Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 157

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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On the 6th of February, 1914, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bunch and Miss Mayme Smith, a native of Hindsville, this state, and daughter of Alfred T. Smith, one of the pioneer farmers of that vicinity. He is now living retired, having achieved more than substantial success in his agricultural pursuits. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bunch two children have been born: William L., Jr., and Joel Alfred.

In his political views Mr. Bunch is a democrat and although he takes an active interest in local affairs, he has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. Fraternally he is a Chapter Mason, being past master of the blue lodge, and a Knight Templar. He is also affiliated with

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the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organization he is a past noble grand. Mr. Bunch ranks with the hest known and most successful bankers in this part of the state and his methods have ever been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

G. W. MORRIS.

G. W. Morris, who is engaged in merchandising at England, is also conducting a plantation and is active in public affairs, filling the office of justice of the peace, a life of activity and usefulness thus gaining for him classification among the representative citizens of Lonoke county. It was in this county that he was born, about three miles from England, his parents being James T. and Elizabeth (Wicks) Morris. The father was a planter and also a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. To him and his wife were born four children: James, Nathan, G. W. and E. E., the last mentioned being a Presbyterian minister at Cabot, Arkansas.

G. W. Morris pursued his education in the schools of Austin and afterward took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. In all of his business affairs he has shown sound judgment and keen discrimination and the diligence and enterprise which have been salient characteristics of his life work have brought him a substantial measure of success. About thirty years ago he entered mercantile circles in Lonoke and five years later removed to England, where he purchased a building opposite his present location. About eight years ago he became owner of the Robert Eagle building, which he now occupies. He carries an extensive line of general merchandise and has built un a trade of substantial proportions. He also owns the building occupied by the Hotel Minion. In addition to his other interests he is vice president and one of the directors of the Bank of England and he is the owner of seven hundred acres of land planted to cotton. His business affairs are thus varied and important and he has shown marked capability in their management.

Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Gray, a daughter of James Gray, and they are parents of two sons and two daughters: Eunice, the wife of M. N. Norman; George, an attorney, who served with the American army in France: Benjamin, who was a captain in the World war and is now engaged in law practice in England, Arkansas; and Edna, who is a student in Galloway College.

Fraternally Mr. Morris is a Mason of high rank, having become a member of the Mystic Shrine, and his religous faith is that of the Methodist church. He has been quite prominent in public affairs, serving for twenty-six years as a school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. For thirty-two years he was a director on the county school board and he is serving as a member of the Arkansas penitentiary commission, being secretary of that board. He has ever been most prompt and faithful in the discharge of his public duties and is at all times looking to the welfare and progress of community, commonwealth and country.

ROBERT E. LEE HOOPER.

Robert E. Lee Hooper, conducting a dry cleaning and dyeing establishment at Fort Smith, was born in Hackett, Arkansas, in 1882, a son of Dr. J. M. Hooper, a physician of that city, who during the Civil war served with the Confederate army, holding a commission under General Lee. He would fight in the ranks during the day and care for the sick and wounded during the night. He wedded Mary Elizabeth Gillam, a native of Alabama, and they became the parents of seven children.

Robert E. Lee Hooper, who was named in honor of his father's commanding officer and personal friend, pursued his education in the schools of his native city, but left school and home when quite young in order to begin work in the mines. Thus from an early age he has depended upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the reward of his labors. For six years he was a professional baseball player, well known in this connection. In 1907 he took up his abode in Fort Smith and for eight years was in the employ of the Arkansas Laundry Company, proving most capable and faithful, as is indicated by his long connection with that business. Before re- moving to Fort Smith, however, he had learned the dry cleaning business, working along that line in Kansas City in 1902. At length he determined to engage in business on his own account and about 1916 he opened his present establishment. He was first located at No. 12 North Ninth street, but on the 15th of September, 1919, he purchased the building which he now occupies at No. 117 North Ninth street. Here he has an excel- lent cleaning and dyeing establishment and enjoys a good patronage.

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Mr. Hooper was married February 6, 1910, to Miss Grace Katherine Beltrand, a native of Greenwood, Arkansas, and they have become parents of six children: Edith, Robert, Evelyn, Arthur, Hugh and Ruth Fay. During the World war Mr. Hooper was a member of the Home Guard and took active part in the various campaigns for raising funds for the government and for the various activities connected with the war and the welfare of the troops. He belongs to the National Dyers and Cleaners Association and also to the Business Men's Club of Fort Smith. He is likewise a member of the Civilian Club, which indicates his interest in public welfare and his desire to support all measures for the general good. Fraternally he is well known, being connected with the Knights Templars, the lodge 'and the chapter in Masonry and with other branches of the order. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

DEWELL GANN, JR., M. D.

Prominence comes through the development of capability-the power of doing a little better than others in a certain line of work. It is this prominence that places Dr. Dewell Gann, Jr., among the most eminent representatives of the medical profession in Arkansas and his capability has resulted from thorough study, keen discrimination and unfaltering devotion to professional duty. His loyalty has ever been manifest in the pride with which he has named Arkansas as his native state and on the other hand Arkansas is proud to number him among her sons. He was horn in Benton, Saline county, September 14, 1890, and is the only son of Dr. Dewell and Martha Harding (Whitthorne) Gann. The father was born in Atlanta, Georgia, while the mother's birth occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, and their marriage was celebrated in Sheridan, Arkansas, in 1889. They became parents of two children, the daughter being Irl, now the wife of Albert E. Haynes. Dr. Gann, Sr., has resided for many years in Benton, Arkansas, and successfully practiced his profession, for which he qualified as a graduate of the Southern Medical College at Atlanta, Georgia. In politics he has always been a democrat, but political honors and emoluments have made no claim upon his time and attention, as he has always preferred to devote his energies to professional interests. He and his wife still make their home in Benton.

Dr. Gann, Jr., having pursued his early education in the public schools of Benton, afterward attended the Indiana University, from which he was graduated in 1911 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, while in 1914 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree, in recognition of his scientific attainments. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began studying with that end in view in the school of medicine of Indiana University and received his M. D. degree in 1913. In 1915 he located in Little Rock, where he has since specialized in the practice of surgery. He has ever been a thorough student of anatomy and the component parts cf the human body, recognizes the onslaught made upon it by disease or hequeathed to it by progenitors and in the performance of his professional duties he displays a steady nerve and cool hand, directed by a sound judgment that makes mistakes a negligible quality in his work. In 1916 he received the degree of Master of Science from Little Rock College, while in 1919 the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Science. He is identified with many professional organizations, including the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association and the Arkansas Academy of Science, of which he was one of the founders. He was associate professor of surgery at the University of Arkansas from 1915 until 1921 and proved his ability as an educator as well as one of the. successful practitioners of surgery. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and chairman of the Arkansas state committee of the American Society for the Control of Cancer .. , He has recently (1922) been appointed chief of staff of St. Vincent's Infirmary, Little Rock. Keenly interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life he. has kept in touch with the most advanced scientific research and investigation and his opinions are largely accepted as authority, especially on surgical matters, by the members of the medical profession in Little Rock.

On the 1st of July, 1915, in the capital city, Dr. Gann was married to Miss Clodie K. Zuendt, who was born. in Jefferson City, Cole county, Missouri, in June, 1892, and is a graduate of the St. Louis, Missouri, high school. Dr. Gann is a member of the Second Baptist and Mrs. Gann is a member of the Episcopal church .: He is a Royal Arch and Scottish Rite Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. His political endorse- ment has always been given to the democratic party. Following America's entrance into the World war, Dr. Gann was commissioned on the 10th of August, 1917, a .first lieutenant of the Medical Corps, U. S. A., and was honorably discharged. February 7, 1919, having

A. M., M. D., D. Se. F. A. C. S.

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in the meantime been promoted to a captaincy, following his seven months' service in the Canal Zone. Determined purpose and high ideals have carried him steadily forward in his chosen life work and the utmost earnestness and conscientiousness mark the performance of his every professional duty. He is a member of the St. Vincent's, Baptist and city hospital staffs. He introduced radium into Arkansas in 1916.

CHARLES HECTOR ORTO.

Charles Hector Orto, a certified public accountant of Little Rock of high professional standing and ability, was born in Walnut Ridge, Lawrence county, Arkansas, August 26, 1880, and was the third in order of birth in a family of five sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are yet living. His parents were Zaphney and Mar- garet (Coffin) Orto, the former born in Somerville, Tennessee, August 10, 1843, while the latter was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. In early manhood Zaphney Orto prepared for the practice of medicine and devoted many years of his life to the work of the pro- fession, gaining prominence and ability in that connection. He is a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society, which some years ago honored him with election to its presidency. He has now retired from the active practice of medicine and surgery but is still connected with the husiness interests of the state as president of the Simmons National Bank at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he makes his home. In politics he is a democrat and is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served as surgeon with the rank of major in the Second Arkansas Infantry at the time of America's armed conflict with Spain. His wife died in 1901.

Charles H. Orto pursued his early education in private schools of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, his parents having removed to that place in 1883. He afterward had the advantage of training in a preparatory school, known as the Bingham School, at Ashe- ville, North Carolina, and later he entered the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He afterward took up account- ancy and is today a certified public accountant with a large clientage, owing to the splendid ability which he has developed in this field. He likewise has other business interests, for he is a director of the Gay Oil Company of Little Rock and is vice president and one of the directors of the Vending Machine Company. He is also a fellow in the American Institute of Accountants and a member and the secretary of the Arkansas state board of accountancy.

Politically Mr. Orto has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise but is not an active party worker nor has he sought political prefer- ment. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Elks lodge, to the Kappa Sigma, a college fraternity, and to various clubs and social organizations, having membership in the Country Club, the Lakeside Club, the Brassfield Rod and Gun Club and the Twelve Club, and of the last named he has been the president. His social qualities make for personal popularity wherever he is known and the sterling traits of his character are attested by all with whom he comes in contact.

VINCENT H. SORRELS.

Among the well known representatives of the banking fraternity in Mansfield is Vincent H. Sorrels, cashier of the Peoples Bank, a progressive and popular official whose fidelity to the interests which he represents has gained him the high regard of his fellow townsmen. Mr. Sorrels was born on a farm about three miles east of Mansfield, near Abbott, in 1884, his parents being Dr. J. W. and Charity (Bar- nett) Sorrels. The father engaged in the practice of medicine in his community for more than forty years, carrying aid and comfort into many a household and ranking with the leading representatives of the profession in his section of the state. He also served as a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war. having official rank. The Barnett family, from whom Vincent H. Sorrels is de- scended in the maternal line, resided in or near Magnolia, Arkansas, and Dr. Sorrels was united in marriage to Miss Charity Barnett. He was still engaged in the active practice of medicine to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913. His wife died in Mansfield in 1919. Dr. Sorrels was quite prominent in public affairs aside from his profession and served as a member of the constitutional convention in 1874. He was also one of the recognized leaders of the Masonic fraternity in Arkansas, filling the office of grand master of the Grand lodge at one time. To him and his wife were born the following named: B. C., B. R., V. H., and Ora, the

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wife of Edgar Smith, an attorney of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and the mother of Read Smith, who was an officer in the quartermaster corps in the World war. The eldest son, B. C. Sorrels, is a practicing physician, while the second son, B. R. Sorrels, devotes his life to mercantile pursuits.

The third son, Vincent H. Sorrels, obtained his early education in. the local schools and later has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. Starting out in the business world he was employed by the Merchants Bank of Mansfield and in 1907 he went to Wilburton, Oklahoma, where he acted as cashier in the Citizens Bank. In 1908 he was instrumental in organizing the Peoples Bank of Mansfield, of which he became the cashier with C. C. Graves as president and R. V. Baldwin as vice president, at the time of this writing. The original officers, however, were J. M. Marshall, president; J. W. Sorrels, vice president; and Vincent H. Sorrels, cashier. In a word, the last named has occupied the cashiership since the organization of the bank and has been a most active contributing factor to its continued growth and success. It has enjoyed a prosperous existence from the beginning and now has many depositors.

In 1910 Mr. Sorrels was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Bland of Perryville, Arkansas, a daughter of John Bland, and they have become parents of two daugh- ters: Mary Catherine and Mildred. Mr. Sorrels is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is also a Royal Arch Mason and member of the Eastern Star. He likewise belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America and he has many warm friends among his associates in these orders. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch supporter and he has served as chairman of his school district. During the World war he took active and helpful part in promoting the interests of the government. He was. at the head of the Arkansas united war fund campaign, was district chairman of the war stamps campaign, was chairman of the work in the school district and was a member of the Community Council of Defense. He also acted as treasurer of the Red Cross and was district chairman of the Liberty loans. He did everything within his power to uphold the interests of the government and thus give strong financial support to the soldiers in the field.

ALEXANDER EVERETT HARRIS, M. D.

Dr. Alexander Everett Harris, member of the medical profession at Little Rock, was born in Collins, Arkansas, in 1878. His parents, Arthur Everett and Viola (Collins) Harris, were married at Collins, Arkansas, in 1872. Their children were: Ida, who is now the wife of R. L. Hardy of Monticello, Arkansas; Alexander E .; Marvin, an attorney of Little Rock; Joseph S., who is engaged in the practice of law in Monticello; and Ruth, who completes the family. The son, Joseph S., was a volunteer in the World war and went to France as lieutenant colonel of the First Arkansas Regiment, while later he was made a colonel of the Thirty-ninth Division. He served throughout the war with dis- tinction and after the conflict was over took up the practice of law in Monticello. He is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy and resigned after three years of service. He has filled the position of adjutant general of the state of Arkansas and is most widely and favorably known.

Dr. Harris, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the graded and high schools of Monticello, in Hendrix College and in the Southwestern University of George- town, Texas. His professional training was received in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which he attended to his graduation with the class of 1901. Returning to Arkansas, he entered upon active practice and from 1905 until 1919 occupied the chair of medicine in the University of Arkansas. During the World war he was a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps. At the present time he is engaged in general practice but specializes in internal medicine. For the past ten years he has been a member of the staff of the Little Rock City Hospital. He belongs to the Pulaski County Medical Society and the Arkausas State Medical Society and is also a fellow of the American Medical Association. While devoted to his' profession, in which he has made steady progress, he is likewise a director of the Pulaski Realty Company.

In 1913 Dr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Emily Lafferty, a daughter of Thomas and Mabel ( Morgan) Lafferty. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and pursued her education in the Georgetown Academy at Washington, D. C. In both the paternal and maternal lines she comes of ancestry, identified with Arkansas from pioneer times. Dr. and Mrs. Harris have two children, Alexander Everett and Russell L., and the family occupy an enviable social position. Dr. Harris gives his political

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endorsement to the democratic party and fraternally is a Royal Arch and Scottish Rite Mason and member of Al-Amin Temple of the. Mystic Shrine. He is likewise an Elk and a member of the Western Star. His activities and his interests are broad and varied and his enterprise, progressiveness and laudable ambition have brought him prominently to the front in professional circles.

CHARLES ARKEBAUER, M. D.

Dr. Charles Arkebauer, who has achieved considerable recognition as a neurologist and since 1918 has been assistant superintendent of the State Hospital at Little Rock, was born in Fieldon, Illinois, May 6, 1867, and is a son of E. G. and Mary A. (Sturmer) Arkebauer. The family came to Arkansas in 1873 and settled near Van Buren, the father of Dr. Arkebauer, who formerly had been in the mercantile business, taking up the occupation of fruit growing.

Dr. Arkebauer was educated in the public schools of Van Buren and in the University of Arkansas, thus acquiring a liberal education to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning. His medical education was obtained in the Washington University of St. Louis, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1899, winning his professional degree at that time. He entered upon active practice in Van Buren, where he remained for a year and then he was appointed a member of the staff of the State Hospital for Nervous Diseases. He then removed to Little Rock and has remained with the State Hospital since 1900. In 1918 he was made assistant superintendent and is today quite widely known as a neurologist, broad experience and comprehensive reading continually adding to his knowledge and pro- moting his efficiency in his chosen field. He belongs to the Pulaski County Medical Society and also to the Arkansas State Medical Society and is a fellow of the American Medical Association and the American Medico-Psychological Association.

In 1911 Dr. Arkebauer was married to Miss Frances Mae Montague of Brandon, Mississippi, who is a lady of innate refinement and liberal culture, belonging to a well known southern family. Dr. and Mrs. Arkebauer occupy a prominent social position and in religious faith are Methodists. Dr. Arkebauer has never figured prom- inently in conection with fraternal organizations, his professional duties making too great a demand upon his time. Modest and somewhat retiring in disposition he never- theless enjoys a well merited reputation as a neurologist and his conduct of the State Hospital has been most gratifying.

HON. JOSEPH FERGUSON.

Arkansas on the whole has chosen wisely and well when she has made her selection of men to fill her public offices, for usually they have been citizens of high mental caliber, devoted to the best interests of the commonwealth and loyal to the trust reposed in them. In various positions of public trust Joseph Ferguson has proven his faithfulness to the general welfare and on the 16th of January, 1918, he was called to the office of state treasurer, in which position he has since been con- tinued through reelection.

Mr. Ferguson was born on a farm in Fayette county, Mississippi, November 30, 1854, and was but a year old when in 1855 his parents removed to Columbia county, Arkansas. He is a sou of William Packwood and Sarah Jane (Burton) Ferguson. The father was born in Virginia in 1797 and the mother's birth occurred near Milledge- ville, Georgia, in 1822. They were married in the latter state in 1838 and became the parents of a large family of ten sons and two daughters, all of whom have died with the exception of Joseph Ferguson, who was the tenth in order of birth. On removing to Arkansas the family settled in Columbia county, where the father followed the occupation of farming throughout his remaining days. He was a democrat in his political views and he died in Columbia county in 1863. His widow survived him for several years, her death occurring in September, 1871.

The youthful days of Joseph Ferguson were passed in the usual manner of the farm-bred boy. His education was acquired in the rural schools, thus gaining the preliminary education which served as a foundation upon which ; to , build the superstructure of later learning. He has always been a close and discriminating student of men and events and from each experience in life has gleaned the lesson therein contained. He devoted his attention to the occupation of farming until he had reached the age of forty years and since that time his attention has largely been

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given to public duties. In 1896 he became deputy clerk of the circuit court of Columbia county, Arkansas, and continued to fill that position for eight years or until October, 1904. At the latter date he became interested in the abstract business in Columbia county and conducted his office until November, 1914, when upon the invita- tion of Governor George W. Hays he came to Little Rock as secretary of the state board of charitable institutions and so continued to act until 1915, when this board was abolished and was replaced by the board of control of state charitable institutions. Mr. Ferguson continued to act as secretary to the latter board until January 16, 1918, when he entered upon his duties as state treasurer, to which office he had been elected in the previous fall. He has made so excellent a record in the position that he was again made the candidate of the democratic party for the office and was reelected in November, 1920, so that he is now serving for the second term.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 157

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