Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 154

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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Rev. J. H. Spurlin, the doctor's father, was educated in the Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, and has devoted his life to the Baptist ministry for a period of forty-seven years. He is now preaching in the Baptist church at Berryville, having resided in Kentucky until 1902, in which year he came to Arkansas and has since remained in Berryville. His wife here died in 1908. She, too, was a consistent member of the Baptist church and enjoyed the highest regard of all who knew her. Rev. Mr. Spurlin is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias and his political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party.

Dr. Spurlin, an only child, was educated in the Ohio Valley College at Sturgis, Kentucky, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898. He afterward attended the Kentucky School of Dentistry at Louisville, where he completed his course in 1902. He then entered upon active practice in Paragould, Arkansas, where he re- mained but a short time and in 1903 came to Berryville, where he has since followed his profession. His practice is very extensive and he is recognized as one of the able representatives of dental surgery in Carroll county and the state. He started in a modest way as he was a stranger when he came here but gradually his business has grown and developed as the public has recognized his ability to cope with the most intricate and involved dental problems.

In 1905 Dr. Spurlin was married to Miss Carrie D. Epperson, who was born in Owen county, Kentucky, and they have become parents of three children: Jack, Margaret and Robert, who are now in school. Dr. Spurlin belongs to the Baptist church and fraternally is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he has served as a member of the town council. He finds interest and recreation in raising full-blooded Jersey cattle and sells a large number annually. He has a farm of one hundred acres situated a mile from Berry- ville and personally supervises its development and his live stock interests, yet gives the greater part of his time and attention to his professional duties. He belongs to both the State and National Dental Associations and thus keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress. A laudable ambition has actuated him in all of his professional career-the ambition to make his service of the greatest possible benefit to his fellowmen and his high efficiency is manifest in the liberal patronage now accordel h'm.

OSEE C. BUTLER, M. D.

Dr. Osee C. Butler, a physician practicing successfully at England, was born at Grapevine, Grant county, Arkansas, in 1886, and is a son of Joseph T. and Anna Victoria (Neely) Butler. The father, who also devoted his life to the practice of medicine, was born in Oglethorpe, Georgia, in 1856, the son of Dr. Thomas G. and Martha (Stephens) Butler, who were likewise natives of Georgia. Dr. Thomas G. Butler came to Arkansas in the early '50s and settled at what was afterward called Butlerville, the place being named in his honor. He practiced medicine there for a number of years and rendered valuable aid to his fellow townsmen and the people of the surrounding community by reason of his professional skill and ability. He was a graduate of the Augusta Medical College and was deeply interested in all that tended to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life. After the death of his first wife he married Mattie Simmeral. His death occurred in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Dr. Joseph T. Butler, the father of Dr. O. C. Butler, was educated in the Hopkins Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, where he prepared for his professional career. In 1876 he married Anna Victoria Neely, a daughter of Henry Neely, and they have become the parents of six children: Lynn, living in California; Vida, the wife of Dr. H. L. Throgmorton; Ethyl, the wife of John Hagens; Amyl, the wife of C. A. Hellums; Osee; and Bera, the wife of W. T. Traweek. The father, Dr. J. T. Butler, was a very successful practitioner, well known in professional circles and he also served as postmaster at Grapevine. He died in July, 1921. His widow is making her home in Los Angeles, California.

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Dr. Osee C. Butler is a representative of the family in the third generation to engage in the practice of medicine. He supplemented his early education by study in the University of Arkansas and entered upon the practice of his profession in England. During the World war he was connected with the public health service as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps and was transferred to the naval department as a specialist on venereal diseases. He returned to civilian life on the 1st of November, 1919, and resumed the private practice of his profession in England, where he has remained. He is a man of pronounced ability in his chosen calling and is continually augmenting his powers by comprehensive reading and study.

Dr. Butler was married in 1912 to Miss Edna Langford, a daughter of James Langford of Pine Bluff, and they have one child, Lucille. Dr. Butler belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the rules which govern his conduct are further indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Baptist church. He is likewise connected with the Lonoke County Medical Society, of which he was formerly president. Whether environment, inherited tendency or natural predilection had most to do with shaping his choice of a life work there is no doubt that the choice was wisely made. In a calling in which his grandfather and his father both made a creditable name and place for themselves, Dr. Osee C. Butler has also achieved more than local distinction and his skill and ability are widely acknowledged throughout the community in which he lives, not only by the general public but also by his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession.

GEORGE R. LACY.

George R. Lacy, who for ten years has held the office of sheriff of Desha county, is one of Arkansas City's representative citizens. A native of Louisiana, he was born at Centerville on the 28th of June, 1863. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish descent, members of the Lacy family having come to America prior to the Revolutionary war, settling in Kentucky. His father, Jesse E. Lacy, who died in 1887 at the age of forty-nine years, at Centerville, Louisiana, was a native of that state, his birth having occurred at St. Mary's Parish. For many years he was actively engaged as a sugar planter and achieved more than substantial success in that connection. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he put all personal interests aside and enlisted in the Con- federate army as a private. He had three brothers in the war also, George R., Robert and Adolph D. George R. Lacy was a lieutenant in the infantry and met death while in action at the battle of Shiloh. Robert, who served as a private, was killed at the battle of Bull Run. At Franklin, Louisiana, in 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Lacy to Miss Anna Montgomery, a native of Georgia, who was reared to young woman- hood in Maryland. She died in Arkansas City in 1903. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lacy three boys and one girl were born, the girl dying in infancy. George R., whose name initiates this review, was the oldest child.

In the acquirement of an education George R. Lacy attended the common schools of Franklin, Tennessee, also of Sewanee, that state, receiving the equivalent of a high school education. He was but eighteen years of age when he started out in life on his own account, becoming assistant manager of his father's sugar plantation in Louisiana. He was associated with his father until he was twenty-four years of age, or until 1887, and then came to Arkansas City, becoming an employe of the Desha Lumber Company, a position in which he was active one year. His position with that concern was that of manager or assistant superintendent. From 1889 to 1891 he worked for the Missouri Pacific railroad as baggage and express man, his head- quarters being in Arkansas City, and at the termination of that time he determined to engage in business on his own account. As a result he formed a partnership with Mr. Kimball and established a mercantile business, which was conducted under the name of the Lacy-Kimball Company. He was likewise interested in the contracting business as manager of Lacy Brothers, which concern specialized in the building of railroads and levees. Mr. Lacy acquired the capital to go into business through the assistance of friends, also having saved a part of his earnings. In 1912 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Desha county and at that time disposed of the contracting business. For ten years now Mr. Lacy has been active as sheriff and in that capacity has won the confidence and esteem of all his fellowmen. In 1902 he was further honored by election to the office of mayor, and his term from 1902 to 1908 was marked by in- creased prosperity and a great development in the general welfare.

Mr. Lacy has been twice married. His first marriage was celebrated in Monticello, this state, in 1891, when Miss Bettie Belser, a daughter of Colonel Belser, a prominent resident of that community, became his wife. Her demise occurred in 1904 and besides

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her husband she left two children to mourn her death: Lawrence G., who is twenty-one years of age and is managing his father's farm near Arkansas City; and Louise, who married R. A. Culpepper of Pine Bluff, where she is now residing. On the 25th of December, 1908, Mr. Lacy was again married, Ethel V. Richards becoming his wife. She was a daughter of Dr. Richards, a well known physician and surgeon of Union City, Tennessee. To this union two children have been born: Guy R., twelve years of age; and Jesse E., nine years of age. They are both attending the public schools.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Lacy is a generous contributor to its support. Fraternally he is identified with the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, holding membership in Pine Bluff Lodge, No. 149, and the Knights of Pythias of Arkansas City. For a few months during the World war Mr. Lacy was chairman of the exemption board but he was forced to give up that position because of the heavy demands of his office. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man and has met with deserved success in every undertaking. He possesses a genial and companionable nature and has been faithful in the discharge of every duty, either public or private, therefore it may truly be said of him that he represents the substantial citizenship of Desha county.

LUTHER D. REID.

Luther D. Reid, manager of the mercantile agency of R. G. Dun & Company at Fort Smith, is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in 1880. He was reared and educated there, his opportunities being such as usually fall to the lot of most lads and in the year 1899, when a young man of nineteen years, he left his native state to become a resident of Arkansas. He first located in Fort Smith but after a year had passed he left this city and did not return until 1903. Through the intervening period of eighteen years, however, he has continued in Fort Smith, having returned here from Leavenworth, Kansas, where he had remained from January until July of that year. Throughout his business career he has been connected with the R. G. Dun interests. He entered the employ of the company as a messenger boy and was first put in charge of the branch office in Leavenworth, where he remained for several months. Fort Smith then became the scene of his labors and today as manager at this point he has jurisdiction over twelve counties, nine in Arkansas and three in Oklahoma. He fully meets every requirement that is made of him in his present connection and his capability and faithfulness are well indicated in his long identifi- cation with the corporation that he represents.

Mr. Reid was married to Miss Jeanette Chism, a native of Paris, Arkansas, and a daughter of Colonel B. B. Chism, who at one time was secretary of state in Arkansas and who is a prominent attorney, holding high rank in professional circles. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have become parents of a daughter, Martha, seven years of age. During the war period Mr. Reid assisted financially and at all times he stands for progressive interests relating to the welfare and upbuilding of his community. He belongs to the Rotary Club and heartily cooperates in that organization for the city's commercial development.

T. T. MALONE.

Monroe county has on the whole been signally favored by the class of men who have occupied her public offices and deserving of mention in this connection is T. T. Malone, who is filling the position of sheriff, making his home in Clarendon. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred at Blackton in 1886, his parents being J. V. and Alice (Parks) Malone. The father was a native of Mississippi, but was reared in Monroe county, Arkansas, and was a son of James V. Malone, who came to this state from Honey Creek, Mississippi. The mother was born at the Parks settlement in Mon- roe county and was a daughter of R. R. Parks, who came from Rome, Georgia, to Ar- kansas. He was a Civil war veteran and his brother, Andy Parks, rode on a gray mare from the Parks settlement to Helena in order to enlist, while another brother, Robert Parks, also served in the Confederate army. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Malone established their home at Blackton, where the wife and mother departed this life. The father still makes his home there and is engaged in merchandising. In their family were four children, one of whom is deceased; the others are: Willie, who served with the chemical division during the World war; T. T .; and J. V., Jr., who was with the army at Camp Pike.

T. T. Malone acquired his education in the public schools at Brinkley and Black-

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ton, Arkansas, and when his education was completed he became associated with his father in merchandising at Blackton. Thus he received his business training and he- came a competent and forceful factor in the conduct of the business at that place. He has always been deeply interested in public affairs and his recognized devotion to the public good, combined with his capability for important duties and responsibilities, led to his selection for office. He was first chosen county clerk and filled that position for four years, after which he was elected sheriff in 1919 and occupied the position for two years, at the end of which time he was reelected and is now the incumbent in the office. At the present writing he is a candidate for the office of county judge and his friends feel that should he be elected he will make as thoroughly creditable a record upon the bench as he has done in the other public positions which he has so acceptably filled.

Mr. Malone was married May 13, 1912, to Miss Maggie McCurley of Raymond, Ar- kansas, a daughter of R. C. McCurley and a sister of Gordon McCurley, a World war veteran. To Mr. and Mrs. Malone have been born two children: Adelina and Walter. Mr. Malone acted as clerk of the exemption board during the World war. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen, the Knights of The Maccabees, the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to the teachings of which he is loyal, and in his life he exemplifies many sterling principles upon which upright manhood and progressive citizenship rest. He is, indeed, one of the representa- tive residents of Monroe county.

JOHN DUDLEY ADAMS.

John Dudley Adams, president of the Geyer & Adams Grocery Company, a whole- sale concern of Little Rock, has been identified with the business since 1916 when he became shipping clerk. As the years have passed he has made steady progress and within a notably brief period has reached the presidency of the company, in which connection he is bending his energy to constructive efforts and executive control.

Mr. Adams was born August 15, 1896, in the capital city, his parents being John Alexander and Julia Fredericka (Geyer) Adams. The father was also a native of Little Rock, born in the year 1868, and in this city he spent his life. He was for some time secretary and treasurer of the wholesale establishment of the Geyer & Adams Gro- cery Company and his enterprise and diligence constituted valuable contributing factors to the success of the undertaking. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. He died in Little Rock, July 24, 1915, and is still survived by his widow, who makes her home in this city. She was born in Little Rock, in 1871, and they were married in 1895. They became parents of three sons and two daughters, all of whom survive. The ancestral line can be traced still farther back in Arkansas, for the grand- father, John Dudley Adams, became a resident of this state. He was a native of St. Catherines, Canada, and settled in Washington, Arkansas, just prior to the Civil war. He entered the army in 1861 and served for four years with the Confederate forces. He afterward removed to Little Rock, where he conducted business as a cotton buyer and subsequently he became one of the organizers of the wholesale firm of Geyer, Adams & Company, now the Geyer & Adams Company. He died in 1897 at the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Geyer had previously established a retail grocery and the wholesale establishment was the outgrowth of his retail store.

John Dudley Adams, pursuing his education in the public schools of Little Rock, was graduated trom the high school with the class of 1914. He afterward spent two years as a student in the University of Arkansas and when his textbooks were put aside he became associated with the business that had been founded by his grandfathers and had been carried forward by his father. It was in 1916 that he entered the employ of the Geyer & Adams Grocery Company in the humble position of shipping clerk. He closely applied himself to the mastery of the task assigned him and in 1917 he was made house salesman. He was elected a director in 1918, was chosen to the vice presidency in 1919 and in 1921 was elected president of the business, which has now been in possession of the family through three generations. The company conducts a large wholesale business in groceries and its trade extends over a wide territory. The policy of the house is a most progressive and reliable one and success in substantial measure has attended the efforts of the officers, who are now directing business operations.

At the time of the World war Mr. Adams was a student officer. He enlisted in May, 1918, in the naval flying corps and served until December 10, 1918. His political support has always been given to the democratic party and his religious faith is

JOHN A. ADAMS

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manifest in his membership in Christ Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Big Lake Club and he is most widely and favorably known through social as well as business connections. He represents one of the old and honored families of Little Rock and his course reflects credit upon an untarnished name.

THOMAS W. WOODUL, M. D.

Dr. Thomas W. Woodul, physician and surgeon, practicing in Pine Bluff, with offices in the Citizens Bank building, was born at Prescott, Arkansas, in 1878, a son of T. J. and Mary E. (Scott) Woodul. The father was a native of Gibson county, Tennessee, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Woodul, who founded the family in this state, settling in Nevada county at an early day. The mother of Dr. Woodul was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jenk Scott, who likewise cast in their lot with the pioneer residents of Nevada county and took active part in promoting the growth and development of that section of the state. Her father, Mr. Jenk Scott, was killed while serving with the Confederate forces in the Civil war. James, Thomas, Benjamin and John Woodul, uncles of Dr. Woodul, all served with the army during the conflict between the north and the south. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Woodul were eight children: Zenoba, who is the wife of J. O. Brooks; Jane, the wife of Lon Wren; Jenk; James; Thomas; Florence, now the wife of J. M. Aslin; Luther; and Albertha, who is deceased.

At the usual age Thomas W. Woodul became a pupil in the public schools of Nevada county, where he pursued his studies until qualified for college work. He then entered Onachita College and later attended the University of Arkansas, while his more specific preparation for his professional career was made in the Physicians and Surgeons College at Little Rock. He was there graduated with the class of 1907 and at once began practice in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Here he has remained through the intervening period of sixteen years and has steadily enjoyed a good practice of a general character, indicating his capability in coping with the intricate and involved problems that continually confront the physician. He promotes his knowledge by further reading and study at all times and in addition to his private practice he has served as county physician. He is identified with the County and State Medical Societies.

In 1907 Dr. Woodul was united in marriage to Miss Sallie A. Beans, a daughter of Joseph and Mollie (Stokes) Beans of Nevada county. Their home has been blessed with six children: Marguerite, Mary, Thomas, Ruth, Ross and James. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church and their interest centers in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number. He is most faithful and conscientious iu the performance of all of his pro- fessional duties and equally faithful and conscientious in his observance of all those obligations which devolve upon him as a citizen.

NICHOLAS D. HARREL.

Nicholas D. Harrel, vice president of the People's Bank & Loan Company of Lewis- ville, Arkansas, was born on a farm near that place October 22, 1861. His father, Barton R. Harrel, owned the land upon which the town of Lewisville has been built, having taken up his abode upon the tract in 1877 and converting it into a valuable farm.

Nicholas D. Harrel was a youth of sixteen years when the family home was estab- lished upon that place. After acquiring a limited education in the public schools he started out to provide for his own support and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons, becoming a well informed man with wide practical knowledge. He was first employed at farm labor and in the sawmills, shingle mills and grist mills of the locality. He has continued to engage in agricultural pursuits to a greater or less extent throughout his entire life and in 1887 he also embarked in merchan- dising at Lewisville, in which connection he built up a business of very substantial and gratifying proportions. He continued to conduct his store until 1910, when he sold out, and in the following year became one of the organizers of the People's Bank of Lewisville, in which he occupied the position of cashier for two years. He next became vice president and has since continued as the second executive officer of the institution, which has become recognized as one of the strong moneyed concerus of this part of the state, following a safe, conservative policy whereby the interests of depositors are most carefully guarded and which also wins to the bank the confidence

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and support of the general public. Mr. Harrel is likewise the vice president of the Walnut Hill Telephone Company and is secretary and treasurer of the Red River Levee District No. 1. He is also a director of the Mansfield Hardwood Lumber Com- pany of Shreveport, Louisiana, having mills in Winfield, that state, and Gum Ridge, Mississippi.

Mr. Harrel has been prominently connected with public affairs in various ways. He served as justice of the peace, has been a member of the school board and has been steward in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a consistent and loyal member. He served for two years as county tax collector and for twenty years he has been a past master of the Lewisville Masonic lodge. He filled the position of county clerk of Lafayette county for four terms or eight years. Thus he has been called to many civic and political positions, the duties of which he has most loyally and faithfully met.

In 1889 Mr. Harrel was united in marriage to Miss Mamie French and they have become parents of eight children: Nicholas M., Fred F., John A., Tracy L., Ruth, Robert F., Elizabeth and Thomas H. Two of the sons enlisted for service in the World war, Tracy L. becoming an infantry captain, while John A. entered the Students Train- ing Corps at Angola, Indiana, and was totally blinded through an accident by a friend while out hunting during his term of service. The family is well known in Lewisville, its members occupying an enviable social position, and their sterling worth is recognized by all.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 154

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