James Middleton Pittman

Judge James Middleton Pittman, one of the distinguished jurists of the

Fourth Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, was born near Prairie Grove May 1, 1838,

and is the son of James C. and Mary A. (Tuttle) Pittman. Judge Pittman left

home at the age of thirteen, clerked in a dry goods store and attended Ozark

Institute. At the age of sixteen he became teacher of mathematics in Ozark

Institute, and the following year he began reading l::,w in the office of Hon. W.

D. Reagan, of Fayetteville, being admitted to the bar from this office in his

twenty-first year, before Judge Felix I. Batson. He immediately began practicing

at Carrollton, Carroll Co., and continued at this until the war, when he

enlisted his services in the State troops, and rendered effective and active service

at Oak Hill, or Wilson's Creek, as captain of Company K, Walker's regiment.

After the discharge of the State troops he entered the Confederate service as

private of Company E, Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry, Hill's regiment, and participated

in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth and siege of Port Hudson, La.

Upon the reorganization, in 1862, he was elected from the ranks as major of his

regiment, and was afterward promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, taking

command of the Sixteenth Arkansas. He was captured July 8, 1863, at Port Hudson,

La., and was confined in the Federal prisons until released July 24, 1865, by

special proclamation. After the war Judge Pittman spent a year in Carrollton,

and in 1867 moved to Washington County, Ark. He represented that

county and Benton County in the State Legislature of 1871. In 1874 he was

elected circuit judge, holding the position until 1878. In 1882 be was re-elected,

and has been elected to that incumbency ever since. He was married, in Carroll

County, to Miss Margaret Peel, daughter of John W. Peel rsee sketch

elsewhere], and became the father of two sons and one daughter: Hubert N., a

law student of promise; Jennie M. and Bob T. Judge Pittman is a member of

the I. 0. 0. F., and Mrs. Pittman is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is

an active worker in the same.

PITTMAN, James Middleton - {from The Fayetteville Daily, Wednesday} Judge J. M. Pittman died at this home in this city at 12 o’clock last night. His death was not unexpected as his serious illness has been known since he returned from Eureka Springs court ten days ago. He had been so badly afflicted with rheumatism for a number of years that he could not get around without help. He was otherwise in good health until six months ago when there was a general breakdown of physical powers. He made a manly struggle against the inevitable and presided over his courts much of the time at the spring terms. When court opened at Eureka Springs on the first Monday in this month his indomitable will power took him there but the flesh was too weak and he was forced to give up the return home. This last effort to discharge his official duty overtaxed his strength and no doubt hastened the end. James Middleton Pittman was born near Prairie Grove, Arkansas on May 1, 1838. He was the son of James C. and Mary A. {Tuttle} Pittman. His father was a popular citizen and was clerk of the county. The son was reared on the farm until he was 16 years old when he clerked in a store for a while and then went to school at Ozark Institute. He subsequently taught mathematics in that famous institution of learning. He studied law in Fayetteville and at 21 was admitted to the bar. He located at Carrollton, Ark. Where he practiced his profession until the civil war broke out when he enlisted in the Confederate service and was elected captain of a company of state guards, Walker’s regiment, in which capacity he participated in the Battle of Oak Hill, or Wilson’s Creek. When the state troops were disbanded he joined the regular Confederate army as a private in Company C., Sixteenth Ark., and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth and the siege of Port Hudson and was confined in prison until July 24, 1865. When released he returned to Carrollton and moved to Fayetteville in 1867 where he has since lived. In 1871 he represented Washington and Benton counties in the Legislature and in 1874 was elected Circuit Judge, until 1893. In 1898 he was elected to the bench for the fourth term and his time would have expired in 1902. After the war Judge Pittman was married to Miss Margaret Peel, a sister of Col. Sam. W. Peel. She died four years ago. Three children survive them: Hubert N., Mrs. Harvey Wilkerson and Robt. T., all of whom were present when their father died. He left two brothers and one sister: Capt. S.P. Pittman of this city, Mr. W.E. Pittman of Prairie Grove and Mrs. W.G.D. Hinds of South McAlester. I.T. Judge Pittman was a great lawyer and distinguished jurist. The lawyers of his court always believed that his place was on the supreme bench and at one time he only missed the nomination to that high office by a few voters. He was wedded to his profession and was a tireless student of legal lore. In native intellect and reasoning powers he had no superiors in this section of the state. He was acquainted with almost every man in this judicial district and was extensively acquainted throughout the state. No man had more and truer friends. He had a sunny disposition and his family relations were ideal. He was a just judge, an honest man and good citizen. May he rest in peace. [The Springdale News 8/24/1900] [Fayetteville Democrat 8/23/1900]

An election for a Senator from this District, composed of the counties of Benton and Washington, has been ordered to be held on the 4th of November next, to fill out the unexpired term of Hon. Aleck Caraloff, removed from the District. If the Legislature should be assembled, it is of the greatest importance that we be represented by one of our best men. Believing that this District would be ably and faithfully represented by Col. J.M. Pittman, we today hoist his name at our masthead for the position, and shall labor to secure his election. Col. Pittman is a young man, born and raised in this county, of superior talent, faithful to all trusts confided to his keeping and would make us a member at the state Senate who would reflect honor upon the District. He is well and favorably known to most of the people in the District and we feel confident he will be elected by a handsome majority. [Fayetteville Democrat 10/4/1873]

We learn that a letter was received here yesterday from Col. Pettigrew stating that Judge Pittman was thrown from his horse in going from this place to Berryville court, a few days since, and seriously hurt -so much so as to be unable to hold court. [Fayetteville Democrat 3/25/1876]

Judge J.M. Pittman, who has been too ill to leave his room for a week, is convalescent. [Fayetteville Democrat 12/21/1899]

PITTMAN, James Middleton - Judge J.M. Pittman, judge of the Fourth Judicial District, died yesterday morning at his home at Fayetteville. He has been in very poor health the past year and his death was not unexpected, though it will be greatly regretted by all who knew him. The funeral will be held today at Fayetteville at the Episcopal church. Judge James Middleton Pittman was born near Prairie Grove May 1, 1838 and is a son of Jas. C. and Mary A. (Tuttle) Pittman. Judge Pittman left home at the age of thirteen, clerked in a dry goods store and attended Ozark Institute. The following year he began reading law in the office of Hon. W.D. Reagan of Fayetteville, being admitted to the bar from this office in his twenty-first year, before Judge Felix I. Batson. He immediately began practicing at Carrollton, Carroll Co. and continued at this until the war, when he enlisted his services in the State troops and rendered effective service at Oak Hill or Wilson's Creek as captain of Company K, Walker's regiment, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth and siege of Port Hudson, La. Upon the reorganization, 1862, he was elected from the ranks as major of his regiment, and was afterward promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel taking command of the Sixteenth Arkansas. He was captured July 8, 1863 at Port Hudson, La. and was confined in the Federal prisons until released July 24,1865 by special proclamation. After the war Judge Pittman spent a year in Carrollton and in 1867 moved to Washington County, Ark. He represented that county and Benton County in the state legislature in 1871. In 1874 he was elected circuit judge, holding this position until 1878. At that election he was defeated by our present United States senator, Jas. H. Berry. In 1882 he was again a candidate and again re-elected. In all he has served fourteen years as circuit judge of this district. He was a brother-in-law of ex-Congressman Peel of Bentonville, having married Miss Margaret Peel. He is survived by three children, two sons and one daughter. [Rogers Democrat 8/23/1900]