Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 126

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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John D. DeBois, now a well known attorney of Searcy, pursued his early educa- tion in Henry Academy of Henry county, Tennessee, and later attended the South- western Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he specialized largely in mathematics. He then returned to Henry county and in 1871 removed to Judsonia, White county. Arkansas. One of his former teachers, S. P. Kinsey, under whom he studied at Lebanon, Ohio, was the founder of the Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana.

After reaching Judsonia, Mr. DeBois worked in a drug store for a year and pur- chased eighty acres of land a mile from the town and began its development. Later he took up the study of law, reading under the direction of Coody & McRae. Set- tling in Searcy, he was here admitted to the bar in 1878, being licensed to practice

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in the circuit and chancery courts. He practiced law in White county until 1893 and then removed to Guthrie, Oklahoma, being admitted to practice in all of the courts of that state. He continued in active practice there until elected a member of the territorial senate in 1896, in which he served on the judiciary committee. In 1897 he removed to Rogers, Arkansas, where he followed his profession for a year and then went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he bought an interest in two hotels, remain- ing there for two years. He was afterward elected city attorney and later he resigned his position and sold all of his property there. He had also purchased apple orchards near Rogers but disposed of these. In 1910 he returned to Searcy, where he again engaged in practice and he has since followed his profession here. He is an able lawyer, possessing broad and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence with ability accurately to apply these principles to the point in litigation. In 1891 he rep- resented White county in the Arkansas legislature and has thus been prominent as a lawmaker as well as in the practice of law in the state. Aside from his professional interests he now owns farm property here, but devotes the greater part of his atten- tion to his practice.

Mr. DeBois was married first to Miss Mollie Hicks, who was born in Granville county, North Carolina, a daughter of Dr. John T. Hicks, a practicing physician, who came to Searcy during the infancy of Mrs. DeBois. He practiced at both Judsonia and at Searcy but died in the former place in 1863, being killed by a gunshot when partici- pating in a skirmish in White county, Arkansas, during the Civil war, for he was at that time serving as a lieutenant in the Confederate army. Mr. and Mrs. DeBois had four children: James T., of Stillwater, Oklahoma, who is a traveling salesman; Blanche, a teacher in the public schools of Searcy; Opal, at home; and Pattie, the wife of Clarence Meriman, connected with the electric railroad of Kansas City, Missouri. The wife and mother died in 1891, departing this life in the faith of the Baptist church at Judsonia. Later Mr. DeBois married Harriett P. Noble, who was born in Ray county, Missouri, a daughter of Rev. O. P. Noble, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who filled a pastorate in Judsonia but is now living in California. There are four children of this marriage: Harriett, the wife of W. E. Du Bose of Jonesboro, Arkansas, an automobile man. She was chief filing clerk of the federal fcod administration of Arkansas at Little Rock until it was discontinued; Jaunetie, the wife of Jesse M. Snider, a rail- road shop man at Sherman, Texas; Jennie, the wife of Henry Yarnell, a mail carrier of Searcy; and Velma, the wife of Eugene Blanford, Jr., of Batesville, who is a rail- road man. Velma won a medal and cup in a vocal contest of the state and also a scholarship. She still takes voice culture and has had some training. under Oscar Sanger. She has sung throughout the state and is widely known in musical circles.

Mr. DeBois belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, while his political support is given to the democratic party. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Searcy Lodge. He attained the master's degree at Judsonia and was afterward trans- ferred to Albert Pike Lodge, No. 63, at Guthrie, Oklahoma, after which he demitted to Searcy Lodge. He has served as president of the board of regents of the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, Arkansas, occupying that posi- tion in 1894-95. His interests are indeed broad and varied and his activities have been of marked worth to him in connection with the upbuilding and progress of the state along many lines. Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action-a call to which he has made ready response and by reason cf a laudable ambition which has found expression in earnest labor and close application he has risen to prominence in pro- fessional circles.

C. E. MATTHEWS.

Although C. E. Matthews has been a resident of Morrilltou only since January, 1921. he is achieving substantial success in the conduct of his drug business here and has won a place among the most representative citizens of the community. He was born in White county, this state, on the 27th of March, 1878, a son of John B. and Martha Susan Matthews, further mention of his parents being made in the sketch of J. M. Matthews, to be found on another page of this work.

Mr. Matthews received his early education in the common schools of White county and after graduating from the Vilonia high school in Faulkner county engaged in teaching schcol. He was active in that profession from 1896 until 1903, teaching for the most part in the country schools. In 1903, however, he went to Aplin, Perry county, and buying out a drug husiness operated it successfully under the name of the C. E. Matthews Drug Store. He likewise conducted a general mercantile store, in association with a Mr. Wallace, it being known as the Wallace & Matthews General Mercantile

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Store. He was active in both capacities until 1914. In 1915 Mr. Matthews attended the Hodge Pharmical Review Course and he was registered as a pharmacist in that year. Subsequently he went to Casa, Perry county, and bought out the Nyle Drug Store, in the conduct of which he was active until September, 1917. Until March, 1919, he operated the Beebe Drug Store at Beebe, but in that year went to Perryville and bought out the Perryville Drug Store, operating it as the C. E. Matthews Drug Store. He likewise associated with M. M. Young and they purchased a drug store at Ola, which they conducted successfully for one year. In 1919 Mr. Matthews disposed of his interests in Ola and Perryville and came to Morrillton, establishing a drug store here. He immediately won for himself a place among the representative business men of Morrillton and his enterprise is winning substantial success.

In 1904 Mr. Matthews was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Wallace, a native of Perry county, and a daughter of Thomas G. Wallace, a native of Mississippi. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in the Confederate army from Mississippi. He served throughout the conflict and participated in many of the most important battles of that struggle. Some time after the close of the war he came to Perry county and engaged in farming until his death. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews three children have been born, two of whom are living: Berch, who is at home and attending the Morrillton high school; and Loid, a student in the grade schools. Another child died in infancy.

The family is affiliated with the Church of Christ and while at Perryville Mr. Matthews served as elder in the church. Since attaining his majority he has given his stanch support to the democratic party and although he takes an active interest in its affairs he has never sought nor desired political honors, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. Mr. Matthews is a wide-awake and progressive citizen and the success which has come to him is the well merited reward of earnest labor and keen business sagacity.

THOMAS DANIEL BULLOCK.

Thomas Daniel Bullock of Russellville, prominently known in educational circles in Arkansas, is now filling the position of county superintendent of schools in Pope county. His birth occurred in this county near Dover, May 25, 1866, and extended mention of the family history is made in connection with a sketch of T. J. Bullock on another page of this work. He pursued his early education in the common schools of Pope county, attended the high school at Dardanelle and afterward pursued an academic course in the Chickalah Academy in Yell county, having in the meantime taught school in order to meet the expenses of his advanced course. He began teaching in 1886 and continued to follow the profession up to the time he became county superintendent of Pope county. His first school was in a log building, without windows, without black- board and with only one door. There was a fireplace on one side of the room and four split log benches constituted the equipment. There were forty pupils and Mr. Bullock remained as the teacher of that school for seven months. During all that time he never heard a prayer nor a blessing asked and he only received his mail twice a month, going fifteen miles on both occasions to get it. Today on the site of that old log schoolhouse there stands one of the best rural schools in the county, while church and Sunday school services are held on the first day of the week and mail is received daily in the neighborhood. Mr. Bullock taught his second school in a frame building and from the doorway thereof he could count seventeen stills, and was principal of the Russellville school. He went from that school to some of the best schools in the state, as superin- tendent in such places as Lamar, Clarksville, Dover, Dardanelle and Atkins, being super- intendent of schools in the last two places. He next went to Vanndale and was at the head of the schools at that place, remaining in the position until elected county superin- tendent of schools. He had previously served as county examiner from 1898 until 1902 and he was elected county superintendent of schools in June, 1920. In this position he had one hundred and fourteen schools under his jurisdiction, employing one hundred and eighty teachers. The work of the office requires all of his time and he is doing splendid service in the discharge of his official duties.

On the 24th of October, 1889, Mr. Bullock was married to Miss Isabel Gibson, who was born in Pope county, Arkansas, a daughter of A. M. Gibson, one of the pioneer residents of this section of the state, who was a merchant, teacher and farmer and was very successful in the conduct of his business affairs. He was regarded as one of the best educated men in the state, having pursued his education in Ireland, which country he left at the age of twenty-one years, having already engaged for a time in teaching ere he left for the new world. He died in the year 1909. Professor and Mrs. Bullock have

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become parents of three children: Okla, the wife of L. B. Baird, who is now engaged in vocational training in Little Rock; Robert W., who is a shoe merchant at Ardmore, Oklahoma; and Pearl, the wife of Bruce Veazey, a wholesale grocer of Dardanelle, Arkansas.

Professor and Mrs. Bullock are Christian people, the former holding to the faith of the Primitive Baptist church and the latter to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in politics is a democrat. He has devoted his life to educational work and is today one of the distinguished repre- sentatives of public instruction in Arkansas. He has done considerable institute work and was elected in 1920 to conduct the six week's summer school at the State Agricultural College in Russellville. He is often heard as a speaker on the public rostrum and expresses his opinions in a clear, convincing and entertaining manner. He has also been a teacher in the Sunday school for years. He owns land in Pope county and this is the visible evidence of his well directed energy and well spent life. He is truly a self-made and self-educated man, one whose progress is the direct outcome of his ability, his thoroughness and his commendable ambition.

JAMES S. ALBIN.

James S. Albin, who is engaged in the clothing business in Fort Smith, his well- appointed establishment being one of the leading mercantile enterprises of the city, has come to Arkansas from the neighboring state of Kansas. His birth occurred in Warrensburg, Johnson county, Missouri, in the year 1870, his parents being I. D. and Ruth (Clarke) Albin. The father was an inventor of note, who produced a number of valuable devices, one of his early inventions being a horsepower threshing outfit.

James S. Alhin spent a portion of his youth in Missouri and was educated in the schools of that state and of the Sunflower state. In early manhood he took up the study of osteopathy in Missouri and practiced along that line for a number of years. He has been a resident of Arkansas since 1899 and at one time served as postmaster of Toledo, Kansas, being at the time the youngest postmaster in the state, having barely attained his majority when he was appointed to the position. He continued to fill the office for five years, discharging the duties of the position with promptness and fidelity. For twenty-one years he has lived in Fort Smith and during fourteen years of this period has conducted a retail clothing and shoe business, catering to the popular price trade.

Mr. Albin was united in marriage to Miss Emma Baird, of Mansfield, Arkansas, and they have become parents of four children. Mr. Albin is truly a self-made man aud whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed in life is attributable entirely to his own labors.

JOHN F. MANIER.

John F. Manier, who is the manager of the Fordyce baths of Hot Springs, regarded by many as the world's finest bathhouse, was born in Peoria, Illinois, February 22, 1875, and is a son of Victor H. and Josephine (Girot) Manier, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Alsace-Lorraine. The father was engaged in the marble business in Illinois for a considerable period and is now deceased. The mother, however, survives and makes her home in Peoria, Illinois.

John F. Manier was educated in the public and high schools of Peoria and soon after completing his course came to Hot Springs, where he arrived in 1898 and was made assistant manager of the Maurice baths, under his brother-in-law, William G. Maurice. Mr. Manier remained with Mr. Maurice for two years and then hecame associated with Colonel S. W. Fordyce, proprietor of the Palace Bathhouse, of which he was made manager, continuing to act in that capacity until the demolition of the old Palace baths. On the building of the new Fordyce baths, the finest hathhouse in the world, Mr. Manier was placed in charge. For some months prior to Colonel Fordyce's decision to build a new and finer structure, Mr. Manier had been drawing plans of an ideal hathhouse and when Colonel Fordyce had told him that the old bath- house would have to go and a new one built he asked Mr. Manier if he had any plans. It was then that he exhibited the plans that he had drawn and it was largely through his influence that Colonel Fordyce began the erection of the building that would be a lasting monument to him. He decided upon the original plans made by Mr. Manier, although making some modifications, and the structure and its appointments are largely in keeping with the idea and ideals of Mr. Manier in regard to bathhouse construction

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and equipment. In the years that have followed the building of the baths Mr. Manier has devoted his time and talents to promoting the comfort of the guests. He has in every sense and in full measure appreciated the responsibilities devolving upon him as manager of such an important institution and guests leaving Hot Springs carry away with them not only pleasant recollections of the comfort and benefit enjoyed at the Fordyce baths but also of the capable, genial and obliging manager.

On the 11th of October, 1907, Mr. Manier was married to Miss Mary Pollard Hale. a daughter of James Knox Polk and Mary Elizabeth (Pollard) Hale. They are parents of one son, John Jacques Francis Manier, Jr. Mrs. Manier is a lady of many accomplish- ments. She has been prominent in club life and in connection with the work of the World war. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through descent from one, Thomas Pollard, who came to the United States from Scotland in 1607, settling in Virginia. One of his descendants, an ancestor of Mrs. Manier, served with the American soldiers in the war for independence. Mrs. Manier is also identified with the Colonial Daughters, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Daughters of 1812. She is likewise identified with the Order of the Crown of America. She was the designer of the state insignia pin of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the state of Arkansas. The pin, a beautiful emblem, is diamond shaped, with the state seal of Arkansas and a scroll above and below with the national colors, the letters D. A. R. being engraved on the scroll. Mrs. Manier is also identified with the State Federation of Women's Clubs and is chairman of the Little Rock Federation of Women's Clubs. She likewise belongs to the Musical Club of Arkansas. During the progress of the World war she played an important part in promoting the work incident thereto. She was appointed chairman of the women's committee of Garland county for the first Liberty Loan and was reappointed for each of the succeeding loans, serving as chairman during the five loan drives. She has every reason to be proud of the record made by the women of Garland county under her leadership. She was also appointed and served as chairman of the United War Fund campaign. In 1920 she was honored as few women have been honored by being chosen by the state central democratic committee as an alternate delegate to the national convention held in San Francisco. Her religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Mrs. Manier has been an able assistant to her husband in the conduct of the Fordyce baths since the opening day of the new structure. In a word, she is a woman of hroad vision whose deductions and opinions are sound and logical and whose efforts have been a most potent force in upholding the civic, cultural and moral interests of the city. Mr. Manier became one of the charter members of Hot Springs Lodge No. 380, B. P. O. E. He also belongs to the Hot Springs Country and Golf Club and to the Business Men's League. He has been most active, helpful and prominent in civic affairs.

CHARLES E. ROSENBAUM.

Charles E. Rosenbaum is perhaps most widely known throughout Arkansas and outside the state by reason of his prominent Masonic connections, for he has long been a most active and efficient worker in the order and one to whom there has come high official preferment. In Little Rock, however, he is widely known as a most capable business man, being president of the C. E. Rosenbaum Machinery Company. A native of St. Louis, he spent his early youth in that city and acquired his educa- tion in its public schools. His father died when the son was but a young lad and he was thus early forced to start out in the business world. His mother, however. reached an advanced age and her careful guidance left its marked impress upon the life of her son.

Under the urge of necessity Charles E. Rosenbaum made his initial step in the business world and throughout his life has been connected with commercial interests. He was active along that line in St. Louis until 1883, when he came to Little Rock. where he has since made his home. Here he organized the C. E. Rosenbaum Machin- ery Company. Although the beginning was very small the enterprise has been developed into one of the largest and most important factors in the machinery and mill supply business throughout the southwest, so that Mr. Rosenbaum is prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers have taken him from humble surround- ings to the field of large enterprises and continually broadening opportunity. To his business interests he has brought a clear understanding that readily solves complex problems and unites into a harmonious whole unrelated and seemingly diverse inter- ests. He is practically the entire owner of the business which bears his name and a contemporary writer has said of him, "He has always been active in the manage-

CHARLES E. ROSENBAUM

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ment of the business, insisting always that everyone connected with the company should never lose sight of the fact that a business built on honor should be main- tained in the same manner. While the strife and turmoil incident to ceaseless com- petition and strenuous efforts in commercial affairs sometimes make it hard to main- tain a high commercial standard, Mr. Rosenbaum is convinced that it is only through honest methods, fair dealings and consistent application, together with a thorough knowledge of the business, that this high standard can be reached and maintained. It is largely through the constant and close attention to these important details that he has succeeded commercially to the extent his business interests now enjoy."

In the year 1877 Mr. Rosenbaum was nnited in marriage to Miss Ida M. Havlin, the wedding being celebrated in St. Louis, where they both then resided. Mrs. Rosenbaum was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, the home of her parents adjoin- ing that of the parents of James G. Blaine; who was also a native of the same city. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbaum became parents of a danghter, May, who was reared and educated in Little Rock and a few years ago became the wife of G. W. Harris, formerly of Little Rock but now president of the Harris & Ewing Company of Wash- ington, D. C., proprietors of the leading photographic studio of that city. Mr. Harris has also been honored with the presidency of the National Association of Photographers of America. He and his wife have two children, Martha and Aileen, and they also lost a daughter, Pauline, who died in August, 1910.

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbaum have an extensive circle of warm friends in Little Rock, while throughout the state Mr. Rosenbaum is most prominently known through his Masonic connections. He has long been an exemplary representative of the craft, holding to the high standards of manhood and citizenship inculcated by this order. He has taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites and has been called to high official positions. For some years he was the treasurer of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Arkansas, was afterward grand junior deacon and advanced through the various positions until in November, 1914, he became grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Arkansas. For a number of years he was a member of the board of control of the Masonic Temple owned by the Grand Lodge and his plans and labors were most effective forces in wiping out the indebtedness upon the building. He is president of the board of trustees of the Masonic Orphans' Home of Arkansas and it was under his direction that the beautiful Masonic home was built and fur- nished. An appreciation of his work for the order was expressed in an address de- livered at one of the Grand Lodge meetings, in which reference to Mr. Rosenbaum's work was made as follows: "It has been a pleasure to be identified with this work and to watch its progress. It has been my pleasure to see a magnificent site selected; to see the foundations laid and the walls go up and the buildings take shape and finally stand complete in all their strength and beanty; to see a hardheaded, prac- tical, earnest, honest business man (C. E. Rosenbaum, and I am not saying it to flatter him) entrusted with seven thousand, five hundred dollars and given carte blanche to furnish the home according to his own good judgment; to see these fur- nishings provided-nothing fancy or gaudy, but substantial and serviceable, from the smallest to the greatest, all complete-and the structure turned over with all its belongings to the Grand Lodge after a total expenditure of seventy-five thousand dollars withont a whisper about graft or rake-off, without a breath of scandal such as wonld doubtless have rent the air had this sum of money been turned over to the politicians to spend." Another expression of appreciation came to him in recog- nition for what he had done for the Masonic Orphan's Home on Christmas of 1910, the greeting reading as follows: "Superintendent, Matron, Employes and Inmates of Masonic Orphan's Home send greetings to you. Your generous solicitude has made the day brighter, the world fairer and many hearts beat faster. May the companionship of dear ones there, and the good will of friends far away, bring happiness to your heart in full measure, pressed down, shaken together and run- ning over."

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 126

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