James Selen Stout was a Christian frontiersman, hunter, scout, explorer, founder, soldier, farmer and family man. His life exemplified the strength of character necessary to open the new frontier that became the state of Texas.

Selen was born in the frontier town of Washington in the Missouri Territory (later Hempstead County, Arkansas) and was carried across the Red River into the wilds of northeast Texas while still a baby. Raised there by pioneer frontiersman Capt John Henry Stout and Sarah Talbot Stout, Selen became well-equipped with survival skills that served him well throughout his eventful life.



In 1836 17-year-old Selen traveled over 300 miles south to join Sam Houston's Texas Revolution effort. He and two others were charged there with the personal responsibility of guarding the Mexican leader, Generalissimo Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who had been taken prisoner following the Battle of San Jacinto. Selen remained with the Texas Revolution forces for the remainder of that year serving as a hunter scout in the T. J. Rusk Brigade of the Texas Cavalry along the Lavaca River.

Young Selen returned to northeast Texas and became a member of his father's unit of the Texas Rangers. There he battled Indians and provided protection for settlements along the Red River.

 It was in the community of Blossom Prairie where he lived during this time that Selen met Elvira Richey. They married in 1840. The following year they relocated to Daingerfield following his discharge from Texas Ranger duty.

About three years later Selen led an expedition 50 miles west to a survey of land he had purchased several years earlier from his uncle, William B. Stout. The expeditionary group included his family members among other settlers. There they established the Stout's Creek community that later became the present day Hopkins County community of Pine Forest. Selen donated land for the Primitive Baptist Church of Christ and also for a local school. Additionally, he helped establish the rule of law in the fledgling county. Selen and Elvira had eleven children born during the years 1841 to 1865. All were raised in the Pine Forest community. 



Selen and two of his sons, John and Benjamin, enlisted in the Confederate Army in October 1861. They served together in Company F, 9th Texas Infantry, training first at Camp Rusk in Lamar County, then at Camp Benjamin in Fannin County. During the first three months of 1862 his unit traveled on foot to Little Rock, Arkansas and then Iuka, Mississippi. On March 19 they relocated by rail to Corinth, Mississippi where they were staged for battle. That opportunity came at Shiloh, Tennessee. Selen's unit saw bloody conflict while successfully overtaking Union encampments by bayonet charge on April 6. The unit experience heavy casualties the following day when it was pushed back to its original position. Selen received a slight wound during the battle. 



Upon retreat to Corinth, his unit completely reorganized based on new conscription guidelines from the Confederate Congress. Members over age 35 were released from duty. Based on circumstances not related to his injuries sustained at Shiloh, 3rd Sergeant James Selen Stout was discharged for medical disability on May 11, 1862 at Corinth. His enlistment was short, but his service to his country and the great state of Texas are forever remembered.



Selen was primarily a farmer by trade. He was also known as "Dr. J.C." in the Pine Forest community. Selen's mother Sarah, a self-taught herbalist known for her caregiving skills, had passed on her knowledge natural cures to him. He was often called upon in this capacity to aid local residents.

 At age 68 in 1887 Selen lost his wife and companion of 47 years, Elvira, to an illness. He later married a widow and mother of two adult daughters, Mary J Miller. No children were born to this union and Mary remained with him until his death on July 19, 1897. Selen died only a few weeks before his 79th birthday.