Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 156

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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W. L. CLONINGER.

W. L. Cloninger, editor of the News, published at Beebe, White county, is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred near Atkins, Pope county. His parents, John R. and Linna ( Teeter) Cloninger, were natives of Lincoln county, North Carolina, and in 1848 came to Arkansas, settling in Pope county. The father, then a young man, became a farmer, homesteading in Montgomery county, Arkansas, but later re urned to Pope county, where he purchased wooded land, clearing away the timber and then carried on general farming. He was conscripted for service in the Confederate army hut managed to elude the officers and joined the Union army, in which he served for three years, for he was not a believer in the right of secession. He was on duty throughout his term of enlistment west of the Mississippi and took part in several skirmishes, being under General Steele at Little Rock. At the close of the war he returned to Pope county and resumed farming, continuing in the busi- ness until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was sixty-six years of age. His widow departed this life in December, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. In their family were six children, four of whom are living: Sarah Anna, who is the widow of T. M. Geer and makes her home in Anna, Texas; Henry, who still cultivates the home farm near Atkins; W. L .; and Mary, who is the widow of Wesley Gaston of Atkins. Her husband was a representative of one of the old families of North Carolina, Gaston county being named after his grandfather, Judge Gaston. Two children died in infancy. The father was a Lutheran in early life but later joined the Christian church. He gave his political support to the republican party, following its organization. The ancestral history of the family can be traced back to North Carolina, where the grandfather, Valentine Cloninger, was born. He, too, became a farmer of Pope county, Arkansas, where he entered six hundred and forty acres of timber land, making the journey across the country with team and wagon. It required several months to reach his destination and he had to cross all the rivers by ferry. The country was practically a wilderness at that time and he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were laying broad and deep the foundation upon

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which has been built the present progress and prosperity of the state. The first log house which he erected is still standing, one of the landmarks of that early period. There was big game of all kinds to be found, including deer and bears, and other smaller game was plentiful. Trading was done at Norristown and Galla Rock, a landing place on the river, but a good mill was near their home. Mr. Cloninger carried on general farming and became well-to-do prior to the Civil war but lost everything during the conflict and was shot by the jayhawkers. He wedded Mary Long, a native of North Carolina, and they became the parents of eight children: Adam L .; John R .; William; Alfred, Bartlett, Luther, Albert and Harriett E., all of whom have departed this life. In the maternal line the grandfather was George H. Teeter, who was born in North Carolina, whence he removed to Pope county, Arkansas, about 1848. There he entered land and engaged in farming, although he was a cabinetmaker by trade and some of the work of his hand is still in possession of Mr. Cloninger of this review. Mr. Teeter died in Pope county. His children were three in number: James and Martha, both deceased; and the daughter, Mrs. Linna Cloninger.

A log school with split logs for benches was the little temple of learning in which W. L. Cloninger pursued his education. School was conducted on the sub- scription plan and he had to walk three and a half miles to school, which he attended three months in the year. The remainder of the time he worked on his father's farm, aiding in clearing the land and developing the fields. He afterward began farming on his own account in Pope county and was thus engaged for several years. Subsequently he turned his attention to photography at Belleville and con- ducted a studio for some time, after which he purchased the Belleville News, editing the paper from 1904 until January, 1914. He thence removed to Ola, Arkansas, and for one year was editor of the Ola Enterprise, after which he established the McRae Progress of McRae, Arkansas, and continued in charge for five and a half years. On the 25th of August, 1821, he came to Beebe, where he established the Beebe News, installing a plant with all modern machinery, not only for newspaper printing but for job work. He devotes his entire time to the paper which now has a circula- tion of five hundred.

Mr. Cloninger was married to Miss Lizzie Holliman, a native of Alabama, who died leaving three children, two of whom are living: Lester, who follows farming near Dardanelle; and Eva, the wife of Oscar Crow, a farmer of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. John died at the age of eighteen months. Having lost his first wife Mr. Cloninger was married to Miss Caroline Alverson, a native of Mississippi, who has also departed this life. The two children of that marriage are: Guy, who is associated in business with his father; and Walter, a printer in the Southwest American office of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The present wife of Mr. Cloninger was in her maidenhood Miss Delphia Allen, a native of Tennessee, and they have two children: Vivian and Bonnie Lee. Mr. Cloninger belongs to the Christian church. He is always a loyal advocate of any cause which he espouses and is ever fearless in the expression of his honest convictions. He has for a considerable period been identified with newspaper publi- cation in this state and has always been actuated by a most progressive spirit in his work as a journalist.

ALFRED COLEMAN MARTIN.

Alfred Coleman Martin, attorney at law of Little Rock, was born in Belleville, Yell county, Arkansas, May 12, 1880, and is a representative in both the paternal and maternal lines of old southern families. His father, Alfred Webb Martin, was born in Forsyth county, Georgia, in 1840, and in the year 1869 he became a resident of Yell county, Arkansas, where he devoted his life to farming to the time of his death in 1892. In politics he was a democrat. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a private of Company E of the Forty-third Regiment of Georgia Infantry, under command of General Joseph E. Johnson, from 1861 until 1864, during which time he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Resaca, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Dalton and the siege of Vicksburg which lasted for forty-nine days. He married Frances Edella Bulls, who was born near Jamestown, Virginia. Their marriage was celebrated in Forsyth county, Georgia, in 1865, and the mother departed this life in 1900. They were parents of six sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are living.

At the usual age Alfred C. Martin became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and later attended an academy there. Subsequently he taught in a country school in Yell county for four years and then resumed his education by matric-

ALFRED C. MARTIN

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ulation in the Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, being graduated from the law department in 1904. In the following year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Dardanelle, Arkansas, where he was associated with the Hon. H. M. Jacoway, now a member of congress. In 1909 Mr. Martin removed to Conway, Arkansas, where he continued in practice until he came to Little Rock in 1913. Here he has remained, devoting his attention to the duties of a growing clientage. He is also attorney for the Commonwealth Building & Loan Association of Little Rock.

In December, 1912, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Grace Miller, who was born in Nira, Iowa, in 1885, and was graduated from the University of Iowa with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She is a daughter of Lee and Eliza (Chapman) Miller, both of whom were natives of Iowa. By her marriage Mrs. Martin has become the mother of three children: Eliza Frances, born September 23, 1913; Alfred Lee, born January 1, 1915; and Grace, born September 21, 1916. Mr. Martin is a democrat in his political views and in 1906 he was elected to the office of state representative, being reelected in 1908 from Yell county. In January, 1910, he was sent to the state senate from the second district composed of Faulkner and White counties, having removed to Faulkner county in 1900. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement during his connection with the general assembly, both as a member of the house and senate, and sought in every way within his power to advance the welfare of the commonwealth. In 1912 he was elected state commander of the Arkansas division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He belongs also to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he has represented in the Grand Lodge, and the Knights of Pythias. During the World war he served on the questionnaire board of Pulaski county. Whether in office or out of it he is most loyal to the interests of the city and state and is most conscientious and progressive in his support of measures which he believes of vital worth to the community.

CHARLES ARTHUR BERRY.

One of the alert and enterprising citizens of El Dorado is Charles Arthur Berry, editor and owner of the El Dorado Daily News. He was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on the 31st of December, 1873, a son of Martin C. and Anna E. (Elliott) Berry, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. Mrs. Berry died when her son was but five years of age but the father lived until the 15th of August, 1921, when his death occurred at the age of seventy-eight years. In early life he had been extensively engaged in the grain business and then entering politics was for fourteen years city clerk of Nebraska City.

In the acquirement of an education Charles Arthur Berry attended the grade schools of his birthplace and subsequently entered the high school in Nebraska City. He spent his summer vacations working in a printing office and he determined to make the newspaper business his career. In May, 1900, he came to Arkansas and for four years managed the job printing plant of W. E. Shanahan in Hot Springs. At the termination of that time he went to Felsenthal and on the 10th of December, 1904, founded the Felsenthal Press, which he published with substantial success until April, 1907. At that time he removed to Huttig and founded the Huttig News, of which sheet he was sole proprietor and editor. For fourteen years he was asso- ciated with that paper and made it one of the most popular news sheets in the state. On the 13th of June. 1913, Mr. Berry was appointed postmaster of Huttig and served in that capacity until December 31, 1921. On the 1st of May, 1921, Mr. Berry dis- posed of the Huttig News and in partnership with Mr. E. F. White purchased the El Dorado Daily News, Mr. Berry becoming editor and Mr. White manager. Upon taking over the plant the partners had the most modern equipment installed. They have two linotype machines and a Duplex press. In order to give their patrons the most reliable news and news when it is news they leased a wire with the Associated Press and the El Dorado Daily News is fast becoming one of the most important publications in the state. On February 2, 1922, Mr. Berry purchased the interest of Mr. White, becoming sole owner. Mr. Berry has proved himself to be an able editorial writer, never championing a cause which he believes to be unjust, always ready to write in his own logical, well balanced and forceful style for any cause making for the uplift of his community.

On the 21st of June, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Berry and Mrs. J. L. (Carter) Bussell of Felsenthal, this state. Mrs. Berry is prominent in the club and social circles of the community and is an active worker in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of which both she and her husband are consistent members.

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Fraternally Mr. Berry is identified with the Masons. He has membership in El Dorado Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; El Dorado Chapter, No. 114, Royal Arch Masons; Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R .; and Al-Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of El Dorado Lodge, No. 1129, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is active in the affairs of the local Chamber of Com- merce and his social inclination finds expression in his membership in the Lions Club. He is considered one of the live-wire business men of El Dorado and his friends throughout the community are legion.

W. G. SHIPLEY.

On the list of active, energetic and farsighted business men in Fort Smith appears the name of W. G. Shipley, who is at the head of the Shipley Baking Company, owning and conducting the finest bakery in the city. Mr. Shipley has been a lifelong resident of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Van Buren, Crawford county, in 1885, his parents being W. L. and Julia (Reed) Shipley. The son learned the baker's trade at Van Buren in connection with T. W. Edmondson and later became a partner in the Edmondson Bakery at Fort Smith. He has continued in the line of business in which he embarked as a young tradesman and gradually has worked his way upward, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has made splendid use of his time and of the advantages which have come his way and today he is at the head of the finest bakery in Fort Smith and one of the finest in the state. The plant was built in 1920 at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars and has a capacity of forty thousand loaves of bread daily. Mr. Shipley is the authorized baker of the "Holsum" bread, which is nationally famous, the privilege of baking and dis- tributing bread under that name being given only to the most sanitary and thoroughly up-to-date bakeries. The products of the Shipley bakery are shipped as far as Morrillton, De Queen, Rogers and Bentonville. The officers of the company are: W. G. Shipley, president; T. W. Edmondson, vice president; and B. H. Shipley, secretary. Throughout his business life Mr. Shipley has closely studied the conditions of the times, the demands of the trade and the opportunities for improvement in methods. His estab- lishment is clean and sanitary in every respect and he maintains the highest standards in the quality of the product sent out. His success has resulted from close application, earnest effort and strong purpose and gradually he has advanced to a place of leader- ship in his chosen line.

In 1911 Mr. Shipley was united in marriage to Miss Grace Cotton and they have become parents of two children. The brother, B. H. Shipley, was associated with his brother in the bakery business for a number of years prior to the establishment of the Shipley Baking Company. He is now at the Edmondson plant. He served in the army during the World war as an instructor in baking, with the rank of sergeant.

HOMER E. JACKSON.

The present sheriff of Fayetteville, serving his second term in that office, is Homer E. Jackson. A native of this community, his birth occurred on the 22d of November, 1880, a son of Everette A. and Frances (Crouch) Jackson, both natives of Missouri. The paternal grandfather, Columbus Jackson, was born in Virginia and removed to Missouri and thence to Arkansas at an early day. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war, being in sympathy with the southern cause, he enlisted in the Confederate army and served until its close. After the war he returned to Arkansas and there resided until his death. He was a large slaveholder before the war and suffered severe losses as a result of the con- flict. The maternal grandfather was Will Crouch, a native of Arkansas. At the close of the Civil war, in which he served under Quantrell, he removed to Texas and there resided until his death. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson occurred in Fayetteville. to which state the father came in 1860. He was successfully engaged in farming for many years and now makes his home with his son, whose name initiates this review. Mrs. Jackson died in February, 1920. Twelve children were born to their union, eleven of whom are living: T. U., is associated with a canning company in Fayetteville; Homer E., the subject of this review; Robert F., chief of police of Fayetteville; Columbus, deceased; Martha, the wife of Sid Reif, a bookkeeper of Fayetteville; Virginia, the wife of H. H. Kerseick, a rice planter of Stuttgart, this state; Alice, the wife of Carl Mooney, dis- patcher for the San Francisco Railroad Company; Ida, the wife of Alonzo Horton, a merchant of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Dawson and Lawson, twins, residing on the same

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farm; Harry a farmer; and Julius, engaged in the bridge business at Fresno, Arizona. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were consistent members of the Methodist church and he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party. .

Homer E. Jackson was reared in the city of his nativity and after graduating from the Fayetteville high school he engaged in farming .. He followed that occupation for some time and was later associated with the American Structural Worker, traveling all over the United States. He was fireman on the M. K. & T. for three years, making his home in Muskogee until 1907. In that year he returned to Fayetteville and from 1908 to 1918 was deputy sheriff. At the termination of his service in that office he was elected sheriff and he is now serving his second term.

In 1905 Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Reed, a native of Dutch Mills, Arkansas, and a daughter of J. C. Reed. Mr. Reed was for many years engaged in farming and in the mercantile business in Washington county, but is now living retired in Claremore, Oklahoma. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson six children have been born: James, a student in the State University of Arkansas; Francis, in high school; Pearl, Ruth and Margaret, attending the grade schools; and Homer E., Jr., the yonngest member of the family, who is but five years of age.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Jackson has been a stanch supporter of the demo- cratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good govern- ment. He has always been active along political lines and for some time was city col- lector of Muskogee. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is a Mason, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise an Elk. Mr. Jackson started out for himself at an early day and has learned his lessons in the school of experience. As the result of his determination and intelli- gently directed effort he overcame all obstacles in his path and has gained, not only personal popularity, but substantial financial success. He owns a valuable farm in Washington county. Mr. Jackson is untiring in his devotion to his duties as sheriff and his influence is always on the side of progress and those things which relate to, the material, intellectual, political and moral development and welfare of the city.

JUDGE SCOTT WOOD.

Judge Scott Wood, serving for the second term as circuit judge, was born at Hot Springs, September 26, 1880, and is a son of the Hon. James B. Wood and a grandson of the Rev. John S. Wood, one of the pioneer Baptist ministers of the state. James B. Wood became a member of the bar and later was elected to the office of circuit judge, serving upon the bench for eight years. He had previously filled the position of prosecuting attorney and several years after his retirement from the bench he was again called to the position of prosecuting attorney, filling that office at the time the city was cleared of its gambling element. He was born at Hamburg, Arkansas, in 1855 and proved an active factor in public affairs in his state during the latter half of the nineteenth century. He married Hattie Scott and they became the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. Both were consistent members of the First Baptist church of Hot Springs in the work of which Judge James B. Wood took a very active and prominent part. He also acquired considerable valuable property, owning a number of choice lots on Central avenue and valuable business blocks in the city. Through the careful management of his business affairs he was thus able to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He died in June, 1913, and for seven years was survived by his wife, who was killed in an automobile accident June 27, 1920.

Judge Wood of this review was born and reared in Hot Springs, attending the public and high schools and also the University of Arkansas. He also read law under the direction of his father and of Judge Henderson and was admitted to the har in 1905. He then entered upon active practice in connection with his father and this association was maintained until the latter's death. Since then Judge Wood has practiced independently, or so continued until his elevation to the bench. In 1915 he was elected circuit judge and is now serving for the second term. He was also government prosecutor under his father from 1910 until 1912. He is justly accounted one of the able and eminent legists and jurists of his section of the state. He comes of an ancestry honorable and distinguished and his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith, for in person, in talents and in character he is a worthy scion of his race.

In August, 1914, Judge Wood was married to Miss Muriel Jones, a daughter of Jndge John W. Jones. They have become the parents of two children. Martha and Nadia, aged respectively six and five years. Judge and Mrs. Wood are widely and

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favorably known in Hot Springs, having the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Judge Wood has made for himself a most creditable position in professional circles. It is to his perseverance and indomitable energy that he owes his success in life as well as to his keen and brilliant mind. He is of a san- guine temperament, large-hearted, and a genial and polished gentleman. As a law- yer he is noted for his integrity and has always been remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he has prepared his cases. On the bench his decisions have been sound, fair and impartial. His legal learn- ing, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argu- ment all combine to make him one of the most capable jurists that has ever graced the bench of the circuit court.

It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the record of Dr. John S. Wood, brother of Judge Scott Wood, who was most widely known and honored in this section of the state. He was born in Hot Springs in October, 1882, and acquired a common school education, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. Later he entered Tulane University at New Orleans and was there graduated on the completion of a medical course in 1908. Immediately after- ward he returned to Hot Springs, where he entered upon the active practice of his profession. He served as a member of the federal examining board during the World war and was also county and city health officer. At the time of his death he was practicing in association with Dr. T. E. Holland. He had been a cripple from childhood as the result of infantile paralysis, but though suffering from a physical handicap, he possessed a very brilliant mind and readily mastered the intricate and involved problems that continually confront the physician. He was one of the first in the state to enforce the closing of theatres and public gather- ings during the influenza epidemic, and he at length fell a victim to that disease, his death resulting from influenza in October, 1918. Thus passed on one who was recognized as one of the brilliant among the younger members of the medical pro- fession in Hot Springs and one who in every relation of life had enjoyed the con- fidence and respect of his fellowmen.

WILLIAM L. BUNCH.

One of the alert and progressive young business men of Eureka Springs is William L. Bunch, director and cashier of the First National Bank here. He is a native son of Arkansas, born in Kingston, on the 21st of January, 1891, a son of Joel N. Bunch, further mention of the family being made in his sketch to be found on another page of this work.

In the acquirement of an education William L. Bunch attended the common schools of Kingston and Huntsville and in due time entered the Normal School at Green Forest, where he remained but a short time. For eighteen months he was a student in the Arkansas State University and he then enrolled for a course in bookkeeping and banking in a commercial college at Fayetteville. His initial step into financial circles was made as assistant cashier in the First National Bank at Huntsville, and he was active in that association from the 10th of January, 1912, to the 20th of June, that year. At the latter date he removed to Kingston and was cashier of the Bank of Kingston until he came to Eureka Springs on the 15th of September, 1920. He immediately became identified with the First National Bank here as cashier and he has been active in that capacity since. He is likewise a director in the bank. Mr. Bunch has an interest in the First National Bank at Huntsville, the Bank of Kingston, The National City Bank of St. Louis, and the Peoples Bank of Berryville. He has risen to his prominent place in financial circles as the result of his determined purpose and his carefully formulated plans. Mr. Bunch is an alert and progressive business man and he is president of the spoke factory in Kingston aud also has an interest in the Huntsville Hub and Spoke Factory. He has utilized opportunities which others passed heedlessly by and at all times he has kept in close touch with every phase of the business situation of the country bearing upon his individual interests.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 156

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