My Genealogy Hound

James M. McCall, farmer and stock raiser, and a popular resident of Duty Township, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., March, 29, 1839. He is a son of Robert J. and Eliza McCall, who were the parents of five children, four boys and one girl. One of the brothers was killed in the last war, and another met his death in a runaway team, while the remaining three are still living: James M., John M., and Elizabeth, wife of F. Gillespie. The family moved to the State of Arkansas in 1850, and settled at a point in Lawrence County, near Walnut Ridge. They remained here one year, and then located on a farm near Portia, where the father died, in 1861 or 1862, and the mother several years later. The elder McCall, up to the time of his death, had been a veteran of the Mexican War, and had done good service for his country during the campaign in Mexico. He was married a second time, and James M. is the oldest son living by that marriage. James M. McCall came to Arkansas with his parents when in his twelfth year, and remained with them until he came of age. He enlisted in the Confederate army at the commencement of the war, and was a member of Col. Baber’s regiment, in which he was one of its most gallant fighters in the numerous battles participated in by that regiment. On December 25, 1863, he was captured in Ripley County, Mo., and taken a prisoner to Rock Island, Ill., where he was held until the close of the war. After being liberated he returned to his home, and resumed his work upon the farm, this having been his occupation ever since, and he now owns one tract of 120 acres, some three miles from Portia, of which twenty-five acres are cleared and under cultivation. He has a good frame residence and stables on his home place, and also an orchard, from which he expects good results. Mr. McCall was married in Lawrence County, March 14, 1861, to Miss Martha C. Jeffrey, a native of this county, and a daughter of Jesse Jeffrey. Five children were born to this union, who are still living: James E., F. O. McCall, wife of John Freer; Martha Selma, wife of D. Finly; Robert J. and Laura Jessie, and two who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. McCall are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. McCall is one of Lawrence County’s brightest men. He is active in promoting the interests of the county, and is held in high esteem.