Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 168

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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WILLIAM WALLACE DICKINSON.

William Wallace Dickinson of Little Rock, through his important manufacturing and business interests, has become a leading factor in the growth of the capital city and · of the state. His life story is an interesting one, showing what can be accomplished by individual effort and initiative. He was born in Milan, Gibson county, Tennessee, August 31, 1857, his parents being John Wesley and Mary Louise (Wright) Dickinson, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and both representatives of old pioneer fam- ilies of the state, tracing their ancestry back to England, their forbears settling in America in colonial days. John Wesley Dickinson was a distinguished educator and the founder of the Bluff Springs Seminary, of which for ten years he remained the president. In 1860 he removed to Memphis, Tennessee, and almost immediately there- after entered the Civil war as a colonel of the Confederate army, serving from 1861 until 1865 with the same distinction and fidelity which he had shown in every action of his long and useful life. After the war he located in Arkansas City, Arkansas, and took up the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar before he entered military service. He was an ardent democrat. He served for one term as county treasurer and was elected to the Arkansas legislature in 1879 and afterwards was the author of the first insane asylum bill locating the asylum at Hot Springs, Arkansas. This bill was vetoed. His election to these offices was more of a tribute to his character and in- tegrity than a political reward, for he never sought office. After a long, useful and hon- orable life he died in March, 1921.

William W. Dickinson was three years of age when the family removed to Mem- phis and he acquired his education there and at the Vanderbilt University in Nash- ville, Tennessee. He has for a number of years been one of the leading manufacturers of Arkansas and an important factor in the growth of Little Rock and the state. He is the president of the Arkansas Brick & Tile Company, is president of the Arkansas Brick & Manufacturing Company, president of the Big Rock Stone & Construction Company, president of the Consumers Gas Company, president of the Dickinson Ball Bearing Wheel & Vehicle Company and a director of the Little Rock Railway & Electric Company. All of these enterprises have filled an important part in the growth and prosperity of the city and state and give employment to a large number of its citizens. The Arkansas Brick & Tile Company operates four plants, one at Little Rock, another at Pine Bluff, an- other at Malvern and another at Perla, Arkansas. Employment is given to three hun- dred men and the company's product finds a ready sale in this and adjoining states. The output amounts to more than a million dollars annually. The Big Rock Stone &

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Construction Company produces crushed stone for road building and like purposes that is four times as hard as any stone obtained in the country. The sales of this com- pany amount to about six hundred thousand dollars per annum and employment is given to one hundred and fifty men. Mr. Dickinson thus figures very actively and prominently in connection with business interests of the state and his labors have ever been of a character which have contributed to public progress and prosperity, as well as to individual success.

On the 1st of January, 1884, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Rose, a daughter of U. M. Rose, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, who is one of the two great Arkansans to whom have been given a niche in the American Hall of Fame. The story of this noted son of Arkansas will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have become parents of three children: William Wallace, Jr., who is vice president of the Big Rock Stone & Construction Company, and manager of the Ar- kansas Brick & Tile Company; Rose, the wife of Benjamin C. McGehee of Little Rock; and Benjamin Franklin, secretary and treasurer of the Big Rock Stone & Construction Company.

In his political views Mr. Dickinson is a democrat hut has never held public of- fice. However, he has always been foremost in civic affairs and gives freely of his time and means for the public good. He is one of the board of governors of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and has been a director of the commercial organization of the city continuously for forty years. During the World war he was one of the Council of Defense and was active in all war measures. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, South, and fraternally is connected with the North American Union, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor. In the last two organizations he has filled all of the chairs. Actuated by a spirit of determination and enterprise that never stops short of the attainment of his objective he has made for himself a most creditable position as a business man, maintaining at all times the highest standards of commercial and personal honor, so that the high respect and regard accorded him are equivalent to his commercial success.

PROFESSOR JAMES LESLIE BOND.

Professor Jámes Leslie Bond, who has devoted his life to educational interests, in which connection he has won distinction and prominence, is now filling the position of state superintendent of public instruction in Arkansas, with offices in Little Rock. He has always kept abreast with the trend of modern thought and progress along educa- tional lines, seeking ever to introduce new and improved methods into the schools with which he has been associated and his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial.

Mr. Bond came to this state from Louisiana, his birth having occurred at Haynes- ville, in Claiborne parish, on the 16th of July, 1877. He was still quite young when he came to Arkansas in company with his parents, the Rev. James Joseph and Mary C. (Bond) Bond, who though of the same name were not related. The latter was a daugh- ter of Samuel Bond, who was born in Louisiana, served as a Confederate soldier dur- ing the Civil war and has now departed this life. His daughter, Mary C, was born in Louisiana, in May, 1854, while the birth of Rev. J. J. Bond occurred in Westmoreland county, Georgia, in 1850. They were married in Louisiana in 1868 and became the par- ents of four sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter are living, James L. Bond being the fifth in order of birth in their family. Early in life the father decided to devote his attention to the work of the Methodist ministry and qualified for preaching the gospel, giving his entire life to the work of the church. He filled various pastorates, labored earnestly and diligently, his zeal and his eloquence carrying convic- tion to the minds of his hearers as he preached to them the word of the gospel. He gave his political support to the democratic party but never took an active interest in politics, remaining in the work of the church to the time of his demise in 1901. His widow survives and makes her home in Little Rock.

Brought to Arkansas in his youthful days, James L. Bond first attended the pub- lic schools of the state and afterward enjoyed the benefit of further instruction in Hen- drix College at Conway, Arkansas, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900. From early manhood he has been connected with the teaching profession and at all times has accomplished excellent results by reason of his capability arising from his deep purpose and from his progressiveness. He has ever recognized that the aim and purpose of education is the need to qualify the individual for life's practical and responsible duties and his work has been planned accordingly. In 1908 he was appoint- ed deputy superintendent of public instruction and continued to fill that office until 1912. In the latter year he was made supervisor of country schools and occupied that posi-

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tion for four years. On the 1st of December, 1916, he became state superintendent of public instruction, being elected on the democratic ticket and made so excellent a rec- ord in office that he was reelected for a second term and a third term and is now serving in that responsible position. He has made a general survey of the school system of the state, taking note of its defects and of its potency and has striven at all times to ob- viate the former and strengthen the latter. His labors have been attended with sub- stantial results and the schools have shown a marked improvement under the direction of Mr. Bond.

It was in Newport, Arkansas, September 29, 1903, that Professor Bond was married to Miss Hallie Fern Clark, who was born in Milan, Gibson county, Tennessee, Septem- ber 10, 1879, her parents being Samuel C. and Cherry (Ellis) Clark, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and lived for many years in Gibson county, but are now de- ceased. Mrs. Bond was liberally educated, attending the Milan (Tenn.) College. She has become the mother of one child, Minta Lee, born July 1, 1904, at Yellville, Marion county, Arkansas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bond are members of the Winfield Memorial Meth- odist Episcopal church and he takes a most active and helpful interest in church work, serving now on the official board and on the board of stewards. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His earnest support of every plan and measure to promote pub- lic welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways and during America's connection with the World war he served on the state council of defense, also on the liberty hond drives in connection with the Red Cross work and as one of the Four-Minute men. His prominence in professional circles is indicated in the fact that in 1912-13 and again in 1914 he was chosen secretary of the Arkansas State Teachers Association, and in 1915 was elected to its presidency. He did much to stimulate the organization with his own zeal and interest in the work and his high professional ideals have continuously been manifested since he took up the profession of teaching and have had not a little to do with furthering the interests and welfare of the schools throughout the state.

JESS M. MCCONNELL.

Jess M. McConnell occupies a prominent position in the financial circles of Green- wood as cashier of the First National Bank of that place. He is a native son of Arkan- sas, his birth having occurred at Greenwood, on the 6th of May, 1893, a son of S. and Sallie (Neal) McConnell. His father was a prominent agriculturist and a representative citizen of the community in which he resided.

Upon attaining school age, Jess M. McConnell attended the neighborhood schools and in 1916 he put his textbooks aside and entered the business world. For some time he was engaged in clerical work and in 1916 became assistant cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Greenwood. Mr. McConnell was eager to obtain a better education and as a result in 1918 he enrolled in the University of Arkansas and later became a student at Purdue University, studying wireless radio telegraphy. He became a competent radio op- erator and upon the outhreak of the World war he joined that division of the army. He did not get into active service, however, the armistice having been signed a short time be- fore the date set for him to sail. Receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Greenwood and became cashier of the First National Bank, a position in which he is now serving to the satisfaction of both patrons and higher officials in the institution. I. H. Nakdimen is president of the bank and V. R. Brownfield, vice president.

In 1919 Mr. McConnell was united in marriage to Stella M. Rowe. Mr. McConnell has thoroughly identified his interests with those of the community and he is a cooper- ant factor in many projects for the public good.

THOMAS W. GIBBS.

There is much of vital interest to the public in the life record of every man whose success has been honorably won. The methods which he pursues, the ob- stacles which he overcomes, the determination and enterprise which he displays, may all serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others and the example of Thomas W. Gibbs is one well worthy of consideration and of emulation. For a considerable period he was extensively engaged in the contracting and build- ing business in Hot Springs and today many of the fine structures stand as monu- ments to his skill and efficiency. He died July 26, 1911, aged sixty-two years.

Mr. Gibbs was a native of Alabama, his birth having occurred in Opelika. He

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was one of a family of five children and spent his youthful days in his native state, . where he acquired his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he had mastered the work of the high school and was thus well qualified for life's practical duties and responsibilities. When his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to the lumber trade familiarizing himself with every feature of the business and steadily developing his interests along that line until he was conducting a mammoth trade in lumber and builders' supplies. He became thor- oughly familiar with the value of lumber and his judicious perseverance enabled him to make profitable sales. At length, feeling that there was a still broader and more lucrative field of labor in the contracting business, he removed to Hot Springs, where he soon became prominently known as a contractor and builder. His pat- ronage steadily increased, for his work met the demands of the most exacting and he soon showed himself to be familiar with every phase of building and displayed in no small measure a creative spirit in this connection. Building after building arose to adorn the city as the result of his enterprise, and many of the fine structures of Hot Springs stand as tangible evidence of his capability and progressive spirit.

On the 3d of November, 1898, Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn M. Wootten, a daughter of Judge W. E. Wootten, who was a well known member of the Texas bar, practicing at Clarkson. Mr. Gibbs was a communicant of the Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. In politics he was a stanch demo- crat but never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of public office, pre- ferring to concentrate his entire time and attention upon his increasingly important business affairs. In this way he came to the front as a representative of the great industrial interests of Hot Springs and by reason of his constantly accruing success he left a substantial estate to his wife, who now resides at No. 135 Magnolia avenue and is widely known in Hot Springs, occupying an enviable social position.

HENRY PACE, M. D.

Dr. Henry Pace, a leading representative of the medical profession in Eureka Springs, has practiced here for sixteen years. He is numbered among the native sons of this state, his birth having occurred in Harrison on the 9th of October, 1873, a son of W. F. and Sarah J. (Howell) Pace. The paternal grandparents were William and Hester (Armitage) Pace and they were among the early pioneers to Texas. The maternal grandfather, Josephus Howell, died at the age of eighty years in Howell county, Missouri, which county had been named for him. He located there at an early day, being one of the pioneer citizens of the community. W. F. Pace was born near Austin, Texas, while his wife was a native of Howell county, Missouri. The father came to Arkansas and located in Harrison in the '60s. For some years he engaged in teaching school, and although he had received but a limited education, he was one of the best informed men in the county. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army, participating in many of the most important engagements, and was wounded. At the close of hostilities he returned to Arkansas and began the study of law. For many years he engaged in the practice of his profession in Harrison and Fayetteville but his death occurred in Eureka Springs. His widow is still living and makes her home with a daughter in Los Angeles. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pace six children were born: Ida. now the widow of A. H. Perdue, and a resident of Nashville, Tennessee; Frank, a prominent attorney of Little Rock, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Henry, whose name initiates this review; Ada, the wife of William Smith, an attorney of Wichita Falls, Texas; Kate, the wife of H. E. Cantrell of El Paso, Texas, an extensive dealer in real estate and oil lands; and Troy, a prominent at- torney of Los Angeles. The family was reared in the faith of the Cumberland Preshyterian church and Mr. Pace always gave his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons.

Henry Pace received his education in the public schools of Fayetteville and in due time enrolled as a student in the State University of Arkansas. Upon putting his textbooks aside he went to Fort Smith, where for three years he was employed as a clerk in a shoe store. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he volunteered his services and became a member of the Second Arkansas Volunteer Infantry. He was in service for about a year and was stationed at a camp in Chicamanga and in Anniston, Alabama. Upon receiving his discharge from the army he entered the medical department of the University of Washington, at St. Louis, Missouri, and he was graduated from that institution with the class of 1903. For the following two years he was interne in the St. Louis Hospital and in the

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spring of 1905 he came to Eureka Springs. He has since practiced here and has won for himself a place among the leaders of the profession in Arkansas. His gen- eral thought is chiefly given to his professional duties, which he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation. His labors are the exponent of the highest attainment in medical knowledge and skill, and he is continually promoting his efficiency by the most thorough research and investigation. Since graduation he has taken two postgraduate courses in New York.

In 1917 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Pace and Miss Blanche M. Pyle, a native of King City, Missouri. To their nnion one son has been born: William F. Jr., two years of age. Mrs. Pace is prominent in the club and social circles of Eureka Springs and she is a consistent and active worker in the interests of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Pace is likewise a member of that church and he is a generous contributor to its support. Since attaining his majority Dr. Pace has given his stanch support to the democratic party and while not a prominent politician, he recognizes the duties and obligations of citizenship and gives his support to various projects for the public good. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the craft finds in him an exemplary representative and one ever loyal to its interests and welfare. He is likewise affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, holding membership in Lodge No. 1042. Along strictly professional lines Dr. Pace belongs to the American, State and County Medical Societies, through these bodies keping in touch with the advancement ever being made along those lines.

CHARLES WILLIAM HALL, M. D.

Dr. Charles William Hall is a successful and representative young physician of Greenwood, where his birth occurred in the year 1890. His parents are J. H. and Malinda (Jimmerson) Hall, the former a native of Florence, Alabama, while the latter was born in Waldron, Arkansas. The paternal grandfather was killed as a Confederate officer of the Civil war. J. H. Hall, the father of Dr. Hall, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and has long been numbered among the prosperous farmers and esteemed citizens of Sebastian connty. Two of his sons, B. L. and J. Oscar, joined the army during the World war, both serving at Camp Pike with the rank of corporal.

Charles W. Hall obtained his education in the schools of his native town and received his professional training in the medical department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1915. He then opened an office in Greenwood and later removed to Booneville but eventually re- turned to the former place, having here remained to the present time. His practice is now large, having steadily grown in volume and importance as he has demon- strated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong lite. He is also capably discharging the duties of county health officer of the Greenwood district.

Dr. Hall wedded Miss Minnie Ramay, of Greenwood, and they are well known and popular in the social circles of the city. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Though still a young man, he has already won an enviable reputation in professional circles in Sebastian connty, where almost his entire life has been spent and where his friends are many.

JAMES CLAUDE CUNNINGHAM, M. D.

Graduating from the medical department of the University of Maryland in 1903 with high honors, Dr. James C. Cunningham came to Little Rock in 1905 and has since practiced in this city. Ten of those years were spent in the chair of obstetrics in the University of Arkansas, his duties as an educator being performed in addition to those of medical practitioner.

Dr. Cunningham was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1881, and obtained his early educational training in the grammar and high schools of that city, while he pursued his collegiate course in the University of Maryland. He belongs to one of the oldest colonial families of Virginia, prominent in the history of that state from the days of its early development and he evidences in his manner his cultured rearing. He is a son of Charles C, and Mary (Lyons) Cunningham. His father was extensively engaged in the lumber business and was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with the Confederacy from 1861 until 1865. The Lyons family has also

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been connected with America since old colonial days and both the Lyons and Cun- ningham families were prominently identified with plantation interests in the south.

After careful rearing and liberal educational opportunities Dr. Cunningham en- tered upon the active practice of his profession and while giving his attention in a measure to general practice he specializes in gynecology and in that branch has attained high rank. He is a close student of the science of medicine and keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, progress and investigation through his membership in the Pulaski County and Arkansas State Medical So- cieties. He is also a member of the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In 1920 Dr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Helen Youngs of Little Rock. Dr. and Mrs. Cunningham have one child, William C., an infant. Dr. Cunningham is a democrat in his political views. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, to which he gives his loyal support and efficient service.

CHARLES' S. HOLT, M. D.

Dr. Charles S. Holt, who for sixteen years has devoted his attention to the practice of medicine and surgery and who since 1908 has been numbered among the physicians of Fort Smith, where his extensive practice is indicative of the skill and ability which he displays in the line of his chosen profession, was born in 1880, in Salem, Illinois, the historic old town so closely associated with memories of Abraham Lincoln. He pursued his education in the public schools of Salem until he had mastered the work of the elementary grades and later he entered the high school at Mount Vernon, Illinois. His medical education was acquired in the. University of St. Louis in St. Louis, Mis- souri, where he pursued the full conrse and was graduated with the class of 1906. For a year thereafter he was connected with the St. Louis State Hospital and his work there proved of great benefit to him, enabling him to put his theoretical training to the practical test and to gain that broad and valuable experience which is never secured as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. In 1908 he came to Fort Smith, where he opened an office and has since followed his profession. Throughout the inter- vening years he has read broadly, thus keeping informed concerning the latest scientific researches and discoveries of the medical profession, and in 1913 he went to New York, where he pursued a further course of study in the New York Postgraduate Hospital. He is now owner and surgeon in chief of St. John's Hospital of Fort Smith, a splendidly equipped institution prepared to take care of all kinds of, surgical cases. In that con- nection his practice is extensive and he is also the director of the Holt Clinic, with six physicians under his direction. He is likewise associate professor of surgery in the University of Arkansas, a position which he has filled since 1914.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 168

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