Randolph Peden Hamby

RANDOLPH PEDEN HAMBY (b. 9-24-1886)

only child of Christopher Columbus Hamby (b.9-14-1851. 4 1-31-1921) and Isabella Carolina Blake (b. 2-6-1863. d. 12-28-1986), was porn at Prescott, Ark.; attended Tom Allen High School from Fall of 1893 to Spring of 1900, and term of 1900-1901 at Court House, school having burned during summer of 1900; attended Tenn. Industrial School at Nashville, Tenn. from Sept. 1901 to July 4, 1902; attended University of Arkansas from Sept. 1902 to March 1903. At Nashville, Tenn. studied shorthand, typewriting, bookkeeping end telegraphy. In summer of 1903 began working in father’s office as stenographer and began the study of law; at various times was official court reporter of Circuit Court under appointment of Circuit Judges J.M. Carter, George R. Haynie and James H. McCollum; admitted to practice law in state courts in 1909, being examined by attorneys W.V. Tompkins, Thos. C. McRae, H.B. McKenzie end Chancellor Shaver, Entered partnership with father and George R. Haynie. Member Prescott volunteer fire department’ 1905-1907. Sergeant Prescott company of State Guards 1903-1906. In 1909 was Sec. of Nevada County Historical Society, H.B. McKenzie, president. 1909 joined York Rite Bodies of Free Masonry, 1911 edited and published book, "Annotations to Kirby's digest of the Statutes of Ark," 1912 elected Mayor of Prescott, continuing in that office up to the present time (1940). June 26, 1912, married to Irene Royston, daughter of Capt. Charles E. Royston and Mary M, Andrews of Hempstead County, Arkansas, to which union two children were born:

Mary Isabelle Hamby, b. 10-26-1914

Irene Royston Hamby, b. 7-22-1916.

In 1912 joined the First Presbyterian Church of Prescott by letter from First Methodist Church of Prescott which church he had joined by Baptism, May 15, 1898. In 1913 edited, “Digest of Ordinances of City of Prescot Ark." 1914 appointed Prescott correspondent to the Arkansas Gazette. 1918 served as Special Appeal Agent for the U.S. Government. In 1923 charter member of Prescott Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, elected Adjutant. 1919-1935 secretary of Prescott Chamber of Commerce. 1924= 1939 secretary of County Central Committee, Democratic Party. 1924 edited published and copyrighted book, “Arkansas Mayors, Recorder and Ordinances" 1926-1934, also 1939, Deputy Prosecuting Atty. 1931-1935 president of the Prescott School Board; five: years previous chairman County Board of Education. In 1920 admitted practice Arkansas Federal Courts. Member Executive Committee Arkansas Municipal League 1935-1936, Has been member American Bar Association, National Shorthand Reporters Association, and served on standing committees of Grand Lodge of Arkansas Masons. Served as special County Judge, Special Chancellor end Special Circuit Judge in Nevada County. Associated Press correspondent since 1934. 6-14-1906 reported in shorthand speech of negro Squire Smith hanged for killing Gleghorn brother; witnessed hanging. S«27«1917 reported in Shorthand speech of former President Wm. H. Taft at Prescott. In 1940 became member of the Arkansas Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Elected Elder of the First Presbyterian Church at Prescott, Arkansas November 9, 1941.

Condensed from his autobiography written for me Sept 1939.