Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 105

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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On the Sth of March, 1910, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Mr. Cameron was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Spillman, who was born near Harrisburg, this state, and they have become parents of one child, Jewell Cameron.

Aside from his insurance interest Mr. Cameron is one of the directors of the Little Rock Moving Grocery and in all husiness affairs he displays keen sagacity and sound judgment. He never neglects his duties and obligations in other relations and is a faithful member of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church, South. He likewise be- longs to the Masonic lodge and is a worthy follower of the teichings and purposes of the craft. Politically he is a democrat, voting for the men and measures of that party since reaching adult age. He has a wide acquaintance in Arkansas and especially in Little Rock, where he is now directing his energies and the sterling worth of his character is attested by all who know him.

COLONEL ROBERT HILL CARRUTH.

The life story of Colonel Robert Hill Carruth is a striking example of what a young man can accomplish when integrity and high purpose are numbered among his salient characteristics. Born in Warren, Arkansas, in 1889, he is a son of Benjamin Franklin and Emma (Harris) Carruth. His father traced his ancestry back to one of three brothers who came from Ireland to America in 1680. The direct ancestor migrated south, settling in Mississippi, and later the family was established in Arkansas. The great-grandfather of Colonel Carruth came to this state when the seeds of civilization were just being planted, his home being on the western frontier. The Harris family, from which Colonel Carruth is descended in the maternal line, were Alabama pioneers and equally well known in the south.

Robert H. Carruth was educated in the graded and high schools of his native city and in the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911. He was but twenty-four years of age when elected to represent his district in the state legislature, in which he served for the two-year period, and so capably did he represent his constituents and labor for their interests that he was elected to the state senate in 1916 for a term of four years.

In 1911 he organized a company of the National Guards in his home town and became its captain. When this company was mobilized for service on the Mexican border he was promoted to the rank of major and so served for nine months, or until February, 1917. In April, 1917, he was mustered into the Federal service for the World war, as major of the Second Battalion, First Arkansas Infantry, and in July of the same year he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel and placed in command of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ammunition Train, with which he was ordered to France. His gallant service in Europe was particularly notable because at the time of his commission he was the youngest man of his rank in the American Expeditionary Force. Upon his return to the United States after the signing of the armistice he was assigned to the board of contract adjustment in the war department, where he served until May, 1920.

Resigning his commission in the army, Colonel Carruth accepted a position with the Thompson-Starrett Building Company of New York, in the legal department of which he was retained for five months, when he was tendered the position of branch manager of the Fidelity & Bonding Company of Maryland for the state of Arkansas. Accepting this position, he has continued to act in that connection and is fast making for himself a prominent place in the financial circles of his native state.

Colonel Carruth's patriotism and love of country spoiled a brilliant political career. A legislator at twenty-four years of age and a state senator at twenty-six and with every indication of a successful career at the bar, for he had been admitted to practice in 1914, hie resigned his position in the upper house of the general assembly and cheerfully offered his services and his life, if need be, to his country, never counting the cost to himself in the sacrifice of his personal opportunities for the future. In his career in the legislature he displayed a most progressive spirit and insight into the vital questions and problems

COLONEL ROBERT HILL CARRUTH

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of the day. He introduced and secured the passage of a constitutional amendment for a graduated tax upon unimproved lands, but was unfortunate in not having the act passed in time to be put before the people. He also introduced a bill for the creation of a state hospital for free medical and surgical treatment, but these two highly impor- tant measures were pigeon-holed after he resigned to fight for democracy.

In 1913 Colonel Carruth was married to Miss Enna Belle Powers of Warren, Arkan- sas, whose people were old-time planters of that section. Mrs. Carruth is a lady of innate culture and refinement and is a graduate of the Presbyterian Training College. Colonel Carruth gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He also belongs to the Masons, the Elks, the Wood- men of the World and is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the American Legion. His life has been the ex- pression of high ideals and of practical service, and his public career reflects credit and honor upon those who have honored him.

J. T. LIPSCOMB.

J. T. Lipscomb, residing in England, is the owner of a large plantation near this city devoted to the production of cotton. He is a southern man by birth, training and preference. He was born in Mississippi in 1864, and is a son of John and Caroline (Norvell) Lipscomb. The father, a native of Richmond, Virginia, was a son of Richard Lafayette Lipscomb, who was also born in the historic and beautiful old city of Rich- mond. John Lipscomb served with the rank of lieutenant in the Confederate army, being under command of General Forrest. He studied medicine in Tulane University at New Orleans and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Mississippi but afterward removed to Alabama, where his remaining days were passed. He was the owner of plantations in both Mississippi and Alabama and carefully directed his agricultural interests in addition to following successfully his chosen profession. His wife was a daughter of Richard Norvell, also a representative of an old Virginia family, his home being at Lynchburg in that state.

J. T. Lipscomb, whose name introduces this review, came to Arkansas in 1880, when a youth of sixteen years. He had pursued his education in schools of Mississippi and Tennessee and had completed his studies in Center Hill College at Center Hill, Tennessee. Following his removal to Arkansas he settled at England and later pur- chased a plantation in this vicinity. He now owns five hundred acres of productive land, which is devoted to the cultivation of cotton and his large crops return to him a gratifying annual income. He has always followed this business and his success is the result of broad experience, thoroughness and close application.

Mr. Lipscomb was united in marriage in 1900 to Miss Nellie Frazier, a daughter of John R. Frazier, and they have become parents of four children, one son and three daughters: Jenalee, Virginia, Norvell and Mary Nell. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church and fraternally Mr. Lipscomb is connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of The Maccabees. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and he has been called upon to serve the public in various important positions. For more than a decade he was justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, winning him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He served for twenty years on the school board and the cause of education benefited greatly by his stanch championship and his progressive spirit. He is now the secretary of the levee district which includes Lonoke, Pulaski and Jefferson counties. He is keenly interested in matters of public concern and his aid and influence are always on the side of advance- ment and improvement.

S. HUGH ROGERS.

S. Hugh Rogers, identified with the farming interests of northwestern Arkansas, was born a mile and a half east of Prairie Grove on the 12th of February, 1855, and is a son of Dr. S. E. Rogers, who is mentioned in connection with the sketch of J. C. Rogers on another page of this work. In the common schools S. Hugh Rogers pursued his education, but his advantages were somewhat limited on account of the outbreak of the Civil war, which largely closed the schools. He started out in the business world as a farmer and has always devoted his life to that occupation. He early realized that industry and persistency of purpose are potent elements in the attainment of success

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and he has ever cultivated those qualities. As the years have passed he has added to his holdings and prospered in his undertakings until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-two acres of good land in Washington county. He has a tenant upon his farm who operates the land, while Mr. Rogers lives in Prairie Grove, where he has made his home continuously since 1902, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

In 1880 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Clementine Marrs, a daughter of Brooks Marrs, who was one of the first settlers of Washington county, closely identi- fied with its pioneer development and with farming interests for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born eleven children, but they have lost four sons. One son was killed at Memphis while serving with the aviation division of the United States army during the World war. The family includes the following: Pearl, the wife of T. L. Hart, cashier of the Arkansas National Bank; Maude, at home; May, the wife of Roy Williams, a farmer living at Fayetteville; Hugh, also located at Fayetteville, where he is now employed as an electrician; Julia, a teacher of music who was graduated from the University of Arkansas; Clementine, who is teaching school at Phoenix, Arizona; Thomas C., who met death at Park Field, Memphis, when engaged in aviation service, and Jack, who is a graduate of the high school of Prairie Grove and is now at home. The son Hugh was also a soldier of the World war, being one of the first fifty from the United States in the aviation division that went across the water. He served until after the armistice and was on the Rhine with the army of occupation, receiving his discharge in June, 1919. He, too, is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, and all of the children of the family have been accorded liberal educational opportunities.

Mr. Rogers has ever desired that his children should have excellent advantages in this direction. He is a self-made man and one who deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by and as the result of his labors he was enabled some time ago to put aside active business cares, for the competence which he had acquired is sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts aud some of the luxuries of life. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has capably filled the positions of deputy sheriff, constable and marshal. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, with which his wife and children are also identified.

J. R. DUMAS.

J. R. Dumas of El Dorado, who is familiarly known as "Jim" by his many friends, is filling the position of county clerk in Union county and is prompt, capable and efficient in the discharge of his duties. He was born about five miles northwest of El Dorado on the 6th of April, 1887, and was reared to farm life, obtaining a public school education, while later he benefited by study in Ouachita College. He then began teaching school, in which work he engaged for two terms when but eighteen years of age. He still resides on the farm in the neighborhood where he was born and he has made his life of signal usefulness and service to his fellowmen, not only as a teacher but as a public official. In 1916 he was elected to the office of county treasurer of Union county and by reelection was continued in the office for four years. In the fall of 1920 he was elected county clerk, taking the position in the spring of 1921. He is prompt, accurate and methodical in the performance of the duties of this position and his record as a public official is highly commendable,

On the 22d of May, 1914, Mr. Dumas was married to Miss Annie Dawson, a native of Arkadelphia, and they have become parents of four children: Jean, Sarah, J. R., Jr., and Joseph A. Mr. Dumas is a man of cordial and friendly disposition and the high regard in which he is uniformly held is indicated in the fact that his friends call him Jim. A nickname is never given to one who is austere or who holds his fellowmen at arms length. Mr. Dumas belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the rules that govern his conduct are further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Baptist church.

C. B. CARSON.

C. B. Carson, president of the Border City Broom Company, a thriving concern of Fort Smith, was horn in Hartford, Kentucky, in 1894, a son of C. S. and Mary (Wilson) Carson. He obtained his education in the schools of Fort Smith, to which place his parents removed in 1901, when he was a lad of but seven years. He passed

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through consecutive grades and when his textbooks were put aside started out to pro- vide for his own support. He was employed by several broom manufacturing concerns in learning the business, with which he thoroughly acquainted himself in principle and detail. He organized the Border City Broom Company in 1909 associated with Ida E. and Harry Salls. Mr. Carson has from the first been manager and part owner. The Border City Broom Company began business in a small building on Grand avenue and on a small scale and today it occupies an entire story of a commodious brick building. The company normally employs forty-five people and its output is one hundred dozen brooms per day, the sale covering Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Tennessee. Its trade-mark is the White Star. The business has gradually grown and developed under the capable management of Mr. Carson who has builded his success upon broad experience and thorough knowledge of the trade, and enterprise in the conduct of all of his affairs.

Mr. Carson was united in marriage to Miss Nelia Salls and they are well known in Fort Smith, where they have long resided, Mr. Carson having spent the greater part of his life in this city. He belongs to the Business Men's Club and is interested in all that has to do with the promotion of trade relations and the improvement of com- mercial conditions in the city. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and is truly a self-made man, having worked his way steadily upward through individual effort and merit.

WALTER E. COX, M. D.

Dr. Walter E. Cox is a well known physician and surgeon of Hot Springs, where he has successfully followed his profession during the past ten years. He was born in London, England, on the 15th of November, 1877, a son of George and Elizabeth (Gill) Cox. The father, a wholesale fruit merchant of London, is deceased, but the mother is living and resides in the old home in London.

Walter E. Cox obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and after completing his studies there was associated with his father in business until 1905. In that year, when a young man of twenty-eight, Walter E. Cox crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where for three years he served as store foreman for the Canadian Pacific Railway, with headquarters in Montreal. The year 1908 witnessed his arrival in Arkansas and his matriculation in the medical department of the University of Arkansas, which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. at his graduation with the class of 1912. Through the intervening period to the present time he has remained an active representative of the medical fraternity of Hot Springs, where an extensive practice has been accorded him in recognition of his pronounced professional ability. In 1914 he attended the Clinical Congress of Surgeons held in London, England, where he pursued postgraduate work for about .six months, and he keeps in close touch with the steady progress of the profession through his membership in the Hot Springs Medical Society, the Garland County Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation.

In 1909 Dr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Esther Almira Robertson, a daughter of Dr. J. A. Robertson, one of the well known physicians of Hot Springs. They have become parents of three children, two of whom survive, Willard R. and Walter. George S., twin brother of Walter, died at the age of three months.

In Masonry Dr. Cox has attained high rank, belonging to Hot Springs Lodge, No. 62, A. F. & A. M .; Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and Al-Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Little Rock. He belongs to the Business Men's League and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, of which his wife is also a devoted adherent. He has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of Hot Springs and by his labors, his high professional attain- ments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public.

MRS. FRANK W. PEEL.

Among the successful writers of Arkansas is numbered Mrs. Frank W. Peel, who is now editing the Bentonville Sun, one of the best weeklies in the state. She is a daughter of Harvey L. and Ella Z. Cross, the former a native of Missouri. Mr. Cross resided in that state until 1891, when he removed to Bentonville, Arkansas, where he founded the Weekly Sun, of which he is still the owner. He had previously been

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connected with newspaper interests in Missouri and has devoted much of his life to journalism, becoming well known in that connection.

Zillah Z. Peel attended the grammar schools of Cameron, Missouri, her native city, and following her graduation from high school entered the State University of Arkansas, where she was a student for one term. In 1914 her father went to Little Rock, Arkansas, as grand recorder for the state of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and since 1915 she has had entire charge of the publication of the Bentonville Weekly Sun, which she is ably conducting, also issuing a daily during four years of this period. She is a trenchant, forceful writer and in an editorial capacity is proving a worthy successor of her father, issuing an attractive journal, filled with good read- ing matter and devoted to the welfare of the district. Its circulation is steadily in- creasing and a large job printing business is also conducted. Mrs. Peel is the possessor of notable literary ability and for several years she has been writing stories and sketches for eastern publications. For the past two years she has been a contributor to the Country Gentleman and she also furnishes articles for the Ladies Home Journal and other well known magazines and periodicals. Her first notable work was a prize story, entitled A Summer Camp, which was published in the Woman's Home Companion. A legendary tale of Fort Smith also won for her a prize and she has probably received more recognition from New York publishers than any other Arkansas writer. Among her best known contributions may be mentioned the following: First Thought Man; Goings of a Sunbonnet Lady; A Baby's Layette; Sunbonnet Lady at Camp Hades; Boys Before and After the Reform School; Homes for Teachers; Eat a Nancy Hall With Me; Beaten Path to Sheepfold; and Wanted-An Empty. She was also editor of the Bulletin. published by the woman's committee of the Council of Defense.

On the 25th of April, 1894, occurred the marriage of Zillah Z. Cross and Frank Peel, a son of Col. S. W. Peel of Bentonville. He was born at Bentonville, May 31. 1873, and is now auditor of the Reed Oil Company. They have become the parents of five children: Maurine, the eldest, married Major H. H. Towler, U. S. A. He is a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and nentered the service previous to the outbreak of the World war, heing stationed for two years on the Mexican border. He was also sent to Camp Dix and Camp Devens and until August, 1922, was connected with the Base Hospital at Panama, being attached to the Medical Corps and remaining for three years in Central America. Major and Mrs. Towler have a son, Harry, Jr .; Frank Peel, Jr., has for two years filled the position of teller in the Texarkana Bank of Texarkana, Arkansas. He married Louise Bryant, a daughter of Thad Bryant, a prominent contractor of Texarkana; Sam, who is manager of the Stone Filling Station at Bentonville, was married to Freda Whiting, a daughter of Vernon Whiting of Paw- huska, Oklahoma, August 25, 1921; Mary and Zillah, aged respectively twelve and ten years, complete the family. Both are attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. Peel are members of the Christian church and Mr. Peel gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During the World war Mrs. Peel was active in promoting the various drives and on the 25th of January, 1919, she represented the wife of Governor Brough at a meeting of the Fifth Liberty Loan chairmen in St. Louis, Missouri. She is still interested in Red Cross work and is publicity chairman of the Benton county chapter. She is also a prominent club woman and for two years was president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs. which sent her as a delegate to the national convention, held in New York city. She is a woman of superior intellectual attainments and in her editorial capacity has been an important factor in the development of the county, while she also has exerted a strong influence for good in political circles of this part of the state.

LOUIS PERKINS BERRY.

Louis Perkins Berry, a native of Marion, has been for thirty-nine years engaged in the active practice of law and is one of the oldest members of the profession in north- eastern Arkansas. His birth occurred on the 17th of September, 1854, a son of James G. and Mary Susan (Lyles) Berry. On the paternal side he is of English descent. members of the Berry family having come to this country prior to the Revolutionary war. They settled, originally, in South Carolina hut later members of the family emi- grated into Kentucky. On the maternal side he is descended from the French cavaliers. These ancestors also came to America before the Revolutionary war, locating in South Carolina. James G. Berry was horn in Kentucky and came to Arkansas in 1833, when but a boy. His family were among the pioneer settlers of Crittenden county and they were dominant figures in the development and improvement of the community in

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which they resided. He was for the greater part of his life engaged in the real estate business and he was likewise active in political affairs. He was elected sheriff of this county in 1858 and was active in that office until 1860. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he put all personal interests aside and enlisted as a private in the Arkansas Cavalry. Mr. Berry died in 1872, at the age of forty-seven years, his demise causing a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the county in which he was so well known. At Mound City, Arkansas, in 1845, was celebrated the marriage of James G. Berry to Miss Mary Susan Lyles, whose demise occurred in that place in her thirty-eighth year. She was born in Tennessee and came to Crittenden county with her parents in 1833, they also being among the pioneer settlers here. Her brother, Oliver Perry Lyles, was circuit clerk of this county before he reached the age of twenty-one years and for some time was a member of the state legislature. At the outbreak of the war he raised a company of infantry from this county and served with them, with the rank of colonel, throughout the conflict. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berry ten children were born, six boys and four girls. Louis Perkins, whose name introduces this review, was the seventh in order of birth and is the only one living.

Louis Perkins Berry attended the Kentucky Military Institute at Frankfort, Ken- tucky, receiving the equivalent of one year's university work and in due time he took up the study of law with Brown & Lyles, at Memphis, Tennessee. In 1883 he was ad- mitted to the bar in Marion and he has been in active practice here for some thirty- nine years. He is one of the oldest practicing attorneys in northeastern Arkansas and enjoys an extensive and lucrative clientage. His practice is confined mostly to civil law and he has won an enviable reputation in that connection. In 1878 Mr. Berry was elected assessor of Crittenden county and was active in that office until 1882. In 1893 he was a member of the state legislature and for some time he has been law ex- aminer of the second judicial district of this state. Although the greater part of his time has been devoted to his professional interests, he was one of the organizers of the Crittenden County Bank & Trust Company and served as president of that institu- tion eight years. At present, however, he is not associated with the bank.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 105

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