Transcribed to ASCII Text format by Lyman S. Devin 
(asper@thuntek.net) - July 1997 

Transcriber's Comments: This appears to be a vanity type of 
publication with most of the information provided by the 
"reviewed person". The narrative was probably based on either 
the completion of a form by the reviewed person or brief 
interview, recorded to a standard format. The basis for this 
conclusion is the redundant information and the manner of 
presentation. The genealogical information in this biography is 
rich and valuable. The personal touches indicate the information
could have only come directly from James R. Steagall. No changes 
were made in this narrative.

Extract begins on page 334 and continues on page 335 Portrait 
and Biographical Review.


JAMES R. STEAGALL 

Is one of the extensive farmers and prosperous business men of 
Pope County, owning a well-improved tract of land on section 32, 
township 13, range 6, where he carries on general farming and 
makes a specialty of raising fine stock. He owns a herd of 
registered Shorthorn cattle, and in addition to this deals 
extensively in horses, cattle and hogs, and raises large 
quantities of corn, wheat, oats and hay. In the year 1888 he 
engaged in the mercantile business, carrying a general stock of 
goods in a well-equipped store in the village of Columbus. He is 
a prominent man in political and public circles, having filled 
various offices of trust and importance within the gift of the 
people. For four years, from 1866 until 1870, he was Justice
of the Peace, served one term as County Commissioner, and for 
one term was a member of the Twenty-ninth General Assembly. The 
subject of this life history was born in Rutherford County, 
Tenn., on the 4th of March, 1833. His father, Obediah G.
Steagall, who was a native of Virginia, was a farmer, owning a 
considerable tract of land in Tennessee, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising during almost his entire 
life. His death occurred on the old homestead in 1890, at which
time he had reached the good old age of eighty-six years. Our 
subject's mother, who was in her maiden days Miss Mary Hodge, 
was born in Tennessee, and there passed her entire life. James 
R. Steagall attended school in Lincoln County, of his native
State, for about two terms only, the opportunities in the way of
education of former days being extremely limited and little to 
be compared with those afforded the youth of these times. The 
schoolhouse was made of logs, with puncheon floor, and during
the winter was heated by means of a huge fireplace. A gap was 
left along one side of the wall for a window, which was 
unprotected by window glass, and consequently it was rather 
cold during the winter. In very severe weather the floor was 
remove and a fire built in the middle of the room. The seats 
were made by splitting open logs, hewing one side fairly smooth 
and making a sort of a bench with four pins for legs.  In spite 
of all his discouragements and disadvantages, however, our 
subject was blessed with an active and intelligent mind, and 
made the best of what opportunities he had, studying and reading 
by himself, and thus acquiring a practical knowledge of
men and affairs, which has served him in good stead. He remained 
under the parental roof until reaching his majority, devoting 
himself to assisting his father in the homestead. At the age of 
twenty-one our subject started out of his own accord to make 
his way in the world, first commencing in 1854 to farm on shares, 
and continuing on that basis for about ten years in his native 
State. In the year 1864 he removed to this State, going by railroad 
to Nashville, whence he proceed by boat to Golconda. His first 
purchase of land in this county was on sections 23 and 26, township 
11, range 6, where he continued to live until 1877, or for thirteen 
years.  During that time he added more land to his original tract 
from time to time, until he owned over eleven hundred acres, of 
which he has since disposed of to good advantage. His present place 
comprises some six hundred acres, which are all under good 
cultivation and thoroughly improved. Mr. Steagall is a progressive 
and enterprising farmer, using the most approved modern methods 
and the latest devices for saving labor and carrying on general 
agriculture. On January 5, 1854, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Steagall and Miss Nancy Catherine Hix. Both Mrs. Steagall and her 
parents are natives of Tennessee, where her marriage was celebrated 
with our subject. There union was blessed with a family of twelve 
children, ten living, who in order of birth are as follows: 
William O., Elizabeth, Melissa, Thomas R., Mary M., Eliphus R., 
Laura, Arthur H., John R. and Aloconna. Mr. Steagall has given his
children good school advantages, as he has felt the need for such 
preparation for the battle of life for himself greatly at times, 
and has carried out his resolve that his children should be thus 
blessed. The family are good citizens, much respected in the 
communities where they make their homes. Mrs. Steagall, one daughter 
and three sons are members of the United Baptist Church, while three
daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a 
member of Golconda Lodge No. 131, A.F. & A.M., and also of Chapter No. 
162, of that place. He votes the straight Republican ticket and has 
always taken a commendable interest in political and local affairs, 
doing all in his power to advance all worthy measures as a true 
American citizen should. By his worthy qualities, strictly honorable
career and unblemished repution has won a host of friends, who hold 
him in the highest esteem.

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