James Alonzo Petty

Born in Kentucky in August, 1831, John C. Petty was but a boy when he accompanied his father to Clinton county, Missouri, where he was brought up on a farm. He subsequently learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed during his active career. He spent his last days in Neodesha, Kansas, his death occurring there in 1903. He was five times married. He married first Jane Searcy, a daughter of Reuben Searcy. She died during the infancy of her only child, James Alonzo Petty, the special subject of this brief personal record. James lived in Taylor , Iowa in 1860 when he was 5 years old with his dad, John C. Petty. But it looks like 10 years later, he is back in Missouri. John C. married second Caroline Morgan in Taylor, Iowa and she died in early womanhood, leaving one son, John Morgan Petty, who died at Storm Lake, Iowa, leaving a family. The third wife of John C. was Louisa Pritchard, who at her death left one child, Mrs. Fannie Rumbaugh, of Indiana.

His fourth wife was Rachel (maiden name Clark) Brotherton His fifth wife, who before marriage was Mollie Moore, survived him and is living  in Neodesha, Kansas. She bore him four children, namely: Harry,  Claude, Stella, and Helen of Neodesha, Kansas. 

Receiving a limited education in the district schools of Clinton county, James Alonzo Petty worked at the forge in his father's shop while yet a boy, and began life for himself with no capital save his well- learned trade, brave courage and brawny muscles. The resources, there- fore, which furnished the foundation of his present independent position in the business world were, in truth, pounded out by his skilled right arm. Coming to Arkansas in 1876, Mr. Petty followed his trade in Weddington, Washington county, until 1883. when he located in Siloam Springs, which has since been his home. When, owing to the strain of incessant toil, his strong physique gave out, he abandoned his trade and sought other fields of activity as a livelihood.

He has since been almost constantly identified with public affairs, beginning his service when elected, on the Democratic ticket, as city marshal. He was afterwards city recorder and then .justice of the peace. In 1898, Mr. Petty was appointed United States commissioner, and has filled the office most creditably ever since. Several years ago he became a stockholder in the State Bank of Siloam Springs, and served as president of instition until October, 1910. A man of good business ability and insite, he has erected several residential properties in the city, thus investing in a practical manner his substantial interest in the permanent development of the place.

On September 6, 1874. in Jasper county, MIissouri, James Petty was united in marriage with Mollie H. Mackie, a daughter of William Mackie, a Scotchman who came to the United States from Canada. Mr. Mackie 's first wife died at a comparatively early age, leaving five chil- dren besides Mrs. Petty, as follows: A. W. Mackie, of San Saba, Texas; Mrs. Maggie Smith, of Cincinnati, Arkansas; Mrs. Aggie Copley, who died in Weddington, Arkansas; Annie, wife of William Davis, of Wed- dington; and Jennie, wife of Archibald Harris, of Lenora, Oklahoma. Mr. Mackie married a second time, and by that union had two children. George Mackie and John Mackie, both now residing in Washington county, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs.James Petty are the parents of six children, namely: Harry, a resident of Siloam Springs, married Pearl McFar- land; Joseph E., of Siloam Springs; William R.. of San Saba, Texas married Jayda ; Alonzo F., of Siloain Springs, married Clara Stults; Matt A. ; and Robert M.

Fraternally Mr. Petty stands high in Masonic circles, being a mem- ber of Key Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as W. M. ; a member and the secretary of Siloam Springs Chapter, R. A. M. ; a member and recorder of Siloam Springs Commandery, K. T. ; and a member of Siloam Springs Chapter, O. E. S.