Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 170

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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In the acquirment of an education A. B. Waltace attended the common schools of his birthplace and later entered a commercial college. Upon the completion of his business course he obtained a position with an express company for four years, at the termination of which time he became associated with Major Tatum in the hard- ware business in Greenwood. Upon the death of the Major, Mr. Wallace became sole owner of the business known as the Tatum Hardware Company and he is now con-

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ducting the business on his own account. He has keen executive ability, which is manifest in the organization and management of the enterprise, and the continued growth of the business is notable.

Mr. Wallace was married July 20, 1905, to Miss Thad Tatum, daughter of Major Tatum and to their union two children have been born: Edward T. and Mary L. The political allegiance of Mr. Wallace is given to the democratic party and fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the thirty-second degree consistory and to the Mystic Shrine, both at Little Rock. Mrs. Wallace is prominent in the church and social circles of Greenwood and is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the local chapter being named in honor of her father, Major Tatum. Mr. Wallace is tireless in his devotion to his business and he is in thorough sympathy with various organizations in Greenwood whose purpose it is to institute measures which will make known the advantages of the community and is active in promoting projects for adorning and improving Greenwood in many ways.

HORACE GAINES PUGH.

An extensive and substantial business has been developed by H. G. Pugh & Company, printers, engravers and stationers of Little Rock. Of this company Horace Gaines Pugh was the founder and is the president and the success of the enterprise is largely the expression of the business policy which he instituted and has pursued. For a decade he has carried on this business, continually approaching the goal of prosperity, yet at the same time he has found opportunity to assist in many projects looking to the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large.

Mr. Pugh is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in the town of Blue Grass, Vermilion county, January 13, 1874. His parents were William Matthew and Martha Elizabeth (Jones) Pugh. The father was born on a farm in Warren county, Indiana, while the mother's birth was at Lockland, Hamilton county, Ohio, whence she removed to Indiana. It was in Warren county of the latter state, that the marriage of these two worthy people occurred and for some time they made their home at Blue Grass, where the father followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for the support of his family, which in the course of years numbered three sons, although Horace G. is now the only survivor. At the time of the Civil war William M. Pugh enlisted for service in the Union army, joining Company K of the Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained for four years. He became a sergeant of his company and was on active duty in many a hotly contested battle, which led up to the victory that finally crowned the Union arms. His political allegiance was always given to the republican party and he continued as one of its stanch supporters until he died at Blue Grass, Illinois, October 10, 1876. His widow still survives and makes her home in Little Rock.

In his boyhood days Horace G. Pugh mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of West Lebanon, Indiana. He received no college training, but in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons and at the outset of his career he soon recognized the fact that industry and perseverance are forceful factors in the attainment of success. He has, therefore, worked diligently, utilizing each oppor- tunity to the best advantage and in the course of years has reached a prominent and enviable position in business circles. He has long given his attention to printing and the stationery business as well as engraving and today is at the head of one of the foremost houses of this character in the southwest, having organized a business under the name of H. G. Pugh & Company, of which he has continuously been the president. He now has a large and well equipped plant for carrying on work of this character. The business was incorporated in November, 1911, and today furnishes employment to a large force, while the patronage of the house is extensive, attributable to the thoroughly reliable business methods of the firm and the excellent class of work turned out.

Mr. Pugh is most pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married April 28, 1904, in Malvern, Arkansas, to Jamie DeAnna Ward, who was born in Hot Springs, this State, March 11, 1879, a daughter of James D. Ward. She is a graduate of Ouachita College of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Politically Mr. Pugh is a republican, having always supported the party since attaining his majority. He belongs to the Lakeside Club and to the Spring Lake Club and his social qualities make him very popular in the organizations with which he is identified. Moreover, he is a prominent church worker and has membership in the Second Baptist church, of which he is now a deacon. For a number of years he has been auditor for the Arkansas Baptist state convention, and in every possible way he has contributed to the upbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence. In fact, he has keen interest in everything that pertains to public

HORACE G. PUGH

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benefit and is now president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Little Rock, president of the United Charities Association of Pulaski county, secretary of the Arkansas Children's Home Society and a trustee of the Ouachita College of Arkadelphia. All this indicates the nature and breadth of his interest. The subjective and objective forces in his life are well balanced. He has ever recognized his opportunities in a busi- ness way and has as fully met his obligations and duties to his fellowmen. In fact, he finds keen pleasure in ministering to the welfare of others and in advancing those projects which are looking to the betterment of the race.

JOHN RUTLEDGE RILEY, JR.

John Rutledge Riley, Jr., who is engaged in the brokerage business in Little Rock, making a specialty of oil properties, was born near Hamburg, in Ashley county, Arkansas, August 15, 1884, and is the third child of John Rutledge and Georgia (Taylor) Riley. The Riley family comes of old South Carolina stock and one of the ancestors was John Rutledge, a distinguished colonial figure, who signed the con- stitution of the United States as one of the four delegates from South Carolina. The grandfather of J. R. Riley, Jr., of this review, settled in Arkansas in pioneer times. The town of Hamburg, in Ashley county, was so named for the town of Hamburg, in South Carolina, where the Riley family had lived for generations. John R. Riley, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born at Hamburg, Arkansas, in 1851 and became one of the leading planters of his county.

Educated in the Riley rural schools, J. R. Riley, Jr., afterward attended the Beau- voir College and subsequently pursued a business course in that school. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper, in which capacity he served for about eighteen months, after which he became deputy sheriff of Ashley county and later was city marshal of Montrose, a town which he had assisted in founding. In 1907 he went on the road as a traveling salesman and in 1910 removed to Little Rock. He con- tinued to travel until 1918, when he took up the automobile business at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1919 he disposed of his Pine Bluff interests and returned to Little Rock, where be established himself in the brokerage business, in which he continues, making a specialty of oil property. He is the founder of the Little Rock Oil Exchange and is one of the recognized authorities on the oil industry in Arkansas and the pos- sibility for the purchase of oil properties or oil stock.

In 1915 Mr. Riley was married to Miss India Olive Baker, a native of Louisiana, but a lifelong resident of Little Rock. Her father, Charles Baker, was one of the best known planters of Oakland, Louisiana. They have become the parents of three children: John Rutledge, India Baker and William Baker. Like her husband Mrs. Riley is an active church worker. They hold membership in the Second Missionary Baptist church of Little Rock, and do everything in their power to advance its growth and extend the influence of the cause of religion. Mr. Riley teaches a class of boys and Mrs. Riley is a member of the Second Baptist church choir, the Women's Mis- sionary Baptist Union and is a member and was formerly president of the brides' class. Mr. Riley was the organizer and secretary of the Arkansas State Gideons from 1913 to 1918. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally he is a Mason. As pioneers, as state builders, as patriotic and public-spirited citizens the Rileys have for generations ranked high.

FRANK WITTENBERG.

Frank Wittenberg, a certified public accountant, who has attained a notable position in his chosen profession and stands high in the public regard in every way. being classed with the representative residents of Little Rock, was born in St. Louis. Missouri, June 4, 1857, and is the eldest in a family of six children, whose parents were Walter and Annie (Libby) Wittenberg. His father, a native of Coblentz, Ger- many, was born September 6, 1835, and emigrated to the United States in 1851, when a youth of sixteen years. For some time he resided in St. Louis, Missouri, and then came to Little Rock, in 1865, as a clerk in the quartermaster's office of General Steele's army. Having entered the south with the Union army he afterward served as chief clerk in the Freedman's Bureau under General B. O. Carr. In days of peace he was an accountant and bookkeeper and it is a matter of historic interest also that Walter Wittenberg was the first to organize a building and loan association in Little Rock, known as the Little Rock Building Association, No. 1. This was incor-

Vol. II-69

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porated September 17, 1869, by George A. Davis, J. N. Smithee, W. A. Briley, W. L. Fields, John H Newbern, J. W. Davis, L. Lessenbee, J. W. Ward, Walter Wittenberg, J. F. James, W. D. Blocher and J. H. Haney. Under the management of Mr. Witten- berg as secretary this association proved a great success and many other building associations sprang into existence modeled after plans similar to those of the Little Rock Building Association, No. 1. It was in St. Louis, in 1856, that Walter Wittenberg was united in marriage to Annie Libby, who was born in Portland, Maine, in 1820. They became parents of two sons and four daughters: Frank, Mollie, Annie Lucy, Fannie Edith, Julia and Walter, Jr. The last three are deceased. The parents have also died, the mother's death occurring March 13, 1883, while the father survived for almost three decades and died in Little Rock, October 12, 1912.

Frank Wittenberg was a lad of but eight years when the family was removed from St. Louis to Little Rock and in the public schools of this city he pursued his early education, while later he attended St. John's College and ultimately became a student in the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, where he specialized in the study of Latin, Greek, German and mathematics. He also devoted much time to the private study of works on accounting and eventually qualified for a professional career as public accountant and auditor. He holds the first certificate issued by the state of Arkansas under the law governing the practice of accounting according to act of the general assembly of the state of Arkansas, approved March 30, 1915. He is a member of the American Institute of Accountants and has been president of the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants since 1915. His professional position is one of prominence and his clientage is very extensive, many prominent business men and corporations being numbered among his patrons.

Mr. Wittenberg was married May 25, 1887, to Ruth Hyde, who was born in Sterling, Illinois, February 28, 1870, a daughter of George H. and Ruth (Fluelling) Hyde, who resided for many years in Sterling, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wittenberg have become parents of two sons and a daughter: Frank, thirty-two years of age; George Hyde, twenty-eight years of age, who married Miss Minnie Greenfield, a daughter of Gordon N. Greenfield of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Mabel, twenty-four years of age, now the wife of T. Steele Dortch. Mrs. Frank Wittenberg, on the 29th of April, 1921, was elected a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants of the state of California.

Politically Mr. Wittenberg is a democrat, who has given stalwart allegiance to the party since attaining his majority. While he has never been a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term, he has served as auditor of Pulaski county, taking up the duties of the position on the 1st of December, 1916, and acting iu that capacity until December 31, 1918. He belongs to Magnolia Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a member of the First Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as deacon, while for thirty years he was treasurer of the church. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and characterized by marked devotion to the general good, so that he has loyally stood for all those activities and interests which have featured in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the state.

KIRK DIXON.

Kirk Dixon is a representative of one of Mansfield's best business interests as vice president and general manager of the Seaman Stores. He was born four miles east of Mansfield, a son of G. R. and Laura (Page) Dixon, and the eldest of four children born to that union.

In the acquirement of an education Kirk Dixon attended the district schools and upon putting his textbooks aside he obtained a position with the Ft. Smith Lumber Company at Abbott, this state. There he received his training and laid the foundation for his success in later life. For some time he was active in that con- nection but finally resigned his position and for three years was associated with H. W. Dixon & Co. Subsequently, after three years with that concern, he accepted the managership of the Seaman Stores in 1908. The Mansfield Store is the head- quarters for the five Seaman stores, the others being located in Booneville, Midland and Hartford, Arkansas, and Wister, Oklahoma. On the 1st of January, 1920, the business was incorporated with W. L. Seaman, president, and Kirk Dixon, vice president and general manager. The capital stock is two hundred thousand dollars.

In October, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dixon to Miss May Turrentine, a daughter of Rev. A. Turrentine of Arkadelphia, and to their union a son, Gilmer, has been born. He is nine years of age. Mr. Dixon has made good use of his opportunities. He has prospered from year to year, has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully and in all his acts displays an aptitude

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for successful management. He is accounted one of the energetic, prosperous and capable young business men of the town, a stanch supporter of all worthy and beneficial mover enn, and a general favorite amy; these with when he has come into contact.

JUNIUS MARION FUTRELL.

Arkansas is proud to number among her native sons Junius Marion Futrell, prominent attorney of Paragould. He was born in Greene county on the 14th of August, 1870, a son of Jeptha and Arminia Levonia (Eubanks) Futrell, both of whom are deceased. The father was born in Kentucky and at the age of seven or eight years he came to this state with his parents. They located in Greene county in 1843 and were among its pioneer settlers. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war, the father enlisted in the Arkansas infantry and served for some time with the rank of private. At the close of the war he returned to this state and engaged in farm- ing, which occupation he followed until his demise in February, 1875, in his thirty- ninth year. In Greene county in 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Futrell to Miss Arminia Levonia Eubanks, a native of Georgia who came to this state with her father when ten or eleven years of age. They located here in 1856 and were among the pioneer settlers of northeastern Arkansas. The original home of the Eubanks family was South Carolina, from which state members migrated to Georgia and thence to Arkansas. Mrs. Futrell's demise occurred in 1908, at the age of sixty-two years. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Futrell three children were born, two boys and a girl, Junius Marion having been the second in order of birth.

Junius Marion Futrell attended the common schools of Greene county and also at Gainesville, Arkansas, under George R. Hopkins. Subsequently he enrolled in the University of Arkansas and left that institution at the end of his sophomore year. Mr. Fntrell's higher education was acquired through his own efforts and after putting his textbooks aside he accepted a position teaching school. From 1892 until 1896 he was active in that connection in various schools throughout Independence, Craighead and Greene counties, but in the latter year he gave up his educational work and turned his attention to farming and stock raising. He was likewise in the timber business for a time. He became one of the outstanding figures in the life of the community and in 1896 was elected to the state legislature, repre- senting Greene county. He was reelected in 1901 and 1903 and in 1906 became circuit court clerk, and served in that capacity four years. In 1912 he was elected to the senate from the first district, comprising Greene, Clay and Craighead counties, and at the close of the first session was elected president of that body. At that time Joe T. Robinson was governor of Arkansas and by that legislature was elected to the United States senate. Mr. Futrell then became acting governor of the state, in which office he served about seven or eight months. W. K. Oldham, who was elected president of the senate at the beginning of the session of 1913, contested Mr. Futrell's right to that office, contending that according to law he was entitled to hold the office of governor after the resignation of Governor Robinson. This stand resulted in a contest in the courts between Mr. Oldham and Mr. Futrell, which was finally decided in the supreme court in favor of the latter. From time to time, during the years after he left school, Mr. Futrell engaged in the study of law, not with the idea of taking up that profession as a life work, but because he was interested in the subject and desired to be well grounded in it, realizing what an advantage it would be to him in his public life. In 1913, however, he was admitted to the bar and since 1915 he has devoted his entire time and attention to the prac- tice of law at Paragould and is a member of the firm of Fuhr & Futrell. He has declined many appointments to public office but in 1922 served as circuit judge until another man was elected. In 1918 he was a member of the constitutional convention. Mr. Futrell is attorney for the Paragould Trust Company and the firm handles much corporation practice, not only large corporations in the United States, but corporations of foreign character.

On the 27th of September, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Futrell to Miss Terah A. Smith, a daughter of W. D. Smith, a prominent citizen of Independence county. To their union six children have been born: Nye, Prentiss, Byron, Ernie, Janice, and Daniel.

During the World war Mr. Futrell was tireless in his devotion to the govern- ment's interests and was active in all war work. He was a member of the state council for national defense and was influential in the promotion of all drives. He made speeches throughout the county in their behalf and served on the legal advisory board of this county. Mr. Futrell had charge of all Four-Minute men.

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Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, being an exemplary member of the craft. He belongs to Paragould Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M., and Paragould Chapter. Royal Arch Masons. He is likewise a member of Paragould Lodge, No. 1080, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In every relation of life Mr. Futrell has achieved success and he is a man universally liked and admired. His influence has been keenly felt during the past years, when Paragould and the county and state have been so greatly developed and exploited. He has wielded a great influ- ence for good in this community and is well calculated to inspire all with his splendid character and manly qualities.

JACK WALKER.

For a number of years Jack Walker has been engaged in the mercantile business in Fayetteville and is one of the successful and popular business men of the com- munity. A native of Fayetteville his birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1869, a son of James D. and Mary (Walker) Walker, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of J. V. Walker to be found on another page of this work.

Jack Walker is indebted to the schools of Fayetteville for his preliminary educa- tion and in due time enrolled in the University of Arkansas, where he took a three years' course. His first position upon leaving school was that of deputy circuit clerk under John N. Tillman and in 1892 he was elected circuit clerk, serving in that capacity for a period of four years. For four years he was mayor of Fayetteville and his ad- ministration in that office marked a period of progress and improvement in the community. For some time Mr. Walker was associated with the Mellroy Banking Company and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. H. S. Price and son, the concern being known as the Price-Walker Company. Since that time Mr. Walker has been engaged in the conduct of the business except for the period between September 1, 1913, and July 1, 1921, when he was active as collector of internal rev- enue of Arkansas. In 1921, however, he returned to Fayetteville and resumed his mercantile interests. The business of the company has grown to extensive propor- tions and he and Mr. Price and his son, S. A. Price, are now establishing branch stores at Springdale and Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The quality of merchandise they keep in stock is the best obtainable and is sold at the most reasonable prices.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Walker has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the affairs of which he has always taken an active and prominent part. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Mr. Walker is progressive and liberal in his ideas, upright in every word and deed and a man of rugged honesty. He has contributed much to the growth and development of Fayetteville and in his home city is known and esteemed as a progressive business man.

GEORGE G. WOODS, M. D.

Dr. George G. Woods, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Huntington. was born in Hackett, Arkansas, in 1878, his parents being J. S. and Mary (Shuler) Woods. The father's birth occurred at Bonanza, Arkansas, and he is a son of Gideon and Mary (Miller) Woods. The Shuler family came from Georgia and settled in Arkansas in pioneer times. The grandfather, Gideon Woods, was veteran of the Civil war, serving with the Confederate forces and was a son of Blackburn Woods, of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Woods were born two daughters and a son: Mrs. John Riemer, now living in Hackett; Mrs. Will Wright, whose home is in Monroe, Oklahoma; and Dr. Woods of this review.

The last named pursued his education in the schools of his native city, pass- ing through consecutive grades to the high school, and later he entered the Uni- versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he took an A. B. course and later entered the medical department, there preparing for his professional career. When he had completed his studies at Little Rock he entered upon the practice of his profession in Huntington, where he has remained for twenty-one years, and through the intervening period he has made steady progress as an able physician and surgeon, keeping apace with the onward march of the profession through wide reading and study. He is familiar with the latest scientific investigations and re- searches, and while quickly adopting any method that he believes will prove bene- ficial in his practice. he does not hastily discard the old time-tried methods and remedial agencies.

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Dr. Woods was united in marriage in 1904 to Miss Sarah A. Edward, a daughter of William Edwards, and they have become parents of two children, Merle and Natalie. Fraternally Dr. Woods is a Mason and loyally follows the teachings and purposes of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. Dr. Woods served on the examining board of District No. 2 during the World war and has been keenly interested in all that pertains to local progress or to the benefit of commonwealth and country. He has been city health officer for several years.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 170

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