- R - READ, John - a leading merchant of Rocky Comfort, Ark., owes his nativity to Huntsville, Ala., where he opened his eyes to this world on October 12, 1821, being the son of Edmond Read and wife nee Edna Harvey natives of North Carolina. The former moved from his native State to Alabama in early life and there made his home for a number of years, but in 1824, when John was about three years of age, he moved to Rutherford County, Tenn., and departed this life in Bedford County, that State, in 1886. During his life he was occupied in farming, a calling in which he was eminently successful. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Read, was born in North Carolina. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters - born tot heir marriage, their names being: William R., Martha I., Sarah A. L., Betsy A., John, Dorothea A., Susan A. I., Melinda J., and Matilda A., the two latter being twins. John Read was educated in the common schools of Rutherford County, Tenn. where he attained his growth. December 26, 1839 witnessed his marriage with Miss Mary E. Spain, a native of Tennessee, who passed to her final home on August 10, 1844. and on November 30 following he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary Elizabeth Campbell, his present wife. She was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., October 22, 1816, and was the youngest of eight children born to James E. and Ada (Reader) Campbell, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively, both of which died in this county. Having no children of their own, Mr., and Mrs. Read have taken three orphaned nieces to their home and are rearing them to honest womanhood. Their names are: Lena Davis (Mrs. Read's sister's child), and Molly and Mattie Campbell (her brother's children), When Mr. Read first came to Arkansas in December 1841 he chose a location Monroe County but after making a home there for two years, he came to Little River County, and in September 1843, he took up residence in this county, and has ever since been prominently identified with its material interests. In 1868 he was appointed county treasurer and stepped out of that office at the end of four years to accept that of sheriff to which he had been elected in November 1872. He discharged the duties of this latter office in a highly satisfactory manner, and at the end of his term was re-elected by a large majority. He has also acted in several official capacities and for one term served as justice of the peace of Red River Township. He was formerly a Whig in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay but since the reorganization of that party, he has been a staunch Republican. In June 1871, he embarked in the sawmill business and this occupied his attention until 1872 when he disposed of his milling interests. He opened up his mercantile establishment in Rocky Comfort in 1878 and has successfully conducted this ever since and he now enjoys a liberal trade with Rocky Comfort and the surrounding country. He carries a stock and securities valued at $10,000, and in addition to merchandising, is a large cotton buyer. Besides these interests, he owns several town lots and is acting as agent for a Mr. Charles, managing about 900 acres of land. He and wife are both members of the Christian Church. Source: Goodspeed Biographies Little River Arkansas