Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 124

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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FLAVIOUS J. CARPENTER.

One of the historic figures of this section of the state is Flavious J. Carpenter, who was born in Franklin county, Georgia, on the 24th of March, 1851, a son of Martin S. and Catherine (Cheek) Carpenter. Both parents were natives of Georgia, in which state they were reared to manhood and womanhood and married. In his early life Mr. Carpenter was a planter but being of a mechanical turn of mind he turned his attention to other work and for some years followed blacksmithing and cabinetmaking. There was no phase of the last named trade with which he was not familiar and he was likewise an expert gunsmith. In 1853, with his family and his slaves, he started for Texas in a prairie schooner, as a member of a wagon train, but on reaching Clark county, Arkansas, his wife was taken sick and soon afterward died. For three years Mr. Carpenter resided in Clear Springs and on New Year's day of the year 1856, moved into Arkadelphia, where his home was located until his demise. In company with Captain T. R. Tennison he owned and operated a steamer on the Ouachita river, with navigation headquarters in Arkadelphia and the steamer was named the "Arkadelphia City." Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, late in the year 1861, he and Captain Tennison disposed of the vessel and in 1862 he enlisted in Captain J. L. Witherspoon's Company for service in the Confederate army and a year later was detailed to Arka- delphia to build the salt works across the Ouachita river. Upon the completion of that task he was placed in charge of the Confederate arsenal at Arkadelphia and remained there until the removal of the arsenal to Marshall, Texas, upon the entrance of the Federal general, Steele, into Little Rock. He was active in that connection until Lee's surrender, when he received his honorable discharge and returned to Arkadelphia. resuming his blacksmith business. In 1867, in association with W. T. Crouch, he bought the steamer "Blue Ellen," which they operated on the Arkansas and Ouachita rivers until January, 1874. In that year they disposed of the vessel and Mr. Carpenter's health being impaired, he was advised by his physicians to go to Denver, Colorado. His death occurred there on the IIth of August of that year.

Flavious J. Carpenter, whose name initiates this review, had but few educational advantages. He attended the schools of Arkadelphia for a few months prior to the war and for a short time, while his father was stationed there, lie engaged in the construction of the salt works. Altogether, however, Mr. Carpenter had but one year's schooling. He is today one of the well informed men of this section of the state, his education heing self-acquired. When but fourteen years of age he ran off to war and became a member of Price's army. He weighed but one hundred pounds and being also under age, he was soon sent back to his home. When his father bought the Blue Ellen steamer he became active in that connection and was engaged in the river traffic until his father sold the boat at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1874. Mr. Carpenter then returned to his home in Arkadelphia and was soon afterward elected to the office of city marshal, holding that position for two years. At the termination of that office he engaged in the transfer business and he was successful in its conduct for a period of over thirty years. For some thirty-five years he was identified with the ice business

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and he shipped the first carload of ice from St. Louis, Missouri. He disposed of that business in 1920, selling out to a son, a son-in-law and a nephew. He has made heavy land investments and now owns a farm of some thousand acres, one and one-half miles from the city limits and located on the Ouachita river, which he operates as a stock farm. He raises only blooded stock and his ranch is considered one of the finest in Clark county.

For many years Mr. Carpenter took a prominent and active part in political circles, being a stanch supporter of the democratic party. Soon after the carpetbaggers' admin- istration was overthrown he was elected county treasurer of Clark county and he served three terms, (six years), resigning at the end of that time. For four and one-half years he was in the revenue service, during President Grover Cleveland's admin- istration, his duties being to suppress the illicit distilling of whisky. He destroyed some two hundred and sixty-four stills, sent a like number of men to the penitentiary and successfully cleaned out his district, comprising eighteen counties.

In 1877 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Carpenter to Miss Janie E. Wallace, a sister of the late Dr. J. C. Wallace. Her father, Dr. R. S. Wallace, was one of the pioneer physicians of Arkadelphia. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter ten children were born, eight of whom are living: Edna C., the wife of W. M. Rice, a resident of Fort Smith; Mary O., the wife of George Grayson of Arkadelphia; Sam R., postmaster of Arkadelphia, further mention of whom is made on another page of this work; Catherine, the wife of Forest Croxson of Omaha, Nebraska; Florence, the wife of W. K. Bowen of Arkadelphia; Flavious M. J., of Arkadelphia; Robert C., the wife of Augustus Carr, a resident of Arkadelphia; and Janie Dean, who is the wife of Louis McFarland and a resident of this community.

Although Mr. Carpenter has never been an aspirant for public office since his term of service in the revenue department, he has remained a stanch supporter of the democratic party and has continued to he one of the most influential figures in the councils of his party in this section of the state. At the present time he is giving his entire time to the management of his property interests. He is one of the best known men in this section of the state and the success he has achieved is the result of his own intelligently directed efforts and laudable ambition. Arkadelphia is indeed fortunate in having him for a citizen.

ROBERT S. ALLEN.

Robert S. Allen, filling the position of postmaster of Mena, is a representative of an old Virginia family, his grandfather being a native of that state. His son, R. S. Allen, Sr., was also born in the Old Dominion, his natal year being 1836. He removed to Tennessee and was there married to Cornelia Alexander, after which they removed to Louisiana, where they made their home for a number of years. In 1871 they came to Arkansas, settling first in Montgomery county, where Mr. Allen purchased land and thereon engaged in farming for four or five years. He afterward took up his abode in Dallas and both he and his wife lived retired there until called to their final rest. In business affairs Mr. Allen won substantial success, so that in his later years he could rest from further labor and yet enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He became a well-read man and was thoroughly informed concerning all the vital questions and issues of the day. In politics he was a democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. They had a family of eleven chil- dren, seven of whom are living: W. M., who is living retired at De Queen, Arkansas; Olivia, who is the wife of Henry Mclain, a farmer of Montgomery county; Lenora, the wife of Gus McDonnald, also a farmer of that county; Robert S .; J. H., a real estate dealer of Mena; John, a farmer and stock raiser of McCurtain county, Oklahoma; and Blanche, the wife of Frank Chillcut of Dallas, Arkansas.

Robert S. Allen pursued his education in the schools of Polk county and started out to provide for his own support by working in a flour mill. He was thus employed for ten or twelve years, after which he engaged in the sawmilling business in Polk county. In 1884 he and his brothers removed to Cove, Arkansas, where they established a store, a sawmill and a gin and in the conduct of their business there won a gratifying measure of prosperity. Robert S. Allen and one of his brothers purchased the interests of the others in the business and removed their stock to Vandervoort, Arkansas, where Robert S. Allen continued for two years. In 1903 he came to Mena, where he opened a mercantile establishment and was in business here for some time but eventually sold his store and turned his attention to real estate dealing. He located Indians in the Indian Territory for two years, taking them from the southern part of Arkansas to what is now the state of Oklahoma. Again his business affairs in that connection met

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with prosperity just as they had in former years, and in fact, Mr. Allen has successfully managed the various interests with which he has from time to time been connected. He continued in the real estate business until appointed postmaster on the 2d of May, 1914, and he is now serving for a second term, which will expire on the 22d of September, 1922. He has made an excellent official, being prompt, faithful and capable in the discharge of his duties and always courteous in his treatment of the patrons of the office. He devotes practically his entire time to his service as postmaster but is the owner of a farm in McCurtain county, Oklahoma, and his property interests also include a nice modern residence in Mena.

On the 25th of February, 1885, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Josie Randolph, who was born in Georgia, a daughter of John T. Randolph, who removed to Polk county at an early day and here followed farming. The three children of this marriage are: H. P., who is an expert mechanic now connected with an automobile concern at Heavener, Oklahoma; Bev. L., who is engaged in the insurance business at Camden, Arkansas; and Irma Gyon, the wife of T. F. Curtis of Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he is conducting a cotton exchange.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen. In politics he has always been a democrat and at one time was a candidate for the office of county sheriff, being defeated by only twenty-two votes. He has never been ambitious in the way of office seeking, however, but since appointed to the position of postmaster has made a most excellent record. He regards the pursnits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and his diligence and determination, his industry and perseverance have constituted the foundation stones upon which he has built his success.

JEPTHA H. EVANS.

Logan county, like other sections of Arkansas, has every reason to be proud of her bench and bar, for various representatives of the legal profession here have proven their ability to cross swords in forensic combat with the ablest of the state. Numbered among those who are devoting their attention to law practice at Booneville is Jeptha H. Evans and public opinion places him in the front rank, acknowledging his superior ability in the analysis of a case and the presentation of his cause before the court. Louisiana numbers Mr. Evans among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Farmerville, February 8, 1860, his parents being George W. and Jerusha S. (Hughes) Evans. The family is of English origin, the grandfather having been Joseph Evans, a native of England, who on crossing the Atlantic settled in Canada, where he followed farming throughout his remaining days. Jeptha Hughes, the maternal grandfather of Jeptha H. Evans, was born in Alabama and afterward removed to Louisiana, devoting his life to the work of the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth, and later becoming a member of the Arkansas conference, his ministerial labors covering Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. He married a daughter of the Rev. Ashley Hewitt, who was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith. George W. Evans was born in Canada in 1830 and his life record covered the intervening period to December, 1914, or in other words he had reached the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey when he was called to his final rest. His wife, who was born in Louisiana in 1840, died in February, 1904. They had been married in Louisiana, to which state he had gone when twenty-two years of age. He, too, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth, devoting sixty-one years of his life to the work of preaching the gospel in Louisiana, Kansas, Texas and Arkansas. In an early day he was a circuit rider and at all times he was an earnest and faithful man, putting forth every possible effort to advance the cause of the church and extend the influence of the Christian religion among men. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Woodlawn Lodge in Ouachita county, Arkansas. His political endorsement was given to the democratic party, and he filled the office of justice of the peace. He served through the Civil war and was for fourteen months sergeant of his battery, while during the remainder of the time he was chaplain of the Thirty-sixth Arkansas Regiment. He came to Hempstead county, Arkansas, in 1860 and it was there that he enlisted for service with the Confederate forces. His entire life was characterized by the utmost fidelity to what he deemed to be his duty and his work in hehalf of the church was far- reaching and effective. To him and his wife were born ten children, five of whom are living: Jeptha H .; George S., who is an attorney of Oklahoma City; Lillie, who is the widow of John H. Scott and in now engaged in teaching in Quinton, Oklahoma; Ella J., the wife of J. T. Ellington, a merchant of Quinton, Oklahoma; and Daisy, the wife of W. B. Duncan, also a merchant, carrying on business at Ada, Oklahoma.

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Jeptha H. Evans pursued his studies in the Fort Smith district high school at Booneville, Arkansas, and was the first graduate of that school, completing his course in 1881. He afterward took up the profession of teaching but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for while a teacher he studied law privately for two or three years, devoting his leisure to mastering the principles of jurisprudence. He was admitted to the bar in 1883 and continued in the active practice of the profession until elected to the hench of the circuit court in 1893. His record as a judge was in harmony with his record as a lawyer and as a citizen, being characterized by a master- ful grasp of every problem presented for solution and by marked fidelity to duty in every particular. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case and that he made a splendid record is indicated by his various reelections. He was the first elected to fill out an unexpired term and was later elected for five full terms, retiring from the position at his own request. He left the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and high regard of all concerned. His judicial service reflects credit and honor upon the district which honored him and constitutes a fair page in the judicial record of the state. With his retirement from the bench he resumed the practice of law and his clientage is extensive and of a most important character.

In 1880 Judge Evans was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Lee, who was born in Logan county, Arkansas, a daughter of W. R. and Johanna (Humphry ) Lee. The father was born in this state in 1836 and is still living on the old homestead farm of the Lee family in Logan county, having devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He is a son of James F. Lee, who was a member of the state legislature of Arkansas prior to the Civil war and was again serving in that position at the time of his death in 1861. Mrs. Lee's father, Charles Humphry, was the first sheriff of Scott county, Arkansas, and thus Mrs. Evans is descended from two of the oldest and best known families of the state. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children, but only two are living: Hughes, who is engaged in the road business in Texas; and Charles, who was educated in the schools of Booneville and is now practicing law with his father. He entered a military camp at Fort Logan H. Roots but was rejected on account of his health, after which he devoted his time to war work at home in every possible way. Governor Brough appointed him to the state senate and he served as a member of the upper house of the general assembly in 1919.

Judge Evans and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally he is a Mason, having served as past master of his lodge. He also has membership connections with the Knights of Pythias, while in politics he has ever been a stalwart democrat. While he believes firmly in the principles of the party he could not be called an aspirant for office yet lie has on several occasions been honored with election to positions of public trust. In 1917 he was made a delegate to the con- stitutional convention. Governor Hayes offered him a place on the supreme bench but he refused it, preferring to devote his time and energy to the private practice of law. He has farming interests as has his son, Charles, but the major part of his time and attention is given to his law practice and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial.

A. L. HENDRICKS.

Through a policy of honest dealings and progressive methods A. L. Hendricks has developed an important and extensive business as the proprietor of the Hendricks Motor Car Company of Fort Smith. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He has made wise use of his time and his energies and he has closely studied the demands of the trade, thus qualifying to meet every call that is made upon him in connection with the sale of motor cars and accessories.

Mr. Hendricks is a native son of Fort Smith, born and reared in this city, his youthful days being passed in the family home on Garrison avenue. His natal year was 1871 and he is now the owner of the building in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His parents were Andrew and Margaret Hendricks, the father having been one of the pioneer settlers of this city who here became actively identified with contracting and building.

Having acquired a public school education and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties, A. L. Hendricks started out in the business world and his progress has been continuous. Before embarking in the motor car business he conducted a horse and live stock barn, building np a substantial trade in that connection. In 1915, however, he withdrew from that line of activity and keeping in touch with the trend of progress along transportation lines, he became proprietor of the Hendricks Motor Car Company. This company now occupies the block at South Ninth and Parker avenue

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and its buildings are considered the finest of the motor car buildings in the southwest. It has a mammoth establishment, splendidly equipped, and Mr. Hendricks has the agency for the Willys Knight and Overland cars and is also distributor of the Garfield trucks and Federal tires in the northern part of Arkansas and extending to the northern boundary of Texas and east to Russellville. It also handles an extensive line of automobile acces- sories and through progressive methods, fair dealings and liberal policy has built up a very large business. Its annual sales now receipt a most gratifying figure.

Mr. Hendricks was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Rutherford of Fort Smith, who was formerly a teacher in the Bell Road school. They have become parents of five children: Elizabeth; Andrew J .; James; Billy and Jolin Paul. The eldest son is now assisting his father in business. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Hendricks is identified with the Knights of Columbus, also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During the World war he served on various committees in campaigns to raise funds for the government, that the home lines might constitute an adequate support for the firing lines of France. He is also a member of the Business Men's Club. Such in brief is the history of A. L. Hendricks, one of Fort Smith's native sons and a man who has made for himself a most creditable position in business circles. Step by step he has advanced, utilizing his time and op- portunities to excellent advantage and is today at the head of a business which would be a credit to a city of much greater size than Fort Smith. The community is proud of the fact that he has the leading motor car establishment in this section of the country. Every department is well equipped, from the repair shop to the beautiful display rooms where the newest models of the cars are on exhibition, and knowing thoroughly every feature of the car Mr. Hendricks has heen most competent in presenting their good points to prospective patrons.

CURTIS B. HURLEY, SR.

One of the live-wire business men of Camden is Curtis B. Hurley, Sr., sole owner of the Hurley Printing Company, one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the state. Mr. Hurley is a self-made man and at the age of twenty-five years he has won more than substantial success. Arkansas is proud to number him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in El Dorado, Union county, on the 30th of May, 1896, a son of Joseph B. and Eula (Garrison) Hurley. The Garrison family came to this state from Rock Hill, South Carolina, in the '70s and Joseph B. Hurley was born in Monti- cello. The ancestors in the maternal line came here from Kentucky soon after the Civil war and Mrs. Hurley was born in Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley were married in Warren in October, 1893, and for thirty years the father was engaged in the conduct of a hardware business there. He was one of the successful business men of that community and took an active and prominent part in public work. His hobby was hunting deer and bears. Mr. Hurley died on the 31st of October, 1917. His widow still survives, making her home in Warren. To their union five boys and two girls were born, all of whom have become representative citizens of the communities iu which they reside.

In the acquirement of an education Curtis B. Hurley, Sr., attended the Warren Training School, a Presbyterian preparatory school, and later enrolled as a student in Park College at Parkville, Missouri. He decided to major in journalism aud upou the completion of his course there he entered the school of journalism of the University of Missouri. Mr. Hurley was a brilliant student. He had to work his way through college and he waited on tables and did various odd jobs. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World war Mr. Hurley was quick to put all personal interests aside and on the 5th of June, 1917, he enlisted in the First Arkansas Infantry, receiving a commission as second lieutenant on the 5th of September, the following year. He served as a regimental bayonet instructor with the Twenty-ninth Infantry, regular army, at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, until February 3, 1919, when he was given his honorable discharge. He then returned to Arkansas and locating in Camden, pur- chased the Beacon Herald on the 17th of February, 1919. On the 4th of December, 1919, he sold out to Smith & Chambers and purchased a half interest in same plant with G. D. Smith, Jr., on the 6th of January, 1920. On the 10th of September, 1921, he pur- chased the entire interest of the Smith Printing Company, now known as the Hurley Printing Company, of Camden and his business has become one of extensive proportions. He publishes the Beacon Herald and the Camden Evening News of Camden; the Dallas County News of Fordyce; and the Columbia County Leader of Waldo. He also does a large job printing and office supply business. Mr. Hurley is essentially a business man, capable of a remarkable amount of concentrated work, shrewd in discrimination and

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sound in judgment, and these qualities have brought him to a high position in his chosen field of activity.

On the 3d of November, 1918, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hurley and Miss lone Self, the ceremony being performed at Little Rock. To their union one child has been born: Curtis B., Jr., whose birth occurred on the 7th of December, 1920. Mrs. Hurley is one of the prominent young matrons of Camden and is active in social and club circles.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Hurley is especially active in young people's societies. He is also a scoutmaster. Although he is a young man, Mr. Hurley has made marked progress in his career and has achieved more than many men who are years his senior. His pleasing personality, geniality, and marked enterprise, as well as his general capability, assure his success and well qualify him for the business in which he is engaged.

C. C. TUNSTALL.

One of the alert and progressive young business men of Prairie county is C. C. Tunstall, who is now the assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Des Arc. He was born in 1898 in the city which is still his home, his parents being C. R. and Virginia (Brown) Tunstall. The mother's birth occurred near Beebe, Arkansas, her parents having settled in this state in pioneer times. To Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Tunstall have been born four children: C. W .; L. B., who served in the war with Germany; C. C., of this review; and A. E. The second son was a member of the Ninetieth Division of the American Expeditionary Forces and was on active duty in the Argonne Forest and also in the St. Mihiel sector. He thus participated in some of the hardest fighting in which the American troops took part and bore his full share in sustaining the splendid reputation made hy the American army, which turned the tide of battle and brought success to the allied forces.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 124

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