James Elbert Arledge

Lucy and James Elbert moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in April 1883 in two covered wagons crossing Boule River by ferry and settled on their 160 acre land grant homestead. They built a large home on the site that was later occupied by the Methodist Hoispital and lived there until 1900 when he sold it to the G&SI Railroad for the purpose of building the hospital. He then built another home on Edwards Street and they lived there until their death. They were charter members of First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg which originally was in a log school house on Main Street where the Old High School stood. He was Deacon, 1st Church Clerk, an early member of the Masonic Lodge in H'burg, in the lumber and real estate business and was co-owner of a music and novelty store where Fine Bros. Madison was later located. They greeted the 1st railroad in the section. He died on his 88th birthday and she died two years later. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary, and are buried at Oaklawn Cemetery in H'burg. 8 daughters and 1 son.