Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 122

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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Vol. 11-49

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Kansas; and Walter, Raymond, Ruth, Edna, Hugh and Robert, all at home. The parents are members of the Church of the Brethren and in politics Mr. Zug maintains an in- dependent course. He does not seek nor desire office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his farming interests and his carpenter work, and his carefully directed business affairs, combined with his industry and perseverance, are bringing to him a most gratifying measure of success.

JAMES G. VAUGHN, D. D. S.

Dr. James G. Vaughn, a capable dental surgeon of Little Rock, associated in practice with Dr. Gillespie, with offices at the corner of Second and Main streets in Pine Bluff, and in the Exchange Bank building in Little Rock, was born in Macedonia, Illinois, abont twenty-eight years ago, his parents being J. W. and Aline (Johnson) Vanghn. He enjoyed liberal educational opportunities, supplementing his public school course by study in the Southern Illinois State Normal University at Carbondale, and then, having decided upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he matriculated in the Chicago College of Dentistry, in which he completed his course and won his degree in 1916. Thinking to find good business opportunities in the southwest, he opened an office in Conway, Arkansas, soon after his graduation and later removed to Hot Springs. There he remained for a time and then went to California. He was offered and accepted a contract to appear in moving pictures and among the characters that he impersonated was that of the judge in the well known firm play, The Eyes That Know. He appeared in a number of pictures for the Lasky Company and was regarded as a character actor of decidedly high attainments. At length, however, he refused a contract calling for a long period of service in connection with the moving picture industry, in order that he might reenter his profession, and returned to Arkansas, settling at Little Rock, where he has since practiced. Here he became the associate of Dr. Robert Gillespie and in connection with their professional interests in Little Rock they maintain an office in Pine Bluff. Dr. Vaughn is making steady progress as a dental surgeon, having thoroughly mastered the scientific principles of the business, in connection with which he displays that essential mechanical skill end ingenuity so necessary in this profes- sional work. A splendidly appointed office, well equipped with all necessary appliances for the practice of dentistry, enables him to carry on his chosen profession with marked success and he is rapidly advancing into high favor in professional connections in this city.

AYLMER FLENNIKEN.

Aylmer Flenniken, a prominent attorney of El Dorado, who in the preparation of his cases displays great care and precision, while his presentation of a cause in the courts always shows strength and resourcefulness, now practices successfully in El Dorado. He was born in Union county in the city in which he still makes his home, on the 24th of Jannary, 1869, and is a son of J. M. and Paralee E. (Primn) Flenniken, who were residents of Alabama before coming to Arkansas in the year 1848. The father was born in Dallas county, Alabama, July 25, 1834. They settled near El Dorado, taking up their abode on a farm about ten miles north of the city and it was on this place that the birth of Aylmer Flenniken occurred. His father devoted his life to general agricultural pur- . suits, continuing to reside on the farm until his death, which occurred December 9, 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-six years. He is still survived by his widow, who is making her home in El Paso, Texas, and is eighty-three years of age.

Aylmer Flenniken was educated in the country schools and in the public schools of El Dorado before entering Onachita College, from which he was gradnated in 1890 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He hegan teaching when seventeen years of age and employed this means of gaining adequate finances to pay his course through college. The ambition which he displayed in providing for his own education has been one of his marked characteristics throughout life and has constituted a notable force in the attainment of prominence and success. At one time he was sheriff of Union parish in Louisiana and also served as tax collector, remaining in office for a period of four years. He afterward went to Mexico, where he resided for seven months and then embraced the opportunity of continuing his education by matriculating in the Uni- versity of Michigan, from which he was in due course of time graduated, having pur- sued the regular law course there. He was thus qualified for practice at the bar and returning to El Dorado he entered into partnership with Judge E. O. Mahoney and Neil C. Marsh.

AYLMER FLENNIKEN

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Later he became a partner in the firm of Marsh & Flenniken, this association being maintained for twelve years, during which time the firm occupied a very prominent position at the El Dorade bar. Since the disselution of the partnership Mr. Flen- niken has practiced alene and his ability has brought him prominently to the front, so that he now occupies a place in the feremest ranks of the lawyers of Unien county and this section of the state. He always prepares his cases with great therenghness and care and his presentation of his canse in the courts is characterized by sound logic, a clear and cogent reasoning and resourcefulness in meeting the attack of the opposing counsel.

Mr. Flenniken also figures prominently in pelitical circles and in 1900 was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of state senater, in which pesitien he served for four years, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration during that period to all the vital questions which came up for settlement in the general assembly. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and his belief has been a guiding element in all the relations of his life.

G. A. SCOTT.

G. A. Scott of Boeneville, who is filling the office ef circuit clerk in Legan county, was born August 17, 1879, in the western part of this county, his parents being Thomas F. and Elizabeth (Hicks) Scett, who are also natives ef Legan county, the former bern July 13, 1855, and the latter on the 11th of February, 1857. The grandfather in the paternal line was a native of England, while the maternal grandfather, William C. Hicks, was born in Franklin county, Arkansas, and served in the Civil war. The marriage ef Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Scott was celebrated in Legan county, where for many years the former followed farming, successfully tilling the soil and cultivat- ing his fields. Recently, however, he retired frem agricultural life and teek up his abede in Beoneville. In politics he is a democrat and in religious faith he and his wife are connected with the Missionary Baptist church. Their family numbered five children, ef whem but two survive, G. A. and Myrtle, the latter the wife of Chester Ray, a city salesman in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

G. A. Scott, after pursuing a high school course in Booneville, devoted fifteen years to the professien of teaching, spending nine years of this period in the city which is still his home. He was county examiner for six years and was elected te the office of circuit clerk in 1920, se that he is the incumbent in this pesition. His recerd in effice has been highly commendable, being distinguished by a masterful grasp of the problems presented for selntion and by the utmest faithfulness in the performance of his public duties.

In 1901 Mr. Scott was married to Miss Lucy Wooten, who was bern in Logan county, Arkansas, a daughter of J. N. and Fannie (Wright) Woeten, the former born in Crawferd ceunty, Arkansas, while the latter was a native ef Tennessee. The father followed the occupation of farming. Beth he and his wife have departed this life. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became parents of two children, but only one is living, Fannie Fern, now in school. Fraternally Mr. Scott is connected with the Woodmen and in religious belief is a Methedist, while politically he gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He is always loyal to any cause which he espeuses and his faithfulness to duty has made him an excellent public official, mest efficient and prompt in the discharge ef all the duties that develve upon him.

W. F. MOREHEAD.

W. F. Morehead, conducting business under the name of the Fert Smith Drug Company at 1018 Garrison avenue, is a native sen of this state, his birth having occurred in Arkadelphia, in 1883. He is a sen of S. T. and Nannie Merehead, both of whom were also natives of Arkadelphia and representatives ef eld pioneer families of the state. The grandfather, W. T. Morehead, was a Confederate veteran of the Civil war. S. T. Morehead is engaged in the jewelry business.

Spending his youthful days in his native city, W. F. Morehead attended the public schools there and afterward entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1908. Having thus qualified for practical werk as a druggist he secured employment in a drug store in Gurden, Arkansas, and later he embarked in business on his own account. In 1919 he came to Fort Smith and acquired a half interest in the stere of which he is new sole proprietor, his partner in the

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beginning being H. R. Channing. After a brief period, however, Mr. Morehead pur- chased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the business independently, becoming sole owner on the 1st of March, 1920. The building which he now occupies was formerly a moving picture house. He made radical alterations in the interior and now has one of the largest and best equipped drug stores of the city, carrying an extensive line of drugs and druggist's sundries. He does a splendid business, oc- cupying one of the principal corners of the city, his store being tastefully arranged, while his progressive and reliable methods assure him a liberal patronage.

Mr. Morehead was married to Miss Jimmie Calhoun and they have one child. Christine, now ten years of age. Mrs. Morehead was a very active Red Cross worker at Huntington, Arkansas, during the period of the World war. Mr. Morehead is iden- tified with several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is also a member of the Civitan Club and the Business Men's Club and is a most public-spirited citizen, his aid and cooperation being counted upon at all times to further any progressive movement for the general good. His standards of manhood and of citizenship are high and the sterling worth of his char- acter is manifest in the class of people whom he numbers as his friends.

JOHN H. NATHO.

Business enterprises in Gillett finds a substantial and worthy representative in John H. Natho, who is here engaged in merchandising, while agricultural interests also claim his attention to some extent. Mr. Natho comes to Arkansas from Illinois, his birth having occurred in Danville, Vermilion county, in 1871, his parents being Louis and Lena (Leverenz) Natho, both of whom were natives of Germany, in which country they were reared, educated and married. Coming to the new world they settled at Danville, Illinois, where the father worked at the shoemaker's trade, spending his remaining days in that city. To him and his wife were born five sons: Frank, Charles, William, Fred and John.

The last named pursued his education in the public schools of Danville to the age of fifteen years, when he came to Arkansas, settling on a farm owned by Carl Rook. With the further development and improvement of that property he was associated for eigliteen years and in 1903 he became part owner of the Rook store of Gillett. Fol- lowing the death of Mr. Rook he sold an interest in the business to Mr. Richter, while Mr. Norden, also a partner in the enterprise, had purchased an interest before the death of Mr. Rook. They own and control one of the fine merchandise houses of Gil- lett, having a large and carefully selected line of goods and holding at all times to the highest standards in the personnel of the house and in the treatment accorded patrons. Their business has steadily grown and developed and today they have one of the best mercantile establishments in this section of the county. Mr. Natho also controls four hundred and eighty acres of land and his agricultural interests con- stitute a most substantial source of revenue. In all business affairs he displays sound judgment and keen sagacity, readily discriminating between the essential and the non-essential and his management of his interests has brought to him signal success.

In 1898 Mr. Natho was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda Krasin, a daughter of Julius Krasin, who resided at Arkansas Post. Mr. and Mrs. Natho have become parents of seven children: Walter, who served with the aviation forces in the World war: Ida; Louis, who married Margaret Place: Erna; Carl; Paul; and Mathilda. Mr. Natho and his family are members of the Lutheran church and they take a deep and helpful interest in all those forces which make for progress, improvement, justice and truth. As a business man he has gained a most creditable position and an analyzation of his career shows that he has employed only such methods as any may follow, for he has based his advancement upon industry, determination, persistency of purpose and capable management.

AZRO LUCIAN BARBER.

Azro Lucian Barber, practicing at the Little Rock bar as a member of the firm of Rogers, Barber & Henry, was born in Syracuse, New York, May 5, 1885, and dates his residence in Arkansas from 1914. His parents, Vincent Azro and Rose Rebecca (Fisher) Barber, were also natives of the Empire state, the father's birth occurring in Syracuse, New York, in 1862, while the mother was born in Delphi in 1867. They

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were married October 20, 1883, in Syracuse, and became parents of two children, Azro L. and George H., the latter born in 1888. The family home was maintained in Syracuse for many years. The mother died there in 1905. Vincent A. Barber continued to make his home in that city until 1913, when he removed to Medford, Oklahoma, where he is now engaged in business as a lumber dealer. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. In November, 1906, he was married a second time, in Parsons, Kansas, of which state his wife is a native.

Azro L. Barber at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and continued his studies in the Syracuse University, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1907. He next matriculated in the George Washington University at Washington, D. C., and won his LL. B. degree in 1912. Through the intervening period he has engaged in the practice of law. In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thor- ough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and the determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Mr. Barber has made steady advance in his profession and enjoys a large and important practice.

In Conway, Arkansas, on the 8th of March, 1917, Mr. Barber was married to Miss Laura Harton, who was born in that place April 28, 1891, and is a daughter of Ben- jamin L. and Sarah (Cole) Harton. Her father was born in Quitman, Arkansas, and her mother in Mississippi, but they now make their home in Conway, this state. Their daughter, Mrs. Barber, was graduated from Galloway College at Searcy, Arkansas, in 1909 and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters, Sarah Rebecca and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Barber hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he belongs also to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree, and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. For the year 1919-20 he filled the office of exalted ruler of Conway Lodge, No. 1364, B. P. O. E. He is a member of the American Bar Association, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never sought nor desired political preferment. He has always regarded the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and he has made steady advancement in his chosen calling.

A. WALTER SHREVE.

A. Walter Shreve was born on the farm which he now owns and occupies in the vicinity of Farmington, his natal day being June 10, 1868. He is a son of William F. and Millie (Brown) Shreve. The father was horn in Miller county, Missouri, in 1834, and died in 1911. He was a son of Wilson Shreve, who was born in Kentucky in 1808, and the latter was in turn a son of Joshua Shreve. Wilson Shreve, on coming to Arkansas, settled on a farm in Washington county in the year 1850 and the old homestead is now in possession of the fourth generation of the family. William F. Shreve was but sixteen years of age when brought by his parents to Arkansas and his remaining days were passed in Washington county, his attention being given to general agricultural pursuits. He married Millie Brown, who was born in Perry county, Ten- nessee, February 20, 1849, their marriage being celebrated in Washington county, Arkansas, in April, 1867. They became the parents of three children: A. Walter; H. Ben, now living in Fayetteville; and H. W., who is engaged in the work of the fields near Farmington. The mother was a consistent member of the Christian church and died in that faith in 1919. The father was identified with Masonry as a member of the lodge at Fayetteville and in politics he was a stalwart advocate of the republican cause. His father was a supporter of the Union during the Civil war, but two of his sons, S. P. and William F., served with the Confederate army. The father, however, was a captain of the Home Guards and was always known as Captain Shreve. He was the first man to fill the position of assessor after the war. He continued a valned and esteemed resident of Arkansas to the time of his death, which occurred about 1892. The maternal grandfather of A. Walter Shreve was Benson Brown, who was born in Tennessee and arrived in Washington county, Arkansas, in 1854. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred the following year.

A. Walter Shreve was educated in the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892, completing a course with the B. C. E. degree. He then returned home and did considerable engineering work in the county. He filled the office

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of deputy surveyor in 1888 and was made county surveyor in 1897. He is now largely giving his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. In fact he devotes his entire time to his farm, upon which he has an excellent orchard and also a large amount of berries and small fruit. He has made considerable money in this way, most capably and profitably directing the development and further improvement of his place. His farm comprises three hundred and sixteen acres of rich and arable land, constituting one of the best farms in Washington county-a district renowned for its splendid fruit. He raises diversified crops and has greatly improved his land by the rotation of crops and the judicious use of fertilizer. In a word, he employs scientific methods in carrying on his farm and the results achieved have been most satisfactory.

In 1894 Mr. Shreve was married to Miss N. C. Robertson, who was born in Kansas and is a daughter of James M. Robertson, who removed to Washington county, Arkansas, in 1884. Here he continued to spend his remaining days, his death occurring in July, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Shreve have become parents of a son, Ralph, who owns a farm near his father's place. He is a graduate of the high school at Fayetteville, Arkansas, and spent one year as a student in the University of Arkansas. Later he attended an osteopathic college in Chicago and completed his course by gradnation. Subsequently he began the practice of his profession in connection with farming, the two activities now claiming his time and energies.

Mr. Shreve is a member of the Christian church and his wife belongs to the Baptist church. They are both consistent Christian people and enjoy the warm regard of all who know them. Mr. Shreve is a Mason, belonging to Farmington Lodge, No. 291, F. & A. M., and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with Columbia Camp of Woodmen. In his political views he has always been a democrat, stanchly advocating the party principles but never seeking nor desiring office as a reward for party fealty. His entire life has heen passed in Washington county and the farm upon which he now resides constituted the scene of his boyhood activity and interests. As the years passed on he came to a realization of the fact that industry and perseverance are salient elements of success and he cultivated these qualities with the result that he has made for himself a most creditable place among the prosperous farmers and fruit raisers of northwestern Arkansas.

D. A. GIBSON.

A native son of Arkansas and a member of one of the most prominent and highly respected pioneer families of the state, D. A. Gibson is widely and favorably known throughout this section as sheriff of Pope county, in which connection he is doing effective service for the public good. He was born at Atkins, in this county, on the 14th of March, 1875, and his parents were A. M. and Louisa (Fowlks) Gibson, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Virginia. The father was horn in 1833 and the mother in 1842 and their marriage occurred in Yell county, Arkansas. When about twenty-one years of age A. M. Gibson emigrated to the United States and at Lewisburg, Arkansas, he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed success- fully throughout his life. He had received liberal educational advantages and was a man of high intellectual attainments, possessing an unusually retentive memory and marked ability as an orator. He was a democrat in his political views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public offices of honor and trust. For two terms he represented his district in the state legislature and he also served as county judge, proving very capable in both connections. He died in 1910 and the mother's demise occurred in 1920. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally Mr. Gibson was identified with the Masons. Their family numbered six children: Isabelle, who married T. D. Bullock; W. A., who is connected with oil production and resides at Indianapolis, Indiana; L. E., proprietor of one of the leading drug stores at Hartford, Arkansas; D. A., of this review; J. A., a successful druggist of Little Rock; and Mrs. H. L. Thompson, who is the wife of a farmer and resides in North Little Rock.

In the acquirement of an education D. A. Gibson attended the grammar schools of Pope county and the high school at Atkins, Arkansas, and afterward learned the drug business, being employed in a store at Atkins until 1916. In that year he was called to public office, being elected county clerk, in which capacity he served for four years and one month. His excellent work in that connection led to his selection for the office of sheriff of Pope county in 1920 and on the 1st of January. 1921, he entered upon the duties of that position, which he is discharging in a most efficient manner. He leaves nothing undone to enforce the law according to the dictates of his conscience and is devoting every energy to driving the undesirable element from the boundaries of his

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county, his name being a menace to evildoers. He also acts as tax collector and is rendering valuable service in both connections.

In October, 1903, Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Maude Hays, a sister of A. S. Hays, who is represented elsewhere in this work, and they now have three children: Hays, who is seventeen years of age and is attending high school; and Elise and Mary Pearl, aged, respectively, fifteen and nine years, who are also pursuing their studies.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Gibson is a democrat in his political views, working earnestly to promote the success of the party. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and has served as master of his lodge, while he also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter. He is ever ready to give his support to measures for the promotion of the general welfare and as an official of the county is discharging his duties in such a manner as to win the high encomiums of the general public, his worth as a man and citizen being widely acknowledged.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 122

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