Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 167

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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Dr. Brewer is an expert horseman, having been a member of the Colonia Du Blan (Mexico) polo team. He has traveled extensively both at home and abroad, and being a lover of nature and the out-of-doors, he has done a great deal of hunting in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Early in his career he realized that one must be willing to pay the price of success, which is gained only at the cost of earnest, self-denying effort, and along these lines he has labored for advancement, winning recognition as one of the leading physicians of Hot Springs. His record is an exemplary one in all respects, for in every relation of life he measures up to the highest type of American manhood and citizenship.

PERRY FIELDING CHAPPELL.

Perry Fielding Chappell, state oil inspector of Arkansas with offices in Little Rock, has made a splendid record in office and has been called to various positions by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize his marked ability and his fidelity to the public charge. Moreover, he is widely known as a prominent repre- sentative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in 1911 was elected grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He was born on a farm in Clark county, Arkansas, May 19, 1873, and is a son of Fielding A. and Margaret (Janes) Chappell. The father's birth occurred on a farm in Pike county, Indiana, while the mother was a native of Clark conuty, Arkansas. In the late '50s Fielding A. Chappell he- came a resident of this state, where he resided thereafter to the time of his demise. He was an attorney by profession, devoting his life successfully to the practice of law for many years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Missouri troops, who espoused the cause of the Confederacy, going to the front as a captain with a Missouri regiment. He was captured at Helena, Arkansas, and was held as a prisoner of war at Johnson's Island and at other places. Following the close of hostilities he returned to his home in Clark county and there continued to reside to the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. His wife is still living and now makes her home in Hot

Springs. They were married in Clark county, in 1866, and hecame the parents of four children, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy. The two living are: Sidney A., who is living in Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Perry F., of this review.

The last named was but an infant when his widowed mother removed from Arkansas to Algiers, Pike county, Indiana. There he pursued his early education in the public schools, while afterward he entered the Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1894, studying in that institution for some time. He afterward went to Prescott, Arkansas, to become a teacher in a high school and continued to devote his attention to teaching in Prescott and other places until 1912. He was also for a time engaged in the life insurance business, becoming superintendent of agents for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York City. For five terms he filled the office of county examiner of schools in Nevada county. In 1911 he was made superintendent of the Boys' Industrial School at Little Rock and occupied that posi-

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tion for two years. In 1907 he was appointed warrant clerk in the state auditor's office, where he remained for four years. In January, 1921, he was appointed as commissioner of immigration for Arkansas and so served for two months, when he resigned to accept the appointment of state oil inspector, which position he is now filling. He has made a most creditable record in public office, both in connection with the schools and in the other offices which he has filled. His progressiveness and his loyalty to the trust reposed in him stand as unquestioned facts in his career.

Mr. Chappell was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Thomas in 1897. She was born in Pike county, Indiana, a daughter of George W. and Matilda (Smith) Thomas, who were also natives of Indiana and resided for many years in Pike county. Mrs. Chappell was a capable teacher prior to her marriage, having enjoyed the liberal education advantages offered by the Southern Indiana Normal school at Princeton, Indiana. While Mr. Chappell filled the office of superintendent of the Boys' Industrial Schcol she proved a most able assistant to him as a result of her previous experience as a teacher.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Chappell are consistent members of the Christian church. Politically he is a democrat and aside from the offices already mentioned which he has filled, he was elected in 1903 to the state legislature of Arkansas from Nevada county. While a member of the general assembly he closely studied the vital ques- tions which came up for settlement and gave his support to many plans and measures of public benefit. He is prominently known in fraternal circles as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias, being particularly active in the latter. He joined the order at Prescott, Arkausas, in 1903, becoming a member of Dixie Lodge, No. 87, and the same year he was elected to the office of chancellor commander in that lodge. In 1907 he was elected grand inner guard of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in 1908 became grand master of arms, in 1909, grand prelate, in 1910, graud vice councellor and in 1911 attained the highest office in the gift of the order in the state, through his election to the position of grand chancellor. His life has indeed been a worthy exposition of the high principles upon which this organization is based.

EDMOND P. WATSON.

Since 1920 Edmond P. Watson has been serving as clerk of the circuit court of Washington county. He is a uative of this county, his birth having occurred on the 1st of November, 1868, a son of William A. and Sarah Ann ( Howell) Watson. His father was boru in Virginia and his mother was a native of Arkansas, in which latter state their marriage was celebrated. In 1845 Mr. Watson removed to Arkan- sas and engaged in the mercantile business at Fayetteville prior to the Civil war. He won prominence in that connection and was one of the popular men of the community. For some time he was active as postmaster of Fayetteville. After the war he purchased a farm on Cane Hill and resided there until his death in 1901. Mrs. Watson died at Prairie Grove in the latter part of the same year. Twelve children were born to their union, seven of whom are living: W. A., is engaged in the railway mail service and makes his home at Monett, Missouri; Susie is a trained nurse; Fannie is the widow of L. D. Woody and resides in Fayetteville; Edmond P., whose name initiates this review; Leonard S., a merchant of Mena, this state; Nellie, the wife of Frank Sittel, a real estate man and oil dealer of MeAlester, Oklahoma; and Frank W., a merchant of Okmulgee. Throughout her life Mrs. Watson was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and her husband was inclined toward the Episcopal faith. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government.

In the acquirement of an education Edmond P. Watson attended the common schools of Washington county and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in farming until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he went to McAlester, Oklahoma, where he clerked in his brother's store and was assistant postmaster for one year. Returning to Fayetteville he worked in a store there for some time. Removing to Prairie Grove he engaged in the mercantile business on his own ac- count, but suffered loss through the burning of his establishment and subsequently returned to Fayetteville. For the next two years he was in the employ of the National Packing Company but resigned his position with them to become connty clerk, to which office he was elected in 1908. He was active in that capacity for a term of four years and then became associated with a bank at Elkins as cashier. He maintained that association for some time, but eventually severed his relations with

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the bank and again returned to Fayetteville and became active as clerk of the circuit and chancery courts and as recorder. After six years in those offices he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Washington county and is now devoting his time to performing duties of that office.

In 1900 Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Helen Thompson, a native of Arkansas and a daughter of J. S. Thompson, a farmer of Washington county. To their union three children have been born: Grace, attending the State University; Edmond T., a student in the high school; and Leonard Hayden, a grade school student.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Watson has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and the principles for which it stands. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He has passed through all of the chairs of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Grand Lodge. The success that Mr. Watson has attained is the result of his own ability and intelligently directed effort. To him a public office is a public trust and his integrity in office is worthy of the highest commendation.

JUDGE J. S. MAPLES.

Judge J. S. Maples, who has made creditable contribution to the history of Carroll county by his service on the bench and who is now devoting his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, was born in this county in 1862 and is a son of James G. and Ann (Tate) Maples, who were natives of Tennessee and of Kentucky respectively. They were married, however, in Arkansas, the father having come to Carroll county in 1837. Here he purchased land and lived upon his farm to the time of his death. He was a son of Jesse Maples, a native of Tennessee, in which state he followed the occupation of farming to the time of his demise. James G. Maples served as a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war for a short time. He was mar- ried twice and by his first marriage had one son, Russell R. Maples, who took his place in the war and served through the period of hostilities, living for a number of years after the war ended. By his marriage to Ann Tate, James G. Maples had a family of ten children, of whom four are living: Jesse T., who is a farmer residing near Denver, Arkansas; J. S., of this review; B. C., living on a farm near Berryville; and H. C., a farmer at Green Forest. The father was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his political faith was a democrat. He died at the age of seventy-eight years, while his widow, who came to Carroll county in 1836, is still living at the notable old age of ninety-two, having for more than eighty-five years heen a resident of Carroll county, so that her memory forms a connecting link be- tween the primitive and the progressive present.

J. S. Maples was educated in the common schools of Arkansas, although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited. He started out in life in connection with farming but afterward took up the study of law under the direction of O. W. Watkins of Eureka Springs and was admitted to the bar in 1889. He then began practice at Berryville, Arkansas, where he followed his profession until elected circuit clerk, which position he filled for four years. On the expiration of that period he was elected county judge and remained upon the bench for four years, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. Three times he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney and while he was filling the position for the third term a vacancy occurred on the circuit bench and he was appointed circuit judge by Jeff Davis, serving out the unexpired term of a year. He was then elected for three successive terms and served upon the circuit bench altogether for thirteen years, being defeated, however, in 1917 owing to the fact that he was doing war work and never spent a day in making a canvass. Notwithstanding this he carried three counties in a district of four counties but was defeated by a small majority. His course upon the bench was in harmony with his record as a man and lawyer. distinguished by marked fidelity to duty and by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. After the last election he returned to his farm, whereon he had resided for fifteen years, and through the intervening period to the present has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his agricultural interests. He has a farm of two hundred and ten acres-a splendid tract of land richly arable and productive. Upon the place he also has an excellent orchard of twenty acres and he is extensively engaged in raising live stock. In fact the various interests of the farm are proving profitable, so that he is winning success through the cultivation of diversified crops, through his orcharding and through his live stock sales.

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In 1884 Judge Maples was united in marriage to Miss Mattie McQuown, who was born in Kentucky and is a daughter of H. C. McQuown, who removed to Texas but later became a resident of Arkansas. After a short time, however, he returned to Texas, where his remaining days were passed, his life being devoted to the work of the church as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. To Judge and Mrs. Maples have been born six children, of whom Rex and Gip died in infancy. The others are Ree, who is the wife of Fred Howe, a farmer of Carroll county ; Ruth, at home; Katherine, the wife of Troy Price, living on a farm in Carroll county; and Joe, a daughter, who is in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The Judge and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and be is also a loyal follower of Masonry, being a Royal Arch Mason and a past master of his lodge. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served as noble grand. He has membership with the Knights of Pythias and with the Anti-Horse-Thief Association and he gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratie party. He has been active in politics from early manhood and has done con- siderable campaign work. He has attended various state conventions as a delegate and his opinions have long carried weight in the councils of his party. In fact he has been an influential factor in connection with public affairs along many lines and has made valuable contribution to the progress and development of this section of the state. Aside from his farming interests he is now one of the directors of the First National Bank of Berryville, and his cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general good.

SAM NUNNELEY.

Sam Nunneley, a capitalist who is now living retired in Fayetteville, his time being given to the supervision of his invested interests, which include extensive land hold- ings in Madison county, was born near Huntsville, Arkansas, February 7, 1870, and is a son of Sam Houston Nunneley, who was a native of Arkansas. The mother of Mr. Nunneley of this review bore the maiden name of Rachel Elizabeth Bowman and is a native of Tennessee. The grandfather in the paternal line was Joseph Alexander Nun- neley, a native of Hickman county, Tennessee, who hecame one of the pioneer residents of Carroll and Madison counties, Arkansas, where he followed farming to the time of his death. At one time he served as sheriff of Carroll county. The maternal grand- father, James Elton Bowman, was also horn in Tennessee and became one of the early residents of Madison county, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and to the practice of law. Sam Houston Nunneley was reared and educated in Arkansas and in 1861 entered the Confederate army, with which he served throughout the war. He served as first lieutenant and was captured and for thirteen months was incarcerated in Camp Morton prison, Indiana, escaping in August, 1864. He was a physician hy pro- fession and continued in the practice of medicine at Dardanelle, Arkansas, until his death, which occurred in 1872. His political allegiance was given to the demo- cratic party.

In his youthful days Sam Nunneley attended the schools of Madison, Carroll and Washington counties and when eighteen years of age took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a time, while later he turned his attention to merchandising. He was afterward called to the office of circuit clerk of Madison county in 1896, in which position he served for four years, and following his retirement from office in 1900 he organized the First National Bank of Huntsville, becoming cashier, in which capacity he continued to serve for a decade. He then severed his connection with that institution and organized the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Huntsville, in March, 1911, of which he was president for five years. He thoroughly studied every phase and problem of the banking business and displayed marked capability in the management of the financial interests under his control. As he prospered he made large investment in land, pur- chasing farms from time to time, and he still owns twelve thousand five hundred acres in Madison county, thus making him bue of the extensive landowners of that section of the state. Most of his land is timber, but he has some farm land which he cultivates

On April 18, 1897, Mr. Nunneley was married to Miss Mamie D. Lowry, who was born in Huntsville, Arkansas, a daughter of William S. Lowry, who was a pioneer of Huntsville and who served as sheriff and also as treasurer of Madison county for a number of terms. Mr. and Mrs. Nunneley have become parents of three children: Dorothy Baldwin, who died in 1901; Samuel Lowry, now a high school pupil; and Lorin Polk, five years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Nunneley are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Nunneley is also a Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter and council. He votes with the

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democratic party and was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Wood- row Wilson at Baltimore. He was also appointed deputy internal revenue collector on the 15th of December, 1917, and filled the office until September 11, 1921, when he re- signed. In October, 1916, he removed to Fayetteville and purchased a heautiful home on Mont Nord. He is now devoting his entire time to his personal interests. He started out in the business world empty-handed. Steadily he has improved his fi- nancial condition hy his capable management and business ability and today he is one of the prosperous residents of northwestern Arkansas, justly meriting the success that has come to him by reason of the commendable methods he has followed in its at- tainment.

HON. JOHN J. SUMPTER.

The life record of Hon. John J. Sumpter forms an integral chapter in the history of Arkansas. He was for many years a distinguished resident of Hot Springs and of the state, leaving the impress of his individuality upon public records by reason of his service as a legislator and as a distinguished member of the bar. In Masonic circles and in political connections he was also prominently known and at all times was actuated by a most progressive spirit that reached out in helpful relations along many lines. Mr. Sumpter was born in Warren county, Missouri, and was but a child when his parents removed to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was reared and educated. 'After completing his preliminary course of study he determined upon the practice of law as a life work and began preparation for the bar. He hecame one of the foremost attorneys of Hot Springs, his name figuring prominently in connection with much important litigation heard in the courts of the state. He was admitted to the supreme court in March, 1873, and his legal record at all times reflected credit and honor upon the history of the Arkansas bar. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care and saw with notable readiness the relation of fact to the principles of jurispru- dence. He possessed an analytical mind, was clear and logical in his reasoning and sound in his deductions. He was regarded both as an able advocate and wise counselor and public opinion long accorded him prominence in professional circles.

Mr. Sumpter was also instrumental in promoting many interests of public impor- tance to the city and the state. He took active part in having Garland county created from a part of Hot Spring county and was the first elected sheriff of the new county. He also served for four terms as a member of the Arkansas state legislature, sitting in the house of representatives for two terms and in the senate for an equal period. He gave the most thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement during his legislative experience and the clearness of his reason- ing as he discussed public questions in the house and the senate often drew to a measure a strong following. In politics he was always an unswerving democrat and was one of the first among the representatives of his party elected to the state legislature following the Civil war. For eight years he served as a member of the state central democratic committee and was nearly always elected chairman of the Garland county committee without opposition.

Mr. Sumpter was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Casey, a native of Bolivar. Tennessee.

The military record of Mr. Sumpter covered active service in the Civil war. With the outhreak of hostilities between the north and the south he became an officer in the Third Arkansas Cavalry of the Confederate forces and later he was an active participant in the Brooks-Baxter war. In Masonic circles he was highly honored and esteemed, filling the office of grand master of the grand lodge and grand high priest of the Royal Arch chapter, while Sumpter Lodge of Hot Springs was named in his honor, showing how high was his standing in Masonic circles. He served as master of his local lodge from 1871 until 1882 and from that point progressed in the state organiza- tions of Masonry until he was accorded the highest honors of both the grand lodge and the grand chapter. He died in 1899, at the comparatively early age of fifty-seven years, and deep regret was felt at his passing, for he was one of the most influential men 01 his day in this part of the state and the high standards which he always maintained well fitted him for leadership.

His son, Judge O. H. Sumpter, attorney at law, with offices at Hot Springs and at El Dorado and recognized as one of the leading lawyers of Garland county, was born December 19, 1872. He was educated at the University of North Carolina, from which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894. In February of that year he was admitted to practice in the North Carolina courts and later in the year entered upon the active work of his profession in Hot Springs. He rapidly won the attention of the bar by reason of the ability which he displayed in handling his cases

HON. JOHN J. SUMPTER

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in the courts, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his fitness for leadership, called him to public office. Mr. Sumpter is a democrat. He was elected alderman of the third ward and held the position until 1902, when he resigned from the office to accept that of county and probate judge, serving on the bench for three terms. He was one of the leaders in the movement for a new courthouse, which resulted in the building of the present modern structure in 1905. He has at all times been loyally interested in every project for the public good and his aid and cooperation have been potent elements in bringing about desired results. He is now giving his attention largely to his prac- tice, maintaining an office in Hot Springs and El Dorado, where he has heavy oil interests. His clientage is large and the legal business entrusted to his care is usually of a most important character.

In 1915 O. H. Sumpter was married to Miss Mary Cooper of Lincoln, Nebraska. Judge Sumpter is a Mason, belonging to Hot Springs Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., and was elected honorary member of Sumpter Lodge No. 418, F. & A. M. He belongs to Hot Springs Chapter No. 47, R. A. M .; Hot Springs Council, R. & S. M .; Hot Springs Com- mandery No. 5, K. T .; Albert Pike Consistory No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and is a life mem- ber of Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pine Bluff. He likewise has membership in Hot Springs Lodge No. 380, B. P. O. E., and is ever faithful to the purposes and standards of these orders which he represents. He is likewise a member of the Business Men's League of Hot Springs and of the Chamber of Commerce of El Dorado and thus manifests his interest in the city's development and further upbuilding. During the World war Judge Sumpter served as one of the Four-Minute men and he is a life member of the Red Cross. His life has been passed in Hot Springs and that the course which he has followed has ever heen a commendable one is shown in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present. He belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of the city and his life has been passed in harmony with the creditable record that is associated with the name of Sumpter in Hot Springs.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 167

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