Col. James C. Wharton This brother came of an old Anglo-Norman well known in history for it's military and legislative achievements. His ancestores in England were, for six generations, members of the upper House of Parliament. His Grandfather, a Virginian, was Colonel of a South Carolina regiment during the Revolutionary War, and a great Uncle was the first Continental Governor of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was born in Abbeville, S.C., May 19, 1808. Left an orphan at a tender age, his welfare was carefully looked after by a wealthy uncle, and he was thoroughly educated. Presbyterian, but after thorough investigation of the scriptures, he became a pronounced Baptist. He was elected colonel of a regiment of military in his native state, and afterwards was commisioned colonel of one of the twelve "Nulification" regiments raised by Governor Robert Y. Hayne to resist President Andrew Jackson, they threatened to invade South Carolina with United States troops. Colonel Wharton at that time was a wealthy merchant and planter, but a few years later during a great panic he lost his entire fortune. He came to Arkansas several years before the Civil War -- really on his way to Texas, but being detained for a while at Pine Bluff he was finally prevailed upon by some wealthy Masons to take the principalship of a Mount Elba, which school was regarded as a nucleus out of which a Masonic female college would evolve. But its gifted principal died November 24, 1859. Two years later the building, together with the historic Lodge Hall, was burned to the ground by General Clayton's Federal Calvery, and the school was not re-established after the war. There being no Baptist paper published in this state at that time of Colonel Wharton's death, these are denominational papers concerning the life of this gifted layman and educator. He awaits the resurrection in old New Hope Cemetery, near Toledo, Cleveland County. His wife and most of his children have followed him "over the River", only to remain in this state, a son at Eagle Mills, and a daughter, Mrs. Melinda Jane Hunter of Dallas, Texas. And the two younger sons, who (have) prominent pastorates in Louisiana. We were once pastor of the church of which brother Wharton was a member when he died, and had the privilege of baptizing his two gifted sons, Rev. A.J. and Rev. J.A.H. Wharton. We are glad to present a sketch of their noble father. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Info from Rev. Marvin Talmage Wharton: James C. Wharton established a school at Mt. Elba, Ark. It was later destroyed by Gen. Powell Clayton's Cavalry of Federal (line lost in copying). He was an officer in one of the 12 Nullification Regiments raised by Gov. Robert Y. Hayne of SC. (From Charlene Walker Brazell).