Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 169

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 169

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).

In 1910 Dr. Holt was united in marriage to Mrs. Zoe Bissel, then a resident of Fort Smith but a native of South Carolina. They have an adopted daughter, Betsy.

During the World war Dr. Holt gave three nights each week to service as a member of the medical advisory board. He belongs to the Lions Club, which is indicative of his interest in the welfare and progress of his city, the development of its business rela- tions and the maintenance of high civic standards, the organization standing at all times for the most advanced ideals in American citizenship. Dr. Holt likewise helongs to the Country Club, while along strictly professional lines his association is with the Sebastian County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. While he is a broad-minded man and neglects no public duty, his attention has naturally been most largely given to his professional interests and his careful diagnosis of his cases, his capability and devotion to the demands of the profession have gained him high standing.

THOMAS AUSTIN WILSON.

When there is a serious disturbance in the machinery of government the effect is soon felt on all lines of business, for activity of that character touches the gen- eral interest of society and unified and harmonious efforts only can produce the state's greatest good. Realizing fully the duties and obligations that devolve upon him in his present position, Thomas Austin Wilson, commissioner of labor and statistics, has made a record that is most creditable and commendable, seeking ever the welfare and upbuilding of the commonwealth. He is numbered among the substantial citizens of Arkansas, and has come to the southwest from Indiana, his

DR. CHARLES S. HOLT

1081

· CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

birth having occurred near Lyons, that state, on the 1st of November, 1881. His parents were Hiram Lee and Dica Anne ( Brough) Wilson, who were also natives of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated in 1880 and in 1887 they took up their abode in Arkansas, establishing their home at Pine Bluff, Jefferson county. The father was a democrat in his political views and in various ways manifested his interest in the welfare and progress of the state in which he continued to reside for two decades, his death occurring in the year 1907. He had for some time survived his wife, who died in 1895. They were the parents of four sons, namely: Thomas A., William T., John E., and Louis E., all of whom are living.

Thomas A. Wilson was a lad of six when his parents left Indiana and came to the southwest. He continued his education as a pupil in the schools of Jefferson county to the age of thirteen years, but even prior to the time when he put aside his textbooks he began working at the printer's trade, taking up this task in 1892, when a lad of but eleven years. In 1895 he entered the employ of the Daily Graphic as a printer's devil, there continuing the task of mastering the trade. He remained at that place for eight years and then became connected with The Commercial, a daily paper, with which he was associated until October, 1915. At the end of a decade devoted to the printing business he removed to Little Rock and entered the employ of the Gazette, as a linotype machine operator. He continued in that posi- tion until January, 1919, when he entered his present office. During his residence in Pine Bluff he had taken a very active interest in labor matters and has always been a close student of labor conditions and of everything relating to industrial activity and its control and management. His prominence in the public life of his community during his residence in Pine Bluff is indicated in the fact that from 1913 until 1915 inclusive he was the second vice president of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce. In 1915 he was elected president of the Arkansas State Federation of Labor and was twice reelected to that position, a fact that indicates how capably he furthered labor interests, seeking at all times justice and the right in regard to labor conditions.

It was on the 31st of July, 1905, that Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Lelia Maud Black, a daughter of Arkansas, her birth having occurred at Fordyce, in Dallas county, December 18, 1887. She is a daughter of Robert K. and Sally (Tobin) Black, both of whom were natives of Arkansas and now reside at Little Rock. Mrs. Wilson pursued a high school education and afterward attended the University of Louisiana. She has become the mother of three children: Saly An, Gordon Newman and Thomas A. Mr. Wilson has always given his political endorsement to the democratic party and his support thereof has been a potent force in advancing party successes. In 1913 he was called upon to represent Jefferson county in the state legislature, in which he served for two terms, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration during that entire period to all the vital questions which come up for settlement. In 1919 he was appointed commissioner of labor and statistics by Governor Brough and was reappointed by Governor McRae in February. 1921, so he remains the incumbent in this position. His previous efforts in behalf of labor and his service as president of the Arkansas State Federation of Labor well qualified him to take up the duties devolving upon him in connection with this office and his record has been thoroughly satisfactory and fair in every regard. Dur- ing the World war he served on the state advisory labor board and was also in- dustrial adviser for the eastern district of Arkansas, representing the United States Department of Labor.

VOLLIE McDANIEL.

Vollie McDaniel, of the Fayetteville Gas & Electric Company, was born at Boyd Tavern, Virginia, August 10, 1874, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Townsend) McDaniel, both of whom were natives of Albemarle county, Virginia, where they were reared and married, spending their entire lives at that place. The mother there died in the year 1891 and the father still makes his home in his native county. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom two are living: George, a farmer of Virginia; and Vollie, of this review. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. McDaniel has always been a democrat in politics. He served for four years as a soldier of the Civil war and was wounded in battle but afterward returned to the service and received his discharge at Ap- pomattox. With his return home he took up the occupation of farming, which he has made his life work. 'Thomas McDaniel, the paternal grandfather of Vollie Mc- Daniel, was a farmer and slave owner of Virginia, his native state.

1082

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Vollie McDaniel was educated at Charlottesville, Virginia, where he attended college. He started out in the business world in conection with electrical engineer- ing, which he has followed throughout his entire life. In 1907 he came to Arkansas, settling first at Rogers, where he took charge of the electric light plant and has con- tinued as supervisor of the business there throughout the intervening period. In 1919 he took charge of the plant at Fayetteville and now has both plants under his control. His long experience in solving electrical engineering problems has well qualified him for the duties which devolve upon him in this connection. He has given the utmost satisfaction to the corporations which he represents by reason of his thoroughness and efficiency, his entire time being devoted to the business. He is a stockholder in the Fayetteville Gas & Electric Company and also in the Rogers Light & Water Company and the Springdale Light & Power Company, having the management of all three.

In 1896 Mr. McDaniel was united in marriage to Miss Irene Burruss, who was born in Spotsylvania county, Virginia, in which state her parents, Wilson M. and Annie Burruss, have spent their entire lives, the father there following the occupa- tion of farming. Mr .and Mrs. McDaniel became the parents of five children: Burruss, who is in Rogers, in charge of the electric light plant; Oscar, who is lo- cated at Springdale, Arkansas, and who married Catherine Ellis, a daughter of Frank Ellis of Fayetteville; Aubrey, who was graduated from the high school and is now in College; Ruth and Irene, also in school.

Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel are members of the Baptist church and Mr. McDaniel also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he has neither time nor inclination to seek public office, his attention being given is undivided manner to his business interests. The steady development of his powers has brought him to a responsible position in electrical engineering circles and he is well known in Springdale, in Rogers and in Fayetteville, where his social qualities as well as his business activities have gained him high regard.

CAPTAIN GEORGE GRAY LATTA.

The history of the bench and bar of Arkansas contains among other distinguished names that of Captain George Gray Latta, who was a prominent attorney of Hot Springs. His entire record reflected credit and honor upon his native state and throughout his career as a lawyer he ever maintained the highest standards of pro- fessional integrity and service. He was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, January 27, 1843, and was one of the three children whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam S. Latta. Having pursued his preliminary education in the public and high schools of this state, he afterward entered the University of North Carolina, from which in due course of time he was graduated. Having thus qualified for the bar, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Tennessee and later was admitted as a member of the Arkansas bar, after which he devoted his attention to professional interests in this state. After becoming a resident of Hot Springs he served as prose- cuting attorney of the city, while throughout the years of his residence here he enjoyed a large private practice that connected him with much of the important litigation heard in the courts of the district. He also served with distinction as a member of the state legislature, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement in the general assembly during the time that he was a member thereof. In early manhood he had served valiantly in the Civil war and after his return home professional preparation and activities claimed his attention to the time of his demise.

Mr. Latta was united in marriage to Fannie Brownwell, a representative of a distinguished Tennessee family. She was a daughter of William G. O'Brien, who was a noted newspaper editor of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a native of Virginia. It was in Knoxville that the marriage of Captain Latta and Fannie Brownwell was celebrated on the 29th of February, 1876, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing named: William B., residing in Denver, Colorado; Ernest Fordyce, a prominent business man of Hot Springs; and a daughter, Mrs. Thomas C. Glenwood. whose husband is actively engaged in business in St. Louis, Missouri.

The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 6th of July, 1910, in Hot Springs, Captain Arkansas, Latta died, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Hot Springs. He was a consistent member of the Episco- pal church, while his wife is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She now occupies an attractive home at No. 230 Whittington avenue in Hot Springs,

1083

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

where she is spending her days in comfort and ease. In his political views Captain Latta was always a stanch democrat, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party and its principles. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, and he was a valued member of the Hot Springs Bar Association and the Arkansas State Bar Association. His colleagues and contem- poraries in the profession entertained for him the highest regard and his professional record was ever a credit and honor to the har.

CHARLES P. GREEN.

Charles P. Green, assistant cashier of the Huntington State Bank and one of the prominent business men of Huntington, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state, the Greens having come originally from Mississippi. S. F. Green, father of Charles P. Green, establishing his home in eastern Oklahoma, has devoted his life to merchandising and to farming, conducting a well appointed store at Cameron, Oklahoma. He married Miss Alma Pollard, a member of one of the old families of Georgia, her parents removing from that state to Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Green became the parents of five children: Charles P .; L. J., who served as signal man in the navy during the World war; William, who was also with the United States army; Helen M. Green; and Harry P. Green.

Charles P. Green was born in eastern Oklahoma, near Cameron, in 1896. His youthful days were spent nnder the parental roof and no event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood days. He pursned his education there until he had completed the course in the Cameron high school, after which he made his initial step in the business world by entering the employ of the Bank of Panama. He was likewise employed at one time in the Bank of Cameron and in 1917 he became associated with the Huntington State Bank, in which he fills the position of assistant cashier. This bank was founded in 1912 and its officers are: W. L. Seaman, president: C. C. Graves, vice president; and G. R. Holbrook. cashier. Mr. Green's life has been devoted to the banking business and his close application, thoronghness and fidelity have been the means of winning advancement since he started out in the business world.

Mr. Green is a veteran of the World war. He enlisted in the army at Fort Smith and was assigned to Fort Logan H. Roots for training with the ammunition train. Later he served at Camp Beanregard and at Camp Leon Springs. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant at Camp Beauregard and was subsequently made first lieutenant at Camp McArthur.

Lieutenant Green was united in marriage to Miss Pearl McAlister of Cameron, Oklahoma, a danghter of C. J. McAlister. They are well known in Huntington and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they have come into contact. Mr. Green is a Mason who loyally follows the teachings of the craft, and in every relation of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.

J. A. CHADICK.

J. A. Chadick, a druggist of Huntington, Arkansas, was born February 8, 1886, on a farm owned by his parents in Lonoke county, Arkansas, near where the town of England is now located. He is a son of J. M. and George Ann (Rose) Chadick. The latter, a daughter of George Izard Rose, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, September 26, 1826, his parents having imigrated from Ohio, and being among the first settlers of Little Rock. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and when the country became in- volved in the Civil war, he joined the Confederate army. After the close of this war he returned to his farm in Lonoke county, Arkansas, and followed the occupation of farming until he died in 1895. The grandfather of J. A. Chadick in the paternal line was James Watson Chadick, a native of Tennessee, who on coming to Arkansas, set- tled in Bradley county, later moving to Lonoke county, near England. He had two sons. Albert and William, who served with the Confederate forces in the Civil war. J. M. Chadick, the father, was reared in Arkansas and became a merchant of England, where he carried on business for a considerable period, but is now living in Fort Smith. To him and his wife were born three children: Rose, the wife of Cleaves Turner; Victoria, the wife of Herman W. Jeffries; and J. A.

The last named pursned his education in the schools of his native town and after- ward entered npon a commercial career, also doing clerical work for railroads. He was

1084

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

employed by various corporations and step by step he advanced, each experience bring- ing him a wider knowledge, which he used to good advantage. He early realized the fact that industry is the basis of success and he has led a life of intense and well di- rected activity. Carefully saving his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to engage in business on his own account, he became own- er of a drug store about eight years ago and through the intervening period has suc- cessfully conducted it. He carries a good line of drugs and druggists' sundries and the neat and tasteful arrangement of his store, combined with his readiness and courtesy in serving patrons, have been the strong elements in his prosperity.

Mr. Chadick was united in marriage to Miss Viola Adams, a daughter of Sampson and Nancy (Ray) Adams. They are now parents of two sons, James Albert, Jr., and Richard Monroe. Mr. and Mrs. Chadick have a wide acquaintance at Huntington and many friends enjoy the hospitality of their home. Mr. Chadick is a Mason of high rank, belonging to Albert Pike Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and he is a loyal and interested follower of the work and teachings of the organization.

JAMES W. VAN VLIET.

In business circles of Hot Springs James W. Van Vliet, now deceased, was well known for many years. In the latter part of his life he lived retired from business but never ceased to feel the keenest interest in all those activities and projects which made for the welfare and upbuilding of the community and the uplift of the indi- vidual. He was born in Charlotte, Vermont, on the 18th of July, 1839, and was one of a family of four children, whose parents were Eli and Jane A. ( Walling) Van Vliet. The father was also a native of the Green Mountain state. James W. Van Vliet spent his boyhood and youth in Racine, Wisconsin, pursuing his education in the common schools and working on the farm during the vacation periods. In young manhood he started out to provide for his own support by obtaining a position as railroad station agent for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. After spending some time in that connection he turned his attention to the lumber business in the year 1873 and continued to engage actively in the lumber trade in Wisconsin until his re- moval to Illinois. He lived in the latter state until 1887 and then came to Hot Springs, where his remaining days were passed. Here he became proprietor of a livery and transfer business. He was active along that line until ill health forced him to retire from business and he put aside all cares of that character.

Mr. Van Vliet was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Wilson, a daughter of James Wilson, of a prominent and well known family of Iowa. They became parents of two children: Elizabeth E., who is the widow of Charles A. Fox, her hushand having died in 1907; and Julia, the wife of George P. Letherman, a substantial citizen of Hot Springs, now serving as one of the county officials. The family circle was broken by the hand of death, when on the 4th of October, 1905, Mr. Van Vliet departed this life. His widow still makes her home in Hot Springs at No. 843 Park avenue and has many warm friends in this city. Mr. Van Vliet, too, was highly respected and his memory is cher- ished by many who knew him. His political allegiance was given to the republican par- ty and he was always loyal to any cause which he espoused. He belonged to the Ma- sonic fraternity and was also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Those who knew him recognized his possession of many sterling traits of character and his life was always lived in consistent harmony with his religion as a member of the Congregational church. He was always interested in the public welfare and his aid and influence were ever given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.

JAMES LESTER LESLIE.

One of the representative business men of Lake Village is James Lester Leslie, pres- ident of the Leslie Lumber & Supply Company, a concern which buys and sells lumber and building materials. He is a native of Warren, Arkansas, his birth occurring on the 30th of July, 1890. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, members of the Leslie family having come to America prior to the Revolutionary war. They settled in the Carolinas, being among the early colonists, and the town of Leslie, in South Carolina, is named for some member of the family. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war the paternal grandfather enlisted in the Confederate army as a private. He was killed

1085

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

while in action. The Leslie family was one of the earliest pioneer families to locate in Bradley county, and they made the journey by wagon from South Carolina. The maternal grandfather likewise served in the Civil war, having been a sergeant in the Confederate army, and the Adams family located in Bradley county at an early day, com- ing to this state from Georgia. The father of James Lester Leslie is W. J. Leslie, who is now residing in Warren, where he was born. He has followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and has gained widespread prominence in that connection. In War- ren, in September, 1886, was celebrated the marriage of W. J. Leslie to Miss Almira Adams. She was born in Bradley county and received her education in the schools of this state. She is also living. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie four children have been born, two boys and two girls, James Lester, being the second in order of birth. Two children died in infancy and a daughter died at the age of sixteen years.

In the acquirement of an education James Lester attended the rural schoots near Warren and later enrolled as a student in the Presbyterian Training School, from which institution he was graduated in 1910. The training he received in that school was equivalent to two years in any university. During 1911 and 1912 he was a student at the Tyler Commercial College at Tyler, Texas, being graduated from that school in a business course in the latter year. Mr. Leslie obtained his higher education as the result of his own efforts, for he taught schoot in the summer vacations. In 1912 he made his initial step into the business world as stenographer for the Arkansas Lumber Company at Warren. His innate business ability and conscientious per- formance of every duty assigned him, soon won him promotion, however, and from 1913 to 1914 he was secretary to C. J. Mansfield, vice president, secretary and gen- eral manager of the company. In the latter year he was made traffic manager and purchasing agent for the same concern and was active in that position until 1917, when he became sales manager. In May, 1919, he came to Lake Village, and determin- ing to enter business on his own account, established the Leslie Lumber & Supply · Company of which he is president. He has remained active in the conduct of this business and in 1920 established a branch yard at Eudora.

It was at Warren on the 17th of September, 1911, that Mr. Leslie was united in marriage to Miss Ona Waller, a daughter of R. C. Waller, a prominent citizen of that place. To their union two boys have been born: James Waller, eight years of age; and William Richard, aged six. Both children are attending the public schools here.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Leslie has served that organization as an elder for many years. Fraternalty he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and is now taking the Masonic degrees in B. H. Reynolds Lodge, No. 563, A. F. & A. M., of Lake Village. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. He is now a member of the city council. Mr. Lestie is one of Lake Village's most progressive and representative citizens and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which organization he is now serving as secretary, takes a prominent and active part in every movement for the development and improvement of the general welfare.

A. B. WALLACE.

The owner of the well known Tatum Hardware Company of Greenwood is A. B. Waltace, son-in-law of the late Major Tatum who founded that concern and con- ducted it with more than substantial success for a period covering more than forty- five years. Major Tatum was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Confederate army, and a highly respected citizen of Greenwood for more than half a century. His demise occurred on July 15, 1915.

A. B. Wallace, whose name initiates this review, was born in Van Buren in 1883, a son of M. V. and Roie (Smith) Wallace. The paternal grandfather, Mathew Wallace, was a Methodist minister and was killed at Clarksville by bushwhackers. He was one of the earliest circuit riders in that section of the country and was widely known and respected. The maternat grandfather was Alvis Smith, a Federal soldier who was a resident of Van Buren.

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 169

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