Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 16

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

USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 16

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Vol. 11-7

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Colonel Landvoigt was married in young manhood to Miss Fannie White, a native of Kentucky, who died in 1902, leaving two children: Nettie, who is the widow of Charles Power of Los Angeles, California; and Dora, deceased.

Colonel Landvoigt is today the oldest member of the Arkansas Press Association and has frequently served as a delegate to various meetings of the press association in this and other states. His political allegiance has always heen given to the democratic party and his discussion of vital political themes through the press has been an in- fluencing factor in molding public thought and opinion on many occasions. Fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Honor, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He has lived through many momentous periods in the history of the country, watching its development since the beginning of the fifth decade in the nineteenth century and at all times his influence and aid have been given on the side of progress and improvement and in behalf of those plans and projects which he believed would prove of public benefit and of worth to community, common- wealth and country.

ISOM SIMMONS.

Isom Simmons enjoys an extensive clientage as an able attorney of Fort Smith, where he has followed his profession during the past fourteen years. He is a native of Kansas and a son of Benjamin and Matilda (Mckenzie) Simmons, who removed from the Sunflower state to Booneville, Arkansas, where his early education was acquired. Later the family home was established about three miles west of Barber. After com- pleting his educational training Isom Simmons took up the work of teaching and also read law in preparation for a professional career. On being admitted to the bar he located for practice at Waldron, there remaining until 1907, when he came to Fort Smith, where he has continued through the intervening years to the present time. He is now practicing independently hut was formerly associated with Harold K. Watrous, who entered the army and subsequently settled in Connecticut. His clientage is ex- tensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. In 1914 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Sebastian and Scott counties, making a most creditable and commendahle record in that position during the period of his incumbency, which covered two years.

Mr. Simmons has been twice married and had two children by his first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Jennie Blythe of Logan county. For his second wife he chose Miss May Brown and they have become parents of a son, Isom. Mr. Simmons has spent practically his entire life in Arkansas, and in Fort Smith he has become widely recognized as a most able and successful member of the bar.

W. D. JACOWAY.

W. D. Jacoway, one of the widely known residents of Yell county, serving as post- master at Dardanelle, was horn January 26, 1869, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Jacoway, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of H. M. Jacoway. Dardanelle's present post- master received his education in his native city and at Winchester, Tennessee, and after- ward pursued a course in dentistry in the University of Tennessee at Nashville, where he was graduated in 1900. He then located for practice at Dardanelle and followed the profession for fifteen years, gaining a liberal patronage during that period. In 1912 he was appointed postmaster and is now serving under a second appointment. He is courteous and obliging to the patrons of the office, faithful in the care of the public interests and the constituents of the office are thoroughly satisfied with his ad- ministration.

In 1905 Mr. Jacoway was married to Miss Maye Adams, who was born in Dardanelle and is a daughter of Cass and Sallie Adams, pioneer settlers of Yell county, where the father followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Jacoway are parents of two children: William Cass and Henderson M., both in school.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Jacoway is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Pythias and in the latter organization he is a past chancellor commander and is also

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

a past high priest of the Masonic chapter, to which lie belongs. His religious faith and that of his wife connects them with the Baptist church, while in political belief Mr. Jacoway is a democrat and has filled various offices. He is a school director, a position which he has occupied for a number of years, and during the past eight years he has concentrated his time and energy upon his duties as postmaster. He is representative of one of the old and highly respected families of the county and there are few in this section of the state who are more widely known or more highly respected than W. D. Jacoway, who possesses many sterling traits of character such as win confidence and goodwill in every land and clime.

SAMUEL MCCONAUGHEY WASSELL.

Samuel McConaughey Wassell, member of the Little Rock bar, was admitted to practice in this city and has since given his attention to duties connected with the legal profession save for the period of his service in the World war. Born in Little Rock, April 28, 1883, he is a son of Samuel Spotts and Bettie (McConaughey) Wassell, also uatives of this state. The father was born in Little Rock, May 2, 1854, and the mother's birth occurred in Searcy, October 2, 1859. They were married in the capital city, April 8, 1878, and became parents of four sons, one of whom died in infancy, while three are yet living: Frank John, Samuel M. and Herbert Lynn. The last named was a student commander at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the World war and was in the army from May, 1918, until December, 1918, but was not overseas. The father was an attorney, who was graduated from Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, in 1876, and after preparing for the bar concentrated his attention upon profes- sional interests until his demise, which occurred in Little Rock on the 24th of December, 1904. His political endorsement was always given to the democratic party. His widow survives and yet makes her home in the capital city.

Samuel M. Wassell obtained a public school education and afterward took up the study of law under private instruction. Following his admission to the bar on the 4th of October, 1904, he continued to serve as official court reporter of the first judicial district until November 15, 1905, having been appointed to the office on the 1st of January, 1904. After retiring from that position he was appointed assistant attorney general for Arkansas and continued to represent the state in that connection until February, 1907, at which time he once more hecame official court reporter of the first judicial circuit and so acted until November 1, 1912, when he resumed the private practice of law. He was thus engaged, enjoying a large clientage, until August, 1917, when he volunteered for military service, becoming a member of Company I, Twelfth Infantry Regiment, with which he remained until November 17, 1917, when he was pronounced physically disqualified. He then went to Houston, Texas, where he was made assistant land and tax commissioner for the Southern Pacific Railroad, with headquarters in Houston. Two months later he was requested by J. R. Vinson, president of the Southern Trust Company and the state manager for the Red Cross, to return to Little Rock and take charge of the finances of the Red Cross. Mr. Wassell complied with this request and so served until May, 1918, when he was appointed United States naturalization attorney with headquarters first in Little Rock and later in Chicago and Detroit. He continued to act in that capacity until April 1, 1920, when he again became a resident of Little Rock and resumed the private practice of law, in which he still continues, his practice now being extensive and of an important character. He has also acted a number of times as special judge of the circuit court.

Mr. Wassell has one daughter, Ruth Helen, born May 28, 1908. His political en- dorsement is always given to the principles of the democratic party. He belongs to Christ Episcopal church and is a Master Mason, these associations indicating clearly the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.

JAMES D. COOK.

James D. Cook, a leading member of the Texarkana bar, was born on a farm about seven miles from Lansing, Michigan, on the 8th of September, 1853. The family comes of Scotch ancestry. His parents were William and Janette (King) Cook, both of whom were natives of Scotland, whence they came to the United States in 1842, settling in Michigan. Both were reared about fifty miles from Glasgow, but the opportunities of the new world attracted them and they came to the United States to try their fortune. Their son, James D. Cook, spent his youthful days in his native state and almost

100

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

as soon as old enough to reach the plow handle he began work in the fields, devoting much of the summer season to the task of assisting his father in the operation of the old homestead. Liberal educational advantages, however, were accorded him and after attending the common schools and an academy he continued his studies under a private tutor. In 1875 he went to Corinth, Mississippi, where he engaged in teaching school for two years, and in 1877 he came to Texarkana and again took up the profession of teaching in the Cook Brothers Academy, which was established by his brother, W. G. Cook, in the previous year. James D. Cook was one of the instructors in the institution for a time and while thus engaged he devoted the hours which are usually termed leisure to the study of law. In the spring of 1878 he was admitted to the bar and opened an office in partnership with his brother, a business relation that was main- tained for fifteen years. He then began practicing alone but later was in partnership for two years with R. M. Wallace. His son, James D., Jr., is now associated with him in practice aud the firm has a large clientele. Their business is extensive and of an important character and they have made for themselves a most creditable name in connection with the work of the courts. Mr. Cook is regarded as both an able advocate and wise counselor and in the course of his practice he has tried all kinds of cases and tried them well.

On the 15th of November, 1881, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Susan Pride Martin and to them were born seven children, of whom three are now living, as follows: Flippin M., now a lawyer at El Dorado, Arkansas; Miss Leta M. and James D., Jr., both of Texarkana.

In point of time Mr. Cook is the oldest practicing attorney of Texarkana with the exception of Paul Jones. In 1882 he was elected the first city attorney and filled the position for one term. Following the death of Colonel Al. H. Payton he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the state legislature in 1881. In 1917 he became municipal judge of Texarkana and served upon the bench of that court for two terms or until 1921. He was also alderman for several years and at all times he has stood for those in- terests which most fully uphold and sustain the legal, social and moral status of the community. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his entire life has been cast in harmony with his professions. Arkansas gained a most substantial citizen when he removed to Texarkana and one whose worth along many lines has been most tangibly demonstrated.

HAROLD E. BLUTHENTHAL.

Harold E. Bluthenthal, a cotton factor and merchant of Pine Bluff, well known in the business circles of Arkansas, is a representative of one of the old families of the state whose members have been conspicuous in the life of the south for more than a century. He is the son of David M. Bluthenthal, who passed away in Pine Bluff in 1915, having reached the age of seventy years, his birth having occurred in Bavaria, Germany, in 1845. Before entering upon the immediate history of Harold E. Bluthen- thal it will be interesting in this connection to note that the first representative of the name in America was an uncle of David M. Bluthenthal, who, coming to the new world, served with the American army in the Mexican war and was killed before the city of Mexico, under command of General Scott. A. Simon, the father-in-law of David M. Bluthenthal, came to the United States from France in 1825 and was a prominent business man of Louisville, Kentucky, but spent the last fifteen years of his life in Arkansas and was buried at Pine Bluff. He was a noted horseman and owned many thoroughbreds. He also served in the Mexican war and was in the secret service of the Confederacy during the Civil war. Samuel Bluthenthal, elder brother of David M. Bluthenthal, left Germany to become a resident of the new world and made for himself a creditable position in connection with the business interests and the public life of Arkansas. He took up his abode in Dallas county. He was married to Bertha Becker and at the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate forces and served in the Third Arkansas Cavalry command under Solon Bolin. He was also with General Forrest and General Wheeler, was twice taken prisoner and was wounded in battle, sustaining injuries in the engagement at Corinth and again at Chickamauga. At the latter place, when his regiment surrendered, its numbers had been reduced until there were only eighty-four men. On one occasion after being captured he escaped from prison. When the war was over he returned to his home in Arkansas and in this state he reared his family, numbering five children. Herbert C., the eldest of the family, married Jessie Marks of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they became parents of three children: Irwin, who served in the World war; Herbert, Jr., a student in the University of Chicago; and a daughter, Mabel. The second of the family of Samuel Bluthenthal

101

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

is Blanche, the wife of S. Katzenstein, and the others are: Josie, the wife of Rabbi Kornfeld, United States minister to Persia; Gabe, living in New York city; and Mrs. Max Mayer, also of New York.

David M. Bluthenthal, the father of Harold E. Bluthenthal, spent the first ten years of his life in his native country and then came to the United States to join his brother Samuel, who had previously settled in Dallas county, Arkansas. A cousin, D. S. Bluthenthal, was also a resident of Dallas county, as was another cousin, Samuel. David M. Bluthenthal joined his kindred and lived in Dallas county until the outbreak of the Civil war. His brother, Samuel, joined the Confederate army and David after- ward became a representative of that great army of gray-clad soldiers who marched to the defense of the south. Henry Bluthenthal, another brother who had previously lived in Arkansas, died at Princeton in 1860. Following the war David M. Bluthenthal and his brothers, Samuel and D. S., came to Pine Bluff, where they organized the S. Bluthen- thal Company in 1865 and opened a store which has been in existence throughout the intervening period, a most substantial and constantly growing business having been developed. The senior partner in the firm, Samuel Bluthenthal, passed away in 1917 and from that time the business was carried on hy Harold E. and Herbert Bluthenthal up to February, 1922, when the former became sole proprietor by the purchase of the interest of Herbert Bluthenthal. The latter is a son of Samuel Bluthenthal and Harold E. is a son of David M. Bluthenthal, both founders of the business. The company has not only conducted a mercantile establishment but has also engaged in cotton raising, having extensive acreage, its properties amounting altogether to fifteen thousand acres, situated in ten connties of the state. The original owners were men of recognized business ability and marked enterprise and their activities brought them a very sub- stantial measure of success.

David M. Bluthenthal was united in marriage to Miss Sophie S. Simon, a daughter of Abraham and Minnie (Kahn) Simon, and they became parents of two children, Harold E. and Bessie.

Harold E. Bluthenthal, who was born at Pine Bluff, July 11, 1884, was educated at Center College of Kentucky, in which he completed his course of study in 1902. Immediately afterward he became associated with his father in business and is now manager of the company. Like his father, he has displayed marked enterprise, dili- gence and perseverance in the conduct of his affairs and obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve but as an inspiration for renewed effort on his part.

For a brief period during the World war Harold E. Bluthenthal was in military service. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a past exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks, while in Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. The family have been represented in Arkansas during the greater part of a century and the name has always been a synonym of business enter- prise and progressiveness, while their influence has ever been on the side of improve- ment in connection with affairs of public moment.

ROBERT BOOTH MOORE, M. D.

Dr. Robert Booth Moore, an ear, nose and throat specialist of Little Rock, of marked capability and with large practice, was born in Searcy, Arkansas, July 23, 1888. His parents, Dr. Luther E. and Martha (Booth) Moore, still reside in Searcy, where the mother was born, but the father's birth occurred in Tennessee in 1851. They were married in Searcy, February 22, 1886, and Dr. Moore continues in the active prac- tice of medicine and surgery there. In politics he is a democrat. To him and his wife have been born three sons and two daughters, but the latter have departed this life.

Dr. Moore, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the public and high schools of his native city until graduated with the class of 1904. He was afterward for four years a student in Hendrix College of Arkansas and later went to the Vanderbilt University, in which he spent three years, devoting two years of that time to medical study. He next matriculated in Columbia University of New York as a medical student and was graduated in 1914. Later he spent eighteen months in the New York Polyclinic as an interne and subsequently was interne at Bellevue Hospital for a year. In December, 1917, he came to Little Rock, where he opened an office and entered upon the active work of the profession. On the 18th of August of that year, he had been commissioned a first lieutenant of the Medical Corps and was at Camp Pike, Arkansas, until September 25, 1918. In October of the same year he went overseas and was assigned to Base Hospital, No. 65, at Brest, France, there re- maining until February, 1919, when he was assigned to Field Hospital, No. 2, at Dernbach, Germany, remaining at that place until August 20, 1919, when he returned

102

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

to Little Rock and resumed the active practice of his profession. He specializes on the ear, nose and throat as a member of the firm of Scarborough, Ogden, Zell & Judd, one of the best known and most prominent firms of the state.

Dr. Moore belongs to the Little Rock Country Club and his social qualities have gained for him many friends. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He neglects no duty nor obligation of citizenship but concentrates the greater part of his time and attention upon his professional interests, which are be- coming increasingly more important as the years pass.

HENRY S. JONES.

Henry S. Jones, banker, merchant and rice grower, living at Gillett, is through his various lines of activity closely associated with the commercial development and progress of this section of the state. He is a man of undaunted enterprise, to whom obstacles and difficulties seem no bar to the attainment of his purpose, for he overcomes these by determined and persistent efforts, while at all times his business activities have been most intelligently directed.

Mr. Jones is a native of Eugene, Vermilion county, Indiana, his birth having occurred in 1863. His parents were J. A. and A. M. (Craig) Jones, the former a native of Spring- field, Ohio, and a son of Louis Jones, who was a farmer and blacksmith and who in the year 1824 removed to Indiana, casting in his lot among the pioneer residents of Ver- milion county. There his son, J. A. Jones, was reared and made his home until 1879, when he came to Arkansas, settling near Arkansas Post, where he departed this life. His widow, who afterward removed to Gillett, was a daughter of John and Olive (Googans) Craig. Her father was born in Kentucky, whence he removed to Indiana, living for some time in Ripley county. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Jones had a family of five children: L. C .; Henry S .; J. M., deceased; Mary Etta; and Naomi, who is the wife of Albert Dohman.

Henry S. Jones was a youth of sixteen years when his parents came to Arkansas and in the public schools of Gillett he completed his education, which had been begun in the public schools of his native county. He afterward became identified with cattle raising and subsequently turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in Gillett. Here he owns and conducts a store that is one of the leading mercantile interests of the city. It is well appointed in every particular and the large line of goods which he handles enables him readily to supply the wants of his patrons. He also controls a thousand acres of rice land and in this manner is closely associated with rice production, which has become one of the most important industries of this part of the state. He is also the president of the Bank of Gillett and is proving his ability to handle various interests and handle all successfully. He is still associated with W. H. Truax in his general merchandise interest, the partnership having existed since Mr. Jones entered mercantile circles.

In 1916 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Truax, a daughter of James Truax of Gillett, and they are prominently known in this section of the state, where the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Jones is a Mason of high rank, having attained the thiry-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is much interested in the growth of the organization and has exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. The major part of his time and attention, however, has been concentrated upon his constantly expanding business interests and step by step he has advanced, his orderly progression at all times bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. Today he is recognized as one of the forceful figures in agricultural, commercial and financial circles in Arkansas county.

ADDISON C. TENNANT.

Addison C. Tennant, who is engaged in farming, his home being in the vicinity of Farmington, is a native son of Washington county, Arkansas, born January 14, 1846. The Tennant family is of English origin and was founded in America at an early day. The grandfather was a native of Virginia and went west at an early period, after which nothing was heard of him. His son, Thomas H. Tennant, was born in Virginia and he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Washington county, Arkansas. He was first married near Little Rock and there were eight children born of that union, but

103

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

only one is living, Mrs. Adeline Pyeatt, who makes her home in the state of Washington. For his second wife Mr. Tennant chose Mrs. Stover, a widow, whose maiden name was Clarissa White. She was born in Murray county, Tennessee, and this marriage was celebrated in Washington county, Arkansas. The following children were born of the second marriage: Addison C., of this review; T. S., a farmer, living near Summers, Arkansas; Mrs. Alva Black of Merkel, Texas. The father was always a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and his political support was given to the democratic party. He was a successful farmer who took up land of the government in pioneer times and in the early period of the state's development and killed many deer and bears here. He was a man of notable strength and had a marvelous voice which carried seven miles. He lived to the notable age of one hundred and fifteen years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 16

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