USA > Arkansas > Pulaski County > Little Rock > Blue book of Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas > Part 3
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Having closed a prosperous three years' career as farmer, he became a common laborer in the bridge and building department of the Cotton Belt Railroad. He re- mained in the Cotton Belt employ for tliree years, working every day during that time, with few exceptions. In the meantime, he was defraying his sisters', Mamie's and Mat- tie's, expenses at Philander Smith College. In 1888 he matriculated at said college himself, where he studied for a number of years, being graduated from that institution in the class of 1895. The next year he entered Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, but, being short of money, he, perforce, taught school until 1898, when he enlisted as a
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corporal in the Seventh Immune Regiment, in which he did service during the Spanish-American War. Having been honorably discharged from the service February, 1899, at Macon, Georgia, he returned to his adopted State and reen- gaged in the landable vocation of school-teaching, and did good work in such capacity for two years. In the fall of 1900 he reentered Meharry and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1903, consisting of forty-one members. The doctor, on leaving college, returned to Galloway, Arkansas, where he had taught school for a goodly number of years, and began the practice of his profession.
The past four years that the doctor has been in the profession he has won the respeet and confidenee of both black and white, at his home, as a worthy and highly com- petent practitioner. He is well known through his /State as a Christian gentleman and race man. February 4, 1907, he and Miss Susie E. Lea, an accomplished and cultured young lady of Fordyee, Arkansas, were united in holy matri- mony.
At this writing, April 18, the happy couple are spending their honeymoon, while the doctor is enjoying a lucrative practice.
Rev. Dr. Willie E. Stewart's nativity and date of birth are Olive Branch, DeSoto County, Mississippi, August 4, 1862. Mr. Charles and Mrs. Franees Stewart were his par- ents, each of whom has passed into another world. His father, who was a merchant-farmer, had accumulated eon- siderable real estate and personal property at his death. The mother passed away at Holly Springs, Mississippi, June 17, 1905. The six children born to his parents, four girls and two boys, are all alive, healthy and prosperous. When Rev. Stewart was simply "little Willie," his father, mother and others who knew him best, regarded him as being upright and truthful, as the boy who never told a lie. When he was six years old he could read the Bible.
The teachers who taught in his district nsually boarded at Mrs. Frances Stewart's home, which, of course, gave little Willie a decided advantage over the rest of the scholars; for the teachers helped him in his studies. After completing in the district schools he attended the Teachers' Institute at
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Senatobia, Mississippi, for several years and taught in the public schools of the county in the meantime. Thus he became a first grade teacher. In his fifteenth summer he professed Christ, in his twentieth he joined the North Missis- sippi Conference over which Bishop J. A. Beebe presided and in whose diocese he did pastoral work for four years.
WILLIE B. STEWART.
From this Right Reverend's see he was transferred to the Missouri and Kansas Conference. On Dr. Stewart's personal request he was transferred to the latter conference, that he might attend the Theological School at Emporia, Kansas, where that conference gave him a charge. Ilc studied at this institution from 1892 until 1898, when he was graduated, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. The subject shepherded five years at Leavenworth, Kansas, and increased the amembership by five hundred additions and paid the church out of debt. Ile also served the convention at St. Joseph, Missouri, twelve months in the cleric itineracy.
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And he was elected teacher in the St. Joseph public schools, 1
but, owing to the bishop's call to Cherokee, Kansas, he declined to accept. At this point Rev. Stewart labored three years and built a handsome church edifice, costing $3,000.00. which the trustees named for him, "Stewart's Temple." Thence to Bullock's Chapel, C. M. E. Church, Little Rock, 1905, where, during the first eleven months after his arrival, forty new members have been added, and $1.100.00 raised.
Dr. James Myer Connor. D. D., Ph. D., is a son of Mississippi, and was born in Winston County, March 9, 1861. Ilis father, William Connor, was a free man; his mother, Mrs. Maria Connor, a slave. His elementary ednea- tion was concluded at Columbus, Mississippi, and his high school course at Billips School, Franconia, Alabama. In 1881 he took a theological course in the National University of Chicago and in 1895 a special conrse in the University of Chicago in the languages. In 1885 he was graduated from Shorter College in theology. Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, conferred the degree of D. D. upon the doctor, and Paul Quinn College, Waco, Texas, Ph. D. Ile was manager for Arkansas of the Negro Department of the World's Fair, 1893.
On the 19th day of December, 1865, Nelson H. Nichols, Esq., was born at Arkansas Post, Arkansas County, Arkansas. ITis father, Nelson, died soon after his son was two years old, leaving his mother with two children, Leonora and Nel- son. After the emancipation, his mother with her little ones started for Little Rock, working at different points en route, until she arrived in the city, 1870. Lawyer Nichols began the elementary work of an education in 1872 at the "Sons of Ham's Hall," this burg; after which he was trans- ferred to the "Dear Old Union" school, where he finished the common school course. Quitting school in 1879, he labored at brick yards, oil and shingle mills at different times. In 1886 he obtained a position in the office of J. Pennoyer Jones, who was then clerk and ex officio recorder of Desha County, where the subject heard for the first time an argument of
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a case before a jury, which filled him with inspiration of and admiration for the profession of law. Thus he was enconraged by his employer to study the law, as necessity to the faithful and more intelligent performance of his
NELSON H. NICHOLS.
office duties. Ere long the Hon. J. Pennoyer Jones was elected judge.of Desha County, which position he held till his summons to the "fair bourne."
Moreover, during Judge Pennoyer's incumbency, he urged Mr. Nichols to continue his legal studies. Although deploring the demise of the Judge, and being temporarily 55
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in the service of the United States, as mail agent, he kept up his law course until the 24th day of December, 1893, when he was finally admitted to the Pulaski County Cirenit Court; and to the active practice of the legal profession at Little Rock, the same year. Furthermore he was admitted to the Federal Court of the same State April 18, 1893. and to the Supreme Court, October 21, 1899. Mr. Nichols was superin- . tendent of Bethel A. M. E. Sunday School for a goodly num- ber of years, and is now president of the colored Sunday School Union of the city.
Attorney Nichols owns a home at 604 West Eighth street. Office, 404 Center street.
In the winter of 1860, February 10, at Oxford, Missis- sippi, day for the first time dawned upon Dr. J. L. Wilson, whose youth bore signs of restlessness and precocity, with an especial aptness for munbers. Ile finished the primary and high school courses in DeSoto County, Mississippi. After which he enrolled at Rust University, Holly Springs, Missis- sippi, and completed its A. B. enrriculum in 1883. Ile entered Gammon Theological Seminary in 1886, and was graduated in 1889. Reenrolled at Rust in 1892 and concluded the classical . course in 1895.
Having now completed the classical course at Rust, 1895, Gammon conferred the degree of B. D. upon him the same year. 1890 and 1891, before he had ended his collegiate conrse at Rust, he was principal of the Eastern Mississippi Academy at Columbus, and in the meantime, pastored St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, the largest in the Upper Mississippi Conference. The year 1895, in which he received his degree from Rust University, he was tendered the prin- cipalship of the Meridian Academy and Industrial College, which position he held honorably eight years.
In 1898 and 1899, the doctor had the respective degrees conferred upon him, A. M. by Rust University ; and D. D. by Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. He pas- tored large charges in Madison, and Princeton, Indiana, in 1903 and 1904. Ile was transferred from the Lexington Conference to the Little Rock Conference, where he has been since stationed at Wesley Chapel, the leading, largest,
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wealthiest, most cultured congregation in the conference. In connection with the reverend doctor's pastoral duties, he has been appointed to the chair of theology at Philander Smith College for the session beginning the fall of 1906. While the doctor is regarded by those who know him best, as
J. L. WILSON.
a round scholar, his chief delight is in the ancient lan- gnages and mathematics. And as a lecturer he has attained more than ordinary distinction from the Gulf to the Great Lakes.
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SCIPIO JONES.
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The Honorable Scipio Jones is the star of the legal pro- fession of the twin cities; and the most signally successful and unpretentious jurist of African descent of the State. Therefore this book would be incomplete without appending something of an epitome of his biography.
He was born in Dallas County, Arkansas, August 7, 1868. Parents: Horace and Mrs. Minnie Jones. Ilis rudi- mentary edneation was begun in his native conuty. After having removed to Little Rock, he entered Philander Smith College, and eoneluded its four years' preparatory course in three. In 1887 he completed the normal course at Bethel University-now Shorter College. After leaving college he taught in the public schools two years, and in the meantime read law, and was admitted to practice in the Circuit Courts in June, 1889. And in 1893 he was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of the State. May, 1895, he was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Jones is the legal advisor for the Odd Fellows of Arkansas, and the general attorney for the Mosaic Templars of America, and Knights and Danghters of Tabor. Besides, he is Counselor for the Eagles of the State, Woodhnen, Knights of Honor, and American Knights.
Lawyer Jones communes in Bethel A. M. E. Church. He owns a splendid home at 1808 Ringo street, where he resides with his family, Mrs. Carrie E. Joues and daughter, Miss Hazel K. Jones.
Ile owns eight or ten other valuable houses and lots in the city. He is estimated to be worth from $15,000.00 ta $20,000.00.
Mr. Jones' highest ambition is to remain in his native State and continue in the practice of his chosen profession ; to assist in establishing and maintaining a friendly relation between the races: to organize a company through which the many members of his race may acquire homes and im- prove them; obtain employment and qualify themselves for the different vocations of usefulness: and conduct a general mercantile, real estate, insurance, construction and broker- age business. To establish mills and factories, and operate them, thereby affording the race a better opportunity to develop its mechanical skill and grow prosperous.
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Dr. R. J. Meaddough. D. D. S., whose perfcet Chester- fieldian manners, replete education, and painstaking dental services, have gained for him many personal friends, a large and luerative practice and the most cordial respect of the community, was born at Fernandina, Florida, February 23, 1869: began his common school training at the place of
R. J. MEADDOUGH.
his birth, and concluded it and the high school course at Savannah, Georgia. After leaving school he worked at his trade as eigar maker for eight years in some of the best fac- tories in the Southeast, and for several years he conducted a cigar factory and confectionery of his own at his native town, where he did a retail and wholesale business in eigars. Thus the accumulated means to pay his expenses at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee; from which he was graduated in dentistry, 1901, receiving the degree D. D. S. IIe won the class gold medal ou dental metallurgy and also the
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Morrison miedal on mechanical dentistry. The doctor came almost immediately from his alma mater to Little Rock and opened up dental parlors on the corner of Ninth and Gaines streets.
HIe is a trustee and communicant at Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. teaches a class in the Sunday School and is a trustee of Philander Smith College. In 1903 he and Miss Alice Crumpton were joined in holy wedlock. They have been favored with two offspring, Ray J. and Miranda.
The subject owns a palatial home at 1814 Battery street.
J. G. Thornton, M. D., was born in St. Louis, Missouri. October 20, 1873, and was taken in his early childhood days to the State of Mississippi, where he was reared and received his education : Enreka High School, Vicksburg; Alcorn Agrienltural and Medical College. West Side; and in 1893 he graduated from the State Normal College, Holly Springs. lle supported and educated himself in these,- schools by working at hotels during or a part of the interval between school hours and terms. After receiving his diploma, he went to St. Louis, remaining there for a short period, thence to Chicago, where he visited the World's Fair, August and September. In October he returned to St. Louis, and remained there till 1895. In 1895, the same year, he returned to the Bayou State, stopping at Greenville, where he taught in the public schools the fall, winter and spring sessions: and a summer school in Arkansas. In 1898 he matriculated at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, yet he taught during vacations. In the summer of 1900 he was appointed as one of Uncle Sam's census enumerators at Greenville, which office he filled with credit to himself and entire satis- faction to the government. In 1902 he was graduated from Mcharry, receiving the degree of M. D., when the doctor returned to Greenville, thence to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he began the practice of medicine. The snecess with which he has met hitherto, is gratifying. The subjeet has brought a home and owns other valuable eity property. He has a good practice.
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In 1904, June 29, he and Miss Bessie Stephens were united in the bonds of holy wedlock. The union has been blessed with Frances Elizabeth, the charm of the home.
Mrs. Bessie Thornton was born in Little Rock and prin- cipally educated in its public schools. In 1901 she finished the normal course in Walden University, Nashville, Ten- nessee. Madam Thornton taught for four years in the pub- lie schools of the city. The doctor is a man of high race
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J. G. THORNTON.
pride. He fosters and encourages doing business with the race in all avennes of trade as far as practical. He has been honored three times as delegate to the Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge, and is medical director to the "Peoples' Mutual Aid Association and Insurance Company," which carries straight life policies. He is a Mosaic Templar of America, and physician to Shorter College, Argenta, Arkansas.
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The Rev. J. P. Robinson, D. D., has been solicited a number of times to write the history of his life for publi- ration, but he has repeatedly refused to do so because he had such a hard time in his carlier days. His mother told him that he was born two months after his father had been carried away from her by his master. Therefore, he never saw his father until he was thirty-five or forty years old.
J. P. ROBINSON.
However, he was born in a rude log cabin, or hut, that his father built out of poles by moonlight. The subject does not believe that a nail was in the entire structure. The openings between the logs and large cracks were bedaubed with annd and short pieces of wood, and it had only one room, one door, one chimney. The floor was made of puncheons fitted down with an axe. As the doetor remen- bers, one or two chairs and one cupboard were the furniture. His mother and her two children, and another woman and
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her two children. were the occupants of this moonlighted house ( !).
Ilis mother was very strict, not allowing the children to tell lies or use "bad language" under any consideration. "That, I am glad," says he. "has lasted until this day."
Being rather young in antebellum days, he was not required to work. He just remembers seeing soldiers, which is about what he recolleets relative thereto, aside from his- tory. llis early school days began in a Sunday School at Hernando, Mississippi, where hundreds of negroes were col- Iceted on the Lord's Day to study. Their books were Mc- Guffey's Reader and Webster's Bleback Spelling Book. At that time, to his recollection, there was no thought of a Bible. He quickly learned the alphabet, then to read the First Reader. at this Sunday School. The privilege of attend- ing day school had not presented itself to him; however, after picking cotton all day and walking two miles, he was in attendance at night school for a few months. IIc was called an apt boy in his books. "Of course, I did not know," says Rev. Robinson, "what that meant."
When the public schools were opened, his stepfather per- mitted him to attend thein, after the erops had been "laid by:" also after gathering time. Hence. little by little the light began to shine, until day finally dawned. "I some- times think it is night yet," says the Reverend, "bnt one thing I know. it is much brighter than it was, and I appre- ciate that fact." His lamp was the end of a fence rail in the fire, which was shoved further into it at intervals until the entire rail was burnt into ashes. They (the doctor's mother and stepfather) never had a candle in those days. He was a hard student from the beginning of his school career. The first book he learned to read fairly well was the Bible. "That caused my little heart." says the divine, "to shed tears many times while reading its pages."
Early in 1879 he was married to Miss Sophia Washing- ton, with whom he had lived happily for something more than five years, when she died. "She was an amiable woman," declares he.
In the year 1880 he came to Arkansas. The same year he was examined for a public school teacher and passed. After he had taught for several temns in the rural schools of the State, he was ealled to take charge of the First Bap- 64
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tist Church at Little Rock, where he has been for the past. twenty years. "When I came to this charge," he says, "it was a day of darkness. A great debt hang over the church. The former pastor was universally loved by hundreds. Then began the work, the test of that I had not had an opportunity 1, develop. But God was with me. In four or five years the debt was paid and the confidence had been restored and God praised."
In 1888 he entered the Arkansas Baptist College, where he was graduated in 1895, receiving the degree of A. B. A few years after his graduation the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the Kentucky State University.
The subject owns valuable property in the city. The property referred to has been mostly accumulated throngh umeh sacrifice by the subject since he was gradnated. Ile has held many positions of honor and trust. At this writing he is a trustee of his alma mater, vice president of the Bap- tist State Convention for more than a score of years, and vice president of the Capital City Savings Bank.
On February 22, 1893, he married Miss Amanda Talley, of Nashville, Tennessee.
The subject is the professor of theology at the Arkansas Baptist College, and is still successfully pastoring the First Missionary Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Robinson is influential in church circles, reliable in business, a good adviser, and a remarkable man.
Rev. B. W. Alexander's (deceased December 12, 1906), native soil is Covington, Georgia, where he was born July 1. 1857. IIe is the offspring of Edward and Mrs. Susan Alexander. Ilis education as to the letter began in the Snu- day School. Ile was a student in Lincoln County, Arkansas, public schools more than three years; and also attended the Baptist College seven years. For ten years, he, in the role of agrieulturist, tickled the soil in Lincoln County, Arkansas, in spring, to see it langh a harvest in autumn. By way of retrospeet he removed from Atlanta, Georgia, to biucoln in 1866, thence to Little Rock, arriving in 1884. Ile pastored the First Missionary Baptist Church, England, Arkansas, his first charge, three years; Mount Pisgah, Jacksonville,
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Arkansas, three years: First Baptist Church, Argenta, Arkan. sas, fifteen years; First Baptist, Cotton Plant, Arkansas, eleven years; he was the shepherd of the latter two until his- death. Ile was treasurer of the Union Distriet Sunday School
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B. W. ALEXANDER.
Convention : treasurer of Union Baptist Young People's Union Convention ; president of the Ministers' Mutual Aid Associa- tion of the State. Residence, 806 Walnut Street, Argenta, and that he was a stockholder in the Capital City Savings Bank is no secret.
Rev. James M. Cox was born in Chambers County, Ala- bama, February 26, 1860. He received his first educational training in the public schools of Atlanta, Georgia. IIaving a desire to go to college and fit himself for life's work, he 66
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entered Clark University, took high rank in his studies. com- pleting the elassieal course in 1884, and was graduated from Gammon Theological Seminary in 1886, being the first degree graduate from that institution. In the fall of 1886 he was appointed professor of ancient languages in Philander Smith
J. M. COX.
College. This position he held until 1887, when he was pro- moted to the presideney of the institution. IIe is a member of the Little Rock Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has three times represented his brethren in the General Conference of this great church. IIe is also a member of the University Senate which has general over- sight of the 151 educational institutions of his church. 67
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J. Otis Hiekman, M. D., was born in Clinton County, Illi- nois, July 3, 1880. William A. and Mrs. Martha Ann Hick- man are the names of his parents. Ile received his primary and high school education in the public schools of Fort Scott. Kansas. The doctor is a graduate of the Meharry
J. OTIS HICKMAN.
Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, of the class of 1904. After which he immediately started to Little Rock, Arkansas, arriving March 3, 1904; and, on the night of his arrival, he and Miss Susie . L. Dillsworth, a preceptress at Philander Smith College, and flourishing physician, were united in holy wedlock bonds. They lived happily together nearly two years, or, till she departed this life. Her loving husband says with
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a heavy sigh, and deep lamentations. "she was a jewel." The union resulted in one offspring, Grendette Alma. lle is a member of Miles Chapel. IIe is the corresponding secretary of the State Medical Association : office 70116 Main street.
C. A. SMITH.
Dr. C. A. Smith was born at Culloden, Monroe County. Georgia, June 27, 1874. His parents were Clement and Mrs. Rhoda Smith. The doctor received a common school edn- cation at his native home. IIe afterwards prosecuted a regular literary course at the Atlanta University. He was graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1902. A part of his expenses at Meharry were defrayed by teaching in the publie schools during vacations.
In 1904 he began the practice of medicine at North Little Rock, where he is now, at 102 South Magnolia
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street. The doctor has a steadily increasing and paying
1 practice. During the four years that he has lived in the city he has acquired seven honses and lots just three blocks from Main street, valued at $6,000.00. In 1905, May 15, Miss Addie Harrison, of Black Rock, Arkansas, and a grad- uate of Shorter College, North Little Rock, accepted his hand in holy wedlock bonds. They have been blessed with one offspring, Ringlon Belmont. He has followed the A. M. E. Church persuasion for fifteen years. Bethel Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, claims him.
Rev. A. J. Stcele is a North Carolinan. The good-natured divine was born in that State in 1853, but reared in Arkansas." His parents were Squire and Mrs. Eliza Steele. July 20, 1878, he was married to Miss Anna Davis. In 1882 he was converted to Christ and licensed to preach the same year. In 1889 he was ordained for the Cherry Hill Baptist Church. Since that time he has successfully pastored several other leading churches of his district.
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