Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 149

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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Colonel Chew has two sons: Robert H., who is now engaged in the oil business in El Dorado; and Fay T., engaged in the oil business in Ft. Worth, Texas. Colonel Chew is a public-spirited man and has been a cooperant factor in many projects for the pub- lic good and a generous contributor to benevolent work. His has been an all-around development and his life has exemplified the sterling qualities of progressive citizenship and honorable manhood.

HON, WILLIAM H. EVANS.

Hon. William H. Evans, circuit judge of the seventh judicial district of Arkan- sas, residing in Benton, has been a member of the state bar since 1898. He was born in Calhoun county, Mississippi, October 8, 1865. He is a son of Martin K. and Mary Susan (Brantley ) Evans, natives of Alabama and of Georgia, respectively. They were married in Mississippi, to which state their parents had removed during the early boyhood and girlhood of Mr. and Mrs. Evans. There they began their domestic life and when their son, William H., was seven years of age they came to Arkansas, making the trip by ox team. The father was a farmer and settled in what was then largely a pioneer district, the little "temple of learning" in the neighborhood being one of the old-time log schoolhouses with its slab benches.

William H. Evans was educated in the district schools of Saline and Garland counties, where later he engaged in teaching in the district schools for a period of six years. Ambitious to advance his education he became a student in Draughon's Busi- ness College of Little Rock, from which he was graduated in 1891. He was after- ward elected circuit clerk and ex-officio county and probate clerk of Saline county in 1892 and for six years filled that position. In 1898 he was elected county and probate judge of Saline county, remaining upon the bench for six years, or until 1904. He be- gan the study of law while an incumbent in the office of circuit clerk and was admitted to practice at the bar of this state in 1898. The following year he was graduated from the law department of the State University at Little Rock. In 1906 he was elected circuit judge of the seventh judicial circuit and has sat upon that bench continuously since, with the exception of a short period of five months in 1918. On the expiration of his present term he will have held office for twenty-eight years and for fifteen years he has occupied the district bench. He has tried some of the most important cases ever heard in the courts of this state and his opinions have at all times been sound, based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the law. He seems to possess little of that personal bias which is so often a disturbing element on the bench, being able to subordinate all personal prejudice and opinion in the fairness aud impartiality of ju- dicial ruling.

In 1890 Judge Evans was united in marriage to Miss Clemmie Edds of Whitting- ton, Garland county, Arkansas, and they have become parents of three children, of whom two are living: William V., now an attorney of Benton, who was educated in the Arkansas State University, being graduated from the department of law with the class of 1916; and Charles E., who is attending the Ouachita College of Arkadelphia. Both sons served in the World war. The elder was in France and was commissioned a first lieutenant. For a part of the time he acted as judge advocate. The younger son enlisted in the Students' Army Training Corps and was thus connected with the army for three months prior to the close of the war.

Judge Evans belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having membership in Benton Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and Benton Chapter, No. 16, R A. M. He is also identified with Saline Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F .; with Dixie Lodge, No. 50, A. O. U. W .; Benton

Vol. II-60

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Camp, No. 168, W. O. W .; and R. E. Lee Lodge, No. 74, K. P. Both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He has held office in all of the lodges of which he is a representative and has ever been loyal to their teachings and purposes. Both he and his wife are members of the First Baptist church of Benton. Judge Evans deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. Reared as a farm boy and remain- ing on the old homestead until he had attained his majority he then started out with- out special advantages. He has wisely utilized every opportunity that has come to him, however, and step by step has made substantial progress until his record is one which now reflects credit and honor upon the judicial history of the state.

L. M. LILE, M. D.

Dr. L. M. Lile, who after leaving the army following his service in the World war became a resident of Hope, where he has since engaged in general practice, was born in Lafayette county, Arkansas, January 12, 1894, a son of Dr. H. J. Lile, who was also a native of this state, his birth having occurred in Columbia county. The grandfather, L. R. Lile, was one of the first settlers of Arkansas, coming to the state from Tennes- see. He served in the Confederate army during the Civil war and had previously been a slaveholder. His son, Dr. H. J. Lile, was a graduate of the Memphis Medical College, in which he completed his course in 1892. He afterward practiced his profession in Jonesboro, Arkansas, for a period of sixteen years prior to his demise, which there occurred, and he served as county health officer and in other positions of public trust.

Dr. L. M. Lile acquired a common school education in Jonesboro and afterward attended the Ouachita College, while subsequently he matriculated in the University of Tennessee, having in the meantime determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. He completed his professional course in that institution as a member of the class of 1916 and afterward served as interne in the Memphis Hospital, gaining that broad and valuable experience which can never be acquired as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. He then opened an office in Jonesboro but in June, 1917, enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army, being commissioned captain. He was sent to the base hospital at Westfield, Massachusetts, and was also stationed for a time in Vermont and at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, receiving his dis- charge on the 1st of February, 1919. He still retains his commission as a captain in the Medical Reserve Corps and is likewise a member of the Arkansas National Guard.

In the last of February, 1919, Dr. Lile came to Hope, where he opened an office and has since engaged in general practice. His efforts and ability have found quick recognition here and he now has a very liberal patronage. He belongs to the Hemp- stead County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medi- cal Association and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Lile was united in marriage to Miss Julia Chester Andrews and they have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Hope. Fraternally the doctor is connected with the Masons and with the Elks and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of these organizations. Fidelity to duty has ever been one of his marked characteristics, manifest in his professional service as well as in his mili- tary record.

CHARLES I. EVANS.

Charles I. Evans, attorney at law of Booneville, was born in this city June 22, 1893, and is a son of Jeptha Evans, a distinguished representative of the Arkansas bar, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The son obtained his education in the public schools of his native city, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, after which he studied law with his father, thus qualifying for the bar. Through the intervening period he has practiced and his success has been most gratifying. He possesses the essential qualities necessary for 'advancement in law practice, having an analytical mind, keen sagacity and a ready recognition of the relation of cause and effect. He has always prepared his cases with thoroughness and skill and bids fair to uphold the family name with as great honor and dignity as has his father.

Mr. Evans was but seventeen years of age when he was married to Miss Mamie Armstrong, a daughter of Dr. N. E. Armstrong of Booneville. They have one child, Jeptha Armstrong, ten years of age.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Evans are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in the work of which they are much interested. He is serving as a steward of the

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church, while his wife is a leader in various church societies, and to all of the church work they make generous contribution. Fraternally Mr. Evans is a thirty-second de- gree Mason and he is now serving as master of his lodge. He has always voted with the democratic party since attaining his majority and has been a member from his town- ship of the democratic county central committee since he reached the age of twenty- one years. He served as state senator from the district comprising Yell and Logan counties in 1919, filling the office during the regular session by appointment of Governor Brough. He is also chairman of the school board of Booneville, a position which he has occupied for some time, and the canse of education has profited largely by his champion- ship, which finds expression in practical methods for the upbuilding of the schools.

Mr. Evans also has an interesting military chapter in his life record. He raised a company of the Fourth Arkansas Regiment and became its captain but waived his deferred classification and enlisted. He was rejected, however, on account of physical disability. He then returned home and did everything possible to promote war work here. He was one of the Four-Minute speakers and in many other ways helped to en- lighten the public concerning the real issues and conditions of the war and what was necessary to meet the demand for money, for food supplies and for materials. In all matters of citizenship he stands with those who work for progress and improvement. Like his father, he is most loyal to the interests of his clients in his law practice and he is steadily forging to the front as a representative of the Arkansas bar.

J. K. HAMPSON, M. D.

Well known through his successful practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. J. K. Hampson is today one of the leading physicians of Fort Smith, with offices in the First National Bank building. He came to Arkansas from Tennessee, his birth hav- ing occurred in the city of Memphis, in 1877, his parents being H. C. and Mary (Hananer) Hampson. Spending his youthful days in his father's home he obtained his early education in the schools of Memphis, there took up the study of medicine and eventually took postgraduate work in the New York Polyclinic. He practiced for a time in Memphis, Tennessee, and later came to Arkansas, locating in Mississippi county, where he continued for a period. In 1910 he came to Fort Smith. He makes a specialty of genito-urinary surgery and has acquired great skill and efficiency in that important field of professional work. He is at all times a close and consistent follower of the ethical standards of the profession and enjoys the high respect and confidence of his colleagues and contemporaries in medical practice.

Dr. Hampson was united in marriage to Miss Franke LaCosta and they have be- come the parents of three children. Dr. and Mis. Hampton are well known in Fort Smith, where they have gained an extensive circle of warm friends. Their many good qualities are recognized by all and Dr. Hampson's professional position is most enviable.

J. R. MILLER.

No history of the business development and commercial activity of Fort Smith would be complete without extended reference to J. R. Miller, who is the president of the Star Cash Stores, a chain of ten grocery stores situated in various parts of the city. The development of the business is an indication of the constant growth of Mr. Miller's power as a factor in commercial lines. The philosopher Emerson has said that an institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man, and the various grocery houses of which Mr. Miller is proprietor are, therefore, but the visible indication of his energy, his thrift and his persistency of purpose-his dominant qualities. Mr. Miller comes to Arkansas from Mississippi, in which state he was born in 1875, his parents being J. R. and Harriett (Zinn) Miller. The family home was established in this state during the boyhood days of the son, who accordingly was reared and educated in Ar- kansas, supplementing his public school training by a course of study in the Arkansas Commercial College at Clarksville. When his school days were over he turned his at- tention to the grocery business, in which he has since been engaged and there is per- haps no man in all the state more familiar with every phase of the grocery trade than is J. R. Miller. His initial step in this direction was made in his home town of Clarks- ville and twenty-one years ago he came to Fort Smith, where he has since lived. Here he started his first grocery store at Seventeenth and E streets, with a stock and fix- tures valued at four hundred dollars and to do this he had to incur an indebtedness of sixty dollars. He was not long, however, in building up a good trade and won success

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trom the first, owing to his earnest efforts to please his patrons, his reasonable meth- ods and his thorough reliability in all trade transactions. After engaging in the gro- cery business for a number of years, during which time he extended credit to his cus- tomers, he found that he was not making the headway desired and about six years ago he ventured into the field of the cash grocery. Since that time he has sold only for cash and he found that he could do this and charge lower prices than was possible when he followed the credit business. Steadily his trade has increased, until today he has the largest grocery business in the city. When he had made his first store a paying investment he established another and as each one has become a source of profit he has added still another, until today he owns a chain of ten stores conducted under the name of Star Cash Stores, Incorporated. This enables him to make large purchases with proportionate cash discounts and his progressiveness has produced splendid re- sults.

Mr. Miller was married to Miss Eulus Nichols, a daughter of A. J. Nichols of Ozark, Arkansas, and they have become parents of three children: Alpha, Wynter and Doris. Mr. Miller belongs to the Business Men's Club and also to the Lions Club and it is never necessary to ask him twice for his cooperation in support of any plan or proj- ect that is looking to the benefit and welfare of the city. In matters of public concern he displays sound judgment which has characterized the conduct of his personal interests. By perseverance, determination and honorable efforts he has overthrown the obstacles which bar his path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his gen- uine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action in his adopted city.

E. M. INGRAM, M. D.

A prominent member of the medical profession in Arkansas is Dr. E. M. Ingram, who is practicing in Enola. He has formed no professional partnerships, practicing independently, and has gained a wide recognition, not only from the general public but also among the members of the profession. He was born in Faulkner county, this state, on the 20th of December, 1881, a son of William A. and Sarah A. (Alexander) Ingram, hoth natives of Tennessee. His father came to Arkansas with his parents in 1856, at the age of seven years. He located with them in Faulkner county, his father taking up land near Ingram Springs. He was reared to manhood on a farm and it was but natural that he should follow agricultural pursuits in later life on his own account. The maternal grandparents came to this state when Mrs. Ingram was quite young and they located in Searcy county. That was just previous to the out- break of the Civil war. Thomas M. Alexander entered the service of the Federal army as a lieutenant, and served through that conflict in the Third Arkansas Cav- alry. Mr. Alexander likewise served in the Mexican war. In 1869 was celebrated the marriage of Mr .and Mrs. Ingram, the ceremony being performed in Faulkner county and to their union eight children were horn: William A., a well known and progressive farmer of Faulkner county; Nora E., whose death occurred in childhood; John A., who is serving as postmaster at Higden, this state; Rebecca A., who died in infancy; Marinda, the wife of L. L. Sanders, a carpenter at Conway; James T., assist- ant postmaster at Enola; E. M., whose name initiates this review; and Arthur L., a successful agriculturist of Faulkner county. The family was reared in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church and throughout his life the father gave his political allegiance to the republican party, in the interests of which he took an active and prominent part.

In the acquirement of his early education, E. M. Ingram attended the rural schools of Faulkner county and later took a preparatory course at an academy in Greenbrier. Upon the completion of his course there he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years in Faulkner county. During that time, however, he had determined upon a medical course and subsequently he entered the medical department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1910 with the M. D. degree. He practiced under a state license in 1906. Upon receiving his degree he at once located in Enola and has been in continuous practice here for a period of over sixteen years.

In 1904 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ingram and Miss Georgia A. Dalton, a daughter of G. W. Dalton, a well known farmer and minister of Faulkner county. To their union seven children have been born: E. Dibrell; Margie P .; Kermit E .; Norma G .; Stanford D .; one who died in infancy; and Nadine.

The family is affiliated with the Missionary Baptist church. Politically Dr. Ingram gives his support to the republican party, having firm belief in the principles

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of that party as factors in good government. His fraternal affiliation is with the Woodmen of the World. He is tireless in his devotion to his profession and he is identified with the Arkansas State Medical Society and the Faulkner County Medical Society. Dr. Ingram has ever held to high ideals in his professional service, has utilized every opportunity to promote his knowledge and thus advance his efficiency and has the tact and ready sympathy which enables him to understand the mental as well as the physical condition of his patients.

STERLING CLAY COUCH.

Sterling Clay Couch, treasurer of the Southern Trust Company and thus actively identified with the conduct of financial interests in Little Rock, is also connected with other business activities, which constitute features not only in his individual success, bnt in the development and npbuilding of the community. That the native sons of Arkansas regard the opportunities furnished in this state as equal to those to be secured elsewhere in the Union, is evidenced in the fact that so many of her native sons have remained within the borders of the state and have advanced to prominence and prosperity through individual effort and the wise utilization of the chances that have come to them. To this class belongs Sterling C. Couch, whose birth occurred in Cabot, Lonoke county, Arkansas, August 29, 1888, his parents being Thomas Melzer and Ada ( Pettus) Couch. The father was born on a farm in Woodruff county, Arkansas, in 1866, while the mother's birth occurred near Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1868. They were married in Cahot, Arkansas, in 1886, and became parents of two sons and three danghters, but two of the daughters died in infancy, the son, Sterling C., being the eldest of the family. The father has largely devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, but is now filling the office of deputy collector of internal revenne at Little Rock. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. His wife died in March, 1920.

Sterling Clay Couch, completing a course in the Cabot high school, was graduated with the class of 1904. He dates his residence in Little Rock from 1907 and through- out his active business career has been identified with banking. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and he made industry the beacon light of his life. Diligence and determination have characterized him in his career at every point and thus he has steadily progressed, each forward step bringing him a wider outlook and broader opportunities. He is today the treasurer of the Southern Trust . Company, is treasurer and one of the directors of the Citizens Building & Loan Association and is also the treasurer of the Beach-Murdongh Candy Company .. His activities, therefore, cover a wide range and his business connections are such as make his work a contributing element to public prosperity as well as to individual success.

Mr. Couch was married in Little Rock, October 20, 1914, to Helen Stratman, who was born in the capital city, October 23, 1894, a daughter of George A. and Annie (Geyer) Stratman, who are also natives of Little Rock, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Couch have become parents of a son, Sterling Clay, Jr., born July 11, 1918. During the World war Mr. Couch was a member of the quota committee of the Liberty Loan and otherwise assisted in promoting war work. In politics he is a democrat, loyally adhering to the interests of the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to Christ Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part, and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while along strictly social lines he is identified with the Country Club. He has become well known during the period of his residence in the capital city. Men have fonnd him trustworthy and reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal in friendship and these are the qualities which pass as cur- rent coin in every realm.

EDGAR BREWSTER.

Edgar Brewster of Pine Bluff, who is engaged in the insurance business with offices in the Citizens Bank building, was born in Cleveland county, Arkansas, in 1871, a son of Alphonso and Alabama (Harper) Brewster, the former born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, while the mother was born in the state for which she was named. The grandparents of Edgar Brewster in the paternal line were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married, coming thence to the new

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world and settling in Tennessee. Later they became residents of Corinth, Mississippi, and afterward removed to Drew county, Arkansas, where Mr. Brewster conducted a plantation and both he and his wife died in this state. The parents of Edgar Brewster lived in Drew county for some time and afterward in Cleveland county, when in 1880 they removed to Pine Bluff. Here the father engaged in the wholesale grocery business and also conducted a lumber business and brickyard. To him and his wife were born the following named: Lula, who is now the wife of J. H. Wilkins; Edgar; Oscar; Ophelia, the wife of Dr. J. W. Scales; Garland; Alphonso; Arthur; and Clifford C. The father was a veteran of the Civil war.

Edgar Brewster was educated in Pine Bluff and also attended college at St. Louis. He became an accountant with D. B. Riggin and afterward served as chief deputy sheriff, in the year 1894. His capability for office and his personal popularity have led to his election for various positions. He was chosen clerk of the circuit and chancery courts and served from 1906 until 1910. He was elected sheriff and collector in the year 1914 and following his retirement from that office he became district agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati. Since that date he has been identified with the insurance business and has gained many clients, so that his activities have brought gratifying results.

Mr. Brewster was united in marriage to Miss Florence Adams, a daughter of Mrs. Hetty (White) Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster are parents. of the following children: Edgar T., now deceased; William R., who was graduated from the West Point Military Academy, becoming a first lieutenant, U. S. A .; Henrietta, the wife of David A. Lang, formerly of Birmingham, England, but now sales manager of the export department of the General Motors Corporation in New York city; Florence, who is a student of piano and voice and possessing marked ability in those lines; and Helen, who is also a student.

Mr. Brewster belongs to the Lakeside Methodist church and fraternally is a Mason and an Elk. He is a past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter and a past potentate of the Mystic Shrine, while in the Elks' lodge he is a past exalted ruler.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 149

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