USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 155
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Mr. Harrel has made for himself an enviable place in business and financial circles. With him opportunity has never had to knock but once. He has made ready response to the call and, improving every advantage that lias come his way, he has today gained a place among the most substantial and reliable business men of his native county.
ADOLPH FELSENTHAL.
Adolph Felsenthal is one of the well known men of southern Arkansas. He is the vice president and general manager of the Carson Dry Goods Company of Camden and of El Dorado and he has been a most active and influential factor in advancing public progress through his advocacy and support of many measures which are of direct benefit to the county and state. No project of genuine public worth seeks his aid in vain and in almost every case he has heen a leader in the movements which have brought good to the majority of the citizens. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on the 8th of December, 1863, he is a son of David and Johannah (Simon) Felsenthal. David Felsenthal was a citizen of Arkansas since 1857 and a Confederate soldier. serving in the Fifteenth Arkansas Regiment. Adolph Felsenthal was three years of age when his parents removed to Camden and it was here that he was reared to manhood and educated in the public schools. He also received commercial training in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Chicago, Illinois, and after finishing his course he was employed for two years in a wholesale jewelry establishment of Chi- cago, after which he returned to Camden and began working in his father's store. Subsequently he accepted the position of manager with the firm of Bry & Brothers, then owners of the largest department store in the southern part of the state. In this important capacity he continued to serve for a period of fifteen years. In 1905 he engaged in the townsite business, laying out the town of Felsenthal, in Union county, a large portion of the townsite being owned by himself and his brother, Ike. In 1908 he returned to Camden and in company with Dr. E. H. Carson, Louis Bauer- lein and others organized the Carson Dry Goods Company, with stores in Camden and El Dorado. Mr. Felsenthal became vice president and general manager of the corporation and has been most active in directing the affairs and developing the busi- ness connections of the house. In all commercial matters he displays sound judgment and keen sagacity and his enterprise has constituted an important source in the commercial upbuilding of the community.
In 1907 Mr. Felsenthal was united in marriage to Miss Sue Harris, a native of Clark county, Arkansas. Mr. Felsenthal adheres to the Jewish faith. His political support is given to the democratic party and in 1910 he was a candidate for state railroad commissioner from his district and was the second man among six contest- ants, carrying eleven counties out of thirty. In 1920 he was a candidate for nom- ination for congress from his district. During the World war period he was chairman of the War Savings Stamps organization of Ouachita county and took a most active part in advancing many lines of war work. He is justly accounted one of the fore- most business men and leading citizens of Camden. He belongs to Camden Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M .; to Whitfield Chapter, R. A. M .; Camden Lodge, No. 1140,
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B. P. O. E .; and to the Woodmen of the World. Outside of business, however, his interest largely centers in civic improvement and the advancement of state and national ideals. He organized the Camden Commercial League in 1893, this being the first important business organization formed for better community conditions and for the upgrowth of southern Arkansas. For twelve years he served as secre- tary of the Camden Commercial League, accepting no remuneration for his work in its behalf. He has been an active member of every business organization in Camden since 1893 and no cause for progress or for the benefit of community or common- wealth seeks his aid in vain. In 1913 he became division commander of the Fifth Arkansas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and in the same year he was named as Arkansas representative to go abroad with the Government Rural Credit Commissiou, which visited twenty-seven of the principal countries of Europe, making a special study and investigation of their systems of rural credits. He has labored earnestly and effectively to promote better business methods, better road building, better schools, better depots aud train service, better freight rates and better living conditions. He was the originator of the Ouachita river permanent navigation move- ment, which began work in 1893, a work that is nearing its completion. As a result of his labors in this direction the government has appropriated five million dollars, which insures the possibility of boat service to Camden throughout the year, bringing the lowest possible freight rates to southern Arkansas through combined rail and river service, and great commercial and manufacturing development through- out that section. He has also advocated the extension of the Ouachita river improve- ment to Arkadelphia and the prevention of overflow by stabilizing the channel depth and the creation of enormous water electric power from government reservoirs. If his ideas in this connection should be adopted they would be of untold benefit to the country. He originated the movement for the Camden cup contest, an annual educational affair; was an original worker for the county high schools, the original advocate for county local self-government through county quorum courts, and for election laws allowing absentee voters to cast their ballot-an election law which is now in force. He instituted what is known as the Felsenthal Plan for cooperative cotton marketing and gave this plan to the American Cotton Association for its use without charge or restriction. It is almost impossible to mention any act of public moment with which Mr. Felsenthal has not been identified and his aid and influence are always on the side of right, progress and improvement.
ARISTO BRIZZOLARA.
Among the men who have been active in the development and control of impor- tant business interests in Little Rock is Aristo Brizzolara, the vice president of the Little Rock Railway & Electric Company, also identified with a number of other corporate interests which have been vital features in the city's development, growth and prosperity. Moreover, his life is an illustration of what can be accomplished in this land of opportunity by men of foreign birth who, coming to the new world, adjust themselves to changed conditions, language and ways of thought and who wisely recognize and utilize the chances presented for advancement. Mr. Brizzolara was born in Parma, Italy, in 1862 and after spending the first nineteen years of his infe in his native country he left that sunny land to come to the United States. He crossed the Atlantic in 1881 and made his way to Little Rock, then a young man of nineteen years. His training for life's practical and responsible duties was such as he had received in the Parma schools and in the Parma Technical Institute. Here he started out, availing himself of every chance for advancement, and step by step he has worked his way upward, each forward step bringing him a wider outlook and hroader opportunity. He has achieved many successes in the battle of life and he stands today in a position where men recognize his forcefulness and his resourceful- ness and count his cooperation as gain for any enterprise with which he is associated. He is now the vice president of the Little Rock Railway & Electric Company, is a director of the Union Mercantile Trust Company and the president of the Lonoke Rice Products Company, all of which are valuable features in the financial and com- mercial activity of the communities in which they operate.
Mr. Brizzolara is a son of Charles Brizzolara, now deceased, who was born in Geneva, Italy, in 1812. In 1836 he came to the United States and resided in Rich- mond, Virginia, but after five years he returned to his native country and never again came to America. It was not until 1881 that the family once more became repre- sented in the new world by the arrival of Aristo Brizzolara, who has never felt that he had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for here
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he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained success and prominence. During the World war he served as chairman of the con- struction board for Pulaski county. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and frater- nally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
WILLIAM BARKLEY ALEXANDER.
William Barkley Alexander, attorney at law, practicing as junior partner in the firm of Rowell & Alexander of Pine Bluff, was born in this city in 1886, his parents being William B. and Lutie (Eddins) Alexander. The father was a native of Jeffer- son county, Arkansas, born in 1852, while his death occurred in April, 1908. The mother was a native of Bartlett, Tennessee, and a daughter of Dr. B. H. and Susan (Cole) Eddins.
William B. Alexander, Sr., removed to Pine Bluff when a youth of seventeen years and after working in minor capacities he purchased an interest in the business of the Gillespie Brothers Company. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster of Pine Bluff and his connection with public affairs was always of beneficial character to the community which he represented. In 1895 he and his brother, J. P. Alexander, organized the Alexander Brothers Company and hecame closely, actively and prom- inently associated with mercantile interests. He likewise became a leading figure in financial circles as the vice president of the Merchants & Planters Bank and for an extended period was classed with the most influential and valued residents of his section of the state. Not only did he serve as postmaster of Pine Bluff but also occupied the position of mayor of the city and in 1903 was a member of the state capitol commission. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his devotion to the public welfare was a matter uniformly conceded by all who knew aught of his career. To him and his wife were born two sons and a daughter: John Gillespie, Lutie and William Barkley, Jr. The first named is a member of the Alexander Brothers Company and is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
W. B. Alexander was educated at Center College of Kentucky, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1905 and the Bachelor of Law degree in 1906. Having thus qualified for practice as an attorney, he opened an office in Pine Bluff in 1907 and soon afterward formed a partnership with Mr. J. W. Crawford, while at a later date he was associated with N. T. White. He next became a partner of Alexander H. Rowell and this association now maintains. The firm enjoys an extensive practice of an important character and Mr. Alexander has proven his capability in handling intricate and involved legal problems and in finding correct solution for the most difficult questions which confront the court. He has served as city attorney but has never sought nor desired office outside of the strict path of his profession.
With the country's need for military aid Mr. Alexander enlisted and went to Camp Leon Springs. He was commissioned a first lieutenant at Fort Scott and was assigned to coast defense on the Columbia river. Later as a member of the Twenty- eighth Heavy Artillery, he was stationed at Camp Eustis. He was mustered out with the rank of captain, when the signing of the armistice brought a close to active hos- tilities, and soon afterward he returned to his home. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Elks. In the former organization he has attained high rank as is indicated in his membership in the Mystic Shrine. Civic matters of importance and value receive his earnest endorsement and support and he allies himself with all those forces which make for public progress, while in his chosen profession he holds to the highest ethical standards of a calling to which life and liberty, right and property must look for protection.
HENRY M. ARMISTEAD.
Henry M. Armistead, of the law firm of Cockrill & Armistead, is a diligent and highly successful lawyer. He is a man of quiet, simple tastes, without a semblance of pretense, the true characteristics of a gentleman, and one of solid attainments.
Mr. Armistead was born in Upperville, Fauquier county, Virginia, May 15. 1874. and his ancestry in both lineal and collateral lines is distinctively American. He is a son of Captain Bowles and Elizabeth Brooke ( Marshall) Armistead, both of
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whom are still residents of Fauquier county, where the family has been represented for more than a century. Captain Bowles Armistead was reared and educated in the Old Dominion and trne to his loved southland he joined the Sixth Virginia Cav- alry at the outbreak of the Civil war and continued in active service until the cessa- tion of hostilities. He had a brother, General Lewis Addison Armistead ( 1817-1863), who attended the West Point Military Academy from 1834 until 1836 and entered the regular army in 1839, serving in the infantry division. He took part in the Mexican war under General Scott in 1847-1848, being promoted for gallantry in the storm- ing and capture of the city of Mexico, thus advancing from a captaincy to the rank of major. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, with the rank of major, was promoted to colonel of the Fifty-seventh Virginia Infantry in the same year, was made a brigadier general April 1, 1862, and was killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, when participating in Pickett's celebrated charge of Cemetery Ridge. Another brother, Frank Stanley Armistead, a graduate of West Point, resigned a lieutenancy in the United States army in 1861, joined the Confederate forces and served gallantly throughout the war, attaining the rank of colonel.
The family name figured most prominently upon the pages of military history, for Lewis Addison, Frank Stanley and Bowles E. Armistead were the sons of General Walker Keith Armistead, who was born in 1785 and died in 1845. He was gradu- ated with the first class to complete a course at West Point, served in the War of 1812, became chief engineer of the United States army and attained the rank of brigadier general, thus serving to the time of his demise. His brother, Colonel George Armistead, who was born in 1780 and died in 1818, was also graduated from the United States Military Academy and was in command of the American forces at the time of the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. This engage- ment occurred on the 12th of September, 1814, and won him the brevet rank of lientenant colonel. It was this occasion that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his immortal poem, The Star Spangled Banner. Later, probably in 1817 or 1818, Colonel Armistead spent some time at the Arkansas Post with his friend, General William O. Allen, and acquired a considerable tract of land near the post, upon which, seemingly, he meant to settle. General Lewis Armistead also became iden- tified with Arkansas in territorial times, being stationed for a considerable period at Fort Smith, when that place was an important military post on the western fron- tier. On his mother's side the present Mr. Armistead is descended from equally illustrious lineage, being a direct descendant of James Markham Marshall-brother of Chief Justice John Marshall-and his wife, Hester Morris, danghter of Robert Morris of Philadelphia, celebrated patriot and financier of the American Revolution. During the Revolution James Markham Marshall served as lieutenant of one of the regiments commanded by Alexander Hamilton; married in 1795; was sent abroad by President Washington on important diplomatic missions; purchased, while in England, of the heir of Lord Fairfax, the famous Fairfax estate in what is known as the Northern Neck of Virginia, for himself, John Marshall and others; achieved great success as a financier and man of affairs, and left to his posterity a vast estate.
The ancestral record of the family is one of which Henry M. Armistead has every reason to be proud and he has cast his lines of life in harmony therewith. Reared in his native state, he became a student in the University of Virginia at Charlottes- ville and in 1893 he arrived in Little Rock, where he matriculated in the law depart- ment of the University of Arkansas, there winning his Bachelor of Laws degree as a graduate member of the class of 1895. For a short time he was in the office of his consin, the late General Henry Beauford Armistead, then secretary of state. In 1895 he entered into a partnership with the late Kie Oldham, who retired from practice on account of ill health about 1900, and in 1905 Mr. Armistead formed a partnership with T. M. Mehaffy. Two years later the firm of Mehaffy & Armistead was joined by the late J. E. Williams, and by Ashley Cockrill in 1909, the present firm of Cockrill & Armistead having continued since 1911. Mr. Armistead has forged steadily to the front as a representative of the bar. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive. With a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental principles of the law he combines familiarity with statutory law and a sober, clear judgment, which make him a formidable adversary in legal combats. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.
On the 2d of November, 1903, Mr. Armistead was married to Miss Elizabeth Murphy of Little Rock, a daughter of Colonel George W. Murphy, attorney general of this state from 1901 until 1905, who was distinguished as a lawyer, as a soldier and as a man of rare talent and marked individuality. Mr and Mrs. Armistead have three sons: George M., Henry M. and Lewis A. Politically Mr. Armistead gives his support to the democratic party but the honors and emoluments of office have had
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no special attraction for him. He is connected with several important social organi- zations of the city and his liberal culture and unfeigned cordiality make him a most companionable gentleman.
WILLIAM A. LEACH.
William A. Leach, attorney at law, practicing successfully at Stuttgart and owner of the Arkansas County Abstract Company, comes to Arkansas from Missouri. He was born in Shelby county, Illinois, in 1874 and is a son of Washington and Caroline (Salyer) Leach. The father was likewise born in Illinois, to which state his parents removed from Ohio but had previously resided in Virginia. The Salyer family was from Indiana. Washington Leach went to Trenton, North Dakota, after leaving Illinois and his death occurred in Trenton. His widow still makes her home at that place.
William A. Leach was largely educated at Lamar, Missouri, and there read law with R. B. Robinson and B. G. Thurman. After thoroughly qualifying for profes- sional duty he was admitted to practice and entered upon active work of that char- acter at Lamar, where he continued from 1899 until 1905. In the latter year he arrived in Arkansas, settling at Des Arc, where he devoted his attention to law practice until 1913. Removing to Lonoke he spent six years in that city and in 1919 came to Stuttgart, where he is now actively engaged in practice. He has gained a good clientage since locating here and has proven his ability to cope with intricate and involved legal problems, for many of his cases have brought him a verdict favorable to his clients.
Mr. Leach was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Rex, a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Rex of Barton county, Missouri. They have become parents of two children: Lorene and W. R. The family has won a favorable place in the social circles of Stuttgart and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Leach has made wise use of his time, talents and opportunities and step by step has advanced in a calling where progress depends solely upon individual merit and ability. "Today he is at the head of an excellent practice in Stuttgart and the sterling worth of his character commends him to the respect and confidence of all who know him.
J. M. BLOYED.
J. M. Bloyed may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out into the business world empty-handed and has steadily worked his way upward through wise use of his opportunities, through his indefatigable energy and his sound judgment. He was born in West Fork, Arkansas, in 1860, a son of William and Delilah (Loften) Bloyed, also natives of this state. The great-grandfather, Eli Bloyed, was born in Maryland and came with his family to this state in 1828. He was a successful agri- culturist and won considerable wealth for that day. His son was Peter Bloyed, a native of Kentucky, who came to this state in 1828 with his parents and remained here until his demise. Stephen Loften, the maternal grandfather, was a native son of Arkansas. He was of the hardy pioneer type and upon the inception of the Civil war was quick to offer his services. It was while he was home on a furlough that he met his death, being killed by bushwhackers. William Bloyed was reared in Washington county, this state, and engaged in farming and blacksmithing until his death in 1903, winning prominence as a successful business man and representative citizen. Mrs. Bloyed survives her husband and is residing near Fayetteville. Eight children were born to their union, five of whom are living: J. M., whose name initiates this review; Eli, engaged in farming in Blackburn, Arkansas; Jesse, a machinist at Belle Center, Missouri; Melissa, who is the wife of a Mr. Creekmore, a painter and contractor of Fort Smith, has been an employe of the Boston Store for fourteen years; and Lucinda Jewell, a resident of Texas. The family were reared in the faith of the Christian church and Mr. Bloyed was a stanch supporter of the republican party. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Union army three years, three months and two days. He participated in many of the important hattles of the conflict and although captured at one time, he succeeded in making his escape.
For about six months in every year J. M. Bloyed attended the common schools of his birthplace but at an early age put his textbooks aside. For some time he was
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engaged in farming and then removed to Lancaster, where he entered the mercantile business and achieved more than substantial success. Subsequently he went into the milling business at West Fork for a number of years and. in connection with that business owned and operated a farm. Disposing of his interests there he next removed to Goshen, where he built a fine mill, ran it for a time and later disposed of it at a fair profit. He was active in the commercial circles of Johnson for some years, during which time one of his stores burned to the ground. He subsequently sold out his business and purchased some valuable farm land, still owning two hun- dred and ten acres. For three and one-half years he resided in Oklahoma, where the mercantile and the timber business required his constant attention, and at the termination of that time he returned to Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, bought a home and engaged in the land and oil business. He purchased a tract of land for one thousand dollars and sold it later for forty-one thousand dollars. His next busi- ness venture took him to Joplin, Missouri, where he had extensive lead and zinc interests, and he remained there for some time before returning to Fayetteville and entering the timber business. He is now active in that connection, having branch offices in Oklahoma and Joplin. Financial interests have also attracted Mr. Bloyed and he has an interest in the Arkansas National Bank.
In the month of October, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bloyed to Miss Matilda Winn, a native of this state, who was born near West Fork. She is a daughter of Zedok Winn. Her father was reared in Arkansas and was a successful farmer. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bloyed, William S. He is engaged in farming his father's land, is married and has six children: Oneta, Fount, Averl, Margaret, Milton S. and Charline. Since attaining his majority J. M. Bloyed has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. He has never sought nor desired political preferment but while residing in Christie, Oklahoma, served his fellowmen as postmaster for three years. His religious faith is that of the Christian church. In every venture which he has undertaken he has gained success and as general man- ager of the Bloyed Oil Company in Oklahoma he was a dominant factor in promoting the interests of that concern. As a business man he has supplied enterprise, hope and enthusiasmn to many substantial institutions, and his work and influence deserve such estimate as can be given at his time of life, for he is still in the high tide of his activities and only a little past middle age.
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