Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 116

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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DR. JOSEPH B. WHARTON

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executive committee of the general board at the time the hospital was established in 1920. He is likewise a member of the surgical staff of the institution and was for four years surgeon to St. Mary's Hospital of El Dorado and a member of its board. He belongs to the El Dorado City Medical Society, the Union County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association and he is vice president of the Association of Railway Surgeons. He also has membership in the Tri State Medical Society and through these connections he is thoroughly conversant with the advanced thought and activity of the profession, which is continuously finding successful solution for the problems that have to do with health conditions.

Dr. Wharton was married October 30, 1902, to Miss Pattie Goodwin, of El Dorado, and they have a family of five sons and one daughter: Hugh J., who is a sophomore in the medical department of the University of Arkansas; Carroll M., a freshman in Ouachita College at Arkadelphia; James L., attending high school; Mary Alice, a grammar school pupil; Joe B., Jr .; and Walter Earl.

Dr. Wharton belongs to El Dorado Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; also to El Dorado Lodge, K. P., and El Dorado Lodge, No. 1129, B. P. O. E. He and his family are members of the Baptist church and their social position is an enviable one. Dr. Wharton's interest in public affairs is of a helpful character but professional demands upon his time are many, and his developing powers have brought him to a creditable place in the foremost ranks of the leading surgeons of the state.

CRAWFORD P. MCHENRY.

Crawford P. McHenry, president of the El Dorado Dry Goods Company and also identified with banking interests in the city, was born and reared on a farm in the eastern part of Union county, his natal day being March 5, 1854. It has been said that when the city hoy crosses swords with the country lad the odds are against him, for there is something in the early rising and the daily tasks of the farm bred hoy that develops in him the resourcefulness and alertness and ability that enables him readily to cope with various situations and make steady advancement. Crawford P. McHenry received the usual training of the country lad when spending his youthful days under the parental roof. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John V. McHenry. The father was born in Virginia and after residing for a time in Alabama he came to Arkansas in the winter of 1849-50. He settled on the farm which was the birthplace of his son Crawford, living in a log house and meeting the usual hardships and privations in- cident to pioneer life, where he was the owner of slaves in an early day. When the Civil war came on he sent three of his sons to fight for the Confederate cause and all three lost their lives while engaged in military duty.

During the war period Crawford P. McHenry, who was a lad of but seven years at the time of the outbreak of hostilities, attended an old-time subscription school, which was taught by his sister in a little log building in the neighborhood. Through the summer months he aided in the work of the fields, assisting in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued on the farm until 1886 and then removed to Hillshoro, at which time he turned his attention to commercial pursuits. In con- nection with his cousin, Dr. McHenry, he purchased a general store and there carried on business for six years. At the end of that time he came to El Dorado and was associated with W. J. and H. W. Miles and W. P. Bryant in the ownership and conduct of a store that was carried on under a partnership relation for several years. At the end of that time the Miles brothers sold their interests and Mrs. M. C. Wade became a partner in the business. It was then that a reorganization was effected under the name of El Dorado Dry Goods Company, of which Mr. McHenry is now the president, with his son, H. W. McHenry, as secretary and H. Wade as treasurer. They conduct an exclusive dry goods store and enjoy an extensive trade. Their stock is large and care- fully selected and their reasonable prices, straightforward dealing and undaunted en- terprise feature strongly in the attainment of gratifying success. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. McHenry is a director of the First National Bank, with which he has thus been identified since its organization.

In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Crawford P. McHenry and Miss Mattie V. Ramsey and they have five living children: Captain H. W. McHenry, who was a quartermaster at Camp Pike and was on duty throughout America's connection with the World war; Marie, the wife of J. H. Alphin; Louise, the wife of Dr. J. H. Rushing; Estelle and Alice, at home. The latter two daughters were students in the State University. There was also one daughter, Susie, who died at the age of thirteen months. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. McHenry's in-

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terest in the public welfare has been shown through his service as a member of the school board and as a member of the city council for many years. He has labored earnestly and effectively to advance public interests and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. The consensus of public opinion accords him a place with the repre- sentative citizens of this part of the state and El Dorado would be loath to lose him because of the place which he occupies in commercial circles and the good that he has done in public office. In February, 1922, he was elected mayor of El Dorado, virtually without opposition, and is discharging the duties of that office to the satisfaction of the community.

J. W. MEEK.

J. W. Meek is the senior partner of the J. W. & Robert Meek Candy Company of Fort Smith, in which connection he has been active in the development of a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. A native of Arkansas, he was born in Union county, while his brother, Robert Meek, was born in Louisiana. They are sons of J. S. Meek. The father served as an officer in the Confederate army during the Civil war and was wounded in battle. Both sons came to Fort Smith more than forty years ago and have thus long been identified with the development and progress of the city. They have been identified with various business interests, which have been elements in the progress and commercial upbuilding of Fort Smith and in 1917 they organized the J. W. & Robert Meek Candy Company, manufacturers and jobbers of candy, with J. W. Meek, president; Robert Meek, vice president; and C. F. Reynolds, secretary. The brothers brought to the new enterprise the benefit of thirty years connection with business interests and conditions in Fort Smith, for more than three decades ago they established a retail grocery house and profitably conducted the enterprise until they turned their attention to candy manufacturing. In addition to the jobbing of candy they are the licensed coca cola bottlers, carrying on that business, however, as a sep- arate corporation. They have a large establishment and their output is distributed throughout the southwest.

J. W. Meek was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Brown. He has one son, J. D. Meek, who was a soldier of the World war, being commissioned an officer a short time before the armistice was signed. The family are well known in Fort Smith, where they have long resided and that the life of J. W. Meek has been well spent is indi- cated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from early life to the present time. There have been no spectacular phases in his career but his life has been characterized by a steady progress that has resulted from industry and perseverance intelligently directed. Ever alert to the opportunities that have been presented in a commercial way he has made good use of his time and ener- gies and step by step he has advanced until he occupies an enviable position in the ranks of the leading men of the city.

GEORGE A. CALLAHAN.

George A. Callahan, a prominent factor in civic affairs of Hot Springs, has for almost two decades been numbered among the representative and successful business men of the city as proprietor of the Hot Springs Plumbing & Machine Company. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 5th of September, 1870, his parents being Michael and Elizabeth (O'Brien) Callahan, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They emi- grated to the United States in early life and were married in St. Louis, where the father established the pioneer plumbing and heating business, carrying on his activi- ties along this line throughout his business career.

George A. Callahan obtained his early education in the parochial schools and sub- sequently entered the St. Louis University but did not continue the course to gradua- tion, for when a youth of sixteen he entered the employ of the L. M. Rumsey Manu- facturing Company as a messenger boy. From this humble position he worked his way steadily upward through various capacities and on attaining his majority was sent on the road, becoming one of the firm's pioneer traveling men through the west. He represented the Rumsey Manufacturing Company on the road for a period of eleven years and covered the territory from Omaha to San Francisco and from St. Paul to Seattle. In 1902 he resigned his position to embark in business on his own account and, coming to Hot Springs, Arkansas, he purchased the interests of the Hot Springs Plumb- ing & Machine Company, of which he has remained the sole proprietor. In this con-

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nection he has conducted a business of large aud substantial proportions and through careful management has won a gratifying measure of prosperity. Mr. Callahan is also the principal owner and builder of the Quapaw Baths which opened February 1, 1922, the largest bathhouse in Hot Springs, as well as the most attractive from an archi- tectural standpoint. Mr. Callahan is likewise a director of the Arkansas Trust Com- pany and conducts all of his business affairs in a manner that insures their successful outcome.

In 1906 Mr. Callahan was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Landers of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and they have become parents of four children: George L., John Marion, Paul and Eleanor E.

Fraternally Mr. Callahan is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Hot Springs Lodge No. 380, and with the Knights of Columbus, of which he is deputy grand knight. His local prominence and popularity is indicated in the fact that he has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, as president of the Rotary Club and also as president of the Hot Springs Golf and Country Club. He is likewise a member of the board of health and of the Associated Charities, being a director of the latter. He is also a director of the Red Cross and for some years acted as chairman of the nurses' division. He is the vice president of the Albert Pike Highway, running from Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his aid and influence are ever given on the side of progress and improvement, while his efforts have been a valuable element in the substantial advancement of his city along many lines.

J. S. ELDER.

J. S. Elder, an enterprising and successful representative of mercantile interests in Rogers, is at the head of the J. S. Elder Grocery Company and in this connection has conducted both a retail and jobbing business for the past ten years. His birth occurred near Nashville, Tennessee, on the 18th of November, 1868, his parents being James S. and Martha (Nokes) Elder, both of whom were likewise natives of that state. The father, who was a contractor, made his way to Arkansas in September, 1869, and took up his abode among the earliest settlers of Jonesboro, where he erected the first brick church and a number of other buildings, including the jail. He was physically incapa- citated for service in the Civil war but had two brothers who were killed while fighting with the Confederate forces. His religious belief was indicated by his membership in the Christian church, in the faith of which he died in 1896. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had become widely and favorably known during the period of his residence in Joneshoro, which covered more than a quarter of a century, and had contributed in no small measure to the upbuilding and development of the town. His widow, who is still living at the age of eighty-nine years and yet makes her home in Jonesboro, followed the profession of teaching for a number of years. Her father, Thomas Nokes, was killed as a soldier of the Confederate army during the Civil war. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children, five of whom survive, as follows: T. J., a capitalist residing in Jonesboro, Arkansas; Mrs. A. C. Broadway of Jonesboro, whose husband is identified with the personal injury department of the Iron Mountain Railroad Company and is a very prominent citizen of this state; Mrs. Sue H. Strickling, who is now a widow and is teaching music in Jonesboro; J. S., of this review: and H. A., who is engaged in business in Jonesboro as the senior partner in the Elder & Stevens Clothing Company.

J. S. Elder, whose name introduces this review, was brought to Arkansas by his parents when still hut an infant and has therefore spent practically his entire life within the horders of this state. He was reared on a farm and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education, but his opportunities in that direction were necessarily limited, for at the age of fourteen years he entered his brother's store as a clerk. Later, when he felt that his experience justified such a step, he organized the Elder Brothers Mercantile Company at Bay, Arkansas, and successfully conducted the enterprise for twelve years. On the expiration of that period, however, he sold

out and removed to Rogers in 1911, here purchasing a small store in which he carried on business for eleven months. He then organized the J. S. Elder Grocery Company and purchased a large store, in which he has since conducted both a jobbing and retail business in groceries, having built up an extensive and gratifying trade in this connection. He is a man of keen discrimination, sound judgment and unquestioned integrity, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to him a large degree of success.

In 1889 Mr. Elder was united in marriage to Miss Callie Midyett, a native of Ten- nessee and a daughter of Ralph Midyett, who engaged in farming near Jackson. Mr.

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and Mrs. Elder became parents of two children: Ula, the wife of A. F. Warren, who is associated with her father in business and by whom she has two children, James Arthur and Thomas Christopher; and Thomas Calloway, who died when twenty years of age.

Mr. Elder gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is widely recognized as a most public-spirited and progressive citizen who withholds his sup- port from no movement or measure instituted to promote the general good or advance community welfare. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, has three times served as master of the local lodge and has twice been chancellor commander in the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, which finds in him a devoted and consistent member. As a prosperous merchant and repre- sentative citizen he is widely known in the town of Rogers and his career has ever been such as to command for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

A. B. HENDERSON.

A. B. Henderson, who, in partnership with W. C. Hudson, owns the business at Mulberry conducted under the name of the Rexall Drug Company, was born in Craw- ford county, Arkansas, and is a son of C. C. and Ella (Chatwell) Henderson. Liberal educational advantages were accorded him and following the completion of his public school course he entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He is numbered among the veterans of the World war, having enlisted in the army for service against Germany. He became a member of an ammunition train and was stationed at Fort Logan H. Roots near Little Rock, while later he was transferred to Camp Beauregard and subsequently to Camp Mills. He was assigned to the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ammunition Train and saw service overseas, thus gaining intimate knowledge of all the methods of modern warfare. He displayed the utmost fidelity to his country and the cause which he represented, return- ing to his home with a most creditable military record.

Mr. Henderson was united in marriage in 1921 to Miss Anna Booth, a native of Perry, Missouri, and they are well known in Mulberry, where they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance. Mr. Henderson devotes the greater part of his attention to the drug business, in which he is associated with W. C. Hudson. Theirs is one of the old established commercial enterprises of Mulberry, having previously been owned by Roger Boos, while the business was acquired by the present proprietors in 1920. They are both enterprising and progressive young men, whose strongly marked qualities and business characteristics make for success. They have a well appointed and tastefully arranged store. carry a large stock of drugs and druggists' sundries and have huilt up a trade that already is extensive and which is constantly growing.

DAVID B. PERKINS.

David B. Perkins is now living retired at Carlisle, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. Through many years he was well known as a banker and planter and the careful management of his business affairs and the wise direction of his interests brought to him the substantial success which enables him to rest from his labors and yet enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries of life. He comes to Arkan- sas from Illinois, his birth having occurred near Flora, in Clay county, that state, in 1862, his parents being H. P. and Martha (Brainerd) Perkins, who were born near Athens, Ohio. They came with their family to Arkansas in 1883, settling on a farm near Carlisle, and there the death of the father occurred, but the mother is still living and yet makes her home in Lonoke county. In their family were ten children.

David B. Perkins pursued his education in the public schools of Emporia, Kansas, to which place his parents had removed before coming to Arkansas. After his educa- tion was completed he took up the occupation of farming and engaged in rice culture in Lonoke county, developing an excellent rice plantation. His unfaltering industry and capability enabled him to win a substantial measure of success in this connection and later he turned his attention to the retail lumber business, which he carried on under the firm style of the Perkins Lumber Company. As the years passed he constantly broadened his labors and in time became the president of the Dairymen's Bank, of which he is still a stockholder and director. His judicious investment and the wise

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management of his business affairs ultimately placed him with the men of wealth and affluence in Lonoke county and he is now living retired, his success enabling him to participate in those activities and interests which are to him a matter of pleasure and entertainment.

Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Cora Ellingsworth, a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Millington) Ellingsworth, the former a native of Olney, Illinois, while the latter was horn in England, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have become the parents of two sons: Earl, who married Miss Pearl Smith and has four children- Evelyn, Merlin, Lola M. and Earl, Jr .; and Harry, who wedded Margaret Bull and who served in the World war.

Mr. Perkins and his family are members of the Methodist church and its teach- ings have guided him in all the relations of life, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, but the sterling traits of his character have become known to all with whom he has been brought in contact and thus the circle of his friends is today almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

JOHN STRANGE.

John Strange, filling the office of sheriff of Miller county, has devoted much of his life to service in connection with the department of law and order in this section of the state. He makes his home in Texarkana, where he was born April 28, 1878. He was educated in the public schools and when but a boy began working in a pottery shop. thus providing for his own support from an early age. He afterward worked in con- nection with railroad interests and was subsequently police officer, being called. to that position in 1899 and serving until he became deputy under Sheriff Sanders, continuing to fill the position for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he was made chief of police of Texarkana for two years and later became deputy United States marshal, filling the position for a similar period. He was then again made chief of police and continued to serve in that capacity for two years. Later he was elected sheriff of Miller county, taking the office on the 1st of January, 1921, so that he is the present incumbent in the position. He has ever discharged his duties fearlessly and faithfully and has made a most creditable record by the prompt and efficient manner in which he has upheld law and order in this part of the state.

Mr. Strange was married to Miss Sallie Kate Crockett and they have become par- ents of three children: Lillian, eighteen years of age; John, aged sixteen; and Martha Elizabeth, thirteen. Mr. Strange is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Modern Woodmen and of the Degree of Honor and is most loyal to the teachings and purposes of these different organizations. His public service has made him widely known, and he enjoys in high measure the confidence, respect and trust of all law- abiding citizens, while his name has become well known to evildoers because of his efficiency in office.

C. A. LICK.

No history of Fort Smith would be complete without mention of the business of which C. A. Lick is president. The corporation of Weldon, Williams & Lick has one of the extensive printing establishments of the southwest and its business is some- what unique in character as it specializes on printing tickets. Its patronage comes from as far as South Africa and extends northward into Canada. For more than a third of a century Mr. Lick has been identified with the printing business in Fort Smith, and save for the first three years of that period has carried on business on his own account. He was a young man of but nineteen years when he arrived in this city, his birth having occurred in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1868, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth Lick. The former, now deceased, was also a printer.

C. A. Lick acquired his early education in the schools of Springfield, Missouri, to which place his parents removed in his boyhood days and he later attended the Marion- ville Collegiate Institute at Marionville, Missouri. In choosing a life occupation he turned to the pursuit which his father had made his life work. Arriving in Fort Smith from St. Louis in 1887 he here became identified with the printing house of J. H. Mayers & Company, remaining therewith for about three years. On the expiration of that period he established business on his own account and has since been a prominent factor in printing circles in this city. In 1899 he became one of the organizers of the Vol. II-47

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company of Weldon, Williams & Lick, his partners in the undertaking being O. D. Weldon and George T. Williams. The business was incorporated under the laws of Arkansas and the enterprise was established upon a substantial basis. From the begin- ning success attended the undertaking. Mr. Williams withdrew from the firm about twenty years ago, while Mr. Weldon died about a decade ago, leaving Mr. Lick as the sole member. His plant contains sixteen thousand square feet of floor space and he employs from forty to fifty people. He makes a specialty of the printing of amuse- ment tickets and has the contracts for printing all tickets for Barnum & Bailey and other circus people and also for many theatres. He furnishes the tickets for the Keith's circuit west of Pennsylvania and ships tickets as far as Kimberly, South Africa. The company is now working on the Pari mutuel tickets for the race track in Havana, Cuba, and also supplies tickets for Canada and for all sections of this country, printing reserved seat and all other kinds of tickets. Its trade mark is "Printing other People's Money." Steadily the patronage has increased, the trade growing by reason of sat- isfied patrons, who are ever the best advertisement. The business covers a some- what unique field, for there are few printing houses which confine their attention so entirely to ticket printing. Mr. Lick is also the manager of the New Theatre of Fort Smith and is making this a profitable enterprise.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 116

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