Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 10

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172

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W. M. GREENWOOD.

W. M. Greenwood, editor and owner of the Paris Express, an excellent weekly paper published in Paris, Arkansas, was born in Mississippi, August 2, 1863, his parents being William S. and Emily (Lambert) Greenwood, who were natives of South Carolina and of Alabama, respectively, while their marriage was celebrated in Mississippi. The father became a planter, merchant and mill man, devoting his entire time and attention to his business, save for the period of his service in the Civil war. He joined the Con- federate army and was on active duty until he became ill, his death occurring soon after the close of the war.

W. M. Greenwood acquired a common school education and afterward continued his studies under John M. Pettigrew, a noted educator of Charleston, Arkansas. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Greenwood entered a newspaper office, since which time he has been connected with journalistic interests. In fact, he has figured prominently in newspaper circles since 1882. In March, 1885, he purchased the Paris Express, which he has since owned and edited. He has made this a bright, readable journal, devoted to the dissemination of local and general news and in addition to its publication he conducts a job printing business on a cash basis.

In December, 1885, Mr. Greenwood was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Cabell, a daughter of Major A. S. Cabell, who was a prominent figure in military circles during the war. He removed to Logan county, Arkansas, after the close of hostilities between the north and the south and became a planter there. He also served as sheriff for a number of years and was a leader in the public life of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood have become parents of seven children, three of whom are living: Will C., the eldest, is now engaged in the automobile business in Paris; Cabell A., residing in Los Angeles, California, is connected with a construction company of that city as its secretary and treasurer. Formerly he was engaged in the newspaper business, being

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

associated with the El Paso Texas Times as advertising manager for a considerable period. He joined the army at Leon Springs, Texas, where he was in training but because of illness he was discharged. He then returned to Paris, Arkansas, where he raised a company of the Fourth Regiment and was elected its captain. Later he went to Camp Pike, however, as a private and was commissioned a second lieutenant there. He was also at Camp Sherman, Ohio, for a time, being at that camp when the armistice was signed; Gladys, the third of the family, is the wife of John D. McFadden of Bevier, Missouri, who is a master mechanic with a railway company.

Fraternally Mr. Greenwood is connected with the Knights of Pythias and is a past chancellor commander of the lodge, which he joined on its organization, becoming one of the charter members. He is also identified with the Woodmen of the World and politically he is a democrat. He makes his newspaper the champion of party principles and he devotes his entire attention to newspaper publication at the present time.

J. A. BURNS.

J. A. Burns, who figures actively in the financial circles of Hartford, this state, as cashier of the Citizens State Bank, is one of the prominent young business men of the city. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred at Lamar, in 1892, a son of S. J. and Tennessee (Moore) Burns. The father was a Baptist minister and a son of Anderson Burns, also a minister in the Baptist church, who held pastorates in Ringgold, Georgia, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and also at Lamar, this state. The Moore family came originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grandfather Richard Moore was a representative citizen of that community. Mr. Burns has one brother, S. A., who during the World war served as lieutenant of the One Hundred and Forty-first Machine Gun Battalion, Thirty-ninth Division in France.

In the acquirement of an education J. A. Burns attended the schools of his birth- place and later entered Ouachita college at Arkadelphia. For six years he taught in the public schools of the state. Subsequently he became associated with the Bank of Hartman, at Hartman, Arkansas, and held a position with that institution until his removal to Hartford. He is now active as cashier in that bank and he is performing the duties of that office to the complete satisfaction of the officers and patrons of the bank. He has proven a most popular and obliging official and carefully safeguards the interests of the institution which he represents.

On April 15, 1914, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Burns to Miss Kate Evans. a daughter of James Evans, and they have one child, Jeania Moore. Fraternally Mr. Burns is identified with the Masons and he is loyal to the teachings of that order and has attained high rank in the fraternity. He votes with the democratic party but has never sought public honors nor office, preferring to give undivided attention to his financial duties. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Both he and his wife are consistent and active members of their respective organizations. His interests and activities are wide and varied and constitute a forceful element of public progress, as well as of individual advancement. He looks at life from the standpoint of a practical, energetic business man who is cognizant of the fact that opportunities are open to all and that the attain- ment of success depends upon the energy, determination and persistency of purpose of him who seeks it.

J. H. DOWNS, M. D.

Dr. J. H. Downs, who since 1907 has engaged in the practice of medicine in Vilonia, came to the starting point of his professional career well equipped for the duties which have since devolved upon him. He is a native son of Vilonia, his birth having occurred on the 31st of May, 1881, a son of William J. and Martha Jane (Munn) Downs, the former a native of Mississippi and the latter of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather came to this state in 1861 with his family and upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the army. He was killed while in active service. The maternal grand- parents came to Arkansas in 1862. Mr. Munn was a tailor and shoemaker and he fol- lowed those trades in Faulkner county until his death in 1870, at the age of fifty-five years. William J. Downs came to Faulkner county with his parents in 1861 and was reared to manhood on a farm. In later life he engaged in farming on his own account, clearing two farms in this county. He was one of the successful general farmers and stock raisers in the community and resided on one of his farms until his death in 1905.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

at the age of fifty-three years. In 1875, in Faulkner county, Mr. Downs was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Munn and to their union eight children were born. John W., who is a traveling salesman for a well known concern in Little Rock; Dr. L. E., a prominent eye, ear, nose and throat doctor of Los Angeles, California; Robert F., a successful merchant in Ardmore, Oklahoma; James A., whose death occurred in 1908. at the age of twenty-one years while a student in Hendrix College; Thomas C., who for many years previous to his demise in 1920 was a traveling salesman out of El Paso, Texas; Prudie E., who is teaching school in Clarendon, this state; Dr. J. D., whose name initiates this review; and Mary L., who died in 1917. She was the wife of Professor C. F. Forrest of Englewood, Colorado. The family was reared in the faith of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, South, of which church Mr. and Mrs. Downs were consistent mem- bers. Fraternally the father was identified with the Woodmen of the World and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party.

It was on the old home farm that Dr. Downs spent his boyhood, attending the country schools near by. In due time he became a student in the high school at Vilonia and after graduating from that institution enrolled in the medical department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He received his M. D. degree in 1907 and imme- diately located in Vilonia, where he has since practiced. In a profession where advance- ment depends entirely upon individual merit he has made continuous progress and is today accounted one of the leading physicians of Faulkner county.

In Naylor, this county, in 1906, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Downs and Miss Ida J. Reynolds. Four children have been horn to their union: Seth, Dennis, Paul and Mildred, all attending the public schools of Vilonia. Mrs. Downs is prominent in the club and social circles of the community and is readily conceded by her many friends an excellent housewife and mother.

Since attaining his majority Dr. Downs has given his support to the democratic party and he believes that every citizen should exercise the right of franchise and, more- over, that each should thoroughly inform himself concerning the political conditions and the significant problems of the age. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons. In the line of his profession he holds membership in the American, Arkansas State and Faulkner County Medical Societies, which enables him to keep in close touch with what is being done by eminent members of the medical fraternity. Dr. Downs holds to high profes- sional standards and puts forth conscientious efforts to make his labors of the utmost value to his patients. That his work is attended by gratifying results is manifest in his constantly increasing patronage and that he holds to high professional ethics is evidenced in the fact that his fellow practitioners always speak of him in terms of high regard.

WILLIAM ARTHUR HICKS.

William Arthur Hicks, vice president and cashier of the American Bank of Com- merce & Trust Company, which it today the largest banking institution of the state, was born October 12, 1880, in Little Rock, Pulaski county, Arkansas, being a son of William Henry and Mary Olivia (Diehl) Hicks. The father, whose birth occurred in Hawkins county, Tennessee, September 8, 1845, was a successful contractor and builder of Little Rock throughout his active business career. During the period of the Civil war he served as a private of Company G, Forty-seventh Arkansas Cavalry, from July 24, 1862, until April 25, 1865. At all times he was active as a supporter of the democratic party, manifesting a keen interest in politics. He departed this life on the 18th of August, 1906, but is still survived by his widow, who was born April 13, 1851, in Little Rock, where she yet makes her home. They were married in Little Rock on the 27th of August, 1879, and became the parents of seven children, namely: Mina, William Arthur. John Ernest, May Pearl, Charles Henry, Walter Scott and Jimmie Winfield. Of the above named only two survive, William A. and his brother, Walter Scott.

William Arthur Hicks attended the public schools of his native city to the age of seventeen years, completing the work of the ninth grade. He then started out to provide for his own support and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors. For five years he was connected with the Choctaw, Okla- homa & Gulf Railroad, now a part of the Rock Island system filling a clerical position. He afterward became associated with the Oregon Short Line Railroad at Salt Lake City as a clerk and when he returned to Little Rock he entered the employ of the Waters-Pierce Oil Company as chief clerk in the general offices. For a year and a half he filled that position and on the expiration of that period removed to New Orleans,

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

where he became sales manager for the southern division of the H. W. Johns-Manville Company of New York. He spent a year and a half in the Crescent city, after which he came again to Little Rock in 1909 and here entered the employ of the American Bank as assistant cashier. This bank was afterward consolidated with the German National in 1911 and Mr. Hicks became assistant cashier of the newly organized in- stitution, conducted under the name of the German National. In 1911 he was advanced to the position of cashier. In 1914 the German National changed its name to the American National Bank and Mr. Hicks continued as cashier. In 1919 the American National consolidated with the Bank of Commerce and became the American Bank of Commerce & Trust Company, Mr. Hicks remaining as cashier, while later he was elected to the vice presidency and today fills both offices. He is thoroughly conversant with every phase of the banking business and his close application, his diligence and his efficiency have been potent forces in the attainment of success by the institution which he represents. He is also the vice president and treasurer of the National Ice Cream Company, a director in the Arkansas Building & Loan Association and treasurer of the Tipton Nursery, Incorporated, all of Little Rock.

On the 6th of November, 1901, Mr. Hicks was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Louise Miller, who was born in Little Rock, December 7, 1880, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Miller of this city. Her father, who is now deceased, was a veteran of the Confederate army. Mrs. Hicks obtained her education in the public schools of her native city and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, Marian Miller and Nellie Louise, who are eighteen and sixteen years of age respectively.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hicks attend the Methodist Episcopal church and he is well known as a thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He like- wise belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Little Rock Country Club, the Little Rock Quapaw Club, the Big Lake Club, the Old River Fishing Club, the Brasfield Rod and Gun Club, the Lakeside Club and the Kiwanis Club. His interest in the community welfare is shown through his connection with the Chamber of Com- merce and he also occupies the important position of president of the Arkansas Chil- dren's Home Finding Society, doing everything in his power to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. At the time of the World war he did active work for the government in connec- tion with the Liberty Loan drives and also the Red Cross, War Savings Stamps and the Near East Relief drives. His wide acquaintance and his salesmanship ability enabled him to accomplish excellent results in this connection. Moreover, he was actuated by a most patriotic devotion to the cause and in days of peace he lias mani- fested the same loyalty to every project or interest that tends to promote the welfare and upbuilding of Little Rock.

CHARLES H. TRIPLETT.

Charles H. Triplett, president of the National Bank of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, occupies an enviable position in business and financial circles, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy he has ever followed. His life record cannot fail to prove of interest because of his wide acquaintance and the high esteem in which he is uniformly held. He was born in Jefferson county, Arkansas, in 1850, a son of C. H. and Esther Ann Triplett, both natives of Virginia, and a descendant of the old Triplett family of Round Hill, Fairfax county, Virginia. The grandfather attended the same church as did George Washington, pur- chasing therein Pew No. 5 on the 24th of February, 1774, at which time it was the custom to buy church pews. Mr. Triplett of this review still has in his possession the deed to this pew, showing the signatures of Washington, Mason, Henderson, Thomas Triplett, Payne and several other members of the church and also bearing the seal of the commonwealth of Virginia. Following their marriage C. H. and Esther Ann Triplett settled on a farm in Jefferson county, Arkansas, about 1846 and they became the parents of four children: Sarah, Marion, George W. and Charles H., but the last named is the only one now living.

In his youthful days Charles H. Triplett of this review attended the public schools of Jefferson county and during the summer months worked on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he took up clerking and was thus employed for four years. He next entered the real estate business in Pine Bluff on his own account, and his close application and un- daunted enterprise brought him at length to a commanding position in the real estate circles of the county, while his labors constituted an important factor in the develop-

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

ment of Pine Bluff and this section of the state. His business steadily increased nutil it became one of extensive proportions and for years he devoted his entire attention thereto, save for the period of his service in public office. He was elected county treasurer of Jefferson county in 1888, filling the position for four years, and in 1894 he was elected sheriff and also occupied that office for four years. At the time of the tailure of the old Bank of Pine Bluff, Mr. Triplett purchased the assets and became president of the newly organized National Bank of Arkansas, of which he has continued the chief executive officer. He shaped the policy of the institution and has largely directed its destiny and the bank has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth through the intervening years. It is now in excellent condition and is regarded as one of the thoroughly safe and dependable moneyed institutions of this part of the state.

In 1880 Mr. Triplett was united in marriage to Miss Estelle Holland, a daughter of W. H. and Hannah Holland, and they have become the parents of five children: Charles H., Jr .; Gerald; Esther Dunlap, the wife of Sam Williamson; Arthur F., an attorney; and Frank, who served in the World war and is now a teller and assistant cashier in the National Bank of Arkansas. Mr. Triplett is the oldest paying member of the Presbyterian church at Pine Bluff, in years of continuous connection with the organization, and he has long been a most consistent and helpful worker in the church. In politics he has always been a democrat and was the first person elected to the office of sheriff on the democratic ticket after the Civil war. He made a most excellent official in public office, discharging his duties with the same thoroughness and fidelity that have always characterized the conduct of his private business affairs. His name has long heen regarded as a synonym of enterprise and integrity in business and through his own efforts he has reached a most creditable position in the financial circles of Jefferson county.

PAUL M. HEERWAGEN.

Paul M. Heerwagen, one of the most prominent painting and decorating contractors of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1866. He is a son of Gotlieb and Mary (Stahl) Heerwagen, who were also of Bavarian birth, the father spending his entire life in that country, where he had engaged in the drug business. His wife also died in Germany. They were the parents of four children, of whom two are living: Leo, who is engaged in the music business; and Paul M.

The latter acquired his education in the schools of Berlin and came to the United States in 1881 with other members of the family. He made his way to Detroit, Michigan, and there learned the business of decorating, developing expert ability along that line. . In 1891 he came to Arkansas, where he has since made his home, and through the intervening years he has built up a reputation as one of the foremost decorators of the state. He removed with his family to Fayetteville in 1911. and while he has done a large amount of work in this city, he is continually being called to various points in the south and southwest. He has decorated many of the fine residences and he did the decorating work on many of the finest public buildings of this section of the country, including Hotel Gayoso of Memphis, Tennessee; Hotel Piedmont of Atlanta, Georgia; Hotel Gay Teague of Montgomery, Alabama; Hotel Marion of Little Rock, Arkansas; Hotel Peabody of Memphis, Tennessee; Hotel Galvez of Galveston, Texas; Hotel Pine Bluff of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Hotel Gibraltar of Paris, Texas; the courthouse of Paris, Texas; Hotel Youree of Shreveport, Louisiana; Hotel Bently of Alexandria, Louisiana; Exchange building of Memphis, Tennessee; Central Bank building of Memphis, Tennessee; Commercial Bank of Shreveport, Louisiana; Southern Pacific of Houston, Texas; the courthouse of Memphis, Tennessee; City National Bank building of Shreveport, Louisiana; Cosden building of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Scottish Rite Temple of Shreveport, Louisiana; City National Bank building of Wichita Falls, Texas; Farmers' & Mechanics' National Bank building of Fort Worth, Texas; and the Ardis building of Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as the Arkansas state capitol at Little Rock. These are among some of the largest hotels and public buildings of this part of the country and indicate the high character of the work which is planned and executed by the representatives of the Paul M. Heerwagen studios at Fayetteville.

In 1893 Mr. Heerwagen was married to Miss Ida Killian, who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, a daughter of Dr. Miles and Ruth (Johnstone) Killian, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Killian came to Little Rock in 1849 and practiced there for a number of years. He was a veteran of the Mexican war and following its close visited Little Rock while en route to North Carolina. So pleased was he with the city, however, that he did not continue his journey and remained a resident of the Arkansas capital. He was a Vol. 11-5

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Heerwagen is his only child and hy her marriage she hecame the mother of six children: Ruth, who is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and taught in the schools of Oklahoma in 1920, while in 1921 she is a teacher in the schools of Fayetteville; Paul, the owner of the business con- ducted under the name of the Square Tire Company at Fayetteville; Leo, who is a junior in the University of Arkansas; Louie, also connected with the Square Tire Company; Margaret, who is attending high school; and Marion, af home.

In his political views Mr. Heerwagen has always been a democrat. Frafernally he is a Mason and has filled all of the chairs in the York Rite hodies and faken a very active part in Masonic affairs. He has also faken the Scottish Rife degrees. He and his wife are active and faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Heerwagen is a member of the Pioneer Society of Arkansas af Little Rock, also has membership with the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Heerwagen have a beautiful modern home, erected at the edge of the city by Mr. Heerwagen in 1916. Its beauty is matched by its cordial hospitality, which is freely accorded their many friends.

IDMON ANDERSON.

Idmon Anderson, attorney at law, who is also engaged in the abstract business at Clarendon, was born in Cotton Plant, Woodruff county, Arkansas, in 1889, a son ot J. W. and Alice (Johnson) Anderson. The father, also a native of Cotton Plant, was a son of Patton Anderson, who removed to this state from Mississippi. The mother, Alice Johnson, was a daughter of W. A. and Mattie (Nunamaker) Johnson, who rep- resented an old family from Columbia, South Carolina, whence removal was made to Jackson, Tennessee. W. A. Johnson returned to the seacoast state several years ago, settling in Georgia, where his last days were passed. To Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson there were born eleven children: Viot, who hecame the wife of T. A. Wood of Howell. Arkansas; Dof, who married C. H. McKnight of Brinkley, Arkansas; Allie Laura, de- ceased; John W. and David L., who are residing at Cotton Plant; Robert O., who is a teacher: Vidolaw, Imogene, Justine and Wilson, all living at Cotton Plant; and Idmon. of this review. The family home was maintained at Cotton Plant for many years and the father there engaged in feaching school.

Idmon Anderson, to whom was accorded liberal educational privileges, completed his studies in the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he pursued his law course and qualified for active practice. In 1909 he opened an office in Pangburn. Arkansas, and later removed to De Valls Bluff, while subsequently he came to Clarendon. Here he has remained and has steadily advanced in his profession, having now a large practice of a distinctively representative character. He also organized an abstract com- pany and conducts that business in connection with his law practice.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 10

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878 Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172