Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 108

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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A. V. Hembree received his educatiou in the common schools of Conway county and later attended the high school at Morrillton. Upon putting his textbooks aside he taught in the rural schools of the county for three terms and then came to Morrillton, where he made his initial step into the business world. He obtained employment as a clerk in the mercantile establishment of F. J. Wills & Company there and later be- came associated with Earl Brothers, with which latter firm he was connected for twen- ty-three years, rising from the position of salesman to buyer of all departments. Mr. Hembree became thoroughly familiar with every phase of the mercantile business and in 1916, determining to enter into business on his own account, he bought a stock of merchandise of G. H. Taylor and has been active in mercantile circles since. He carries a general line of merchandise and is a careful observer of the needs of his patrons, endeavoring to give them the best on the market for the most reasonable price. Since 1905 Mr. Hembree has also been active in insurance circles, writing fire insurance for fifteen different companies.

Mr. Hembree was united in marriage to Miss Inez Graham, a daughter of C. C. Gra- ham, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. To their union four chil- dren have been born, only one of whom is living-Frank, who is now associated with his father in business. He is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted from Conway

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county on the 21st of June, 1917. He became a member of the infantry, received his training at Camp Beauregard and went overseas with Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infantry, Thirty-ninth Division. In all he was in service twenty-seven months, seven months of that time being in guard duty in Paris. He received his hon- orable discharge on the 29th of August, 1919, at Camp Pike and returned home. One daughter, Pearl, died at the age of six years. Mrs. Hembree's demise occurred in 1920, when but forty-five years of age and besides her husband and son, a large number of friends mourned her death. She was a prominent and active member of the Nazarene church.

Mr. Hembree has always been interested in the cause of education and for several years he served as school director. His political allegiance has been given to the demo- cratic party since attaining his majority and he has served his fellowmen as alderman and city recorder. His religions faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, toward the support of which he has generously contributed. He is a progressive and wide-awake citizen and he is an active worker in the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hembree combines in his character the qualities of strict and unwavering integrity with business ability of a high order, and this is the cause of his success.

THOMAS W. HURLEY, M. D.

In the demise of Dr. Thomas W. Hurley on the 15th of July, 1917, Bentonville lost one of its honored pioneers and the medical profession a distinguished representative. His work brought him into close relations with many households and in all he commanded the high regard of those to whom he ministered. He was horn in Lawrence county, Ala- bama, April 30, 1834, and after completing his preliminary studies he entered the med- ical department of the University of Oxford, Mississippi, from which he was graduated with the class of 1852. He hecame a surgeon in the Confederate army and during the greater part of the Civil war he was stationed in Texas, serving under General Kirby Smith, whom he esteemed very highly, and he was also a personal friend of the Con- federate leader, Jefferson Davis. After the war Dr. Hurley located at Dangerfield, Texas, whence he removed to Springfield, Missouri, and in 1868 he opened an office in Bentonville, Arkansas, becoming the first physician in the town. In the early days before the era of good roads he would ride on horseback to visit his patients, and when the country became more thickly settled and pioneer conditions gave place to modern improvements he made use of a buggy. He was a lover of his profession from both a humanitarian and scientific standpoint and seemed to take a special interest in each separate case. He was most conscientious in the discharge of his professional duties and no appeal for medical assistance was ever made to him in vain, no matter how great the distance nor how small the prospects for pecuniary reward. He became one of the best known and best beloved physicians in the county and his labors were attended with a gratifying measure of success, for he carefully diagnosed his cases and thoroughly understood the scientific as well as the practical phases of the profession. He continued in active practice until 1910. after which he lived retired until his demise, which oc- curred when he was eighty-three years of age.

In Memphis, Tennessee, in 1855, Dr. Hurley was united in marriage to Miss Maria Louise Neal, who was born in Indiana, July 6, 1834, and died in Bentonville on the 25th of June, 1919. They became the parents of nine children, of whom five are living: Mrs. E. L. Richards of Los Angeles, California; A. W., president of the First National Bank of Tulsa, Oklahoma; C. E., a well known physician of Bentonville; Mrs. J. S. Ste- venson; and Mrs. Eva Tucker of Joplin, Missouri.

Dr. Hurley exemplified in his daily life the true spirit of Christianity and for many years he served as an elder in the church. His life was one of broad usefulness and in every relation he lived up to the high ideals which he set up for himself. He was a man of high scientific attainments and his professional standing is indicated in the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the Arkansas State Medical Society. Many were his sterling qualities and many the good deeds which he quietly performed, so that his memory lives as a blessed benediction to all who had the honor of his closer acquaintance.

His son-in-law, J. S. Stevenson, was born in Ireland and in 1886 emigrated to the United States, subsequently taking up his residence in Bentonville. In 1888 he married Miss Hurley and to their union five children were born, four of whom survive, namely: Marie Elizabeth, who is at home with her parents; C. E., Jr., who is identified with a railroad at Parsons, Kansas; Emma Dorothy, the wife of H. E. Woods, who is engaged in the shipping business at Bentonville; and Joe S., who is attending school. Mr. Stevenson is now identified with the Western Banking Association at Tulsa, Oklahoma,

DR. THOMAS W. HURLEY

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while Mrs. Stevenson is caring for their attractive home in Bentonville. He is vice president of the Oklahoma Division of Traveling Passenger Agents and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. The family is a well known and highly respected one in Bentonville and Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are accorded the esteem and goodwill of an extensive circle of friends.

W. R. KLINGENSMITH, M. D.

Dr. W. R. Klingensmith, a physician, with offices in the First National Bank build- ing at Fort Smith, was born in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1889, and is a son of A. and Jane (Gammage) Klingensmith. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and in early life took up the study of architecture, following the profession for many years, but is now living retired. His wife is a native of London, England. On removing from the east Mr. Klingensmith established his home in Bentonville, Arkansas, and subse- quently took up his abode in Fort Smith. He was a successful architect and designed and supervised the construction of most of the large buildings in this city, including the Merchants Bank building, the building of the Speer Hardware Company and other prominent structures. His carefully wrought-out plans embodied not only convenience in arrangement and solidarity in structure but also added to the architectual beauty of the city.

Dr. Klingensmith, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, pursued his education in the schools of Bentonville and of Fort Smith and at length determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. With this end in view he went east and matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he pursued a thorough course of study, splendidly qualifying him for his professional work. He afterward served an interneship in the New York Post Graduate Hospital and was also on the staff of the Lennox Hill Hospital of New York, thus gaining that broad and valu- able training which is obtained in hospital practice and experience.

In October, 1916, Dr. Klingensmith entered the army, joining the Medical Corps with the rank of first lieutenant and specialized in urology. He was assigned to duty in the Canal Zone, being made post surgeon of the Fifth Infantry. He also acted as sanitary officer at Atlanta, Georgia, in the coast defense and later was connected with the Hoff Memorial Hospital on Staten Island. When the country no longer needed his professional services he received his discharge and returned to Fort Smith, where he joined the Cooper Clinic in 1920 and in his practice has specialized in urology and gastrointestinal diseases. He displays marked ability in his chosen field of labor and is constantly promoting his efficiency through broad study and research, keeping at all times in touch with the latest scientific discoveries.

Dr. Klingensmith was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Harris and they have one child. They are well known in this city, where they have gained many friends. Here Dr. Klingensmith has spent much of his life and that his career has ever commanded confidence and regard is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

HON. J. B. HARRIS.

Hon. J. B. Harris, lawyer, lawmaker and banker, who along these various lines of activity has been closely associated with the development and progress of county and state, was born near Ironton, in southeastern Missouri, November S, 1864, and is a son of Bradley and Susan (Hopkins) Harris. The father was born in North Carolina as was his father, William Harris, who in the early part of the eighteenth century removed to Missouri and there died in the '40s. Mrs. Susan (Hopkins) Harris was a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Willis Hopkins, who was likewise born in the same state and became one of the pioneer residents of Missouri. It was in the latter state that Susan Hopkins became the wife of Bradley Harris and she died in Missouri when her son, J. B. Harris, was but an infant. The father afterward removed to Madison county, Arkansas, in 1884, and purchased a farm near Huntsville. In early life he was a civil engineer and assisted in building the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad through Missouri. In politics he was a democrat and was always interested in the public wel- fare. His death occurred in 1896. His family numbered three children: W. W., living in Huntsville; Emeline, the wife of William McBey, a farmer of Missouri; and J. B., of this review.

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The last named obtained his education in the schools of Missouri and of Arkansas and after his preliminary education was completed took up the study of law in the office of John Cranes. He was admitted to the bar in March, 1902, and began practice in Huntsville, where he has remained. Through all the passing years he has stood in a foremost position as a representative of the Huntsville bar. He has heen most thorough and careful in the preparation of his cases and in presenting his cause before the courts. His clear and cogent reasoning, his logical deductions and his forceful arguments have been most potent in winning for him success, the court records bearing testimony to the many favorable verdicts which he has won. Although devoting his time to the practice of law he lives on his farm near the city. He is also interested in banking and is now president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Huntsville.

On the 9th of July, 1893, Mr. Harris was married to Miss Jennie Easterling, a native of Madison county, and a daughter of William Easterling, who was born and reared in Georgia and came to Madison county about 1867, here devoting his life to the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have become the parents of six children: Jesse B., who is now engaged in farming at Braggs, Oklahoma; Nannie, the wife of Royal Whittamore, also a farmer of Braggs, Oklahoma; Wythe D., who is on his father's farm near Huntsville; James D., who is also engaged in farming with his father; Esther, who married Earl Stroud, who is a farmer of Madison county, Arkansas; and Katie, at home.

Mr. Harris belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Woodmen of the World and has passed through all of the chairs in these different lodges, taking a keen interest in the work of the organizations and the high principles for which they stand. In politics he has always been a democrat and for four years he filled the office of county treasurer of Madison county. From 1901 until 1903 he represented his district in the general assembly and in 1908 he became county judge of Madison county, serving upon the bench until 1910. Again in 1917 he was sent to the house of representatives and has left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the laws of the state. When elected to office he has been accorded large majorities which have indicated the confidence and trust reposed in him and he has been particu- larly loyal to the interests which he has represented. His activity and the importance of his public and private work have made him one of the leading citizens of his section of the state. He was one of the commissioners who built the first bridge in Madison county across War Eagle, between Huntsville and Eureka Springs. This is a fine steel bridge.

WALLACE DICKINSON ROSE, M. D.

Dr. Wallace Dickinson Rose, a physician of pronounced ability and well known in the educational field as a lecturer of the medical department of the University of Arkansas, has spent much of his life in Little Rock, his native city. He was born March 11, 1887, his parents being John M. and Lillie May (Kelly) Rose, both of whom were representatives of old families of this state The father was born in Batesville, Arkansas, October 8, 1855, and for many years lived in the capital city. He hecame an attorney, following his gradnation from the University of Virginia and his course of study in the University of Virginia Law School. His political endorsement was given to democratic principles. He died October 20, 1915, in Little Rock, where his widow still makes her home. She was born in Hot Springs, April 13, 1858, and they were mar- ried in Malvern, Arkansas, December 13, 1877. Their family numbered five sons and one daughter, of whom two sons and the daughter died in infancy. The surviving sons are: Dr. Rose of this review; William N .; and John M. All reside in Little Rock.

Dr. Wallace D. Rose, after attending the public schools of Little Rock, was gradu- ated from the Arkansas Military Academy of this city and then with broad literary learning to serve as a fonnation upon which to build the superstructure of professional knowledge he entered the medical department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated in 1916. In the following year he did postgraduate work in the Washington University Medical School of St. Louis and in 1918 took further post- graduate work in the University of Pennsylvania.

On the 11th of Angust, 1917, Dr. Rose enlisted for service in the World war and was on duty with the army until August 9, 1919. He went overseas on the 15th of August, 1918, and with his unit, the United States Base Hospital, No. 115, was located at Vichy, France. He started home on the 13th of July, 1919, arriving at Hoboken, New Jersey, on the 22d of July, 1919. Returning to Little Rock for the practice of his profession he has since made for himself an enviable place in medical circles. He is now lecturer on physical diagnosis and associate professor of medicine in the University of Arkansas. He is likewise demonstrator of clinical medicine and chief of the medical

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section of the Isaac Folsom Clinic. He is also a member of the staff of Logan H. Roots Memorial Hospital, of the staff of the Baptist State Hospital and of St. Vincent's Infirmary. He is the author of a work entitled Physical Diagnosis, now in its second edition and sold throughout the United States.

On the 21st of January, 1911, Dr. Rose was married to Miss Kathryn Noble Nowlin, who was born in Little Rock and is a daughter of Samuel H. Nowlin, now deceased. The children of this marriage are: U. M., born September 16, 1912; and Lillian May. born July 13, 1918.

Dr. Rose is a democrat, having supported the party since attaining his majority. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Second Presbyterian church. His memher- ship connections along professional lines are with the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association and the Ameri- can Medical Association and through their proceedings he keeps thoroughly informed concerning the scientific researches and discoveries that are continually being made by the medical profession. He holds to high ideals in his work and is keenly inter- ested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life.

WILLIAM F. DENMAN.

William F. Denman, one of the prominent attorneys of Prescott and proprietor of the W. F. Denman Automobile Company, was born in this city on the 23d of May, 1890, a son of Andrew M. and Ida M. (Moore) Denman, Both parents are living in Prescott, where they are highly respected citizens. The father, who was born in Mississippi, came to Prescott when he was about eighteen years of age and for many years was prominently identified with politics, having served as county judge of Ne- vada county for some five or six terms. Mrs. Denman was born in Chicago, Illinois, of southern parentage and her parents came to Prescott when she was but a child.

In the acquirement of an education, William F. Denman attended the public schools of Prescott, the Arkansas State University, the Webb School at Bellbuckle, Tennessee, and subsequently he became a student at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he took a course in law. Prior to this he had read law under the preceptorship of Colonel C. C. Hamby. In 1911 he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Prescott, where he has remained, building up an extensive and lucrative patronage and handling much important litigation before the courts. In 1920 Mr. Denman, in association with his brother, Dale, who has been engaged with him in the practice of law, established an automobile business, securing the agency for the Ford car, and they have one of the most modern and best equipped garages in south- western Arkansas.

In 1915 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Denman to Mrs. Catherine Hatley, formerly Miss Aburrow of Prescott, this state. They are both consistent members of the Presbyterian church and generous contributors to its support. Mr. Denman gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has won for himself a prominent place among the lawyers of Nevada county and is an alert and enterprising business man. He recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and he is active in the endorsement of any project he deems of value to the com- munity's welfare and growth.

W. L. PARKER.

W. L. Parker, filling the position of circuit clerk in Polk county, has given tangi- ble demonstration of his loyalty and public-spirited citizenship hy the prompt and capable manner in which he has discharged his duties. He was born in Alabama, August 5, 1865, and is a son of Thomas B. and Louisa (Reed) Parker, who were also natives of that state, in which they were reared, married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1878 and the mother in 1875. The Parker family, however, comes from North Carolina. The grandfather, William Parker, was born in that state, thence he removed to Alabama at an early day, there building the first gin in the section in which he lived, cotton being brought to the gin from many miles in all directions. The maternal grandfather, William Reed, was a native of Alabama, where he followed farming throughout his life. Thomas B. Parker also devoted the years of his active manhood to the occupation of farming and was quite successful in the cultivation of his crops. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army and served for three years, or until taken ill with pneumonia, when he was granted a furlough.

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He never completely recovered his health and departed this life in 1878. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Missionary Baptist church. Their family numbered two children: W. L., and Mattie, the latter the wife of William Tipton, a farmer of Alabama.

W. L. Parker is largely a self-educated as well as a self-made man. His learning has mostly been acquired through private study but for four years and six months he pursued his studies at Valhermoso Springs, Alabama, near the Tennessee river. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for sixteen years, im- parting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1899 he came to Polk county, Arkansas, on a hunting trip but was so pleased with the country and its prospects that he remained and has since been identified with the development and progress of this section of the state. He had first taught in the country schools but later was made deputy tax assessor, which position he filled for two years. He was then elected tax assessor in 1904 over three opponents and occupied that position for four years. In 1908 he was elected county clerk, which position he filled continuously for eight years and two months and in 1916 popular suffrage called him to the office of circuit clerk and he is now serving for the third term. He has always had an opponent in his race for office but has always been elected by a large majority, a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. There are few, if any, residents of Polk county who have so long and continuously filled public positions and the record of none has been more faultless in honor, fearless iu conduct and stainless in reputation.

On the 7th of October, 1892, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Ella Owen, the wedding being celebrated in Birmingham, Alabama. Mrs. Parker is a native of that state and a daughter of William and Sue (Ryan) Owen, pioneers of Alabama. Her father was a contractor and also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born eight children, six of whom are living: Owen, who is foreman of an ice plant at Mena and served as deputy county and probate clerk before taking up his present work; Willie May, who was educated in Ouachita College and in the Crager School of Music in St. Louis and is now acting as deputy circuit clerk under her father; Herbert R., who is employed by the Mena Hardware Company; Olga, a teacher in Keota, Oklahoma; W. L. and Thomas M., who are yet in school. The parents belong to the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Parker is identi- fied with the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically he is a democrat and has been an active worker in party ranks. At the present writing he has announced himself as a candidate for county judge and has no opposition for the office. He has attended many state conventions as a delegate and has long been a recognized leader in the ranks of the democracy in this section of the state. His recreation has been derived from hunting and he has killed many bears, deer and other kinds of game. He lost an arm when he was but thirteen years of age and suffered the loss of one of his legs in February, 1909. Notwithstanding this handi- cap he has been very successful, has proved a most competent official and is extremely popular with the people. He has always been of a studious nature and is a thoroughly well read man, conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day and actu- ated at all times by a spirit of progress and improvement.

A. T. BARLOW.

A. T. Barlow, efficiently serving the public at Booneville in the office of post- master, is now filling that position under a second appointment, which was made in September, 1918. His record as a public official is most creditable and all who know him speak in high terms of his capability and trustworthiness in office. He is also a well known figure in business circles, being the vice president of the Bank of Boone- ville .and president of the Booneville Ice & Fuel Company. He was but six years of age when brought to Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Gibson county, Tennessee, February 11, 1864. His parents, W. S. and Elfida (Wilson) Barlow, were natives of North Carolina and of Tennessee, respectively, and were married in the latter state. The father was born in 1828, while the mother's birth occurred in 1842. W. S. Barlow was a son of William Barlow, who was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Ten- nessee, spending his last days in Rutherford county, that state. Following their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Barlow continued to make their home in Tennessee until 1870, when they became residents of Logan county, Arkansas. The father was both a farmer and carpenter and assisted in building the second house erected in Boone- ville. In this and various other ways he was closely associated with the early development and progress of this section of the state. He always voted with the demo-

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 108

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