The following is from an article written by Edward Reed Rand that was shown in The Izard County Historian dated October 1971, Vol. 2, No. 4;

"Edward Nicholas Rand, or "Uncle Nick," as he was usually called, is my grandfaher. He was an active participant in the history of Fulton and Izard Counties from about 1860 until his death in 1910. But let's start with his father.
Edward Nicholas Rand was the son of Edward H. Rand, born in Massachusetts in 1808. He migrated to Tennessee, and from land records dated 1839-1852, we find him in District 13 on the south side of the Cumberland River near Clarksville in Montgomery County. There he likely met and married his wife, Agnes. Her last name might have been Ramey due to a 'Deed of Gift' from Rand to 'Solomon Ramey as Trustee to hold said land for the benefit of my wife, Agnes Rand.' Edward and Agnes had 3 sons: John Thomas, born 1838; William, born 1840; and Edward Nicholas, born 1841.

By 1860, Edward H. and Agnes Rand were living in Big Creek Twp. in Fulton County, Arkansas.

In December, 1861, Edward H. Rand and two of his sons, John and Nick, went to Rolla, Missouri and enlisted in the Union Army for a period of six months. They were assigned to Phelps Regt., Missouri Volunteers, Company G, and saw some action at Mountain Grove, Mo., but the big one was at Pea Ridge on March 6, 1862. They were mustered out in May, 1862. Edward H. and Nick returned to Arkansas, and John reenlisted in the Missouri Cavalry for the duration of the war, being discharged at Little Rock in 1865. A family antecdote credits Nick with saving the life of my maternal great grandfather, Samuel McGagie Gentry, from the "Guerrillas" during the Reconstruction Period.

Edward H. and Agnes Rand were living at Pilot Hill in 1870, when his occupation was listed as carpenter. I have not been able to find their dates of death or their place of burial.

John Rand married Jane Dewey in 1867 and their children were; Nancy Ellen, married Richard Kerley, Edward A., married Eva Harris; Annie Belle, married Alex Campbell; John Sylvester, married Nancy Ann (Did) Adams; William Simpson, married (1) Alton Cooper, and (2) Annie Russell; Lydia L., married William Shelton; and Richard Sanders married Mittie Robinson.

Edward, "Uncle Nick, Rand, married Missouri Ann Sanders on September 7, 1865. She was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Sanders of Izard County. Ann was born in Kentucky, and the family had migrated through Tennessee into Arkansas. Uncle Nick and Aunt Ann lived near Wild Cherry where he aquired quite a lot of land and farmed. He also established a mercantile store in Wild Cherry, running the store during the day and farming in the evening, even clearing by moonlight. The children went to school at Smith Chapel, helped in the store and with the farm.

Aunt Ann died October 28, 1896 and was buried at Smith Chapel Cemetery near Wild Cherry. On December 23, 1897, Uncle Nick married Belinda Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Frazier. 'Miss Lizzie' was a school teacher, and her brothers were owners of the Calico Progress for some years. Nick and Lizzie had one son, Roy Frazier Rand, who married Polly Mabry. He established a wholesale grocery in Little Rock which is presently operated as Rands Inc., the largest independent wholesale grocery in Arkansas. The firm is owned by his widow, Polly, and managed by Ben Rand. Lizzie died on November 19, 1904 and is buried in the Spring Creek Cemetery near Calico Rock.

About 1901 or 1902 when the railroad came to Calico, Uncle Nick thought it would be a good time to move to Calico Rock and set up a retail mercantile business. This was later converted into a wholesale grocery and became quite successful. He was assisted in this business by his sons, Owen, Ed, Art, John, and his son-in-law, Jim Caldwell.

On July 12, 1905, Uncle Nick married Malinda 'Linnie' Davis. They had three children, all girls, and the youngest, Anna Merle, was born some two months after his death. These three girls are the only surviving children of the three marriages which produced 14 children.

Uncle Nick died suddenly, December 27, 1910, at his home in Calico Rock at the age of 69. He was buried in the Smith Chapel Cemetery near Wild Cherry. The Calico Progress described him as a capable and successful businessman due to well directed energy and honest industry; and a jovial disposition that won him many friends. Aunt Linne continued living in Calico Rock until her death in 1961. She is buried in Spring Creek Cemetery.

After Nick's death, his sons continued to operate the wholesale grocery which occupied two stone buildings and lots which were located between Main Street and Aikin Alley. This business was sold in November 1912 to T. E. Milburn."