Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 141

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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In the acquirement of an education William Henry McLeod attended the rural schools near Banks and later entered the high school at Warren. After graduating therefrom, he took a business course in Key Institute at Little Rock, completing his course there in 1900. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for Meek & Powers at Warren, and remained in their employ until the 1st of January, 1906, when he became connected with the Merchants & Planters Bank as assistant cashier. He was active in that position until the 1st of November, 1918, at which time he resigned and came to Lake Village. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank here and since that time has held the office of cashier of the institution. The success of the bank seemed assured from the start, for in thirteen months the deposits averaged five hundred thousand dollars and each year they have paid dividends of ten per cent. The value of the stock has also risen from 1.10 to 1.50. Mr. McLeod is recognized as one of the town's most progressive business men and his innate business ability, pleasing personality and sterling traits of character have won for him many stanch friends.

At Warren, Arkansas, on the 22d of June, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. McLeod to Miss Daisy May Langston, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Langston of that place. To their union two boys and two girls have been born: Clara Mae, aged fifteen years; Renna, thirteen years of age; W. H., Jr., aged eleven; and Donald, nine years of age. All of the children are students in the public schools of Lake Village. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and for many years Mr. McLeod has served as chairman of the board of deacons. He is likewise an elder in the church. Mr. McLeod has always been a stanch advocate of education and to that end was for some time, while a resident of Warren, secretary of the school board there. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, and has been chairman of the committee on reports and returns. He is now taking Masonic degrees in Lake Village. During the World war Mr. McLeod gave generously of his time and money in the furtherance of the government's interests and he made many speeches throughout Bradley and Chicot counties in behalf of the various war drives. Although the greater part of his time is devoted to his business, his aid may be counted upon in any movement for the development and upbuilding of the community and he is now serving his second term as president of the Lake Village Chamber of Commerce.

J. D. HARRIS, M. D.

Dr. J. D. Harris, engaged in the practice of medicine at Magazine, was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, in 1854, his parents being R. D. and Narcissus (Bowman) Harris, while his grandfather in the paternal line was Newton Harris, a native of North Carolina, who on removing westward settled in Madison county, Tennessee, where he became a prosperous farmer. His son, R. D. Harris, was also born in North Carolina hut was an infant at the time of the removal of the family to Tennessee, where he he- came a farmer and was married to Narcissus Bowman, whose birth occurred in Gibson county, Tennessee. In 1871 he removed to White county, Arkansas, where he purchased land and spent his remaining days, but his wife died in Tennessee. They were parents of nine children, of whom six are living: Mrs. George Reed of Durant, Oklahoma; J. D., of this review; Mrs. Dixie Turnage of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Belle Bowers, living at Brazil, Tennessee; Mrs. Abbie Lou Dinwiddie, also of Brazil, Tennessee; and Mrs. Effie Duke of Lonoke, Arkansas. The parents held membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Harris was a democrat in his political views. His military record covered two years' service in the Confederate army.

J. D. Harris acquired his education in the schools of Tennessee and of Arkansas, being a youth of seventeen years when the family came to this state. He was reared to farm life and early worked in the fields but afterward engaged in clerking in a store for some time. Eventually, however, he determined to enter upon a professional career and pursued a course of medicine at Memphis. Tennessee. Having qualified for his chosen life work, he hegan practice in Prairie county, Arkansas, where he remained for a year and then removed to Butlerville, Lonoke county, this state, where he prac- ticed for five years. Subsequently he spent nine years at Sylvania and in 1903 came to Magazine, where he has since remained, covering almost two decades. He has ever enjoyed a good practice here and his ability is manifest in the many excellent results which attend his professional labors. He has made a specialty of the treatment of

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hemorrhoids and patients come to him from many states. He also continues in gen- eral practice and is called into various sections of the surrounding country for profes- sional service.

In 1877, in western Tennessee, Dr. Harris was married to Miss Bettie Wood, a native of that state. She died in 1878 and in 1881 Dr. Harris was married to Miss Mollie Stewart of Pulaski county, Arkansas. They had two children but only one is living, Forrest, who became the wife of Mark Blackwood, a farmer of Sylvania, Arkan- sas. Dr. Harris' second wife died in 1891 and in 1892 he wedded Annie Duke. They have one child, Vera, the wife of Bolton Clapp, who is clerking in a store in Magazine.

Dr. Harris is a democrat in his political views but has never been ambitious to fill public office. He served, however, as school director for thirteen years and has ever been a champion of the cause of public education. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World and is a medical examiner in the latter. Both he and his wife are active and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward. He has been a member of the church from the age of fourteen years and cooperates heartity in every plan for the upbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence. In fact, his aid and support can be counted upon at all times to further any project for the uplift of the individual and the better- ment of the community at large.

MAX GOTTLIEB.

Among the large, substantial and attractive mercantile houses of Pine Bluff is the jewelry establishment of which Max Gottlieb is the proprietor. This business was founded thirty-six years ago and through the intervening period has been steadily devel- oped and enlarged until it is now one of the leading stores of the city, meeting every demand of public service in its line.

Mr. Gottlieb is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Bavaria in 1857. He came to the new world in 1883, when a young man of twenty-six years, and made his way across the country to Pine Bluff. Here he established a jewelry store soon after his arrival and through the intervening period has built up a most gratifying trade. He at all times carries a large and well selected stock, his store being thoroughly modern in every particular, while his straightforward dealing and earnest effort to please his patrons have been salient features in the attainment of his present-day prosperity. The business is now incorporated with Max Gottlieb as the president, Joseph Gottlieb as vice president and Sig Hyman as secretary.

In 1886 Mr. Gottlieb was united in marriage to Miss Barbett Myer and their chil- dren are: Joseph: Leonard; and Essie, who is the wife of Sig Hyman. Mr. Gottlieb holds to the faith of his fathers and has membership in Temple Anshe Emeth. He is also identified with the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and he belongs to the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen and to the Knights of the Maccabees. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their employment he has made steady progress not only in his business career but at the same time has gained the respect and con- fidence of his colleagues and contemporaries in mercantile circles and occupies an envi- able position in the regard of his fellow townsmen.

THOMAS WALTER CAMPBELL.

Thomas Walter Campbell, attorney at law, having engaged in active practice through a period of seventeen years as a member of the Arkansas bar, was born on a farm in Randolph county, Arkansas, September 7, 1874, and is a son of John Stone and Alcy (Hufstedter) Campbell. The father was born at Anna, Union county, Illinois, March 1, 1847, while the mother's birth occurred November 22, 1832, in Perry county, Tennessee. They were married August 27, 1867, in Randolph county, Arkansas. The father had served as a private iu a cavalry regiment of Price's army under Marmaduke in the Civil war for a period of three years and was wounded in the leg at the battle of Poison Springs, Arkansas. Following the close of hostilities he continued a resident of this state to the time of his death, living in Randolph county. He died in Pocahontas, that county, September 15, 1915, having for more than a decade survived his wife, who died on the 2d of February, 1902, in Randolph county. They were the parents of five sons, one of whom died in infancy, while the others are yet living.

Thomas W. Campbell, who was the fourth in order of birth in the family, began

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his education in the country schools of his native county and afterward attended the Add-Ran College at Thorp Spring, Texas, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1894. A liberal education thus served as the founda- tion upon which to build the superstructure of professional knowledge when he became a law student in the office of Senator C. H. Henderson at Pocahontas, Arkansas. After thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar on the 28th of March, 1904, and has since continued to engage in the practice of law in this state. He dates his residence in Little Rock from 1916 and through the intervening period has here won a large clientage of a distinctively representative character. His progress has been continuous. His arguments have always been based upon the facts in the case and the law applicable to them and he has displayed a profound knowledge of the princi- ples of jurisprudence in presenting his cause before the court. His style is unusually lucid and clear, so that he is an advocate of great power and influence and at the same time is a safe and wise counselor. Aside from his extensive and important professional interests Mr. Campbell figures in business circles as the secretary and treasurer of the Arkansas Cotton Mills Company, which was organized February 22, 1921, with a cap- ital stock of three million dollars, for the purpose of building cotton mills in this state.

On the 22d of September, 1895, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Jenny Roberts, who was born on a farm in Randolph county, Arkansas, July 9, 1876, a daughter of Stephen and Sallie (Fuller) Roberts, who resided on a farm in Randolph county. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have become parents of three children: Arlene, now the wife of Walter L. Pope, of Pocahontas, Arkansas; Reland Zelwick; and Roberta.

In his political views Mr. Campbell has always been a democrat and has filled some offices. He served as examiner of schools for Randolph county from 1896 until 1900. In the following year he was sent as representative to the state legislature from Randolph county and was again elected in 1903. In 1905 he became chief clerk of the lower house of the general assembly and his public activities have been of a most im- portant character. For ten years, from 1906 until 1916, he was chairman of the demo- cratic central committee of Randolph county. His life has been actuated by high religious purposes and he is now serving as a deacon in the First Christian church of Lit- tle Rock, in which he holds membership. He has long been an interested member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand master of the order in Arkan- sas. His personal characteristics and social qualities are prononnced and he is an acceptable companion in any society in which intelligence is a necessary attribute to agreeableness.

ALFRED GUSTAV RICHTER.

Alfred Gustav Richter, a worthy exemplar of mercantile activity and enterprise in Gillett, is a native of this locality and his well-spent life has commended him to the confidence, respect and high regard of all who know him. He was born in 1890 on a farm about two and a half miles south of Gillett, his parents being A. H. and Bertha (Lehman) Richter, both of whom were natives of Leipsic, Germany, where they were reared and married. They determined to try their fortune in the new world and cross- ing the Atlantic made their way to Gillett, Arkansas. They reared a large family as follows: Mary, who is now the wife of William Heisterman; William, who wedded Carrie Stelzer; Martha, deceased; Alfred Gustav; Paul; Arthur; Gertrude, who has also departed this life: George; Helen; and Walter.

Alfred G. Richter pursued his education in the schools of Gillett while spending his youthful days under the parental roof and when his textbooks were put aside he became an employe of W. J. Stillwell of the Stillwell Mercantile Company, securing the position of bookkeeper in that establishment. Thus he was employed, gaining consid- erable knowledge of mercantile methods until 1919, when, ambitious to engage in busi- ness on his own account, he bought an interest in the store of Carl Rook, following the death of Mr. Rook. In this enterprise he is associated with John H. Natho and J. W. A. Norden, the three partners constituting the firm. They have a large store, carrying an attractive line of goods and their earnest effort to please their patrons has been one of the strong elements in their growing success. They sustain an unassailable repu- tation for the integrity of their business dealings and their activity is a potent force in the commercial development of the city.

Mr. Richter was united. in marriage in 1915 to Miss Ina E. Cranor, a daughter of John Cranor of De Queen, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of three chil- dren: Alfred G .; John C .; and Spencer Ivan. Mr. and Mrs. Richter are members of the Lutheran church and they take an active and helpful interest in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community. Mr. Richter is indeed a most progressive

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and public-spirited citizen and cooperates in all plans and improvements for the gen- eral good, supporting every plan to advance civic standards and civic service. He de- serves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. Starting out with- out special advantages he has steadily worked his way upward and has made for him- self a most creditable place in the commercial circles of his native city.

MRS. CLEMENTINE BOLES.

Since 1853 Mrs. Clementine Boles has been a resident of Washington county and she represents one of the earliest families of this state. She was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, but did not pass much of her life in that state, her father bringing his family to Arkansas when she was a child. Her parents were William A. and Christiana Long (Crews) Watson, both natives of Virginia.

The paternal grandfather, Joseph Watson, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, his for- bears beginning the American history of the family in Virginia during our Colonial infancy. Joseph was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Palmer and their children were: William A., the father of our subject; Sarah, wife of Matthew Carson; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of a brother of Matthew Carson. The maternal grand- parents were Thomas and Sarah (Penn) Crews and the latter's parents were Gabriel and Sarah (Callaway) Penn. Sarah Callaway Penn was a daughter of Colonel Richard Callaway of Bedford county, Virginia, who was a man very prominent in his day. Colo- nel Callaway was born in 1719 and was married in 1740. He fought in the French and Indian wars and rose from a sergeancy to bear a commission as major of a regiment. In 1775 he migrated to Kentucky, and there his daughters, Elizabeth and Frances, to- gether with Jemima Boone, were captured by the Indians in 1776. They were retaken, however, the day atter capture, by Daniel Boone, which stirring and romantic incident has furnished an important narrative in Cooper's novel, "The Last of the Mohicans." Of Gabriel Penn a contemporary writer has said: "Gabriel Penn was one of that ·splen- did galaxy of Virginia colonists who were the pride of the Old Dominion. He was by profession a lawyer and became King's attorney for Amherst county. In the momen- tous year 1775 he became a member of the Committee of Safety for the county and also in the year in which echoed the first guns of the Revolution he was made paymaster of his district against the encroachments of Great Britain. He was also a veteran of the French and Indian wars, having served in that conflict under Col. William Byrd of the First Virginia Regulars. The Crews were participants in the Bacon rebellion. Gabriel Penn was a first consin of John Penn, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. He was a man of property, a large slave owner and a gentleman in the ac- ceptance of the word in that day and this. Looking further into the history of Captain Penn it is found that he was born in Virginia, July 17, 1741, a son of Robert Penn, a kinsman of William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia. His mother was Mary Taylor, a daughter of John and Catherine (Pendleton) Taylor, whose ancestors came from England as early as 1650." William A. Watson, the father of Mrs. Clementine Boles, came to Arkansas with his family in 1847 and established himself at Van Buren, where he engaged in merchandising until his demise in December, 1852. He was born in Bed- ford county, Virginia, in 1807. Mrs. Boles' mother was a noted musician, and in her time the most famous pianist in Virginia. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Watson the following children were born: William Albert, who lived for the greater part of his life in Washington county, Arkansas, and died in 1902, leaving a family; Sarah Vir- ginia, the wife of David R. Barclay, one of the leading lawyers of St. Louis, Missouri; John Garth, who died unmarried; Francis Gardner, who gave his life in the cause of the Confederacy; Clementine W., whose name initiates this review; Joseph, a soldier in the Confederate army, whose demise occurred in Houston, Texas; Charles Robert, likewise a Confederate soldier, who died in Alabama in 1898; Thomas Crews, who died in childhood; and Edmund Penn, who is a distinguished member of the legal profession in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Mrs. Clementine Boles was reared in Fayetteville and received her education in the chartered schools of the community. Upon her father's death and as the result of various changes in the household, she became her mother's devoted companion and re- mained with that admirable lady until her death in 1872. On the 19th of June, 1877, she was united in marriage to Thomas Davis Boles, their nnion being celebrated in St. Panl's Episcopal church in Fayetteville. Her husband's family came originally from the eastern shore of Maryland and like so many of the Line state's people emigrated to Kentucky and selected Bourbon county for their home. It was in that county that Mr. Boles was born. He was reared and received his education in Kentucky and Mis- souri, being a resident of the latter state during the stormy days of the Civil war. He

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came to Fayetteville soon after its termination, however, and engaged successfully in merchandising here. Mr. Boles enjoyed high standing both as a citizen and in the com- mercial world and a feeling of deep bereavement swept the community upon his death in January, 1883. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boles but all died in infancy.

Mrs. Boles is prominently known in the club and social circles of Fayetteville and she is particularly interested in patriotic work. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of the Daughters of the Confederacy, being an officer on the Mildred Lee chapter of the latter organization and an active participant in its ať- fairs. For some time she was active as a director of the Jefferson Davis Monument Association of Arkansas, and she is now state director of the Arlington Memorial Asso- ciation, which has for its object the erection of a monument at Arlington, near Wash- ington, D. C. Mrs. Boles is a member of the Mary Fuller Percivat Chapter of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution at Van Buren, Arkansas, and has been a delegate to the national conventions of these orders. "She participates," quoting a contemporary his- torian, "in their deliberations with eloquent and convincing address and discussion and delights in encouraging the movement to preserve the history of the brave and no- ble deeds of southern manhood and womanhood, who suffered for a lost cause and aided by sacrifice in liberating the nation from the thralldom of Great Britain." Mrs. Boles is representative of the women of the south, having their culture, spirit and charm, and she is highly respected and esteemed in the community in which she makes her home.

JOHN P. LEE.

John P. Lee, attorney and banker of Clarendon, has not only been closely associated with professional and financial interests in this city but has also left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the history of the state, having at one time served as lieutenant governor of Arkansas. He was born in Itawamba county, Mississippi, in 1868, a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Greene) Lee. The father, a native of Central Point, Virginia, was a son of James Lee, who was born in South Carolina and repre- sented one of the old families of that state. James Lee, on leaving the Palmetto state, removed to Virginia and afterward to Mississippi. Both James Lee and his son, John R. Lee, served as privates in the Civil war. The latter married Elizabeth Greene, a daughter of David Greene of Georgia, and they became the parents of four children: Robert F., now deceased; Rufus G .; John P .; and Minnie O.

Reared in his native state John P. Lee, whose name introduces this review, at- tended school at Iuka, Mississippi, and afterward became a student in the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee. He thus qualified for the practice of law and in 1890 took up the active work of the profession in Clarendon, where he has remained. In his law practice he has ever shown great thoroughness and care in the preparation of his cases and his presentation of a cause before the court has always been strong and forceful. He is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle and the court records bear testimony to the many favorable verdicts he has won. He has also figured prominently in connection with the public affairs of the state and in 1896 was chosen to represent his district in the general assembly. His progress in connection with the political management of Arkansas has been continuous. In 1905 he was a member of the state senate and in 1907 became lieutenant governor. He has given the most thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which have come up for settlement and his labors have been an effective force for public progress and im- provement along various lines. He was the author of the court stenographer bill, also of the parole bill, which found their way to the statute books of the state. Aside from his active connection with politics and with the practice of law, Mr. Lee is identified with banking, being the president and one of the directors of the Bank of Clarendon. During the World war he took active interest in public affairs and was chairman of the War Savings Stamps campaign.

In 1889 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Parker and their chil- dren are two in number: Roland B., who is now at Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in the whole- sale grocery business, married Daisy Boyce, and their children are, Boyce, Robert E., William M. and Laura E .; the younger son, John P., served in the navy during the World war and is now engaged in the banking business in Kansas City. Fraternally Mr. Lee is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council and has served as high priest in the chapter. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. There have been no esoteric phases in his career. His course has been as an open book which all might read and at all times he has been actuated by a spirit of marked devotion to

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duty. He has ever recognized the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and in every possible way has sought to further the interest of community and common- wealth. His opinions have done not a little to shape the destiny of the state and he has followed the hanner of undefiled public service to many a victory.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 141

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