|
Isaac "Ike" Polk Scarborough
A Brief Sketch Of I.P. ScarboroughI.P. Scarborough was born in Union Parish, Louisiana, August 19, 1846. He came to Texas January 1, 1867. He obeyed the gospel October 29, 1870, and began preaching August 17, 1877. His father, Lawrence Scarborough, was also a restoration preacher, laboring as early as 1820. Lawrence was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War. He was the father of thirty-two children, Ike being the youngest. He was very capable as a evangelist in the cause of Christ. He passed from this life July 17, 1919 and is buried in the city cemetery at Rising Star, Texas. -Adapted from Nichol's, "Gospel Preachers Who Blazed The Trail."
CHAPTER X. 22. Isaac Polk Scarborough, son of Lawrence Scarborough and Sarah Conn Scarborough, was the youngest of nine children born of this union, and was born in Union Parish, Louisiana, August 19, 1846, just a few months before his father died. His mother died when he was just nine years old and he went to live with his sister, Rebecca, wife of James Greenlee, in Union County, Arkansas. He entered the Confederate service while a mere youth, at the age of sixteen, and was first in the Home Guard, and then enlisted in the Cavalry, as a Dispatch Rider. His extreme youth was an asset on at least one occasion. While carrying dispatches to the front line, he was captured by Yankee soldiers, and imprisoned, with his horse, in an improvised corral. The Commanding Officer came to interview him, and when he saw that he was just a kid, he seemed greatly disturbed. He told Isaac that he had a son, just his age, who lost his life, recently, while fighting for the union Army. Knowing that this man was inclined to be lenient, Isaac was not slow to take advantage of the fact. He was an expert horseman, with a well trained horse, so as soon as the officer retired, he leaped on his horse, hurdled the fence, and was on his way to the Confederate lines. There was no pursuit. After a short time in the Calvalry, Isaac enlisted in Company G, of the 3rd Consolidated Regiment, 19th Arkansas Infantry, where he served to the end of the war. He participated in the Battle of Pea Ridge, in Arkansas, and many other important campaigns, but this particular battle made a great impression on him, since it was in his own state, and in an area which he had known most of his life. He was honorably discharged at Camden, Arkansas, on June 11, 1865. Isaac Polk Scarborough was only nineteen years of age when the war was over, but he had inherited the pioneering spirit of his father, and since he had heard glowing reports of the opportunities in Texas, he decided to go there to try his fortune. In 1867, he moved to Williamson County, Texas, and settled on Brushy Creek, where he was employed as foreman of a ranch, owned by Mr. Hamlin, an old friend of the family. The outlaw, Sam Bass, operated not too far away at Round Rock, and caused continuous excitement. He was riding Isaac's pony when he was killed, one of many that he had stolen a few days previous. On June 11, 1874, Isaac was married to Mary Adeline Russell in Williamson County, Texas, the daughter of George Daniel Russell, a Baptist preacher, and Emily Menville Stocall. Mary Adeline Russell was born 5-2-1854, died 12-8-1911. They lived for a short time in 1880 in Milam County, but in 1883, they moved to Callahan County, where they continued to live most of the time after their marriage. Isaac was a Church of Christ Preacher, but he made his living as a farmer. He was one of the pioneer Church of Christ Preachers of West Texas. There were nine children born of this marriage, but two died in infancy.
In 1907, Isaac, familiarly known as "Ike" made a sentimental journey
to his old homes in Arkansas and Louisiana, and on his return wrote
an account of the trip for a Clyde, Texas, Newspaper-The Clyde
Sun-in which he told of meeting many of his old Confederate
comrades. He learned that the Major of his Regiment, Major L. W.
Matthews, was still living, seven Isaac Polk Scarborough was one of the real pioneers, for he was brought up in Louisiana, and Arkansas, when they were dangerous frontiers, and came to West Texas while it was still filled with wild animals, and sometimes wilder Indians. He endured many hardships, due to the prostration of the South, after the warr, and privations and dangers of frontier life, but he was always optimistic and cheerful. He loved Texas, the South, and the Nation, and was ready to forgive and forget, and help rebuild our divided country. In speaking of his experiences as a pioneer preacher, visiting isolated country churches, sometimes hundreds of miles from his home, he said: "Among her hills and dales, my ministerial life has measured out its length. Along her lonely roads, across her lovely prairies, often when the stars looked down from quiet skies, when nothing broke the stillness of the night but the sound of my horse's hoofs, and the wild howl of the coyote on the distant hills, I arranged many of my best sermons." Of such men is our Nation built, and made strong. Isaac Polk Scarborough died in Cross Plains, Texas, August 17, 1919, and is buried in Rising Star, Texas, beside his wife, who died December 8, 1911.
Issue of Isaac Polk Scarborough and Adeline Russell:
Source: Southern Kith and Kin By Jewell Davis
Scarborough Copyright ©1957 pages 117,118
Directions To The Grave Of Ike P. Scarborough I.P. Scarborough is buried in the small west Texas town of Rising Star. Just north of town on Hwy. 183 as soon as you pass Carter St. (which is on your left) turn to the first right and head east of town to the cemetery on the edge of town. The cemetery will be on your left. Go to the center of the cemetery and begin searching between the main entrance (where the cemetery sign is) and immediately walk east down the fence line. Look for a maker on the end of a row called DILL. The Scarborough plot will be the next one in behind a cedar tree. Also be sure to visit the grave of another restoration preacher in the cemetery, Thomas W. Head, who is buried back in the direction of the entrance, but in the middle of the cemetery.
GPS Coordinates
|
