J. R. Blalack, was born in Monroe County, Miss., October 2, 1849. He is the son of Josiah and Elizabeth Hendrix Blalack, both natives of Mississippi. They twice came to Arkansas, but returned each time to their native home, where they both died, the father in 1865 and the mother in the winter of 1885-86. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are now living, and four in this county: John, George, Willis and James R., all farmers. J. R. Blalack was reared in his native State and obtained but a moderate education. When yet a young man he came with his father's family to Arkansas and located in Craighead County. In the spring of 1869 he was united in marriage with Sophia Miranda Herrin, a native of Georgia. After his marriage he farmed for awhile, then went to Prairie County, Ark., remaining two years. Then he moved to Bourbon County, Kas., and after eleven months returned to Arkansas. He was on St. Francis River two months, operated a cotton gin on Big Bay for one year, then he came to his present farm, where he rented forty-five acres and a gin, ginning 300 bales of cotton that year. He then purchased thirty acres of land, added to it for two years, and for two years more ran a saw mill. After another year of farming he bought ten acres of land, moved to his present location, and in connection with James M. Herrin erected a combined cotton gin and cornmeal, which they operate together. By economy and earnest endeavor he has been generally successful. One of his farms contains 100 acres and the other forty, with two acres for a home place. He is a Mason, holding membership in Jonesboro Lodge No. 129, and is a Democrat. He never sought office but was always content to bear the brunt of the burden in the field or mills. He is the father of seven children: Aden C., Philip C., Pervison W., Dell D., Modena, Taylor and Zenobia.

Lisa Hamilton submitted the above data from Goodspeeds; she did so to help others, is not researching the above person or families mentioned therein.

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