Ferdinand Havis

"Ferd Havis, circuit clerk and recorder, Pine Bluff, Ark. In the brief sketch of this useful and well respected citizen may be seen how it is possible for a young man to rise in the world through individual efforts, when not in the possession of means other than those bestowed by nature. He was born in Desha County, Ark., November 15, 1846, and is the son of John Havis. Ferd Havis came to Jefferson County, Ark., when but a boy, grew to manhood there and there received his education in the common schools. He is a barber by trade and followed this vocation up to the date of his election to his present office. In 1871 he was elected alderman in the city of Pine Bluff, and served two years; he was elected as a member of the legislature in the fall of 1872 for two years, and upon the adjournment of the legislature in 1873, was appointed assessor of Jefferson County, for four years. In 1874 he received a commission from Gov. Baxter, as colonel in the Brooks-Baxter War. In the fall of 1874 he was again elected as alderman of the city of Pine Bluff, to which position he has been continuously elected to this date. In 1882 he was elected to his present office of circuit clerk, having been three times elected to that office since. He was elected as a delegate to the National Convention in 1880, 1884 and 1888, and was one of the "Old Guards" of the 306 that stood by Grant, and also the vice-president for the State of Arkansas, in the National Convention of 1888. He makes a good officer and discharges the duties of his position in an able and efficient manner. He received the caucus vote of the Republican members of the legislature of 1887, for United States senator, from the State of Arkansas, and is the present chairman of the Republican County central committee of Jefferson County. During slave times he had as a master John Havis. Mr. Havis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the G. U. O. O. F. Lodge and United Brothers of Friendship. He owns about 2,000 acres of land and is quite wealthy."

Sourced by a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Jefferson County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.