Archibald Borden

BORDON, Archabald - Mr. Archabald Bordon died at his home in Prairie Grove
at an early hour Saturday morning, after a long and painful illness, extending
over a period of five years, most of which time he was confined to his bed. The
deceased was born on Tennessee December 20, 1824, and had he lived would
have been 90 years old next December. December 21, 1851, he came to
Arkansas and settled at Sulphur Springs, five miles south of Prairie Grove, now
owned by A. Stamps, where he lived a number of years. He made several trips to
California, each time returning to Arkansas, and has lived in our little city for the
past ten years. Mr. Bordon was a descendant of the sturdy stalwart pioneers of
our southland. Possessing a remarkably fine physique, an iron constitution and a
will power that enabled him to accomplish many of the difficulties and problems
of life, that a less heroic character would not undertake. He served twelve
months as a Confederate soldier. He often prided himself as being the oldest
man, member of the Methodist congregation here, he having been a professor of
religion and a student of the Bible over 70 years. He was ever industrious and full
of energy and after he became an invalid was past walking he made plans for the
improvements he would put on his farm as soon as he was able to get along. He
possessed a strong mind and had a wealth of information of incidents concerning
Northwest Arkansas, the coming and going of her people and the progress she
had made during the past fifty years. He had been a Christian for about 75 years
and in his younger days was an earnest and zealous worker in the church and
Sunday School. He was three times married. His first wife was Miss Caroline
Rogers, the second was Miss Mary McWhorten, and the wife who survives him
was Miss Mary Jane West. Beside his wife he is survived by three sons and two
daughters, Messrs. Reynold Borden of Oceanside, California, William Borden of
Long Beach, California and John Borden of near Long Beach; Mrs. Callie
Brandenburg of Winkleman, Arizona and Mrs. Zona Suttle of El Contra,
California. The funeral took place from the Methodist church Saturday afternoon
at 5:30 o’clock, Rev. F.A. Lark of Paris, Arkansas, former pastor of this church
and a special friend of the deceased, assisted by Rev. F.A. Bradshaw, conducted
the services and he was laid to rest in the family plot at the Prairie Grove
cemetery. The Masons, of which he was a member, attended in a body and
performed their burial rites at the grave. [Prairie Grove Herald 8/6/1914]
Archibald Borden, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, was born December 24, 1824 at
Greenville, Greene County, Tennessee, the son of John Borden, born 1793 in
Greene County, Tennessee. (He was in the Creek War) The maiden name of Mr.
Borden’s mother was Jane Macony, who came from England to America. He was
educated by Prof. Thomas Stone. He was a farmer and Mayor of Prairie Grove,
Arkansas and served as a quartermaster of a company in Brooks Cavalry, being
assigned to the 34th Cavalry. He was also a Mason and member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Borden was married three times; first – Sarah C.
Rogers; second – Mary E. Maguerter (?) and third to Mary Jane West. His
children were: Reynolds Bascom, Thomas C., Caledonia, William L., John W.,
Lavena and Julia Borden. [1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]
Mr. A. Bordon of Prairie Grove and Mr. W.E. Zellner of Viney Grove, both of
whom are among our oldest citizens, have been very ill for the past week. Mr.Zellner is slightly improved, but Mr. Borden is not resting so well. – Prairie Grove
Herald [Fayetteville Democrat 12/30/1909]
Mrs. Mary J. Bordon, widow of A. Bordon, who died August 1, 1914, filed Widow
Application #23608 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington County
for a widow pension and it was received as allowed August 21, 1915 at the State,
citing her husband’s service in the Arkansas Cavalry from 1861 thru 1865. [State
of Arkansas Confederate Pension Archives]