James W. Sandifer

From: Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas; pub. 1889, p. 747

James W. Sandifer, a thriving farmer, was born in Mississippi, June 3, 1838.  His father, Peter Sandifer, was a native of Louisiana, who first moved to Mississippi, and then to Texas in 1867, and is now living, retired from the active duties of life, in Dallas.  Peter Sandifer married Miss Sarah Carr, daughter of Cornelius Carr, of South Carolina, and there were born to this marriage ten children, of whom James W. is the third.  James W. Sandifer was first married in Mississippi, in 1861, to Mrs. Martha Brent, widow, daughter of Thomas Andrews, of Mississippi, and mother of one children--James N. Brent, who is now married.  To Sandifer were born by this marriage eight children--William M., Charles P., Robert W., Mary E., Martha D., Nannie C., Ida F., and Jesse L.  Mrs. Sandifer died February 12, 1885, and for his second wife Mr. Sandifer chose Miss Mary A. Poindexter, daughter of James W. Poindexter, of Virginia, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children--Sapphie E., and Sarah M.

James W. Sandifer was reared a farmer, and received a common-school education.  After his marriage in 1861 he settled down on a farm, but the war breaking out, he enlisted, in 1862, in the Confederate army, Company K, Thirty-eighth Mississippi infantry, participated in many battles in Tennessee, and was captured at Vicksburg, but soon-released on parole, and returned home for awhile; he then entered a cavalry company with which he served until 1867, when he brought his family to Texas, locating in Dallas County, where he resided ten years, and then bought his present farm of 260 acres of raw land, but all of which he has since fenced in and 200 acres of which he has put under cultivation in mixed crops improved with comfortable buildings, and provided with all necessary conveniences for his live stock which receives much of his attention.  Mr. Sandifer is a Free Mason, a Knight of Honor and a member of the Missionary Baptist church.  He has a profitable farm, a cheerful home, and stands decidedly high in the regard of all his neighbors.

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