Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 101

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

USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

636

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

was graduated in 1897 and again entered upon active practice in Thornton, where he resided until 1900, when he removed to Wolfe City, Texas, and there practiced for almost a year, but upon his father's death he returned to Thornton, where he remained during the succeeding two years. He was next located in Fordyce, Arkansas, for two years and then came to Hot Springs, arriving on the 2d of January, 1905. Through the intervening period he has built up a large and lucrative practice and has been particularly successful in the line of his specialty. He has always been a close and discriminating student, reading broadly, thinking deeply and arriving at correct conclusions in regard to the value of methods and of those remedial agencies which are employed by the profession.

On the 16th of December, 1884, Dr. Robertson was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Haskins of New Edinburg, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of four children. two sons and two daughters, but the sons are deceased. The daughters are: Esther Almira, the wife of Dr. W. E. Cox of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Alma Dean, at home.

Dr. and Mrs. Robertson are consistent and faithful members of the Baptist church, in which he is serving as dencon, and in the work of the church they take a helpful part. Dr. Robertson gives his political endorsement to the democratic party and he is a member of the Business Men's League and also of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Hot Springs Lodge, No. 62, A. F. & A. M .; Hot Springs Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pine Bluff. He also has membership in Hot Springs Lodge, No. 380, B. P. O. E. While he is ever loyal to the teachings and purposes of these organizations, he nevertheless con- centrates his efforts and energies upon his professional duties and his close application, thorough study and almost intuitive perception have been the salient features in the attainment of the creditable position which he now occupies. He has studied in the Postgraduate Medical School and Hospital of Chicago, which he attended in 1911 and again in 1913, making a specialty of operative surgery during his first attendance and later pursuing a general postgraduate course. Through this method and through private reading he has kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and prog- ress and is familiar with all the vital truths which scientific investigation has brought to light.

GUY HODGES, M. D.

Dr. Guy Hodges, who has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Rogers since discharged from the aviation service at the close of the World war, is a worthy native son of Arkansas and a representative of one of the old and honored families of the state. His birth occurred in Little Rock on the 18th of March, 1888, his parents being T. E. and Altona (Smith) Hodges, the former a native of Canehill, Arkansas, and the latter of Tennessee. Howell Hodges, the paternal grand- father, served as a private throughout the entire period of the Civil war and sustained a slight wound. He devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits during his active business career and is still living in Rogers at the venerable age of ninety-two years. T. E. Hodges, the father of Guy Hodges, prepared for his chosen profession in the medical department of the University of Arkansas and remained a practicing physician of Little Rock until his retirement about 1911. It was in that city that he wedded Miss Altona Smith, but they now make their home at Rogers, where they have many warm friends. Dr. T. E. Hodges gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons. His religions faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church and his wife belongs to the Baptist church. They became the parents of three children, as follows: Guy, of this review; Ruth, the wife of Edwin Harring, who is ticket agent at the Union Station in Little Rock; and Howell, who is engaged in the clothing business at Rogers.

Guy Hodges obtained a high school education in his native city and then, determin- ing to follow in his father's professional footsteps, entered the medical department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. as a member of the class of 1910. He was first engaged in practice in Little Rock for two years and in 1913 removed to Garfield, where he remained nntil 1918, when he became a member of the Medical Corps of the United States army in the aviation service. After six months spent at Kelly Field he was transferred to Eberts Field in Arkansas, there continuing until the close of the war. He then opened an office in Rogers, where he has remained to the present time and has already built up a practice of extensive and gratifying proportions. He devotes his entire attention to the work of the profession and keeps in touch with its progress through his membership in the Benton County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

On the 11th of May, 1913, Dr. Hodges was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCollough, a native of Lawrence county, Arkansas. In the acquirement of her educa-

637

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF AARKANSAS

tion she attended the Ouachita Baptist College at Arkadelphia. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Carl Edward, who is seven years of age and is attending school; and Harold G., who is in his second year.

In his political views Dr. Hodges is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist church, in which he holds mem- bership. He likewise belongs to the Mystic Shrine and is a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft, holding to the highest professional ethics and standards in his practice and being guided by the most honorable principles in every relation of life. A most capable young physician and surgeon, the success which he has already attained augurs well for the future and his many friends feel that his career will be well worth watching.

JOHN MILTON KELSO.

John Milton Kelso, pioneer attorney of Magnolia and Civil war veteran, was born in Oxford, Mississippi, on the 7th of August, 1838, a son of Milton G. and Susan ( Fitzgerald ) Kelso. The paternal ancestors came from Scotland before the Revolutionary war and settled in Kentucky. A number of the family participated in the Revolutionary war. The ancestors on the maternal side emigrated to this country from Ireland and located in Virginia. They likewise served in the Revolutionary war. Milton G. Kelso engaged in farming near Magnolia for many years and was one of the prominent agriculturists of the community. He died in Magnolia in 1882, at the age of seventy-two years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kelso was celebrated in Tennessee, in 1833, and to their union ten children were born, John Milton being the third in order of birth. . All of the other children are deceased, with the exception of two sisters. One sister, Lucy, is the wife of Sanford Couch, who for many years was engaged in the mercantile business in Magnolia. He is now living retired here, enjoying well merited rest. The other sister, Susan, is the widow of George Derniger, and is now living in Dallas, Texas.

In the acquirement of an education John Milton Kelso attended the Arkansas public schools, having come to this state with his parents at the age of ten years. He also took academic work equivalent to two years in college. Determining to take up the practice of law as a life work, he read law in the office of Askew & Smoote, prominent attorneys in Magnolia, and on the 1st of June, 1860, when twenty-one years of age, was admitted to practice here. He has remained in active practice in Magnolia and is the oldest practic- ing lawyer in southern Arkansas. In 1874 he formed a partnership with George P. Smoote and that association was maintained until 1884. Since that time he has practiced alone and has built up an important and extensive clientage, resulting in the handling of much important litigation in the courts.

Attaining a prominent position in legal circles it is not strange that Mr. Kelso was soon called to public office and in 1903 he was elected to the state legislature, representing Columbia county. In 1921 he was reelected and is now active in that po- sition of public service.

Mr. Kelso is a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a colonel of an Arkansas state regiment of troops recruited from Columbia county, during the latter part of the war. He is one of the few living veterans of the Civil war.

On the 3d of March, 1864, at Magnolia, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kelso to Miss Mary Wyatt, a daughter of Dr. Alfred Wyatt, a well known physician and surgeon of Owensboro, Kentucky. To their union six children were born, three boys and three girls: Jennie, who is deceased, was the wife of R. Minor Wallace of Magnolia. Mr. Wallace was congressman from this district five terms and is one of Arkansas' prominent and representative citizens; Paul, died when twenty-eight years of age. He was in the employ of the government, being in the postal service, at Washington, D. C., and although his demise occurred there, his remains were brought to Magnolia for burial; Felix A. is living in Chandler, Oklahoma, where he is a chemist; Kate, the widow of J. W. Turner. resides in Magnolia. Mr. Kelso makes his home with the last named daughter: John Milton, Jr., is a major in the United States army, now stationed in Oregon. He enlisted in the army in 1898; and Ora married H. B. Carrington of Magnolia and they are living here. Mrs. Kelso died in Magnolia in 1913, at the age of seventy-two years.

Mr. Kelso leans toward the faith of the Methodist church and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Columbia Lodge, No. 82, A. F. & A. M. and Magnolia Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is likewise a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Though now eighty-three years of age, Mr. Kelso is in the best of health and he finds much recreation in playing billiards, at which game he more than holds his own among the younger men of the town. For

638

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

seventy-three years he has resided in Columbia county and his name is well known to every man, woman and child in this community. There has been nothing narrow nor self-centered in his life. He reaches out along the lines of usefulness and his work in many directions has been most serviceable in the world.

A. J. CLEMENTS.

A. J. Clements, who at one time was well known as the popular proprietor of the Majestic Hotel at Lonoke, departed this life in 1918. He was a native of Illinois and on leaving that state became a resident of Arkansas. He established his home in Lonoke, where he entered mercantile circles, conducting a store for some time. He also became identified with the lumber trade and operated a sawmill six miles east of Lonoke. His various business enterprises prospered and brought to him a substantial measure of success, enabling him to enter still other fields of activity. In 1910 he built the Majestic Hotel of Lonoke, a large two-story structure, containing thirty rooms and two large store rooms. He conducted this hotel in a most progressive manner to the time of his demise and was then succeeded by his son, who is popularly known as Jack Clements.

In young manhood A. J. Clements was united in marriage to Miss Sue Galbreath. His second wife was Miss Mattie F. Galbreath. Of his children Floy Beatrice, who is an accomplished vocalist, is now in New York city; and A. J. Clements, who is the man- ager of the Hotel Majestic, is an ex-service man, having been stationed at Fort Logan H. Roots near Little Rock during the World war.

Mr. Clements became well known through his business connections and his social qualities also gained him a most favorable position in the regard of his fellow towns- men. His death, therefore, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to his many friends as well as to his immediate family. His son is successfully carrying on the business which he established and the family occupies a most creditable position in the social circles of the city.

MINOR PIPKIN.

Minor Pipkin, a representative member of the Polk county bar, practicing at Mena, was born on the 1st of April, 1870, in the county which is still his home. He was named in honor of his grandfather, Minor Pipkin, who was born in Mississippi but came to Polk county in 1867 and here filled the office of county treasurer in the '80s. He was a farmer through much of his life bnt later built a hotel at Bethesda and con- ducted it for several years. During the Civil war he served for four years with the Confederate army. He died in 1891 at the age of seventy-one years. His son, J. L. Pipkin, was born in Mississippi in 1850 and was therefore a youth in his teens when the family removed to Arkansas. He was married in Polk county to Miss Emily Barron, who was born in Alabama, a daughter of J. W. Barron, also a native of that state, whence he removed to Polk county, Arkansas, in the '60s. He served with the Confed- erate army from Alabama and in days of peace devoted his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He departed this life at the age of sixty-six years. Following the marriage of J. L. Pipkin and Emily Barron they began their domestic life on a farm in Polk county, where they continued to reside throughout their remaining days. In 1880 Mr. Pipkin was elected to the office of sheriff, in which position he served for four years. He came to Mena on the establishment of the town and here conducted a drug store for a num- ber of years, after which he was again elected to the office of sheriff, in 1898, but did not live to discharge the duties of that position through the ensning term, for he died three months after the election. While filling the position he did great good for the county. There were six saloons in Mena when he took up the duties of the office and these he closed and bronght about respect for law and order in many other directions. He always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was a well informed man, keeping in touch with all the vital questions and issues of the day. He was very popular, for the sterling worth of his character, his genial nature and his kindly spirit won him the regard and goodwill of all law-abiding citizens. In the discharge of his duties he was prompt, faithful and fearless and his name became a menace to all the lawless element of the community. He composed some church music, possessing con- siderable talent along musical lines. He was thrice married and by his first wife had one child. By the second marriage there were six children: Mrs. Ida Colley, now living in California: James W., who is assistant manager of the Ford plant at Oklahoma City; Sallie, also living in Oklahoma City; Cozy, likewise of Oklahoma City; Ed Y., who works

639

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

for the Goodyear Tire Company of the same place; and Mrs. J. L. Pyle of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Emily Pipkin, the mother of Minor Pipkin, died in 1872, while the father departed this life early in 1899.

Minor Pipkin pursued his early education in a school in Indian Territory, where he was a fellow pupil of many Indian boys and girls. He afterward attended the public schools of Dallas, Arkansas, and later a business college in St. Joseph, Missouri, while subsequently he spent a year in Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and then entered Peabody College at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was graduated in 1895. Hav- ing afterward qualified for practice he entered upon professional work and has since been a representative attorney at the Mena bar. For a time he was in partnership with Colonel Robert G. Shaver, their connection being maintained for five years and to some extent he has practiced with W. N. Martin but with the election of Judge Martin to the county bench in 1910 the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Pipkin then remained alone until 1918, when he formed a partnership with Judge W. Prickett but since 1919 he has again practiced alone. He is an able lawyer, thorough and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, clear in his reasoning and logical in his deductions and the court records bear testimony to many favorable verdicts which he has won. He is legal representative of some of the banks of this section of the state but he has continued in the general practice of law, trying all kinds of cases and trying them well.

In March, 1896, Mr. Pipkin was married to Miss Jennie L. Compere, who was born in Franklin county, Arkansas, a daughter of the Rev. E. L. Compere, one of the early ministers of the Missionary Baptist church in that county. Her mother was Josephine I. Mullins, who was a member of a prominent Mississippi family. To Mr. and Mrs. Pipkin have been born three children: Emily J., the wife of Harry H. Gose, engaged in the abstract and loan business at Decatur, Texas; Willie Mina, who is in the Agricul- tural School at Magnolia, Arkansas; and Allen Compere, a high school student and a member of the State Guards. The parents belong to the Missionary Baptist church, in the work of which they are actively interested. Mr. Pipkin is a deacon in the church, having been elected to the office before he was baptized. He is today the oldest mem- ber in years of service in the Baptist church at Mena and for twenty-one years was choir leader. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Modern Woodmen. In politics he has always been a stalwart democrat and was county exam- iner for six years and county clerk for four years, being the first to hold the latter position through appointment of Governor Jones. In early manhood he taught school for some time and was the first superintendent of schools at Mena. He was also editor of the Dallas Arkansas Courier at the age of eighteen years. He has made his own way in the world from the age of fourteen years and his course has been marked by steady progress and advancement. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to act as their representative in the state legislature, of which he was a member in 1911. During that time he acted as chairman of the com- mittee on education and the committee never lost a recommendation made to the general assembly. He also served on the judiciary committee. He was author of the Initiative and Referendum Enabling Act. Throughout the period of his legislative service he took a most active and helpful part in promoting those measures which he deemed of great value to the commonwealth. He now devotes his entire time to his law practice, which is extensive and of an important character and as lawyer and lawmaker his record reflects credit and honor upon the state that has honored him.

WILLIAM N. WILKES.

William N. Wilkes of Augusta, who is filling the office of sheriff in Woodruff county and is making an excellent official by the prompt, capable and fearless manner in which he discharges his duties, was born in Madison county, Tennessee, near Mercer, on the 21st of July, 1885, a son of J. S. and Josephine ( Hayes) Wilkes, both of whom were also natives of Madison county, the latter being a daughter of Miles C. Hayes, who was a native of South Carolina. He constructed and operated a flour mill in West Tennessee, which was the first mill of the kind in the neighborhood and most of the machinery which constituted its equipment was made by hand. He also owned land in that locality and had a number of slaves. The grandfather in the paternal line was Thomas Wilkes, also a native of South Carolina, whence he removed to Tennessee and there engaged in farming. His son, J. S. Wilkes, likewise took up farming as a life work and brought his farm under a high state of cultivation. At the outbreak . of the Civil war he enlisted under General Forrest and served most of the time west of the Mississippi river, participating in various battles in Arkansas. He was captured at Helena and was held as a prisoner of war there. On one occasion he

640

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

sustained a flesh wound, but recovered and was at the front throughout the period of hostilities. With the close of the war he again took up farming in Tennessee and died in that state in 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife, who was born April 26, 1845, died on the 24th of January, 1913. In their family were three children: E. H., who is a physician of Little Rock; Ermon, who is the wife of Dr. A. L. Crume, a dentist of Little Rock; and William N., of this review. The father had been pre- viously married, his first wife being Laura Doyle of Tennessee, and in their family were the following children: Thomas, James, Charles, T. D., Ada and Fannie. The mother of William N. Wilkes, had also been married before, her first husband being Bryant Gordon, by whom she had one child, Edna, now deceased. Both J. S. and Josephine (Hayes) Wilkes were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in his political views he was a democrat. He likewise belonged to the Masonic fraternity and took an active interest in its work, serving as master of the lodge at Mercer, Tennessee.

William N. Wilkes pursued his education in the public schools of Mercer, Ten- nessee, and on leaving his native state came to Woodruff county, after which he was employed in stores in Augusta until 1907. He then matriculated in the State Uni- versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville and was graduated in 1911 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He next entered the law school of the State University, in which he pursued his studies for a year, after which he returned to Woodruff county and taught in the rural districts for a time. He also served as county examiner of schools and in 1919 was elected to the office of county superintendent, serving through that and the ensning year. In 1921 he was elected sheriff and collector of Woodruff county and continues in the dual position at the present time, making a record in this office as he did in the other positions which he filled, for marked fidelity to duty and faith- fulness to every trust reposed in him. In addition to his official activities he gives some attention to his farming interests, being the owner of an excellent tract of land in this section of the state.

Mr. Wilkes was married to Miss Mildred Angus, a native of Woodruff county, and they have one child, William N., Jr., now three years of age. Since attaining his majority Mr. Wilkes has always voted with the democratic party and fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Augusta Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Royal Arch Chapter. He likewise has membership with the Elks Lodge at Newport, also with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Tau Nn Epsilon, two Greek letter fraternities. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, while Mrs. Wilkes, having membership in the Methodist church, is serving as secretary of its missionary society and takes a most active and helpful part in all church work. Their influence is ever given on the side of right and justice, of progress and improvement, and they are highly esteemed in Angusta and throughout Woodruff connty, where they have a legion of warm friends.

CHARLES FORREST PERKINS, M. D.

Dr. Charles Forrest Perkins, a member of the medical profession at Rogers, largely specializing in surgery, was born in Kewanee, Illinois, March 9, 1862, and is a son of George W. and Ellen E. (Little) Perkins. His paternal grandfather was John W. Per- kins, who was a farmer in the east, where he died. The family came from England to the United States about three hundred years ago. The grandfather in the maternal line was C. J. T. Little, a native of New Hampshire, who removed to Illinois in the '30s and there followed the blacksmith's trade and also engaged in business as an auctioneer and merchant. George W. Perkins was a native of New Hampshire and became a resident of Illinois about 1856. There he wedded Ellen E. Little, who was a native of Kewanee. Illinois, and the first white child born in Henry county. They lived in Illinois until 1872 and then removed to Farragut, Iowa, where Mr. Perkins followed the occupation of farming. He was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, afterward was elected state senator and subsequently became state railway commissioner of Iowa. His wife died in that state April 20, 1900, while Mr. Perkins departed this life in May. 1910. In the family were three sons and a danghter: Fred, now living on a farm at St. Joseph, Missouri; Charles F .: George W., who follows farming at Farragut, Jowa; and Mary Ellen, who is a Christian Science practitioner and lives at Kewanee, Illinois. The parents were members of the Congregational church and the father gave his political support at all times to the republican party, being recognized as one of the prominent leaders of the party in Iowa for many years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 101

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