Judge William Jackson McAllister

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Judge William Jackson McAllister

Birth
Logan County, Kentucky, USA
Death
12 Feb 1875 (aged 60)
Fort Chaffee, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA
Burial
Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA Add to Map
Plot
Old NW Section - Row 219
Memorial ID
View Source
William Jackson McAllister (McAlester) was born in Logan (Simpson) County, Kentucky to James Garland and Temperance Jackson McAllister. His parents married December 12, 1805, in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. They were Virginians. Simpson County was established in 1819 from Allen, Logan, and Warren Counties.

William's father died in 1816 when William was a small child. His mother was enumerated as head of household with the children in 1820, in Simpson County, Kentucky.

By 1830, his widowed mother migrated to Howard County, Missouri where several members of her Jackson family were already living. William also took up residence in the state for a short period before migrating to Arkansas.

As documented by the 1840 Census, William migrated to Arkansas to homestead. By 1842, William Jackson McAllister married Elizabeth Holcomb. They started a family shortly after. William supported the family as a farmer and stock man.

1850 Census - Marion, Crawford Co., AR

William McAllister 36 - farmer
Elizabeth McAllister 29
James J McAllister 6
Martha T McAllister 5
Nathaniel H McAllister 3
John B McAllister 1

Originally part of Crawford County, Sebastian County was formed January 6, 1851. William served on the committee that led to the county's formation. Politically, William Jackson McAllister was an active member of the Democratic Party and among the first elected officials of the county. He served two terms as Sebastian County's first coroner (1851-1852) and was its' fifth county and probate judge (1860-1864). In addition, to political endeavors, William Jackson McAllister was a founding member and elected officer of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge. The first meeting for the lodge was held April 20th, 1858.

Already established and involved in the building of the county and his community, William received land grants signed by three Presidents: Van Buren, Tyler, and Buchannan. One included his homestead, in Sebastian County, Arkansas (1858 and 1860, from the land office at Clarksville).

1860 Census - Marion, Sebastian Co., AR

William McAlister 46 - farmer
Elizabeth McAlister 40
James McAlister 18
Martha McAlister 16
Nathan McAlister 13
Louisa McAlister 10
Mary McAlister 6
John Warden 32
Jerry Orland 35

January 1, 1861, William served as Vice-President for a historical "Union Meeting" in Van Buren, the purpose for which was to debate and determine succession from the union with the states.

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861. When President Lincoln asked Arkansas to provide a regiment of troops to force the seceded states back into the Union, the governor sent a force to take the Fort Smith arsenal, and Arkansas regiments began organizing to fight for the South.

As tension and danger escalated during the war, William McAllister moved his family to safety at Red River, Texas, were they stayed approximately two years before returning home. During that time, his son James Jackson McAllister (McAlester), and son-in-laws, William T. Bugg and James W. Rutherford, served the Confederacy.

In 1864, Confederate forces attacked Union troops in the Battle of Massard Prairie near their home place. Less than two weeks later, a wagon train of 1,500 civilians fled Fort Smith to escape the war and establish new homes on the frontier. The war ended in 1865.

1870 - Marion, Sebastian Co., AR

Wm Mcallister 56 - farmer
Elizabeth Mcallister 49
Nathaniel Mcallister 23
James Rutherford 27
Louisa Rutherford 19
Mary Mcallister 16
George Estes 11
George Rogers 20 - teamster
Edward White 20 - teamster

William Jackson and Elizabeth had seven children: James Jackson, Martha Temperance, Frances, Nathaniel Holcombe, John B., Louisa E., and Mary. All but James Jackson and Nathaniel are buried at Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Elizabeth, his wife, died February 9, 1875. William died three days later, February 12, 1875. Their obituaries were published side by side.

William and his wife are listed among the earliest settlers of Mazzard Prairie. Their home place, which was inherited by their daughter Martha McAllister Bugg and her husband, and later inherited by their son, was eventually taken to establish Camp Chaffee. The Janet Huckabee Nature Center at Wells Lake now sits on the very land that was originally William's and Elizabeth's home place.

Both William and Elizabeth are buried in Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian Co. Arkansas. The McAllisters established the cemetery when they buried on their land, in 1850, two of their infant children, John B. and Frances McAllister.

William Jackson McAlester's daughters Martha Temperance and husband, Thomas William Bugg, and Louisa and husband, James W. Rutherford, later donated land to expand Steep Hill Cemetery beyond the original "half acre for burying." Steep Hill Cemetery has since served the community as a final resting places for many.


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The earliest American settlers of William Jackson's family originate to William McAllister born in 1694 in Louisa County, Virginia, and his wife, Elizabeth Garland McAllister, born in 1698. Migration for decendents was first to Kentucky, then to Missouri, and later, to Arkansas. William Jackson used the spelling McAllister throughout his entire life. His sons James Jackson and Nathaniel changed the spelling to McAlester and documents indicate they likely placed the gravestone markers for their parents and siblings with the spelling McAlester. William' brother, Brightberry McAllister, similarly changed the spelling also. The McAllister's family line and burials at Steep Hill have been documented with Clan McAlister of America. Like many surnames, the spelling of McAlester from McAllister changed over time. William's son, James Jackson McAllister/McAlester, went on to Indian Territory and established what is present day, McAlester, Oklahoma. Like his father, he was active in politics and was voted the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma.

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OBITUARY of William Jackson McAllister - Fort Smith Elevator newspaper dated February 13, 1875

"We are pained to announce the death of our old friend, Judge Wm. McAllister who departed this life on Friday morning, the 12th, at 7 o'clock, after a short illness, follwing soon his beloved wife, who was buried the day preceeding.

Judge McAllister was one of the old citizens of our county - was for several years County and Probate Judge - and always enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him.

Sebastian county has lost a valuable citizen in his death. He died as he lived, a Christian, and in the full hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave."

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OBITUARY of William Jackson McAllister - The Fort Smith Herald newspaper, dated February 13, 1875

DIED

"McAllister - At his home in this county, on the 12th, inst., of pneumonia Judge Wm. McAllister, in the 61st year of his age.

A devoted husband, an affectionate parent, a good neighbor and an honest upright man.

Funeral tomorrow, Sunday at 12, o'clock, m. - from his residence to Steep Hill cemetery - all his friends are requested to attend."

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Sources: Census records, marriage records, Goodspeed Histories of Sebastian County Arkansas, History and Genealogy of Hendrick, Buckner and Related Families by Jerry and Wincie Hendricks, family documents, Bugg family bible, Fort Smith Herald obituary, Fort Smith Elevator obituary, United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Fort Smith Historical Society.

Compiled by Gina Caperton Ervin, GGG granddaughter of William Jackson McAllister and Elizabeth Holcomb McAllister.

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William Jackson McAllister (McAlester) was born in Logan (Simpson) County, Kentucky to James Garland and Temperance Jackson McAllister. His parents married December 12, 1805, in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. They were Virginians. Simpson County was established in 1819 from Allen, Logan, and Warren Counties.

William's father died in 1816 when William was a small child. His mother was enumerated as head of household with the children in 1820, in Simpson County, Kentucky.

By 1830, his widowed mother migrated to Howard County, Missouri where several members of her Jackson family were already living. William also took up residence in the state for a short period before migrating to Arkansas.

As documented by the 1840 Census, William migrated to Arkansas to homestead. By 1842, William Jackson McAllister married Elizabeth Holcomb. They started a family shortly after. William supported the family as a farmer and stock man.

1850 Census - Marion, Crawford Co., AR

William McAllister 36 - farmer
Elizabeth McAllister 29
James J McAllister 6
Martha T McAllister 5
Nathaniel H McAllister 3
John B McAllister 1

Originally part of Crawford County, Sebastian County was formed January 6, 1851. William served on the committee that led to the county's formation. Politically, William Jackson McAllister was an active member of the Democratic Party and among the first elected officials of the county. He served two terms as Sebastian County's first coroner (1851-1852) and was its' fifth county and probate judge (1860-1864). In addition, to political endeavors, William Jackson McAllister was a founding member and elected officer of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge. The first meeting for the lodge was held April 20th, 1858.

Already established and involved in the building of the county and his community, William received land grants signed by three Presidents: Van Buren, Tyler, and Buchannan. One included his homestead, in Sebastian County, Arkansas (1858 and 1860, from the land office at Clarksville).

1860 Census - Marion, Sebastian Co., AR

William McAlister 46 - farmer
Elizabeth McAlister 40
James McAlister 18
Martha McAlister 16
Nathan McAlister 13
Louisa McAlister 10
Mary McAlister 6
John Warden 32
Jerry Orland 35

January 1, 1861, William served as Vice-President for a historical "Union Meeting" in Van Buren, the purpose for which was to debate and determine succession from the union with the states.

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861. When President Lincoln asked Arkansas to provide a regiment of troops to force the seceded states back into the Union, the governor sent a force to take the Fort Smith arsenal, and Arkansas regiments began organizing to fight for the South.

As tension and danger escalated during the war, William McAllister moved his family to safety at Red River, Texas, were they stayed approximately two years before returning home. During that time, his son James Jackson McAllister (McAlester), and son-in-laws, William T. Bugg and James W. Rutherford, served the Confederacy.

In 1864, Confederate forces attacked Union troops in the Battle of Massard Prairie near their home place. Less than two weeks later, a wagon train of 1,500 civilians fled Fort Smith to escape the war and establish new homes on the frontier. The war ended in 1865.

1870 - Marion, Sebastian Co., AR

Wm Mcallister 56 - farmer
Elizabeth Mcallister 49
Nathaniel Mcallister 23
James Rutherford 27
Louisa Rutherford 19
Mary Mcallister 16
George Estes 11
George Rogers 20 - teamster
Edward White 20 - teamster

William Jackson and Elizabeth had seven children: James Jackson, Martha Temperance, Frances, Nathaniel Holcombe, John B., Louisa E., and Mary. All but James Jackson and Nathaniel are buried at Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Elizabeth, his wife, died February 9, 1875. William died three days later, February 12, 1875. Their obituaries were published side by side.

William and his wife are listed among the earliest settlers of Mazzard Prairie. Their home place, which was inherited by their daughter Martha McAllister Bugg and her husband, and later inherited by their son, was eventually taken to establish Camp Chaffee. The Janet Huckabee Nature Center at Wells Lake now sits on the very land that was originally William's and Elizabeth's home place.

Both William and Elizabeth are buried in Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian Co. Arkansas. The McAllisters established the cemetery when they buried on their land, in 1850, two of their infant children, John B. and Frances McAllister.

William Jackson McAlester's daughters Martha Temperance and husband, Thomas William Bugg, and Louisa and husband, James W. Rutherford, later donated land to expand Steep Hill Cemetery beyond the original "half acre for burying." Steep Hill Cemetery has since served the community as a final resting places for many.


** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

The earliest American settlers of William Jackson's family originate to William McAllister born in 1694 in Louisa County, Virginia, and his wife, Elizabeth Garland McAllister, born in 1698. Migration for decendents was first to Kentucky, then to Missouri, and later, to Arkansas. William Jackson used the spelling McAllister throughout his entire life. His sons James Jackson and Nathaniel changed the spelling to McAlester and documents indicate they likely placed the gravestone markers for their parents and siblings with the spelling McAlester. William' brother, Brightberry McAllister, similarly changed the spelling also. The McAllister's family line and burials at Steep Hill have been documented with Clan McAlister of America. Like many surnames, the spelling of McAlester from McAllister changed over time. William's son, James Jackson McAllister/McAlester, went on to Indian Territory and established what is present day, McAlester, Oklahoma. Like his father, he was active in politics and was voted the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

OBITUARY of William Jackson McAllister - Fort Smith Elevator newspaper dated February 13, 1875

"We are pained to announce the death of our old friend, Judge Wm. McAllister who departed this life on Friday morning, the 12th, at 7 o'clock, after a short illness, follwing soon his beloved wife, who was buried the day preceeding.

Judge McAllister was one of the old citizens of our county - was for several years County and Probate Judge - and always enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him.

Sebastian county has lost a valuable citizen in his death. He died as he lived, a Christian, and in the full hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave."

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

OBITUARY of William Jackson McAllister - The Fort Smith Herald newspaper, dated February 13, 1875

DIED

"McAllister - At his home in this county, on the 12th, inst., of pneumonia Judge Wm. McAllister, in the 61st year of his age.

A devoted husband, an affectionate parent, a good neighbor and an honest upright man.

Funeral tomorrow, Sunday at 12, o'clock, m. - from his residence to Steep Hill cemetery - all his friends are requested to attend."

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Sources: Census records, marriage records, Goodspeed Histories of Sebastian County Arkansas, History and Genealogy of Hendrick, Buckner and Related Families by Jerry and Wincie Hendricks, family documents, Bugg family bible, Fort Smith Herald obituary, Fort Smith Elevator obituary, United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Fort Smith Historical Society.

Compiled by Gina Caperton Ervin, GGG granddaughter of William Jackson McAllister and Elizabeth Holcomb McAllister.

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