Van Buren IZARD (VETERAN CSA)

COLONEL CSA
Company E McRae's Regiment
Civil War Confederate
February 28, 1837 - December 13, 1921

*Family History
Col. V. B. Izard, whose name is identified with only that which is good and noble, and who has attained an enviable position in the hearts of the citizens of Eastern Arkansas, owes his nativity to St. Francis County, Ark., where he was born in 1837, being the son of Mark W. and Permelia (Shackelford) Izard. The genealogy of the Izard family is traced to Scotland, whence at an early day the great-grandfather of our subject emigrated to the New England States. Three of his sons afterward settled in South Carolina, and some time subsequent the grandfather, Nicholas Hoffman Izard, of Col. V. B. Izard separated from his two brothers, and located permanently in Lexington, Ky. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Gov. Mark W., was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1800, removing from his native State to Alabama, and thence to St. Francis County, Ark., in 1824. Here he was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits for some years, and also opened one of the first farms or plantations in the county. Mark W. Izard was not a man who attained high intellectuality as the result of a collegiate education, for he had scarcely more than ordinary literary attainments. Something besides scholarly accomplishments drew around him hosts of friends in the pioneer days of Eastern Arkansas, it may have been his inborn worth, and intuitive genius. He entered the political field with no other qualifications to recommend, or guide him, than his own broad sense, untiring energy and clear judgment. First elected to the Territorial legislature, he sarved as a member of the Constitutional Convention, distinguishing himself in both cases, and to the credit of his county. He afterward served in both branches of the Arkansas State legislature (two or more times each), assisting first as speaker of the house, and later as president of the senate. While still actively engaged in the affairs of his own State, a candidate for another term in the State senate, an incident occurred which changed the field of his political labors from the State of Arkansas to the then Territory of Nebraska. This was his appointment as United States marshal of the Territory mentioned, by President Franklin Pierce, the first to hold that office. The demise of Gov. Burt, the incumbent of that position when Gov. Izard was serving as marshal, made it necessary that another Governor should be appointed. There were, of course, many aspirants for the place, but Gov. Izard with his usual characteristic originality of method, carried the official news of Gov. Burt's death to the President, and solicited the influence of the then two senators of Arkansas, W. K. Sebastan and R. M. Johnson, to have him made Governor, but they thought action on their part useless. This rebuff, however, did not daunt him. Going in person to President Pierce, after a clear statement of his ideas, he received the appointment to the coveted office.
*The Forrest City Times' Art Souvenir-1905-Page 114:
Probably the best-known man in St. Francis County is Mr.Van Buren Izard. He was born February 27,1837, and enjoys the distinction of being the first born white-child in the territory of what is now Forrest City. His parents, Mark W. and Permelia (Shackleford) Izard, were among the early pioneers, having located here in 1824. Mr. Izard saw the first light on the site of the old Baptist church on the hill near the cemetery. His father was a noted man. He was twice speaker of the house in the Arkansas legislature and twice the president of the senate, which is an unusual record. By appointment of President Pierce he was made governor of the then territory of Nebraska, and his incumbency was continued under President Buchanan. He was appointed the purchasing agent and made superintendent of construction of the first capitol building of Nebraska at Omaha. Mr. Izard was a large slave holder, and with his help did much to develop this section. He was educated in the private schools of St.Francis county, public schools at that time being an unknown quantity. When the war came he enlisted and was a participant in the battles of Prairie Grove and Helena, besides numerous minor engagements. He was a member of Co.E, McRae's regiment, of the Confederate Army. Col. Izard was appointed by Governor Berry to be Colonel of the militia of the eastern district of Arkansas, and that commission was never revoked. When the troublsome times of 1889 came he was appointed Sheriff by Governor Eagle, and he was a very strong factor in conserving peace of our town and county. He has been a member of the city council at various times from the establishment of municipal government here, and his work on the school board, of which he was a member for several years, was of a most valuable and conscientious sort. On January 29,1859, Colonel Izard was married to Miss Mary Fondren, of Oxford, Mississippi, and five children were born to them. Lena, the eldest, is the wife of Mr.J.W.Williams, the successful merchant of Wynne; Richard J. Izard is a thriving lawyer and insurance man of Forrest City; Kate is now Mrs. E.A.Long, and also resides in this city; Van B. Jr., is in a large mercantile establishment at DeVall's Bluff; Pearl died at the age of four years.
Died in Little Rock, Arkansas hospital.

Contributed on 9/12/14 by hawkinsdonna
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