*, Basil Dexter*, Patrick Leroy, Mary Jane, Maude, Carrie, Ola Mae, Etla Ann and Sally Van..'There are thirty-seven grandchildren. In 1871, Stephen Dexter and Eliza Jane moved their family from Georgia to Marlin, Falls County, Texas. They farmed and raised cattle there until the family moved to Knickerbocker in 1887. During the move to Knickerbocker, Stephen Dexter trailed a herd of 100 longhorn cattle which he fed cotton seed along the trail. He had enough seed left over after the first winter to plant some seed to determine if the land along Dove Creek would produce cotton. The cotton thrived and the first harvest was in 1888. The first bale was hauled to Coleman to be ginned. About 1894 Stephen Dexter built a water-powered gin on the west side of Dove Creek near the highway bridge. Stephen Dexter was a Master Mason, A.F.& A.M., and because of his long and distinguished service to-the craft, he was extended a life membership. Stephen Dexter Arthur died October 9, 1903 and is buried in the Knickerbocker Community Cemetery. A memorial was given by Philip Arthur submitted by Michelle