Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 135

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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G. EMMET CANNON, M. D.

Dr. G. Emmet Cannon, physician and surgeon who is the proprietor of the Josephine Hospital at Hope, an institution which would he a credit to a city of much larger size, was born in Hempstead county, Arkansas, April 3, 1870. He was reared to farm life, working in the fields from an early age, and in the winter seasons he attended the public schools. When nineteen years of age he taught school and from that time for- ward has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He worked by the month as a farm hand when a lad in his teens and as opportunity offered he would continue his education by attending school. He was ambitious to obtain the most thorough educational training possible and eventually he entered Ouachita College, from which he was grad- uated in 1895. As previously stated he was a teacher when nineteen years of age and fol- lowed the profession through eight summer terms, attending school during the winter months. By teaching he provided the funds necessary for his own education and at length he completed a course in the Kentucky School of Medicine, now known as the University of Louisville. Having thus prepared for the practice of medicine and surgery, he first followed his profession as surgeon for the South Arkansas Lumber Company, with which he remained for a few years, looking after the hundreds of men who were employed by that large corporation in their mills and logging camps. His practice was often of a most difficult nature, hut he proved adequate to the tasks devolving upon him. Later he located in Magnolia and then came to Hope, where he has remained since 1910. He has taken postgraduate work in the Tulane University at New Orleans, also in the Mayo Brothers Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota. He likewise pursued postgraduate courses in Philadelphia and Chicago hospitals. He has always specialized in surgery, although he yet continues to engage in general practice. In 1915 he erected the Josephine Hospital and in 1919 built an addition thereto, for the original structure was not adequate to the demands of his practice. This is a thoroughly modern hospital, splendidly equipped, and no institution in the state surpasses it in the nature of the equipment and in the professional service that can here be secured.

Dr. Cannon was united in marriage in 1897 to Miss Josie Lile, and they have become parents of four children who are yet living: Curtis, Mary, Whitfield and Josephine. Two others died in infancy.

Dr. Cannon belongs to the Hempstead County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Associa- tion. Important and extensive as are his professional interests, however, he does not allow his medical and surgical practice to monopolize his time so that he will have no opportunity for participation in public affairs. He has served as president of the school ·board for six years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He is a member of the Baptist church and. his life is guided by high and honorable principles, so that he is today one of the greatly esteemed residents of Hope.

LLOYD RANDOLPH BYRNE.

Lloyd Randolph Byrne, vice president of the Merchants & Farmers Bank of Dumas, became identified with financial interests in 1909 and during the intervening period has worked his way steadily upward to his present position of trust and responsibility through merit and ability, while in public affairs he has also taken a prominent part. He is one of Arkansas' native sons, his birth having occurred at Luna, in Chicot county, on the 11th of July, 1884, and his parents were Charles A. and Tonie H. (Maynard) Byrne, the former a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and the latter of Luna, Arkansas. Her parents removed from Alabama to Coahoma county, Mississippi, residing there 'until about 1850, when they came to Arkansas. Her maternal grand- father, C. W. Saunders, journeyed from Alabama to Chicot county, Arkansas, in the late '30s, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the state. As a young man Charles K. Byrne resided on a plantation located at Madison Parish, Louisiana, and about 1880 he came to Chicot county, Arkansas, where he was soon afterward married. He became the owner of a farm in this vicinity and devoted his energies to its cultivation and im- provement, continuing to reside thereon until his demise, which occurred in 1891. The mother is now living at Lake Village, this state.

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In the acquirement of an education Lloyd R. Byrne attended the public schools near his home, later becoming a student at the University of Arkansas. In 1904 he laid aside his textbooks and for the next five years was variously employed. In 1909 he became identified with financial interests, securing the position of assistant cashier with the Dermott Bank & Trust Company, with which he was connected for two years. He then went to Arkansas City and for two years served in the same capacity with the Desha Bank & Trust Company. From 1913 until 1918 he was cashier of the Merchants & Farmers Bank of Dumas, spending a portion of the latter year in the office of the state bank com- missioner at Little Rock, and in 1919 he was made vice president of the above institu- tion, in which office he has since served. He is an able financier who combines a detailed knowledge of the banking business with administrative powers and the policy which he pursues is one which carefully safeguards the interests of depositors and stockholders and at the same time promotes the success of the institution. He also has other business interests, being president of the Arkansas Plantation Company, operat- ing extensively in farm lands in Desha county.

Mr. Byrne is an earnest and helpful member of the Dumas Baptist church and is now acting as superintendent of its Sunday school. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public offices of honor and trust and he has been mayor of Dumas, while he is now serving as chairman of the city light and water commission. Whether in office or out of it he stands for progress and improvement in municipal affairs and his influence is always on the side of those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He is a past district princeps and past grand historian of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and in Masonry he has attained high rank. being district deputy grand master of the thirteenth Masonic district. He is con- nected with Omega Lodge, No. 547, F. and A. M .; Victory Chapter, No. 131, R. A. M .; Pine Bluff Council, R. and S. M .; Damascus Commandery, No. 8, K. T .; Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A and A. S. R., at Pine Bluff; and Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Pine Bluff. He is also affiliated with Dumas Chapter. No. 393, O. E. S., is likewise a member of the Order of the High Priesthood, and is a past master, past high priest and past patron. In the control of his business affairs he manifests the forcefulness, keen discrimination and ready understanding of involved interests which make him one of the leaders in financial circles of his district, and his course has been characterized by integrity and honor in every relation, commanding for him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.

F. G. SPEER.

F. G. Speer is the vice president of the Speer Hardware Company of Fort Smith and in this connection has become prominently associated with the commercial interests of the city. His youthful days were spent in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Speer. His father was the founder of the business now carried on under the name of the Speer Hardware Company. He organized the enterprise in 1887, in association with his cousin, C. E. Speer. The business relation between them continued most pleasantly and profitably to the time when death called them from their labors. C. E. Speer died August 24, 1916, and David Speer survived for only a brief period, his death occurring June 19, 1917.

In the meantime F. G. Speer had obtained a public school education and in 1893 he became actively identified with the business. His association therewith has continued through the intervening period to the present, covering twenty-eight years. The officers of the company at this writing, in 1921, are: F. D. Dunlap, president; F. G. Speer, vice president; R. J. Speer, vice president; R. E. Vick, secretary and treasurer; and R. E. Vick, Jr., assistant secretary. The Speer Hardware Company started business in very modest quarters on Garrison avenue, but gradually the trade grew and developed until in 1911 David Speer, the father, built the large building now occupied by the company, having a floor space of ninety-eight thousand square feet. They conduct a general whole- sale hardware and automobile accessories husiness and employ forty-one people. They distribute their output through western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. F. G. Speer has charge of the selling force and also the machinery end of the business. He was thor- ougly trained under his father's direction and his enterprise and diligence have been unfaltering, so that he has been an active factor in the constant progress of the trade.

Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Henderson, now deceased. They became the parents of two children: Robert, and D. H. Speer. The latter volunteered for service in the World war and after waiting quite awhile to be called it seemed to him that summons would not be forthcoming, so he went to St. Louis, where he joined the army, having been connected therewith for two months when the armistice was signed.

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The name of Speer has long been a synonym for reliability in Fort Smith and the devel- opment of the trade is attributable in substantial measure to the executive force and administrative direction of him whose name introduces this review.

L. C. ADAMS.

Honored by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in financial circles in this section of the state than does L. C. Adams of Dardanelle, who since 1921 has heen cashier of the Dardanelle Bank & Trust Company. He started out to provide for his own support when a youth of but thirteen years and his steady progress has been the direct outcome and result of his energy, capability and laudable ambition. He was born in Dardanelle, in May, 1878, and is a son of L. C. and Sallie J. (Jackson) Adams, who were natives of Georgia and Arkansas, respectively. The grandfather in the paternal line was J. R. G. W. N. Adams, who by reason of his many Christian names was commonly known among his friends as "Alphabet Adams." He was born in Georgia and for more than a half century was a clergyman of the Baptist church, doing great good in the npbuilding of the denomination. He died in Dardanelle at the advanced age of eighty-five years, while his wife reached the notable age of ninety-seven years. The grandfather in the maternal tine was Seaborn Jackson, a native of Mississippi, who be- came one of the pioneer settlers of Yell county, where he engaged in merchandising. The marriage of L. C. Adams and Sallie J. Jackson was celebrated in Yell county, where he became a planter and both spent their remaining days in the county, where Mr. Adams won a very substantial measure of success through the capable management of his busi- ness affairs. He also served as sheriff of Yell county for several years and at all times gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. Both he and his wife were con- sistent members of the Baptist church. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living: Mrs. W. A. Campbell of Poteau, Oklahoma; Mrs. W. D. Jacoway; L. C., of this review: J. S., a contractor of Dardanelle; E. H., who is engaged in the oil business at Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Mrs. T. H. Catlett, living at Dardanelle; Mrs. A. B. Green of Poteau, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Gilbert French, also of Poteau.

In reverting to the life history of L. C. Adams we present to our readers the rec- ord of one who is a most worthy representative of an honored and well known family of this .part of the state. He began his education in the schools of Dardanelle but from the age of thirteen years he worked on a farm and provided for his own support. His diligence and determination have been marked factors in his career and steadily he has advanced. He entered the employ of the Dardanelle Bank & Trust Company in 1895 in the capacity of bookkeeper and afterward served for fifteen years as assistant cashier, while in 1921 he was elected to the position of cashier and is still acting in that capacity.

On the 25th of November, 1904, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Nina Sayle Jacoway, a sister of H. M. Jacoway. They are the parents of two children: Margaret and Cass, who are attending the public schools of Dardanelle. Mr. Adams is a member of the Baptist church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church and his children are also of the Baptist faith. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree and he has served as senior warden and as junior and senior deacon in his lodge. He likewise has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He served as a member of the school board and for five years as city recorder, while for seven years he occupied the position of alderman, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. His cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further any measure for the public welfare and his keen sagacity enables him readily to understand the value of any sitnation in regard to the public welfare or cor- rectly to determine the worth of any business opening or advantage. He utilizes the former just as quickly and readily as the latter and at all times has been a strong sup- porter of those forces and measures which are constantly looking to the upbuilding and progress of his part of the state.

EUGENE ELDRIDGE RAINES.

It is a trite saying that "There is always room at the top," but there are com- paratively few who seem fully to realize the fact or who are stimulated to put forth their best efforts by the opportunity thereby accorded. Those men who come to leader- ship in any line are the ones who are constantly urged thereto by a laudable amhi-

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tion and who make their energy and enterprise the potent factors in their advancement. These are the qualities which have been continuously displayed hy Eugene Eldridge Raines, today one of the foremost figures in insurance circles in Arkansas, being a partner in the firm of Coates & Raines of Little Rock, in which connection one of the most substantial business interests of this character has been built up.

Mr. Raines came to Arkansas from Tennessee, his birth having occurred in the little town of Raines Station in Shelby county, Tennessee, March 25, 1870. His father, Dr. Samuel L. Raines, was born in the same place in the year 1849 and there long resided. In early manhood he took np the study of medicine and qualified for active practice as a physician and surgeon. During the Civil war he enlisted, although hut sixteen years of age, becoming a private of Forrest's Cavalry Brigade. That he was of heroic mold is shown by the fact that he gave his life in fighting the yellow fever epidemic in Ten- nessee in 1878, his heroism fully matching that of the soldier who marches steadily for- ward in the face of the enemy's guns. It was in Hernando, Mississippi, that Dr. Raines was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Powel, who was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, in 1852, and who now makes her home at Hernando, Mississippi. They be- came the parents of two sons and two daughters, but one son is dead. The father of Mrs. Jessie Raines was Judge Samuel Powel, who was judge of the circuit court at Hernando, Mississippi, for sixteen years and who also served as a member of the con- stitutional convention which framed the organic law of that state. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army with the Twenty-ninth Tennessee Regiment, of which he was colonel. He was also a captain in the Mexican war.

Eugene E. Raines was hut eight years of age at the time of his father's demise. In 1880 the family home was established in Little Rock and from that time forward until his texthooks were put aside he was a pupil in the public schools of this city. In 1890, when twenty years of age, he turned his attention to the insurance business, which he has made his life work. In the ' intervening period he has made steady progress, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the insurance end and he is today a partner in one of the most prominent firms in the state. Their clientele is very extensive, the business having assumed mammoth proportions as a result of their careful management and their splendid organization.

Mr. Raines is affiliated with the Presbyterian church and is also a prominent figure in Masonic circles, being a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Lakeside Club. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not seek nor desire office. His military record covers service as a private in McCarthy's Light Guards, during which time he was active in the service of the state. A residence of more than four decades in Little Rock has made him widely known here and the sterling traits of his character are attested in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are. those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

WILLIAM T. LOWE, M. D.

Dr. William T. Lowe, an able physician, thorough and conscientious in his practice in Pine Bluff, was born in Luella, Drew county, Arkansas, in 1884, and is a son of A. W. and Mary Ann (Miles) Lowe, the former a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while the latter was born in Mississippi. The Lowe family was established in Arkansas by the grandparents, who on leaving Alabama took up their abode in Drew county, this state. A. W. Lowe served in the Civil war and was wounded in battle and taken prisoner. To him and his wife were horn eleven children: A. W., formerly county superintendent of schools in Jefferson county; T. M .; William T .; Edgar L., now living at San Pedro, California; Frank L., who is a lieutenant commander in the United States navy; Larone, residing in Pine Bluff; J. D., Wilson L. and Irey, all of whom are deceased; Millie Ann, the wife of W. T. Gill; and Roxie, the deceased wife of Walter Lamh.

Dr. Lowe was accorded liberal educational privileges and after completing a course in the high school of Monticello, Arkansas, attended the University of Nashville, thus laying broad and deep the foundation upon which he has built the superstructure of professional knowledge. He was graduated in medicine in 1906 and located for practice at Morrell, Arkansas. In 1909 he took postgraduate work in the New York Polyclinic and afterward came to Pine Bluff, where he has remained. Here he has established a good practice, to which he has given his attention without interruption, save for the period of his service in the army during the World war. In 1917 he offered his services in the World war and was assigned to overseas duty with the rank of lieutenant and was with the combat troops and in evacuation hospitals of France within twenty-seven

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days after his enlistment, also acting for a time as consulting surgeon at Base Hospital, No. 82. He was likewise attached for a time to a French hospital and his service was of the most comprehensive and important character. He was promoted to a captaincy and later to the rank of major and was thus mustered out. He knows all of the horrors of modern warfare and he rendered most valuable aid to his country at the time when the world sorely needed the services of every patriotic man of high ideals. Since his return to civil life he has successfully practiced in Pine Bluff. His broad experience, his comprehensive study and his earnest purpose feature strongly in the attainment of the success which is now his.

In 1915 Dr. Lowe was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Fox, a daughter of H. C. and Lena ( Broadus) Fox. They have become parents of one son, William Thomas, Jr. They are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested, and Dr. Lowe is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He like- wise belongs to the Jefferson County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and through these connections he is at all times thoroughly informed concerning the latest advanced steps taken by the profes- sion in its scientific researches into the laws of health. His recognized ability is attested by the liberal practice that is now his, for he has made for himself an enviable place in professional circles in Pine Bluff.

W. B. BROGDON.

W. B. Brogdon, au orchardist of Springdale, who is also engaged in buying and selling fruit at that place, was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, March 7, 1854, his parents being J. J. and Mary (Cires) Brogdon, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. The former was a son of William Brogdon, whose birth occurred in North Carolina and who in early life removed to Tennessee, where he became a planter. The maternal grandfather was Bennett Cires, who was born in North Carolina and in 1836 established his home on a plantation in Tennessee, where his remaining days were passed. For some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Brogdon lived in Tennessee, but his death occurred in Fulton, Kentucky, in the year 1858 and his wife, who long sur- vived, died in Texas in 1909. They were members of the Presbyterian church and were people of the highest respectability. They had three children: Mrs. Frankson, a widow, resides on a farm at Milan, Tennessee; W. B .; and James, a farmer, living in Hamlin, Texas.

W. B. Brogdon obtained his education in the common schools of his native state and started out in life as a farmer, working in the fields for a time, while later he became a merchant of Texas. He has been identified with Arkansas since 1888, having arrived at the Arcade Hotel in Springdale on the 23d of August of that year. He had previously been married in Corsicana, Texas, in 1880, to Miss Dee Jackson, who was born in the Lone Star state, a daughter of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Johnson) Jackson. Her parents were natives of Georgia but removed to Texas in early life and both the father and mother spent their remaining days there. The former died while in military service in the Civil war, being a supporter of the Confederate cause. To him and his wife were born six children, three of whom are living: Alexander Jackson, a farmer, resid- ing in Oklahoma; Mrs. Mollie Duncan, a widow, living in Texas; and Mrs. Brogdon. Her parents were members of the Baptist church.

Mr. and Mrs. Brogdon had a family of seventeen children, fourteen of whom sur- vive: William, who is with the R. G. Dun Company of Dallas, Texas; Byron, who is associated in business with his father; Eva, the wife of J. H. Bateman, a hardware merchant of Oklahoma; Harry, who is on his father's farm; Bessie, the wife of J. W. Ingrum, also on the farm; Charles, likewise engaged in farming; Grace, tne wife of D. E. Bradenthal, who is city recorder of Fayetteville; Naomi, the wife ur Jewel Farris, who is employed by the Bear State Oil Company; Bernice, the wife of Claude Charles- worth, a farmer of Fayetteville; Paul, who is on the home farm; Lofton, who follows farming; Jeraldine, Francis and Hal, all at home. Otto died at the age of twenty-four years. The son Byron was on the Mexican border in charge of the supply train which supplied Pershing's forces. He went overseas in the World war and was in France for twelve months. He was captain of Battery A, One Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery, and did faithful duty in support of world democracy. A grandson, Clifford Brogdon, died at Norfolk, Virginia, while serving in the World war.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, while in his polit- ical belief Mr. Brogdon has always been a democrat, supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as a member of the town council and as a member of the school board and is chairman of the county board of

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education. He has taken a deep interest in the intellectual and moral progress of the community, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare of the race along these lines. He served as superintendent of the Sunday school of the Baptist church for twenty years and is now a teacher in the Bible class. He is deeply interested in all matters of public concern and is now chairman of the committee that has in charge the building of a new road, which will be one of the finest highways in this part of the state.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 135

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