Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 153

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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Richard W. Rightsell was born in Little Rock, April 29, 1872, and is a son of

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Professor Jacob R. Rightsell, who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. The son obtained his education in the public schools, of which his honored father was for twenty-five years superintendent. He afterward pursued a three years' course in medicine in the State University and at length determined to devote his attention to other business activity and as the years have passed has engaged in banking, winning a notable and creditable position in the financial circles of his native city. At one time he was the vice president and secretary of the American Trust Company, was also the vice president and secretary of the German Trust Com- pany and a director in the German National Bank, institutions which have now passed out of existence. At the present writing he is the vice president of the Ameri- can Bank of Commerce and Trust Company and also president of the Equitable Building & Loan Association. His long experience in this field of business has made him splendidly qualified to discharge the important duties that devolve upon him. He has ever recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of support and patron- age that most carefully safeguards the interests of its patrons and this principle has dominated him in all of his business relations. He has made a close and thorough study of the vital financial problems before the country and his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his discrimination in business affairs is at all times logical.

In September, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Rightsell was married to Miss Blanche Reno, a native of that state. In his political views Mr. Rightsell is a demo- crat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and all who know him attest the sterling worth of his character. His friends are many and that his life has been an upright and honorable one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have been associated with him from his boyhood to the present time.

J. E. REYNOLDS.

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Berry- ville is J. E. Reynolds, the president of the Peoples Bank. He comes to the southwest from the far-off state of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Westmoreland county, November 25, 1843, his parents being Levi and Eliza (Norris) Reynolds. The father was horn on the eastern shore of Maryland and the mother's birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in which state they were married and spent their remaining days. The father was a carpenter, following that pursuit in order to provide a comfortable living for his family.

J. E. Reynolds was the eldest in a family of three children and is the only one living. The father was of the Quaker faith and the mother belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Reynolds also gave his political allegiance to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He always stood for that which he believed to be right and neither fear nor favor could swerve him from a course which his judgment sanctioned. He was a well educated man, keeping informed on all the leading questions and topics of the day. His father was Joseph Reynolds, who was born on the eastern shore of Maryland and spent his life in that state. The maternal grandfather of J. E. Reynolds was Archibald Norris, who was born in the north of Ireland and when a young man came to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania. He was a weaver by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family.

J. E. Reynolds was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and in early life learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. He followed that pursuit for a brief period. When the war broke out, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Fifty- fifth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was made second lieutenant and so served until the close of the war. He participated in several important engagements, including the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to Pennsylvania and then went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he assisted in constructing .the Union Pacific Railroad. He had charge of the building of the tanks and worked in that locality until the road was completed.

Mr. Reynolds returned to Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Sarah McConnell, who was born in the Keystone state and was a daughter of A. D. McConnell. Her father was a very strict old Presbyterian and a deacon in his church. He became a resident of Maryland at an early day. His son, A. D. McConnell, who died quite recently, was a very prominent judge of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, serving on the district bench for twenty-six years, his decisions heing models of judicial soundness,

J. E. REYNOLDS

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his opinions being based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of juris- prudence and ability accurately to apply these principles. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have been born six children, of whom four are living, Frank, the eldest, having departed this life March 7, 1909, at the age of thirty-seven years, and Minnie Rose, born July 17, 1890, died March 3, 1891. The others are: Olive, the wife of Grant Goodwin, a merchant of Berryville; Harriet, the wife of Charles Jones, a farmer, now living in Illinois; Mary, the wife of Sidney Garner, who follows farm- ing in Carroll county; and Raymond, who is on his father's farm, which is a tract of land of four hundred and twenty acres in Carroll county. Mr. Reynolds traded a farm in Colorado for this place, which is a rich and productive tract of land. He has a splendid apple orchard on his place, comprising thirty-five acres and has been a financial success. He also raises considerable stock on his farm, making a specialty of full-blooded shorthorn cattle. He was very successful in his farming operations in Colorado and also in the conduct of a sawmill and has prospered in Arkansas as the years have gone by. He is now the president of the Peoples Bank and president of the Ozark Hardware Company of Berryville. He has a nice home in Berryville, surrounded by a tract of land of seven acres and is practically living retired from business, for in former years he accumulated a handsome competency that now relieves him of the necessity of close attention to business affairs.

Mr. Reynolds is a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife died April 14, 1916, at the age of sixty-four years, her death being the occasion of deep regret to many friends who esteemed her highly for her many sterling traits of heart and mind. In politics Mr. Reynolds is a republican and while iu Colorado he served two terms as a member of the state legislature. He has always earnestly sought to sup- port the principles of his party and his labors in this connection have been tar- reaching and beneficial. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Mason. He has passed through all of the chairs of the blue lodge and has long been treasurer of both the blue lodge and chapter. He has become a faithful follower of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been treasurer. The many sterling traits of his character are attested by all who know him and his business capacity is manifest in the success which he has achieved. His entire life has been characterized by progress and all who know him speak of him in terms of the highest regard.

T. P. HARRISON.

T. P. Harrison, who is engaged in farming in Washington county and is also fill- ing the position of county assessor, was born about five miles south of Prairie Grove on the 6th of May, 1871, and is a son of Richard P. and Malinda (Howell) Harrison, the former a native of Washington county, Arkansas, while the latter was born in East Tennessee and was brought to this state by her parents during her early girlhood. Further mention of Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Harrison is made in connection with the sketch of J. M. Harrison on another page of this work. The son, T. P. Harrison, was a pupil in the country schools and thus laid the foundation for his success in later life. He was trained to the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the best meth- ods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, so that he had broad and valuable prac- tical experience when he began farming on his own account after reaching adult age. His entire attention was given to the further cultivation of his land until 1918. when he was elected to the office of county assessor, entering upon the duties of the position the following year. He served with such capability during his first term of two years that he was reelected in 1920 and is now serving for the second term. He devotes about six months of the year to the duties of the office and the remainder of his time to his farm. He still owns the old home place of one hundred and twenty acres and carries on general agricultural pursuits, raising the crops best adapted to the soil and climatic conditions here. He also has an orchard and raises considerable fruit and has al- ways lived a life of industry, thrift and enterprise.

In 1891 Mr. Harrison was married to Miss Ora Wheeler, who was born in Wash- ington county, a daughter of R. A. and Ella (West) Wheeler, also natives of this county, where for many years her father followed farming but is now living retired. He served for four years in the Union army during the Civil war and he has always been a repub- lican in politics, giving stanch support to the principles of the party. He belongs to the Methodist church and his life has ever been guided by high and honorable princi- ples. To him and his wife have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, and of the family five are yet living, the eldest being Mrs. Harrison. The others are: Mrs. Lou Skelton, whose husband is clerking in a store at Prairie Grove; Ella, the wife

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of J. Ed Rogers, a farmer of Prairie Giove; Marvin, who is an oil man living at Fuller- ton, California; and Lyde, the wife of Roy F. Abshier, also a resident of California.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison was blessed with nine children. Lacy, who was a resident of California was there killed in an automobile accident in 1914; Jacob, who is now engaged in the drug business at Tulsi, Oklahoma, served in the World war, being trained at Camp Pike. He was in France for thirteen months and later was with the Army of Occupation in Germany following the signing of the armis- tice. He was in the front line trenches many times, participated in the battle of St. Mihiel and the Argonne Forest and received his discharge in August, 1919; Luella, the third of the family, is at home; Dwight has completed the high school course; Helen died of influenza in the year 1919; Thomas, Mary and Gertrude are all in school; Richard Pershing, two and a half years of age, completes the family.

Since reaching his majority Mr. Harrison has always voted with the democratic party and has taken an active interest in promoting its growth and securing its success. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is prominent in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through all of the chairs. He has likewise been a representative to the grand lodge three times and is well known in the organization throughout this state. He has ever been active in the public life of the community and has left his impress upon public thought and action.

ROY YORK.

Roy York, a member of the Paul Metal Company at Fort Smith, is thus actively identified with industrial interests of the city and his enterprise, close application and indefatigable energy place him with the representative business men of this section of the state. He came to Arkansas from Texas, to which state the family had moved from Alabama, his birth having occurred in Athens, of the latter state, in 1885, his parents being A. B. and Martha (Hargrove) York. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools of his native town, mastering the branches of learning therein taught and when his school days were over he came to Fort Smith. Here he learned the tin and metal working trade and advancing steadily along that line was admitted to a partnership by W. H. Paul in 1919. He thus became active in the conduct of a business established fourteen years ago by W. H. and J. D. Paul, but the latter died in 1918. For a time the business was a de- partment of the Speer Hardware Company, but is now operated independently under the name of the Paul Metal Company. The firm enjoys a thriving business, doing all sorts of tin and galvanizing work together with the installing of flues, sheet metal ceilings, buckets, etc. The thoroughness and diligence of the present firm have brought to them a very gratifying trade and their success is constantly increasing.

In 1905 Mr. York was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Hood and they have become the parents of two sons: Roy and William York. Mr. York is a member of the Business Men's Club and enjoys the confidence and goodwill of his contemporaries in the trade circles of his adopted city. Alert and energetic he is ready for any emer- gency and for any opportunity and is steadily forging his way to the front in connection with one of the important lines of industrial activity in Fort Smith.

W. H. PAUL.

W. H. Paul is the senior partner in the Paul Metal Company of Fort Smith, a business with which he has been associated for fourteen years, his activity and enter- prise contributing largely to its continued and growing success. Mr. Paul is a native of Alabama, his birth having occurred in that state in 1867. His parents removed from Birmingham, Alabama, to Fort Smith, and here he was educated, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, where his training laid the foundation of char- acter and success. His father, Willis H. Paul, was a practical tinsmith and founded the tinshop conducted under the style of Paul & Company. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools, W. H. Paul of this review began learning the tinner's trade under his father's direction and as the years have passed he has obtained thorough experience in all features of the work, so that he is splendidly qualified to carry on the undertaking of which he is now the head. It was fourteen years ago that he established the present business in partnership with J. D. Paul, with whom he was associated until 1918, when the latter died. The business was originally organized as a department of the Speer Hardware Company, but since 1907

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has operated independently. The company enjoys an extensive patronage and is doing a large business in galvanized work, in the manufacture of flues, metal ceilings, buckets, etc. Thoroughly understanding every feature of the business, Mr. Paul is thus able to direct those who are in his employ and he has ever maintained the highest standards in the kind of workmanship executed by the representatives of his shop.

In 1886 Mr. Paul was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Francis Stone and they have become the parents of two sons: Frank, who is a druggist; and Claude, who is associated with the Western Electric Company of New York city. Mr. Paul is a member of the Business Men's Club and he is highly esteemed not only in commercial, but also in social circles of the city, having many warm friends here.

JOHN DEVINE HOSKINS.

Among Arkansas' native sons whose records have reflected credit and honor upon the state is numbered John Devine Hoskins, who since 1918 has served as prosecuting attorney for the eighteenth judicial circuit of the state. Although one of the younger representatives of the Garland county bar he is rapidly forging to the front in his profession and has established a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born in Stillwater. Montgomery county, Arkansas, September 5, 1891, a son of William H. and Rebecca Angeline (Reich) Hoskins, the former of whom was born in Halifax county, Virginia, in 1830, while the latter was a native of Yell county, Arkansas. As a child the father removed with his parents to Kentucky, in which state he was reared, and about 1876 he came to Arkansas. Although forty-six years of age, he was still a bachelor, but shortly after his arrival in the state he married Mrs. Rebecca Angeline (Reich) Land, whose first husband was Thomas Land, and to that union were born three children, all of whom survive, namely: Alvis A .; Thomas L .; and Ludella, the widow of George Ford. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins hecame the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Lillie Belle, the wife of George Hobbs of Hot Springs; Ella, who married A. B. O'Dell, a resident of Britton, Oklahoma; Simon P., a prominent furniture dealer of Colorado; John Devine of this review; and James W., who is engaged in the insurance business in Hot Springs. The father died in 1919 at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, his death resulting from an attack of pneumonia. He was a man of vigorous constitution and continued his mountain-climbing expeditions until within a short time of his demise.

In the grammar and high schools of Montgomery county and Hot Springs John D. Hoskins pursued his early education, afterward having the benefit of a two years' course in literature under a private tutor. In 1911 he entered the law department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, from which he was graduated on the 6th of June, 1913. Three days later he successfully passed the examination before the supreme court and was admitted to practice, opening an office in Hot Springs on the 11th of that month. On the same day he secured a case, being paid a retainer fee of twenty-five dollars. He was not long in demonstrating his ability to cope with the intricate problems of the law and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office. On the 5th of November, 1918, he was elected prosecuting attorney for the eighteenth judicial circuit of Arkansas, being probably the youngest man ever chosen for that office. An indication of his popularity in his community is shown in the fact that at the primaries he defeated two strong opponents, both of whom were lawyers of eminent ability. While advancement at the har is proverbially slow, he has made substantial progress, readily mastering the intricacies of the law and preparing his cases with great thoroughness, precision and skill. His study and research are so thorough that he is never surprised by some unexpected attack, heing always fortified for defense, while at the same time he reaches for the most vulnerable point in his opponent's armor and has come off victor in many a notable forensic combat.

Mr. Hoskins gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a valued member of the Business Men's League, while he is also identified with the Inter- national Association of the Lions Club. His military record is a most commendahle one. On the 28th of January, 1918. he received a recruiting commission from Lloyd England, adjutant general of the state of Arkansas, heing assigned the task of re- cruiting a volunteer company for the Fourth Arkansas Infantry Regiment. He enlisted in this regiment as a private and recruited a company of one hundred and twenty-one men, who passed the required physical examination. On the 5th of February, 1918, he was discharged as a private and two days later was commissioned a captain of the Fourth Arkansas Infantry, by the governor of the state, being assigned to duty with Company A. This regiment was inspected by Lieutenant Colonel L. B. Simonds,

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U. S. A., March 11, 1918, and recognized by the government on the 4th of May, 1918. Uniforms and guns were issued but the regiment was not federalized and subse- quently it was disbanded. Each member, however, enlisted in the Federal service and on the 26th of June, 1918, Mr. Hoskins joined the United States army. He was assigned to duty in the intelligence department, in which important capacity his duties gave him a wide range, and he won the commendation of his superior officers for his loyalty and efficiency. Following his discharge from the service he resumed the practice of law, in which he has continued active, and his superior ability has won for him the respect and admiration of his professional colleagues and the general public as well, while his work as a public official has been characterized by marked devotion to duty and the fearless defense of whatever he believes to be right.

H. Y. KING.

H. Y. King is a prominent figure in business circles of Bentonville, conducting a large ice and cold storage plant and also operating a bottling works. In the manage- ment of his interests he displays sound judgment, energy and enterprise and success in substantial measure has rewarded his efforts. He was born in Jackson, Tennessee, August 24, 1858, a son of P. B. and Mary E. (Norvell) King, the former a native of Georgia. The mother was born in Tennessee and in that state their marriage occurred. They subsequently became residents of Phillips county, Arkansas, where the father purchased a large plantation, devoting his attention to the raising of cotton through- out his remaining years. He was a member of the Baptist church and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of eight children, of whom five survive: H. Y .; Sue Ella, who married Joe Duckworth of Texas; Stanhope Norvell, a well known planter residing in Phillips county; Julia, the wife of W. R. Felker, who is living retired in Rogers, Benton county; and Kate, who is the widow of T. McGinnis and resides in Phillips county. An aunt of the subject of this review, Mrs. Ella Trader, known as Mrs. Newsom, became noted as a Confederate nurse. She served throughout the period of the Civil war, being con- nected with the hospital service in Georgia during the greater part of the time.

In the public schools of Phillips county, Arkansas, H. Y. King acquired his edu- cation and on starting out in life independently took up the occupation of farming, which he continued to follow until thirty years of age. He then removed to Rogers, Arkansas, where for fifteen years he engaged in the bottling business, after which he disposed of his interests and turned his attention to the ice and cold storage busi- ness. On the 1st of June, 1911, he arrived in Bentonville, where he purchased an ice and cold storage plant, to which he added a bottling plant in 1919, and has built up a good trade in both connections. He supplies ice to the town of Bentonville and to adjoining towns in the county and during the season he stores twenty thousand barrels of apples. He thoroughly understands the business in which he is engaged. to which he devotes his entire attention, and his executive ability, enterprise and sound judgment have enabled him to build up an enterprise of large proportions.

In 1892 Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Helen J. Lewis, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Stephen Lewis, who removed to Arkansas, settling in Phillips county, where he became the owner of a large plantation. Six children have been born to this union, namely: Stephen Lewis, Mary E., Helen and Kathryn, all at home; and Josephine and Blanche, who are attending school.

Mr. King is a member of the Baptist church and in his political views is a democrat, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, of which he became a charter member at Rogers, and has served as chancellor commander. In his business career he has demonstrated what it is possible to accomplish through determined effort, wisely directed. Starting at Rogers with a cash capital of fifteen dollars, he has worked his way steadily upward until he now ranks with the successful business men of Bentonville, while at all times his commercial transactions have balanced up with the principles of truth and honesty.

R. P. SPURLIN, D. D. S.

Dr. R. P. Spurlin, engaged in the practice of dentistry in Berryville, was born in Lyon county, Kentucky, February 13, 1879, and is a son of J. H. and Ida (Porter) Spurlin, who were natives of Kentucky and of Mississippi, respectively, their marriage being celebrated in the former state. The grandfather in the paternal line was James

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U. Spurlin, a minister of the Baptist church, who spent his life in Kentucky from early childhood. He was very successful in his work in the ministry and baptized over ten thousand people into the church. He also married more than five thousand couples. He was a slave owner and southern gentleman of the old school and was of Welsh descent, his father having come from Wales. The grandfather of Dr. Spurlin in the maternal line was Robert Porter, who was born in New Orleans and was a physician, serving on the personal staff of General Robert E. Lee during the Civil war. He was on active duty throughout the war and died in Kentucky.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 153

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