John Jefferson Baggett

BAGGETT, J.J. - (from Wednesday’s Daily) J.J. Baggett, one of Fayetteville’s most prominent men and one of the wealthiest citizens and oldest residents of Washington County, died Tuesday evening at 9:45 o’clock at Orlando, Florida, according to a telegram received here this morning by Art Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Baggett and daughter left Fayetteville several weeks ago for Florida where they expected to spend the winter for Mr. Baggett’s health. Mr. Baggett was a stockholder in more than thirty-five corporations in Arkansas and Oklahoma and a large land-owner in Texas and New Mexico. At the time of his death he was vice-president and director of the First National Bank of Fayetteville, largest stockholder and director of the Ozark Wholesale Grocer Company, this place, director and stockholder of the Fayetteville Lumber and Cement Company, director of the First National Bank of Rogers, director of the First National Bank of Prairie Grove, founder and owner of the Smith Mercantile Company of Prairie Grove and of the Proctor Mercantile Company of Proctor, Oklahoma, as well as director in a number of other concerns. Deceased was about 78 years of age and had resided here for 40 years. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Miss Marguerite Baggett of Fayetteville; three sons, L.L., William and Jo Baggett Grove. Funeral arrangements have not been announced but services will probably be held here Friday. Mr. Baggett’s sons left today to meet the family.

[Weekly Fayetteville Democrat 1/1/1920]

(from Monday’s Daily) The body of the late J.J. Baggett was laid to rest yesterday in Prairie Grove Cemetery following services held at the Prairie Grove Methodist Church at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. J.P. Stevenson, presiding elder, assisted by Rev. H.E. Wheeler, pastor of the Fayetteville Methodist Church. Masonic services were held at the grave, with J.L. Davis master of ceremonies. Pall bearers were members of the Fayetteville and Prairie Grove Masonic lodges as follows: Dr. J.H. Brewster, John Taylor, Will Campbell, R.P. Nifong, John P. Smith and Rev. J.B. Stevenson. Honorary pallbearers were: J.E. McClendon of Tahlaquah, Art Lewis and W.A. Cornwell of Fayetteville, John Pearson of Tahlaquah and J.H. Zellner of Prairie Grove. A large number of business associates and close friends from Fayetteville attended the services.

[Weekly Fayetteville Democrat 1/1/1920]

Rogers Democrat

Thursday, January 1, 1920

Rogers’ friends were sorry to learn of the death of J.J. Baggett of Fayetteville which occurred last week at Orlando, Fla. where he had gone for the winter. Mr. Baggett was 73 years old and had lived in Fayetteville for more than 40 years. He was director of the First National Bank of this city, was vice president of the First National Bank of Fayetteville, the largest stockholder of the Ozark Wholesale Grocery Co., owned mercantile stores at several Arkansas and Oklahoma points and was a director in numerous other business concerns of Fayetteville and Washington county. He was buried at Fayetteville Saturday.

*Source: Sons of Confederate Veterans, Washington County, Arkansas 2009

Compiled by William W Degge

J.J. Baggett is going about on crutches, the result of a badly sprained ankle. The team attached to a wagon from which he was unloading corn ran away and Mr. Baggett jumped, sustaining injuries from which he will be some time recovering - Prairie Grove Record (next item follows in same paper)

Mrs. J.J. Baggett was the victim of a painful accident Monday night. While returning from church she missed the way and walked into a ditch near the cemetery. A badly sprained ankle was the result and it will be some time before she will be able to get around. - Prairie Grove Record\

[Fayetteville Democrat 6/2/1894]

Prairie Grove Items - J.J. Baggett returned Tuesday from the Territory where he had been looking after his interests. He informs us that the final payment to the Negroes will begin next Monday, and says the prospect of our people getting their money is not flattering. The question with them now is not how much they can get, but how little they may lose.

[Fayetteville Democrat 8/19/1897]