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James Ervin Felkins was born February 1852, in Arkansas. He was the son of Henry Felkins and Keziah Prewitt (Pruitt).
The 1860 census shows eight year old James with his parents in Tomahawk Township of Searcy County, Arkansas.
James E. Felkins appears on the 1872 Pope County, Arkansas personal tax list in Allen Township. Also appearing on the tax list was his father Henry Felkins and his brother John Felkins.
James married Mary F. Young on March 19, 1876, in Pope County, Arkansas. Mary was born about 1861, in Mississippi, according to census records.
The 1880 Little River County, Arkansas census, Red River Township, shows James E. Felkins, 27, a farm laborer; Mary F, 17; William M., 2; and Harrison H., 4 months old. Living next door was James' brother John Felkins, 30, a farm laborer; Elizabeth, 27; Andrew, 7; Mary S., 4; and Sally, 3 months old.
We believe that Mary died about 1885-1886.
James married Josephine Dillon on March 28, 1887, in Pope County, Arkansas. Josephine was born about 1876 in Arkansas, the daughter of Joshua H. Dillon and Susan (last name unknown). We have no record of any children born to James and Josephine. We believe Josephine may have died in childbirth about 1889-1890.
James moved his family to Johnson County, Arkansas prior to 1891.
James married Missouri Tennessee Dillon on March 8, 1891, in Johnson County. Missouri was Josephine's older sister. Missouri Tennessee Dillon was born May 1870, in Arkansas, the daughter of Joshua H. Dillon and Susan (last name unknown).
Johnson County Federal Land Records show that James E. Felkins purchased 40 acres of land in Section 14, Township 11North, Range 21West on January 29, 1891. On October 10, 1904, James purchased an additional 120 acres of land in Section 11, Township 12 North, Range 21 West.
The 1900 Johnson County census, Pilot Rock Township, shows James E. Felkins, 48, born February 1852, in Arkansas, father and mother both born in Kentucky, married 8 years, a farmer who owned his farm; Missouri T., wife, 30, born May 1870, in Arkansas, father born in North Carolina, mother born in Tennessee, married 8 years, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living; William M., son, 22, born March 1878, in Arkansas, a farm laborer; Henry A., son, 3, born March 1897, in Arkansas; Margaret C. Wheeler, daughter, 18, born August 1881, married 2 years, had given birth to 1 child, 1 child still living; and James Wheeler, grandson, 2, born December 1897, in Arkansas, father and mother both born in Arkansas. (You notice in this census James' parnets are said to have been born in Kentucky, which would agree with the 1860 Searcy County census.)
The 1910 Johnson County census, Pilot Rock Township, shows James E. Felkins, 58, married 3 times, a farmer; Missouri Tennessee, had given birth to 5 children, all 5 children were still living; Henley J., 13; Emma I., 9; Evy J., 6; George W., 4; and Kizzie F., 2 years old. Living next door was his daughter Margaret and her family. The census shows Aaron C. Wheeler, 35, a farmer; Margaret C., 29, had given birth to 4 children, 3 children were still living; James W., 12; Mary W., 7; and Emma A., 4 years old. Living next door to them were Aaron's parents, Wiley B. Wheeler, 54, a farmer; Emeline, 48, had given birth to 10 children, 7 children were still living; John S., 21, a farm laborer; Fines C., 12; and Bertha A., 9 years old. Living next door to Wiley was his son William E. Wheeler, 23, a farmer. James Felkins's son, William M. Felkins, was living nearby. The census shows William M. Felkins, 30, a farmer; Mary E., 22, had given birth to 4 children, 4 children were still living; John E., 5; Mary F., 3; Jasper J., 2; and Bessie M., less than 1 year old.
James died prior to 1920. Missouri appears on the 1920 Johnson County census. She is shown to be a widow.
Missouri died February 1963, at Clarksville, in Johnson County. She is buried in Shady Grove Cemetery near Clarksville.
Children of James Ervin Felkins and Mary Young
1. William Martin Felkins, b. Mar 30, 1878, Johnson Co, AR; d. Dec 18, 1961, Johnson Co, AR; bur. Shady Grove Cem, Johnson Co; m. Mary E. Nordin on Dec 6, 1903, Johnson Co. (Children: John E., Mary Frances, Jack, Bessie, Aaron, Beatrice, and Lee)
2. Harrison H. Felkins, b. 1880, AR; d. bef 1961
3. Margaret C. "Maggie" Felkins, b. Aug 28, 1881, AR; d. Nov 1976, Pope Co, AR; m. Aaron C. Wheeler abt 1897. Aaron Wheeler was b. Dec 1877, AR; d. Sept 10, 1954, the son of Wylie B. Wheeler and Emmaline Owen (Children included: James W., Mary W., Emma A., Marie, Edia S., and Stella M. Wheeler)
Children of James E. Felkins and Missouri Dillon
4. Henley J. Felkins, b. 1897, Johnson Co, AR
5. Emma I. Felkins, m. _____ Smith
6. Eva J. Felkins, m. Riley T. Bennett on Oct 27, 1919, Johnson Co, AR
7. George W. Felkins
8. Keziah F. Felkins, m. ______ Kennedy, then _____ Head
9. Rachel Felkins, m. ______ Baker