Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 119

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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ELMORE W. CULP.

No history of El Dorado would be complete without extended reference to Elmore W. Culp so closely and prominently was he associated with the material progress, the intellectual upbuilding and the moral development and advancement of the city. He was long an outstanding figure in business circles by reason of the fact that he was one of the founders and promoters of the Arkansas Wholesale Grocery Company. His birth occurred in Salem, Lee county, Alabama, January 26, 1862, his parents being William B. and Nancy Olivia (Murphy) Culp. The father was born in the Asheville district of North Carolina, while the mother's birth occurred in the Spartanburg district of South Carolina. The grandfather in the paternal line was Dr. William A. Culp, a practicing physician, while William B. Culp, father of Elmore W. Culp, was for many years one of the prominent lawyers of Montgomery, Alabama. He died, however, in 1864, during the progress of the Civil war, of wounds sustained on the battle fields while aid- ing the Confederacy. Like most of the prominent southern families the Culps lost their fortunes in the struggle and William B. Culp thus left the members of his household without financial resources. His widow and their three children returned to the old home of her father, Captain Thomas F. Murphy, and there the children were reared to adult age, The daughter, who was the eldest of the three children, married a station agent and telegraph operator, who taught telegraphy to Elmore W. Culp when he was hut a mere boy. While he was but twelve years of age, a barefoot hoy, having had but limited advantages, he was left to take charge of the office while his brother-in-law went on a vacation. He acquitted himself splendidly in the discharge of the heavy responsibilities which devolved upon him in this con- nection and when he had completed his apprenticeship in the study of telegraphy he was given an office and rose to the important position of train master.

In 1891 Mr. Culp came to El Dorado on the first official train that made its way

ELMORE W. CULP

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into the town following the completion of the Camden & Alexandria Railroad between Camden and El Dorado, now a part of the Iron Mountain system. He was placed in charge of the station here and remained in the position for eleven years. He was a most capable, courteous and obliging official and no one that has occupied the posi- tion has ever heen more popular with the patrons of the office. In 1902 he resigned on account of failing health and in the same year, in company with R. A. Faulkner, he engaged in the wholesale feed, grain and heavy groceries business. Some time afterward Mr. Faulkner sold his interest to the Ritchie Grocery Company of Camden and for three years Mr. Culp was associated with the Ritchie Grocery interests, also retaining his connection with the El Dorado business. He then sold out and with three others, Ocie Nelms, now deceased, L. L. DeCou and W. E. McRae, established the Arkansas Wholesale Grocery Company of EI Dorado. Of this company Ocie Nelms was made president with Mr. Culp as general manager. Mr. Nelms died in November, 1913, and Mr. Culp succeeded him in the presidency, in which capacity he continued to serve to the time of his death two years later. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and enterprise in business affairs, sound and deliberate in his judgment, and actuated at all times by a most progressive spirit. He put forth every effort to please his patrons, recognizing that the good word of a customer is the best possible adver- tisement. Moreover, the integrity of his business methods was never called into ques- tion and all who knew him recognized the fact that his prosperity came from close application, indefatigable energy, thorough reliability and up-to-date business methods.

On the 21st of November, 1888, Mr. Culp was married to Miss Helen Preston Nelms. of Salem, Alabama, the daughter of John I. Nelms, who was a well known planter of the Salem district. Mr. and Mrs. Culp became parents of four children, of whom three are living: Lide C., who is employed hy the Arkansas Grocery Company; John E., the president of the Arkansas Wholesale Grocery Company; Carrie, now deceased; and Erin H., at home.

Mr. Culp was a faithful follower of Masonic teachings and also helonged to the Knights of Pythias. He was active in civic affairs and for some years served as a mem- ber of the city council. He held membership in the Baptist church and served as one of the deacons. He contributed generously to the support of the church and did everything in his power to advance its growth and extend its influence. His opinions were highly regarded in the councils of the church and in relation to public affairs as well. He was a man of kindly, genial nature and generous disposition, who gave freely toward ameliorating the hardships of life for the unfortunate. While a most prominent merchant and business man he was also closely associated with the moral and spiritual uplift of El Dorado and he left the impress of his influence for good upon all with whom he came in contact.

D. B. BARTLETT.

D. B. Bartlett, filling the office of sheriff of Johnson county and making his home in Clarksville, was born in this county, January 12, 1881, a son of J. Rufus and Laura (Dawson) Bartlett, who were also natives of the same county, representing two of the pioneer families of this section of the state. The father was a son of John Bartlett, a native of Kentucky, who served in the Civil war from Johnson county, Arkansas, having previously removed to this state. The maternal grandfather was John Dawson, one of the early settlers of this county and he, too, was a soldier of the Confederate army. For years he followed farming in this section of the state and both the families were well known. J. Rufus Bartlett devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and died on the old home farm in the year 1889, when a comparatively young man, after suffering from ill health for several years. He was a democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religious faith. His wife still occupies the old homestead and like her husband has been a faithful follower of the teachings of the Preshyterian church, in which she has membership. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Elizabeth, who is the wife of E. A. Estep, a farmer, living in Vian, Oklahoma; B. F., a farmer of Johnson county; D. B., of this review; and Grover C., also a farmer of Johnson county.

D. B. Bartlett pursued his education in the country schools and when quite young began to work on a farm, early acquiring intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In young manhood, too, he taught school for a period of four years and he also engaged in coal mining to some extent. In October, 1914, he removed to Clarksville, having been elected to the office of county clerk, in which position he served for four years and two months. He was very systematic and thorough in the discharge of his duties, keeping his records with great accuracy and Vol. 11-48

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his excellent service in that position commended him for further political honor. In 1918 he was elected county sheriff and made so creditable a record in that position that he was reelected in 1920 and is now serving for the second term. He has always been a consistent democrat in politics, active in support of the party, and he is now devoting his entire time to the duties of his office.

On the 26th of June, 1904, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Ida Pyron, who was born in Johnson county, Arkansas, a daughter of T. T. Pyron, who was a native of Mississippi and a Confederate soldier. He has followed the occupation of farming and merchandising throughout his active life. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have become parents of six children, but only two are living: Davis Boone, now ten years of age; and Thomas Irvin, who is a lad of eight years and like his brother, is in school. Mrs. Bartlett belongs to the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Bartlett has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both are highly esteemed because of their sterling worth of character and Mr. Bartlett's official record is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil, his course being at all times satisfactory to the general public and of great service and benefit to his fellow citizens.

W. H. BOGGS.

W. H. Boggs, a well known merchant of Winthrop, where he has made his home during the past twenty years, has also been a prominent factor in the public life of the community, representing his district in the state legislature for two terms. He was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on the 14th of December, 1880, but has been a resident of Arkansas from early boyhood, for in 1887 his parents established their home on a farm in Little River county, where he was reared to manhood. His early education, acquired in the graded and high schools, was supplemented by a course of study in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and when twenty-five years of age he took up the profession of teaching. For a period of eleven years he was thus identified with educational interests in Little River county, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he had acquired. Subsequently he turned his attention to the live stock business and engaged in the buying and selling of cattle until the year 1919, when he embarked in the grocery business at Winthrop, where he has since built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions. He enjoys an enviable reputation as a merchant of reliability, enterprise and progressiveness and makes every effort to please his patrons, the number of whom has steadily increased. He also has farming interests and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of Little River county.

Mr. Boggs was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Pendergast and they have hecome parents of a son, Hamp Edward, who is in his first year.

Politically Mr. Boggs is a stanch supporter of the democratic party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have chosen him as their representative in the state legislature, to which he was elected in 1911 and again in 1913. While thus serving he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement, fully justifying the confidence and support of the people of his district. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. The period of his residence in southwestern Arkansas now covers more than a third of a century and his record both as a business man and citizen has been a most creditahle one.

J. I. ALLEY.

J. I. Alley, attorney at law, who located at Mena with the building of the railroad to the town and who has since been engaged in successful practice here, was born in Searcy county, Arkansas, January 26, 1868, his parents being Stephen and Henrietta (Brown) Alley. The father, a native of South Carolina, was born in 1826 and was a millwright hy trade. His paternal grandfather served in the War of 1812 and was with General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. The grandfather in the maternal line was Joseph Brown, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Faulkner county, Arkansas, in 1840 and there followed farming. It was in Searcy county, Arkansas, that Stephen Alley was married to Henrietta Brown, who was born in 1845. He was reared in South Carolina and thence removed to Cartersville, Georgia, where he was first married. There were six children of that marriage hut the wife and all of the children died in Georgia. Mr. Alley afterward came to Arkansas, when ahout forty years of age, and here was married a second time. Mrs. Alley had also been previously married

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and her first husband was killed while serving in the war. There were eight children of the second marriage, of whom five are living: J. 1 .; Mrs. Goodner, the wife of G. M. Goodner, a. farmer, living at Silver, Arkansas; William M., a trader and a preacher of the Hardshell Baptist church located at Hot Springs; James Henry, engaged in the hardware business at Mount Ida, Arkansas; and Elijah W., an insurance man located at Iowa Park, Texas. The parents were members of the Primitive Baptist church and the father always gave his political support to the democratic party. The mother died in 1895, while the father survived for about two years, his death occurring in 1899.

J. I. Alley was educated in the country schools and also attended the schools of Harrison and of Mount Ida, Arkansas. He took up the study of law under private instruction, his reading being directed for a time by Pole McFetridge. In 1893 he was admitted to the har and began practice at Dallas, Polk county, then the county seat. He removed to Mena when the railroad was extended to the town and for some time practiced alone but later formed a partnership with Hal L. Norwood, with whom he was associated until Mr. Norwood was elected to the office of attorney general of the state. Following the latter's retirement from office the partnership relations were resumed and the firm of Alley & Norwood has long been recognized as one of the strongest at the bar of Arkansas.

In 1898 Mr. Alley was married to Miss Linnie M. Pirtle, who was born in Polk county, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Minerva (White) Pirtle, who were pioneers of Polk county, the father settling here in 1833. His father was one of the first to locate in the county and in his home the first session of court in Polk county was held. Mrs. Alley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Fraternally Mr. Alley is a Mason and an Elk and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of these societies. In politics he has always taken a deep interest and active part as a supporter of democratic principles and he served in the state legislature from 1899 until 1901, filling the office for two terms. He was also prosecuting attorney in 1904-5 and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1917. He attended the national convention at Kansas City when Bryan was nominated for the second time and was a delegate to the convention at Denver in 1908. He has done not a little to shape the policy and direct the activities of the party in this state and is one of the recognized leaders in its ranks. Aside from his law practice he has various interests in Polk county, his investments having been judiciously made and he is now the vice president of the First National Bank. He devotes the major part of his time and attention to his professional interests, however, enjoys an extensive and important practice and is an honored member of the State Bar Association.

CHARLES EDWIN LEE.

Among those whose labors have constituted effective forces in the development and upbuilding of southeastern Arkansas is numbered Charles Edwin Lee, who has demon- strated his faith in the future of this section of the state by making large investments in farm and timber lands, while his initiative spirit and executive powers have enabled him to build up one of the most important mercantile enterprises in Dumas, which he is operating in association with his brother, Frank T. Lee. A native son of Arkansas, he was born at Maple Grove, which is situated in Lincoln county and is now a part of the state farm, on the 6th of September, 1865, his parents being George N. and Cornelia A. (Nix) Lee, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Alabama, in which state their marriage occurred. In the early '50s they came to Arkansas, first locating in what is now Chicot county, but soon afterward removed to that portion of Arkansas county which was later included within the boundaries of Lincoln county. There the father followed the occupation of farming, continuing to cultivate and improve his land until his demise, which occurred in 1874. Subsequently the mother removed to Searcy, Arkansas, and resided in the home of her daughter until called to her final rest in 1902.

Following his graduation from the Lonoke high school, Charles Edwin Lee became a student at the Arkansas State University, which he attended during the scholastic year of 1886-7, and then returned home, devoting the next two years to farming pursuits. He then became connected with mercantile interests, working for others in various sections of Lincoln county until 1893, when he decided to embark in business inde- pendently, having carefully saved his earnings. He then joined J. A. Sample and they opened a mercantile establishment at Douglas, operating under the firm style of Sample & Lee. Six months later Mr. Lee sold his stock in the enterprise to his partner and became associated in merchandising with J. G. Johnson. The firm of Lee & Johnson was continued for about two years, at the end of which time Frank T. Lee, a brother of the subject of this review, purchased the interest of the junior partner and the under-

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taking was conducted by Lee Brothers until 1899, when they sold out and in 1901 again entered mercantile circles of Douglas. In 1903 they removed their business to Dumas and are now operating the leading mercantile establishment in the town, being recognized as enterprising and progressive merchants and men of strict integrity in all com- mercial transactions. They draw their patronage largely from the cotton growers, whom they furnish with supplies, and they also have extensive holdings in farm and timber lands. In the management of their interests they display foresight, determination and marked executive ability and their success is well merited. Mr. Lee of this review also has financial interests, being a stockholder in the Merchants & Farmers Bank of Dumas. Iudustry, ability and persistency of purpose have constituted the foundation upon which he has reared the superstructure of success and his activities have also been strong factors in promoting the commercial expansion of his city, whose welfare and progress have ever been to him matters of deep concern, for he is a loyal and public- spirited citizen, whose influence is at all times on the side of advancement and improvement.

ARTHUR D. CHAVIS.

Arthur D. Chavis has engaged in the practice of law at Pine Bluff since 1912. He did not come to this city, however, as an inexperienced lawyer, for he had formerly followed his profession elsewhere in this state, subsequent to his thorough training as a student in the law department of the University of Arkansas. With the development of his powers he has forged to the front and his practice is now large and of representative character. Mr. Chavis was born in Ashley county, Arkansas, near Hamburg, in 1879, and is a son of James P. and Amanda (Taylor) Chavis. The father was born in Warren county, Mississippi, and with his parents removed from that state to Ashley county, Arkansas, prior to the Civil war, the family arriving about 1859. The grandfather enlisted in the Confederate army and served throughout the period of hostilities between the north and the south. He married Elizabeth Jeffers, who was also a native of Mississippi. The mother of Arthur D. Chavis was born in Morehouse parish, Louisiana. Her father died in that state, after which the mother and her family removed to Alabama and Mrs. Taylor departed this life near Union Springs of the latter state. Later Amanda Taylor came with her brothers and sisters to Arkansas and here sbe married James P. Chavis and by this marriage became the mother of the following named: Ida, who is now the wife of J. M. Wigley; Walter, a practicing physician of Pine Bluff; Arthur D .; Emma, the wife of C. S. Peck; John; Early; and Laura, the wife of D. C. Wigley.

Spending his life in Arkansas, Arthur D. Chavis was educated in the public schools and afterward attended Beauvoir College at Wilmar, Arkansas, thus securing a broad literary education to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. His determination to become a member of the bar led him to matriculate in the law department of the State University of Arkansas and when he had completed his course he began practice at Rison, where he remained until his removal to Pine Bluff in 1912. He has served as deputy prosecuting attorney hut during the greater part of the period has devoted his attention to private practice and his clientage has steadily grown iu volume and importance, so that the court records bear testimony to his connection with many cases, in a large percentage of which he has won verdicts favorable to his clients.

Mr. Chavis was united in marriage to Alma Carter Curry of Rison and they have become parents of three children: Gordon, Willard and Arthur D., Jr. Fraternally Mr. Chavis is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Baptist church, his interest centering in all those forces and agencies which make for public benefit and general progress.

HUGH DOAK HART.

There is scarcely any business which demands such a broad knowledge of principles and such a familiarity with a multitude of details as does the insurance business, but he who essays success in this field must know every phase of the work and added to his knowledge there must be indefatigable energy and unfaltering enterprise, intelli- gently directed. Hugh Doak Hart was born in Arkadelphia, Clark county, Arkansas, October 21, 1889, and then after receiving liberal educational opportunities he entered the insurance field. Through the intervening period he has advanced step by step, his powers developing through the exercise of effort until today he stands among the most

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prominent insurance representatives of the state, conducting business as a partner in the firm of Campbell & Hart.

His youthful days were spent in the home of his parents, Joseph Peeples and Elizabeth (Bell) Hart. The father was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1846 and during the last year of the Civil war, although still a youth in his teens, he served with the Confederate army. He spent the greater part of his life in his native city, where he practiced successfully as a member of the bar, being widely known as an attorney for many years. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and stalwartly championed the principles which that party sponsors to the time of his demise in 1900. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Arkadelphia, where they were married. She was born in Old Austin, Arkansas, in 1851 and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons and four daughters, hut all of the daughters have departed this life.

Hugh Doak Hart was a pupil in the public schools of Arkadelphia until graduated from the high school with the class of 1905 and later he enjoyed instruction in the Henderson-Brown College at that place, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree. He next entered the law department of the University of Arkansas and was graduated in 1912 with the LL. B. degree. His connection with the insurance business dates from 1910 and through the intervening period his progress has been continuous as the result of his close application, his thorough study, his determined purpose and his ready adapt- ability. Step by step he has advanced until public opinion accords him a place of prominence in the ranks of the insurance men in this state.

On the 2d of March, 1915, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss May Hughes, who was born in Benton, Arkansas, in 1890. She is a graduate of the Henderson-Brown College of Arkadelphia and also of the Randolph-Macon College of Virginia. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Nancy Elizabeth, born in 1916; and Joseph Eugene, born in 1919.

Mr. Hart has always manifested the keenest interest in public affairs and was president of the Rotary Club of Little Rock in 1918 and 1919. In 1921 he was sent as one of two delegates from Arkansas to the International Rotary convention held at Edinburgh, Scotland. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and while never an office seeker, he has neglected no public duty, cooperating heartily in all plans looking to the welfare and upbuilding of city and state. His religious faith is that of the Preshyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder, and fraternally he is connected with the Elks and with the Masons. His interest in his fellowmen has found expression in many tangible acts of public service and in his kindly spirit and assistance toward those needing aid. He is chairman of the state committee of charities and corrections. He is likewise well known in club circles, belonging to the Little Rock Country Club and to the Lakeside Club. He is rich in the possession of those qualities which cause his fellow citizens to term him "a man among men" and the sterling traits of his character have made for popularity wherever he is known.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 119

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