[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Home Page |Surname List |Index of Individuals |InterneTree |Sources


View Tree for Gov. James P. EagleGov. James P. Eagle (b. 10 Aug 1837, d. 20 Dec 1904)

Gov. James P. Eagle (son of James Eagle and Charity Swaim) was born 10 Aug 1837 in Maury Co., TN, and died 20 Dec 1904. He married Mary Oldham Kavanaugh on 03 Jan 1882, daughter of William Kavanaugh and Kate Oldham.

 Includes NotesNotes for Gov. James P. Eagle:
Governor James P. Eagle was but two when his parents moved to Arkansas. He was reared on a farm, and had his full share of the hard work that usually falls to the lot of a farmer's son, such as splitting rails, log rolling, building fences, plowing, et., and remained with his father pursuing the duties of farm life until the outbreak of the rebellion. He then enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of the Fifth Arkansas State Troops, though shortly afterward he was transferred to the Second Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, commanded by Col. James McIntosh. He entered the ranks as a private soldier, but when a vacancy occurred, in the fall of 186l, he was elected by the members of his company to fill the position of second lieutenant, and in the spring of 1862 was promoted to the captaincy. He subsequently obtained the rand of major in recognition of his gallant services, and remained in that position until the Confederate Congress passed a law consolidating the Confederate forces, on account of the ranks being thinned; when Gen. D. H. Reynolds' brigade was consolidated into one regiment, known as the First Arkansas Mounted Regiment, dismounted, of which H. C. Bunn was appointed colonel and James P. Eagle lieutenant-colonel. In this position Col. Eagle surrendered with his regiment at Greensboro, North Carolina. During his service he was wounded at Peach Tree Creek, near Atlanta, and laid up for over two months by the wound.

Previous to this, on December 31, 1862, he was captured at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and sent to Camp, Ohio, and subsequently to Fort Delaware, where he was exchanged. His actual service covered the period from the battle with Apotholahola in the Indian Territory, until the surrender, taking part in the battles at Pea Ridge, Richmond, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga (under Gen. Joe Johnston from Dalton to Atlanta), and (after recovering from his wound), at Franklin, Nashville and Bentonville, N.C., besides a number of others of lesser note.

After the war he returned to find that his father had died, that the remainder of the family had gone to Texas, and that his home was broken up. He went to work, however, to put his former home in some recognizable shape, and built himself a cabin in which to live. He cultivated the land, and fortune seemed to so smile upon him that he was soon enabled to purchase more land. As the years went by, his success increased, and he added to his lands until now he owned several thousand acres. Seeing the necessity of a more thorough education, he attended school for one year and a half after the war, part of this time being spent at the Mississippi College (Baptist denomination), at Clinton, Mississippi, he being thirty-five years of age at that time. In 1867 he united with the Baptist Church, and in 1870 was ordained to preach. Since then his labors were given to districts where the denomination was not able to pay a minister, and where the Gospel was needed, never asking and never receiving a cent for his ministerial work. He presided over the Arkansas Baptist State Convention for ten successive years. During his absence in Kentucky, in 1872, he received an unsolicited and unexpected nomination from the Democratic party for the State Legislature, and after making a canvass of the district was elected by that body. He served his term, and also a term in the called legislature of 1874, being appointed, with two others, by that body to represent the State and adjust claims arising out of the Brooks Baxter War. In 1877 Col. Eagle was again a member of the State Legislature, and in 1885 was once more elected to the same position, the last time being elected speaker. In 1888 he received the nomination of his party for the Governorship of Arkansas, after a five days' session of the convention, and on the 137th ballot. He was elected by a good majority.

More About Gov. James P. Eagle:
Burial Place: Mt. Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR.

More About Gov. James P. Eagle and Mary Oldham Kavanaugh:
Marriage: 03 Jan 1882
Created with Family Tree Maker


Description | How to Order | Samples | Free Demo | Quotes and Reviews | Books
Home | User Groups | Mail List | Add-Ons | Support

© Copyright 1996-2007, The Generations Network.