Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 164

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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various branches of church work. They had a family of three children: Alice, who is the wife of J. K. Connor, a merchant of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma; George O .; and J. H., who also carries on mercantile pursuits in Pauls Valley.

Liberal educational advantages were accorded George O. Patterson, who was educated in Quitman College, from which he was graduated in 1890. He came to Clarksville in 1893 and read law under J. E. Cravens and A. S. McKennon, being admitted to the bar in 1894. He then entered upon practice in which he has con- tinued to the present time, his ability increasing with the passing years, so that his success has been augmented as time has passed by and he now ranks with the ablest representatives of the profession in this part of the state. For ten years he practiced in connection with his former preceptor, A. S. McKennon, and has now for a number of years been a partner of H. H. Ragon. They have a large clientage of a distinctively representative character and the court records bear testimony to the many favorable verdicts which they have won. In his law practice Mr. Patterson represents a number of important corporations and is regarded as a strong advocate and safe counselor. His corporation practice connects him with two banks and various mining interests and he is also local attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He devotes most of his life to his law practice which is now very exten- sive and of a most important character and in addition he has coal interests which are large and profitable.

In 1901 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Susie McConnell, a daugh- ter of E. T. McConnell, an early resident of Clarksville, who has now retired from business and is numbered among the men of affluence of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have become parents of two sons: George O., who is attending co !- lege in Clarksville; and Edward Hall, also a college student. Mr. Patterson is a democrat in his political views and served as a member of the constitutional con- vention of the state in 1918. While he has always taken an active part in politics he has never been a candidate for office, but his aid can be counted upon to further all plans and measures for the public good. He belongs to the State Bar Association and fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Patterson is particularly active in the work of the church and its various societies. Wherever they are known-and they have a wide acquaintance throughout the state-they are held in the highest esteem and their interests, broad, varied and important, have brought them into prominent public relations.

R. A. HUTSON.

R. A. Hutson, banker and merchant, conducting important business interests along these lines at Carlisle and thus contributing in substantial measure to the: growth and upbuilding of the community, was born on a farm in Lonoke county about seven miles north of Carlisle, in the year 1859. His parents were L. W. and Jane (Cummins) Hutson and the father was a native of Alabama, while the mother was born in Tennessee. L. W. Hutson removed from Alabama to Tallahatchie county, Mississippi, and afterward came to Arkansas. His wife accompanied her parents on their removal to Lonoke county, where the Cummins family cast in their lot in early pioneer times. At the outbreak of the Civil war, L. W. Hutson joined the Confederate army and served throughout the period of hostilities. To him and his wife were born ten children, two of whom are living: R. A .; and Louis W., a resident of Prairie county.

R. A. Hutson was educated in the country schools, therein mastering the elemen- tary branches of learning and after starting out in the business world he became an employe of the Bank of Carlisle. He was made cashier of the institution and sub- sequently was elected to the presidency, in which office he continues, bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control of the bank and at all times manifesting a safe conservative policy that insures the success of the institution. He further extended the scope of his activities in 1908 when he entered into part- nership with W. H. Nichols and established a mercantile husiness. They opened a general store which from the beginning has prospered and they now carry an exten- sixe line of goods and have a most liberal patronage. Their success has been due to their straightforward business methods, their earnest efforts to please their customers and the high standards which they at all times maintain in the conduct of their commercial interests.

Mr. Hutson was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. White, a daughter of G. H. White, who came to Arkansas from the vicinity of Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr.

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and Mrs. Hutson became the parents of a large family of sons and daughters, all of whom are living except Henry, who was accidentally shot at the age of sixteen years. The others are: Robert A., who married Bessie Reed; Clarence E .; Wylie; Ray and Roy (twins); Joseph; Grover; Esther; Ruth; Jane; and Wilbur. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church and Mr. Hutson has long been a faithful follower of its teachings. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Woodmen of the World. While he has never sought nor desired political office he has served on the school board and the cause of education has benefited by his championship and his earnest efforts to advance the interests of the school. He stands for progress in all things and his labors, therefore, have been a contrib- uting element in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the com- munity.

CAPTAIN N. TERRY ROBERTS.

Captain N. Terry Roberts had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years when "the weary wheels of life at length stood still" and he ceased from his labors, which had been continuous for many years, making him a substantial citizen of Jefferson county, esteemed and honored by all who knew him. He resided at Pine Bluff during thirty-eight years of this period, departing this life March 4, 1922. He was born in Limestone county, Alabama, June 7, 1836, his parents being John and Martha (Jones) Roberts, who had a family of several children.

N. Terry Roberts acquired his early education in private schools at Greensboro, Alabama, and afterward pursued a four years' course at the preparatory school of the University of Virginia. With the completion of that period of study he returned to his home in Alabama and took up the occupation of farming, which claimed his attention until 1860. In that year he arrived in Arkansas, taking up his abode on Old river in Pulaski county, where he remained until the spring of 1868, when he became a resident of Jefferson county. He was twenty-five years of age, when in the spring of 1861 he joined Company G, of the First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, under command of Colonel Churchill and on the organization of the regiment he was ap- pointed sergeant major. They rendezvoused at Fort Smith and with the completion of the military unit the regiment was ordered to Missouri to the support of General Raines, whom they joined at Carthage, where minor engagements occurred. Later they returned to Benton, Arkansas, where the regiment was brigaded with the Third Louisiana Infantry, the Third Texas Cavalry and Churchill's Arkansas Mounted Rifles. The troops then marched toward Springfield, Missouri, and at Wilson's creek joined the Missouri forces under General Sterling Price, participating in the battle at Oak Hill on the 10th of August, 1861. It was in that engagement that Mr. Roberts was wounded, a shot penetrating from the left to the right shoulder. This disabled him for active field duty until the following March, when he rejoined his command at Spadra Bluff, Johnson county, Arkansas, arriving just in time to march with his comrades to the front. They participated in the two days' battle at Elkhorn Tavern, where Mr. Roberts was serving as adjutant, having been appointed first lieutenant and assigned to duty with Colonel Churchill. Later the regiment went to Memphis and was attached to the Army of the Tennessee. With his brigade he participated in the battle of Farm- ington, Tennessee, and in a raid into Kentucky. About that time he was appointed captain in the provisional army and assigned to duty as commander of his original company. Following the battle of Murfreesboro he was ordered to report to General Holmes, who was in command of the Army of the West, with Little Rock as head- quarters and by him was assigned to duty as inspector of the conscript camps of Arkansas. He remained in that position until the spring of 1863, when he reported to General James Fagan at Monticello, Arkansas, and was ordered into the enemy's lines near Little Rock for such information as he could gather of the Federal forces and to raise and equip a company of cavalry, which he did in a few weeks. He was next ordered to report to General Fagan at Tulip, Arkansas, and from that place accom- panied the general in Price's last raid into Missouri. Later Captain Roberts' company was attached to Monroe's regiment in Cabell's brigade and surrendered at Corsicana, Texas, in May, 1865.

With the cessation of hostilities Mr. Roberts returned to Arkansas and again took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in Pulaski county until 1868 and then removed to Jefferson county, giving his attention to the development and improvement of a farm at Wabbaseka until 1884. It was he who gave the town the old Indian name of Wabbaseka. He was called to public office in 1884, being elected county and pro- bate clerk of Jefferson county and in order to be at the seat of justice he removed to Pine Bluff. Three times he was elected to fill the position, continuing in the office for

CAPTAIN N. TERRY ROBERTS

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six years, after which he turned his attention to the abstract business, organizing the Roberts Abstract Company, which was later sold to the Byington Abstract Company, while the business is still being carried on under the name of the Jefferson Abstract Company. He became one of the original directors of the Simmons National Bank, which he aided in organizing and one of his last business acts was to attend the bank board meeting on Monday prior to his demise. He retired from the abstract business, however, a number of years prior to his death and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest.

Captain Roberts was married twice. In 1867 he wedded Lucy Jones of Pulaski county, Arkansas, who departed this life in the winter of 1868. Ou the 24th of Novem- ber, 1880, he wedded Miss Florence White of Pine Bluff, a daughter of James and Dorcas (Trimble) White, the former at one time mayor of Pine Bluff. To Captain and Mrs. Roberts was born one child, King T., who completed his education in the University of Arkansas and afterward became associated with his father in the abstract business at Pine Bluff, under the firm style of N. T. Roberts & Son. He assumed entire control of the business at his father's retirement in January, 1905, and conducted the same until his death in July, 1908, when he was twenty-six years of age. He had married Miss Anna Bell Taylor, a daughter of Congressman Sam M. Taylor, their wedding being celebrated in 1906, and they became parents of one child, Taylor Roberts. It was on the 4th of March, 1922, that Captain Roberts departed this life. He had figured promi- nently in connection with many phases of public life in his community. He was a stanch supporter of democratic principles and made an excellent record as a county official; he was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and he was the first man initiated into Sahara Temple of the Mystic Shrine; he was elected major general in the state organization of the United Confederate Veterans; and he was one of the organizers of the Lakeside Methodist church, serving as the first superintendent of its Sunday school and taking active part in all the work promoted by that church for the moral uplift of the community. His entire life was actuated by his Christian belief, which constituted the guiding spirit in his career from early age. To know Captain Roberts was to esteem and honor him. Long life was accorded him and the world is better for his having lived.

"When rest is fraught with threescore years and ten,

Like time's blessed halo on the Pilgrim's head;

When death comes gently and he drops to sleep As gently as a child upon its bed- This is not sad."

Like the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noon-tide of activity, its evening of successful and accomplished efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this good man.

HON. CLAUDE THOMPSON.

Hon. Claude Thompson, state senator from Fort Smith, has devoted much of his life to public service and in office has so discharged his duties as to win the confidence and respect of the entire community and commonwealth. A native of Mississippi, he was born in the city of Carthage, February 9, 1871, his parents being George W. and Mollie (Wilder) Thompson. The father was a farmer and mer- chant, living at Canton, Mississippi, where he carried on both lines of business with success.

Claude Thompson was reared upon the home farm in Mississippi, early becom- ing familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His educational advantages were those accorded by the public school system of the state. He left home when about nineteen or twenty years of age and came to Arkansas, starting in business life as an employe in a store at Mansfield, this state. He sub- sequently traveled for the William Echols wholesale dry goods house of Fort Smith and later went to St. Louis, where he became a traveling salesman for the large Hargadine & McKittrick Dry Goods Company, continuing with that house until he returned to Fort Smith.

It was about that time that Mr. Thompson entered upon his political career, for he became chief deputy sheriff under T. A. Norris, then sheriff of Fort Smith, and acted in that capacity for four years. In 1914 he was elected to the office of sheriff and that he discharged his duties with notable promptness, capability and fidelity is indicated in the fact that he was reelected and continued to serve for three successive terms or until 1920. He was the first deputy sheriff of the county that was ever made sheriff and he was elected to this office by the largest majority

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ever given a candidate. In 1920 higher political honors came to him in his election to the state senate by a large majority and without solicitation on his part. He is now filling this position and is giving most thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which come up for settlement in the general assembly. He has never lightly regarded the duties of citizenship but has faithfully met every obliga- tion that has devolved upon him and his course has wrought for good to the com- munity and to the state. In business circles, too, Mr. Thompson is well known and is now secretary and treasurer of the Collier Commission Company, wholesale deal- ers in flour and produce. This business has grown to substantial proportions and in commercial connections Mr. Thompson displays initiative, enterprise and pro- gressiveness that bring substantial results.

In 1896 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Emma Hughes, who was born in Leake county, Mississippi. Their children are Claude Hughes and James Howard. The former served in the navy in the World war, being stationed at Hampton Roads.

Mr. Thompson is a member of the National Sheriffs Association and also of the Traveling Men's Association. He likewise belongs to the Business Men's Club of Fort Smith and heartily cooperates in all plans and projects for the development and improvement of business conditions. That he is appreciative of the social amenities of life and recognizes the obligations which the individual bears to his fellowman is indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, loyally following the teachings and high purposes of these different societies. He is also a popular member of the Country Club.

STONEWALL JACKSON BEAUCHAMP

Stonewall Jackson Beauchamp, president of the Terminal Warehouse Company of Little Rock, is widely known as one of the progressive and reliable business men of the south, actuated by a determined spirit that is based upon well defined plans and a thorough understanding of every business situation which he handles. Mr. Beauchamp is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in the city of Mem- phis, September 8, 1862, his parents being William Thomas and Virginia C. (Hal- stead) Beauchamp. The Beauchamp family is descended from the royalty of France and migrated to England to avoid religious persecution. Lord Beauchamp, the name heing pronounced Beacham, is president of the Cheque Bank of England and is of the same direct line. In 1870 the parents removed to Little Rock, and in the capital city, S. J. Beauchamp received his education and business training, which has made him one of the sterling representatives of commercial activity.

From 1876 until 1887 Mr. Beauchamp was engaged in the dry goods business with one firm, a fact indicative of his capability and fidelity. In the latter year the corporation was reorganized under the name of the Arkansas Carpet & Furniture Company and Mr. Beauchamp's sterling traits were recognized by his election to the vice presidency of the company, of which he was also made manager. He served in the dual position until 1909, when ill health forced his retirement from active business. During the twenty-two years in which he conducted the interests of the company the business had grown until the establishment was the leading concern of the kind in the city. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to the nature of Mr. Beauchamp and after a brief retirement he could no longer content himself without active business connection. About 1902 he organized and built the Oates Mattress Company and the Little Rock Furniture Manufacturing Company, two of the leading manufacturing concerns of Little Rock. He then developed one of the most important manufacturing plants in the state. He built and equipped a large building and established the Joppa Mattress Manufacturing Company, a concern known all over the American continent. For three years Mr. Beanchamp was presi- dent of the company and then his health again forced a cessation of his activity. Selling out the larger part of his interest in the mattress company he devoted the succeeding three years to the real estate business, which enabled him to spend much of his time out-of-doors. In 1913 he erected the handsome three-story and basement warehouse and organized the Terminal Warehouse Company, of which he is presi- dent and manager. The structure is of steel and concrete with eighty-five thousand square feet of space, track connections with all lines and a rapid motor truck service, supplied by five large trucks and three ton semi trailers. One of the features of the concern is its pool car service, which is of great value to its patrons. The com- pany conducts a dry storage warehouse and is distributor for some of America's largest firms, among which may be named the Proctor & Gamble Company, the

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California Associated Raisiu Company, Sears, Roebuck & Company and most of the large cane and beet sugar refineries. They have today the largest warehouse in the south, the structure being one hundred and fifty by one hundred and forty feet and they are the largest pool car distributors in the south. It can thus be readily seen that the Terminal Warehouse Company is an important adjunct to the business life of Arkansas, offering as it does reliable and unlimited service to the jobber, manu- facturer and storer of merchandise. The company gives employment to twenty-five people and the success of the business is the direct outcome of the enterprise and initiative of the man who is at the head.

In 1889 Mr. Beauchamp was married to Miss Hattie May Smith, a daughter of Edward Smith of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Beauchamp is a college woman of much charm and refinement, a pleasing hostess and a model mother. Their children are: Fay, who is a graduate of the Little Rock high school and of Galloway Col- lege; Martha, a student in the Little Rock high school; and Stonewall J. (11), a senior in the University of Arkansas, a young man giving evidence of great promise. He is a strong and forceful debater and orator and has represented the university on many occasions in oratorical contests. He inherits a large share of his father's business ability and seems to be a natural salesman.

Politically Mr. Beauchamp is a democrat and fraternally is a Mason and mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious faith is indicated in his connection with the First Christian church, of which he is a deacon. His in- terest centers in all those channels which make for progress, for improvement, for reform and for the right. He has achieved much in a business way as the result of his capability and intelligently directed efforts but the attainment of wealth has never been the sole end and aim of his life; on the contrary, he has always main- tained an even balance between the subjective and objective forces and interests of life and has never failed to serve humanity when the occasion has offered or the need arisen. He has attained to a point of leadership in his line of business in the south and at the same time has ever commanded the fullest confidence and respect of all with whom he has been associated, showing that his methods have always been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

WILLIAM THOMAS MAXWELL.

Careful in choosing her public officials, Arkansas has usually had most capable men to administer her public business and the results achieved, therefore, have con- tributed to her continued growth, development and prosperity. Deserving of classi- fication with those who have been most loyal to the interest of the commonwealth in public affairs, is William Thomas Maxwell, who is now state bank commissioner, with office in Little Rock. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Bentonville, Benton county, on the 22d of February, 1872. His father, Leander Maxwell, is also a native of the same county, his birth having occurred in 1842. He has always resided within the borders of that county and is still one of its honored and highly respected citizens. At the time of the Civil war he joined Price's com- mand and was at the front throughout the period of hostilities. He was captured at Corinth, Mississippi, and held as a prisoner of war for five or six months, after which he was paroled and saw no more active service. In days of peace, he has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits and is one of the well known farmers of the northwestern part of the state. His political endorsement has ever been given to the democratic party. It was in 1866, in Benton county, that he mar- ried Emmeline Maxwell, who was born in that county, in 1846, and who died in May, 1902. They had become the parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom one son died at the age of forty-three years, but the others are living.

William Thomas Maxwell, the third in order of birth in the family, acquired his early education in the schools of his native town and afterward became a student in Mount Vernon College at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where he was graduated in 1893 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He afterward took up the profession of teaching and has always been a stalwart champion of the cause of education. From 1896 until 1900 he was superintendent of schools in Benton county, Arkansas, and was again called to public office when in 1906 he was made clerk of the circuit and chancery courts of Benton county, occupying that position for four years, or until 1910. In the meantime he took up the study of law with the intention and purpose of becoming an active member of the bar and pursued his readings until admitted to practice before the courts of the state in 1910. He then at once entered upon the work of the profession, opening a law office in Bentonville, Benton county, and

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remaining in active professional work until 1914, when he was appointed to a posi- tion in the Arkansas state banking department, thus serving until April 1, 1919, when Governor Brough appointed him state bank commissioner to fill out the un- expired term of A. J. Reap, who resigned. He is now acting in that capacity and his previous experience with the state banking department, combined with his knowledge of legal principles and especially the law relating to banks and corpora- tions, make him splendidly qualified for the prompt and efficient discharge of the duties that now devolve upon him.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 164

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