Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 106

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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Near Marion on the 5th of February, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Berry to Miss Elizabeth Hemphill, a native of this county and a daughter of R. C. Hemphill of Middle Tennessee. To their union seven children were born, four boys and three girls: Louis P., Jr., is sanitary engineer at Memphis, Tennessee; Mary, is the wife of R. V. Wheeler, a well known attorney of Marion; Eliabeth married J. H. Morrison, of Marion and they are living in Albuquerque, New Mexico; James G., is engaged in the automobile business in Memphis. He is married to Mary Lee of Dumas, this state; Robert H. is engaged in the practice of law with his father; Sam is the wife of E. R. Blair, formerly of Parkin, this state, and now of Memphis, where he is active in the conduct of an automobile tire business, and William Franklin is a prominent attorney of Parkin.

The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the sup- port of which Mr. Berry has always been a generous contributor. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and along strictly professional lines he holds member- ship in the Arkansas State Bar Association and the Second District Bar Association. During the World war Mr. Berry gave generously of his time and money in the further- ance of the government's interests. He was chairman of the legal advisory board for this county and took an active part in all drives. He is a close student of the living issues of the day and his opinions, publicly or privately expressed, carry considerable weight and influence. Added to the intrinsic element of character are the high pro- fessional attainments of the man, his fine mind and his power as a leader of public thought and action-and in this connection there must be accorded due consideration for Louis Perkins Berry and a recognition of the high prestige which he has gained.

DENVER NORMAN MISENHIMER.

The standards of public instruction in Arkansas are being continually advanced and by this reason men and women of marked capability have been selected to take charge of public schools throughout the state. At the present time Denver Norman Misenhimer is filling the responsible position of superintendent of schools at Carlisle and is making an excellent record by reason of his effective efforts in advancing the interests of public education at this place. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Johnson county in 1889, his parents being A. B. and Frances (Wood) Misenhimer. The father was born in Illinois while the mother's birth occurred in Johnson county, Arkansas. The paternal grandparents of Professor Misenhimer, com- ing to this state in an early day, settled in Johnson county, as had the maternal grand-

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parents, who removed from Tennessee to Arkansas. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Misenhimer there were four children: Ralph; Vera, who is engaged in teaching school at Clarksville; Vivian, and Denver N.

The last named, having mastered the early branches of learning taught in the public schools, continued his education in Clarksville College, now called the College of the Ozarks. He first took up the profession of teaching iu his native county and later became a teacher at Cotton Plant in Woodruff county. In 1918 he accepted the position of superintendent of schools at Carlisle, where he has since remained, and through the intervening period of four years he has introduced various advanced methods of education-methods which have been of great value in connection with the improvement of the school system in this city. A school program is given on Mondays, each room rendering a program alternately, consisting of recitations, music and the discussion of suitable questions. This has been of great advantage not only in bringing knowledge to pupils but also in assisting them in self-expression and to cultivate ease in public. A special study is made of civic problems in connection with the community and this understanding of vital questions is producing not only commendable results among the pupils but is also indirectly awakening a deeper interest in the public in matters of this character.

Professor Misenhimer was united in marriage to Miss Auna L. McCain, a daughter of R. A. and Louise (Davis) McCain. They have become the parents of two children, Denver Norman, Jr., and Frances Louise, both yet at home.

Professor Misenhimer served as chairman of the publicity committee of the Red Cross chapter at Cotton Plant during the World war. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He is also an active and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward and to which his wife likewise belongs. They occupy an enviable social position and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended them.

T. C. JARNAGIN.

The history of Johnson county shows that on the whole she has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for as a rule they have been capable and loyal to duty and have carefully safeguarded the interests en- trusted to them. To this class belongs T. C. Jarnagin, who is now custodian of the public funds, having been first elected in the fall of 1914, since which time he has been three times reelected to the office. Mr. Jarnagin's life history is as an open book to his fellow townsmen. He was born on a farm in Johnson county, four miles southeast of Clarksville, March 7, 1875, and is a son of J. Calvin and Matilda (Simpsou) Jarnagin, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, the former born October 1, 1826, and the latter November 11, 1836. The Jarnagin family has long been represented in this state, for Frank Jarnagin, the grandfather, came to Arkansas in 1846 and spent his last days in Johnson county, where for many years he followed the occupation of farming. The Simpson family has also been identified with Johnson county from an early pioneer period, for the grandfather, Edward Simpson, arrived here in 1837 and was the owner of one of the river farms.

J. Calvin Jarnagin was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, and was but eight years of age when his father started with the family for Missouri. They stopped in Middle Tennessee to visit a brother of Frank Jarnagin and there decided to remain, Frank Jarnagin devoting six years to farming in that locality before he and his family con- tinued on their way to Missouri. They finally reached the latter state, however, and settled near Bolivar aud in 1846 the family came from Missouri to Arkansas. In 1849 J. C. Jarnagin went to California with one hundred and fifty-four other men and women from Arkansas. They had fifty-five wagons drawn by oxen and they were on the trip for eight months before reaching the Pacific coast. Mr. Jarnagin had hired out to a man under contract for eighteen months before leaving Arkansas and three other men were his fellow employes. They engaged in mining but were unable to find gold, so that at length their employer induced the four to buy his claim and they paid him two dollars a piece for the property. They went to work on the claim about twelve o'clock and that afternoon at one-thirty Mr. Jarnagin dug up a large piece of almost solid gold that weighed twenty-three pounds and nine ounces. They were working in the wilds. there being nothing but, rude huts in that part of the locality, where now stands the town of Sonora and it was on what is now one of the streets of that city that Mr. Jarnagin dug up his gold. A day or two afterward he sold this for six thousand dollars and it is claimed that this piece of gold is intact in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C. In 1869 he returned to Arkansas on a visit and was here married

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in April, 1870. His wife's maiden name was Matilda Simpson, who was but six weeks old when brought by her parents to this state. Some years before her marriage to Mr. Jarnagin she had become the wife of Isaac Pittman and by that marriage had two children, one of whom is living, Edward L., now a farmer of Pope county. To Mr. and Mrs. J. Calvin Jarnagin there were born four children: Wallace, who was a fruit man, made his home in Fresno county, California, until his death in April, 1921; T. C. is the second of the family; John is district agent for the San Joaquin Light & Power Company in Fresno county, California, and one child died in infancy. The parents were consist- ent Christian people, Mr. Jarnagin having membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In politics he was a democrat but not active as an office seeker. He gave his attention to his farm- ing interests and was the owner of eighty acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred September 13, 1903. He had for several years survived his wife, who died January 29, 1895.

T. C. Jarnagin pursued his education in the rural schools and also in the public schools of Oakland, Arkansas, and started out in the business world as a farmer. He worked on his father's land and took care of his father, remaining on the old home- stead farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then engaged in the barbering business in Lamar, Arkansas, and devoted the succeeding eleven years of his life to that work. In 1913 he became a candidate for the office of county treasurer. In the fall of 1914 he was elected to the position and has been reelected on three different occasions, never having any opposition but once, on which occasion he received a ma- jority of eight hundred and sixty-two votes. He has made a most excellent record in office, is systematic and careful in the discharge of his duties as well as thoroughly prompt and reliable and no higher testimonial of faithful service could be given than the fact that he has been so long retained in office. He has always voted with the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for one year while living in Lamar he served as mayor. He has also been road overseer and has served as school director.

On the 3d of July, 1898, Mr. Jarnagin was married to Miss Ida Guthrie, who was born in Pope county, Arkansas, a daughter of Thomas Guthrie, who is likewise a native of this state, his parents coming from Georgia. Mr. Guthrie is now living near Russell- ville, Arkansas, at the age of sixty-six years, devoting his attention to farm life. Mr. . and Mrs. Jarnagin have become parents of seven children: Glenn, who works for the San Joaquin Light & Power Company at Selma, California; Ray, who is employed by an insurance company in Clarksville; Sybil who is attending high school; Everett, also a high school pupil; Gladys and Vaughn, in school, and Donald Rohert, three years of age.

Mr. Jarnagin belongs to the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are people of sterling worth, enjoying the warm re- gard of all with whom they come into contact and their many admirable traits of character have gained them a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

JAMES R. HENRY.

Throughout the greater part of his life James R. Henry, now deceased, was a resident of Hope. However, he had a wide acquaintance in the state by reason of the fact that he spent many years 'as a traveling salesman and was continually adding to the circle of his friends by reason of the possession of those substantial qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard. He was a native of Arkansas, born on the 2d of December, 1868, and was six years of age when brought by his mother to Hope. Here he attended the public schools to the age of twelve years but then began earning his own living by working in a hardware store. Later he came to realize fully the need and value of further education and matriculated in the Jones Commercial School of St. Louis. When he had completed his work there he obtained a position with the Bridge & Beach Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, representing this company for twenty-seven years as a traveling salesman. His territory covered Arkansas, eastern Texas and Louisiana, and he continued upon the road until his death. His early commercial experience was of value to him in promoting sales and in the course of years he built up a very extensive trade for the house which he represented. By reason of his cordial manner, genial disposition and business capability his visits were always welcomed by those who became his patrons.

On the 19th of April, 1899, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Boyd, a native of Virginia. They hecame the parents of two children, of whom one

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died in infancy, while the surviving son, James R., Jr., is now attending Hendrix College.

The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 3d of March, 1915, Mr. Henry was called to his final rest. He was scarcely yet in the prime of life, being but forty-six years of age, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to the people of Hope but throughout the entire territory in which he traveled, for everywhere he went he made friends. He was identified with the business interests of Hope as a stockholder in the Hempstead County Bank and also as a stockholder in the oil mills. He was associated with the fraternal interests of the city through his membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith was manifest in his connection with the Methodist church and its teachings guided him in all the relations of life, inculcating in him the spirit of justice and fairness in all business dealings, of kindliness and courtesy in all social relations.

JOSEPH I. PORTER.

In a history of Stuttgart it is imperative that mention be made of Joseph I. Porter. who has departed this life but who during his lifetime was an active and prominent figure in business circles here, contributing in substantial measure to the growth and progress of the section of the state in which he lived. He conducted an extensive business at Stuttgart as a lumber dealer and was likewise connected with other impor- tant industrial and commercial interests, which have featured largely in the advance- ment of this section of the state. Mr. Porter was born in Marion county, Missouri, February 9, 1848, and was a son of Joseph C. and Mary Ann ( Marshall) Porter, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. The former was a brigadier general iu the army corps of General Marmaduke in the Civil war and was wounded at Hartsville, dying in 1865 from the effects of the injuries which he sustained.

Joseph I. Porter, who was but a young lad at the time of his father's death, was brought by his mother to Arkansas county, Arkansas. She removed here with her family consisting of six children and settled on a farm forty miles from Stuttgart. Upon this place Joseph I. Porter was reared, with the 'usual experiences of the farm bred boy. A number of years after attaining his majority he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1886 he became a partner of W. W. and C. W. Snell, the firm controlling important lumber interests. Sometime later he purchased the shares of his partners in the business and in 1892, when he removed to Stuttgart, he organized the J. I. Porter Lumber Company of Stuttgart, under which name he conducted an extensive and profitable business. He was also the president of the J. I. Porter Lumber Company of Rison, Cleveland county, Arkansas, and thus figured prominently in connection with lumber trade in his part of the state. He was a man of marked capability and resourcefulness. He also extended his efforts into other fields and became one of the organizers of the first rice mill at Stuttgart, in connection with which he contributed much to the development of the rice industry in this vicinity, the mill proving a stimulating element for rice production in this section of the state. Mr. Porter was also a director and president of the old German-American Bank of Stuttgart and his counsel and advice were regarded as valuable assets to the successful manage- ment of any business enterprise. He continued to make Stuttgart his home to the time of his demise.

In September, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Porter and Miss Margaret Elizabeth Johnson, a daughter of S. S. Johnson of Arkansas county, and to them were born two daughters. The elder, Mary, became the wife of R. E. John, who was born in Cleveland county, Arkansas, a son of W. F. and Mary (Chambers) John. He was educated for the dental profession but later became associated with his father-in-law in business, this connection being maintained for fifteen years. He is now the vice president of the J. I. Porter Lumber Company and is also extensively engaged in farm- ing; the younger daughter, Joanna D., is the wife of J. C. Robbins, who was born at Searcy, Arkansas, and is a son of E. A. and Anna (Craddock) Robbins and a grandson of J. M. Robbins, who in turn was a son of Stephen Perry Robbins. E. A. Robbins was the senior partner of the Robbins Mercantile Company of Searcy and was also vice presi- dent of the People's Bank of that place and president of the Searcy Cotton Oil Company, while of the Doniphan, Kensett & Searcy Railway Company he was the vice president. He thus figured most prominentły in connection with the financial and commercial development of the community in which he lived, his activities constituting a most forceful factor in the growth and upbuilding of the section in which he operated. He died in August, 1920, and in his passing the state fost a representative citizen. His son,

JOSEPH I. PORTER

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J. C. Robbins, is now the secretary and treasurer of the J. I. Porter Lumber Company of Stuttgart and is also vice president of the Robbins-Sanford Mercantile Company of Searcy and president of the Universal Motor Company of Little Rock. Like his father he is a man of splendid business ability and marked forcefulness in the conduct of his affairs. He readily recognizes and utilizes opportunities and has displayed marked dis- criminaton in selecting those husiness chances which are most favorable to the attain- ment of further prosperity and success. The two sons-in-law have thus hecome worthy successors to Mr. Porter in the conduct of the business which he built up and which they are now handling successfully.

Deep and widespread regret was felt when Joseph I. Porter departed this life on the 24th of November, 1919, for he had made for himself a most enviable position in the regard and confidence of the community in which he lived. During the World war he acted as chairman of the War Savings Stamps campaign in Arkansas county and chair- man of the fuel conservation commission. He was also a member of the board of trus- tecs of the Galloway College at Searcy, and he was a liberal donor to various other Protestant colleges in this state. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and gave most generously to advance the cause of Christian religion. In fact no good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his aid in vain and he was constantly extending a helping hand, his good deeds constituting a fitting crown of his life of intense and well directed husiness activity. The most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it won and so wisely used.

ROBERT M. HUTCHINS.

Robert M. Hutchins, attorney at law, practicing at the bar of Augusta, was born in Saline county, Arkansas, July 3, 1889, his parents being R. L. and Mary (Morris) Hutchins. The grandfather in the paternal line was Joseph Hutchins, a native of Alabama, who in turn was a son of Joseph Hutchins and a direct descendant of Robert Morris. The great-grandfather, Joseph Hutchins, Sr., fled from Ireland as a religious exile and became the founder of the family in the new world. Joseph Hutchins, Jr., the grandfather, was engaged quite extensively in farming and owned a large number of slaves. War brought to him heavy financial reverses, however, and he removed to Mississippi. In early manhood he married Martha Jane Morris, a daughter of Robert Morris and Mrs. Mary Hutchins was a direct descent of Lewis Morris, a brother of Robert Morris. Her father was Bradford Morris, a native of Saline county Arkansas, who was numbered among the pioneer residents of that section of the state. He died at the age of eighty years, while his wife lived to he more than a hundred years of age.

R. L. Hutchins, father of Robert M. Hutchins of this review, was born in Tipton county, Mississippi, in the year 1846 and died in 1903, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Morris, was born in Saline county, Arkansas, and died in 1893. The former was educated in the State University of Mis- sissippi at Oxford and in the early '70s came to Arkansas, living for a brief time in Benton, Saline county. He began teaching in the public schools of Benton, his first po- sition there being that of principal of a school. In 1898 he removed to Pulaski county, where he served as county examiner. At different periods he had been principal of the schools of Jacksonville, Mabelvale and North Little Rock and his life was devoted to educational work. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Their family numbered six children, four of whom are living: A. L., an attorney located at Augusta, Arkansas; one who died in infancy; A. T., who was educated in Hendrix College at Conway, Arkansas, and is now an attorney at law at Los Angeles, California; L. E., who is engaged in the practice of law at McGehee, Arkansas, who was also a student in Hendrix College, being graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree; Robert M., of this review, and Nell, who was the wife of Harry P. Mathis, of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, and died November 1, 1918, at the age of twenty-seven years.

In the acquirement of his education Robert M. Hutchins attended the public schools of Jacksonville, Argenta and Mahelvale and then entered the State University at Fayette- ville, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911. In the meantime he took up the study of law and completed a course in the law school of the State University, gaining the LL. B. degree in 1913. From 1911 until 1915 he occupied the position of deputy commissioner of mines, manufacture and agriculture at Little Rock, serving under Clay Sloan and John H. Page. In November, 1915, he came to Augusta, where he entered upon the practice of law in partnership with his brother, A. L. Hutchins, having been admitted to practice in all of the courts in June, 1913. His attention was then given

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to his law duties and later uninterruptedy to his law practice up to the time he en- listed for service in the World war in May, 1917, going to the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Logan H. Roots. He was commissioned a captain in the Arkansas National Guard and organized a company at Augusta, which became Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infantry. He took this command to Camp Beauregard, where they were in training until June, 1918. He afterward went overseas with his regiment and served with the S. O. S., remaining in France for eight months. He then returned to the United States and was discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey, in March, 1919. Im- mediately afterward Mr. Hutchins came to Angusta, where he resumed the practice of law and in his chosen profession he has made steady progress, owing to the care and precision with which he prepares his cases and the clearness and force with which he presents his arguments in the courts. He served as deputy prosecuting attorney of the first judicial district in 1916 and at all times he is most loyal to the interests of his clients. In connection with his law practice he does some abstract business.

In 1918 Mr. Hutchins was united in marriage to Miss Ara Pat Conner, a daughter of E. H. and Laura Conner. They have one child, Robert M., Jr. Mrs. Hutchins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in which Mr. Hutchins likewise holds membership and also serves his church as steward. He is also a Master Mason, belong- ing to Augusta Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and he likewise holds membership in the Elks Lodge, No. 1104, at Fayetteville, Arkansas. In politics he has always been a democrat and is a member of the central committee of Woodruff county. He was chair- man of the county board of election commissioners and he has been a member of the county board of education. He and his brothers all worked their way through school and deserve much credit for what they have accomplished. In a calling where advance- ment depends entirely upon individual merit and ability Mr. Hutchins has worked his way steadily upward and today occupies a creditable position among the leading lawyers of Woodruff county, while in all matters of citizenship he has stood for law and order, for progress and improvement, manifesting the utmost fidelity to his country when he joined the army for active service in the World war.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 106

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