Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 175

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 1904 Dr. George was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Robinson, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and they have become the parents of one son, Chester, who is now in school. Dr. George belongs to the Christian church, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. He is a York Rite Mason, having attained the Knights Templar degree, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has always voted with the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is now county health officer of Carroll county. He likewise filled

Vol. II-71

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the position of county coroner for a period of six years. He devotes his entire time and attention, however, to his practice and is today the oldest member of the profession in years of continuous practice in Berryville. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the Carroll County Medical Society and has been president of the last named for several terms and is again occupying that position. He devotes his attention to general medical practice, doing some minor surgery in addition, and at all times he keeps abreast with the trend of modern pro- fessional thought and progress, his ability being attested by his contemporaries and colleagues as well as by the general public.

JOHN WARMACK.

John Warmack, a partner in the firm of Warmack Brothers and thus active iu the control of one of the largest milling enterprises of Fort Smith, has through an orderly progression reached the creditable business position which he now occupies. He was born in Whitfield, Georgia, in 1874, and was reared and educated in his native state. The period of his boyhood and youth passed without notable event affecting his career. When his school days were over he started to provide for his own sup- port and became interested in a planing mill business in Cleveland, Tennessee, in connection with his brother Elbridge, now deceased. For three years John Warmack was engaged in that business and later turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business, removing to Dalton, Georgia, where he established his agency. After leaving that city he became a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where for seven years he was engaged in the insurance business, winning a large clientele during that period. It was in 1911 that Mr. Warmack came to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he joined his brother George in the milling business and thus through a decade he has continued active in this line. Together they have established a large business scarcely equalled and not surpassed in Fort Smith. They are credited with all the sales placed with the Majestic Milling Company of Aurora, Missouri, and they are the sole representatives of that company in the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. They handle flour and other products and their patronage has steadily increased as the result of their thoroughly progressive and reliable business methods. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and their earnest desire to please has been one of the strong elements in the promotion of the growth of their business.

Mr. Warmack has been married twice. He first wedded Nada Heartsill of Cleve- land, Tennessee. He afterward married Grace Stephens, daughter of R. M. Stephens, an early resident of Sebastian county, Arkansas. His children are two in number: Glenn, twenty years of age; and Gertrude, eighteen.

Mr. and Mrs. Warmack are widely known in Fort Smith, where they have gained many friends, while he has attained a most enviable position in business circles. Outside interests have made little claim upon his time and energies, for he has concentrated his attention upon his milling interests and his prosperity is well de- served, as in him are embraced an unabating energy, unfaltering integrity and industry that never flags.

GEORGE BUCKLAND COATE.

In connection with the cotton industry of the south the name of George Buck- land Coate is a familiar one and since 1916 he has controlled an extensive business as a cotton shipper and exporter in the capital city. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, July 12, 1893, and is a son of Henry J. and Eleanor (Brown) Coate. The father was a farmer and belonged to a family of Canadian pioneers. He is still living on the old homestead at Rosseau. His wife is the daughter of one of Canada's most distinguished educators, James Brown, M. A., who was for many years a master of the Upper Canada College.

George B. Coate was educated in the city schools of Toronto to the age of fifteen years when he crossed the border into the United States. He made his way to New Orleans, where his uncles were engaged in the cotton business, his purpose being to acquaint himself with every phase of the industry. For four years he remained with his uncles and then went to Texas, where he continued in the same line of business for five years. After nine years of close application he mastered the business from the point of handling the seed for planting until the cotton was in the compressed bale and also became familiar with the buying, selling and shipping end of the business. In

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1916 he came to Little Rock, where he has since been prominently known as a rep- resentative of the cotton industry in shipping and exporting cotton. With his thorough knowledge of the product and his extensive foreign connections he soon became a potent factor in the Little Rock Cotton Exchange, being today a conspicuous and honored figure in connection with this great industry.

In 1917 Mr. Coate was married to Miss Jennie Chamberlin, a daughter of Cap- tain William M. Chamberlin of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her father was a representa- tive of one of the old-time families of that state and an honored representative of the old school of southern people. He won the title of captain in the Civil war as commander of a company of Confederate troops. His daughter, Mrs. Coate, has great musical talent but is essentially a home woman, presiding with gracious and charm- ing hospitality over their attractive home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Coate are active members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as a deacon and also on the board of trustees. In politics he is a democrat. They hold membership in the Lakeside and Little Rock Country Clubs and Mrs. Coate also belongs to the Aesthetic Club, one of the most exclusive organizations of the city. Though a citizen of Arkansas for but a comparatively short time Mr. Coate is accounted a sterling business man and an important member of the Little Rock Exchange. The nature of the trades that he has instituted is such as is controlled by none but men of marked business capability, executive force and of the highest integrity. It soon became recognized that Mr. Coate belongs to this class and his popularity in his position as a business man and as a citizen was soon assured.

COWLEY STEPHEN PETTUS, M. D.

Dr. Cowley Stephen Pettus, who has been in the active practice of medicine in Ar- kansas during the past twenty years, is a native of Morton, Scott county, Mississippi, his birth having occurred on the 18th of December, 1877. He is a son of Horatio Over- ton and Eugenia Armstead (Cowley) Pettus, the former a native of Florence, Alabama, and the latter of Portsmouth, Virginia. The Pettus family is one of the most dis- tinguished in the south, the ancestral line being traced back to Thomas Pettus, who, with his brother John, came to America in 1692. They were the sons of Sir John Pettus and both brothers settled in Virginia. John never married and the descendants of Thomas Pettus, who was a colonel of the Colonial Guards, scattered after the Revolution to all sections of the south. The names of many are on record as soldiers in the American army in the war for independence. On the pages of history of both Alabama and Mississippi the name of Pettus figures extensively and prominently, for the represen- tatives of the family were dominant factors in connection with the annals of hoth states for many years. General Edward W. Pettus, a cousin to the grandfather of Dr. Pettus, was a distinguished soldier in the Civil war and later became a leader of the democratic party. He and his cousin, T. F. Pettus of Mississippi, were given the credit of swing- ing the south to Grover Cleveland in the democratic national convention of 1884. Cap- tain T. F. Pettus was a merchant and under Cleveland he accepted the post of min- ister to China. General Edward W. Pettus was ambitious to serve on the United States supreme bench. He would have achieved this honor, but Senator Pugh, one of the Ala- bama senators, when asked to recommend him for appointment, hesitated on account of the General's age, which was then nearly seventy. The gallant old southerner replied : "Perhaps he's right. I may be too old, but a man's never too old to be United States senator." At the next election he stood for the office against Senator Pugh and was elected, serving in the nation's highest legislative body. A brother of Seuator Pettus of Alabama was John J. Pettus, the famous war governor of Mississippi. After the Civil war the United States government was active in hunting the Mississippi war governor, who had not taken the oath of allegiance. Hearing that he was in Arkansas, two secret service men were sent to this state to hunt the governor. During their search they were entertained by Bill Williams, a cotton planter, who furnished them lavish entertainment and assisted in their search for Governor Pettus, but all their ef- forts were in vain. After the days of reconstruction one of these men, who had be- come a resident of Arkansas, was asked by an acquaintance: "Did you fellows ever get any track of Governor Pettus?" "No," said the ex-secret service man, "we never located him till he went back to Mississippi and then he was not wanted." "By the way, you knew Bill Williams, the planter, didn't you?" "Yes," said the secret service man, "and he was a fine gentleman. We stayed on his place about two weeks." "Well, you are a fine detective. Bill Williams, who treated you so royally, was Governor John Pettus of Mississippi." The answer came: "Well, if he was, he was the finest fellow I ever met and I am glad we did not know it." The town of Pettus in Arkansas is named

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in honor of Governor Pettus. Another distinguished member of the family was Hor- atio O. Pettus, who was a member of the Fourth Alahama Regiment in the Confederate army but was retired for disability caused by wounds sustained in the battle of Manas- sas. He hecame county clerk of Lauderdale county and was instrumental in saving the county records when Sherman's army passed through that section. In 1866 he re- moved his family to Scott county, Mississippi, and there departed this life in 1902.

The Cowleys were of English lineage and were early Virginia colonists. The home of the grandfather of Dr. Pettus was one of the finest in Portsmouth and was seized by the naval department of the government for the use of naval officers. He made many attempts to get it back after the Civil war hy purchase or enactment but failed in every effort.

Dr. C. S. Pettus was educated in the public schools of Morton, in the high school at Walnut Grove, Mississippi, and in the University of Kentucky, heing graduated from the medical department of the last named institution in 1904. After receiving his de- gree he located for practice in El Dorado, Arkansas, and in 1912 established his home in Little Rock, where he has remained. Throughout the intervening period he has en- joyed a large practice and from 1917 until 1921 was superintendent of the Pulaski County Hospital. He is a member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southwestern Medical Society, the Southern Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

On the 26th of April, 1899, at Morton, Mississippi, Dr. Pettus married Nellie, daughter of Samuel Houston Kirkland, a distinguished lawyer and educator of that state. Professor Kirkland entered the Confederate army when a lad of sixteen years and served to the close of hostilities. He was for many years county superintendent of education and contributed in large measure to educational progress in Mississippi. Dr. and Mrs. Pettus have two children, Samuel Houston and Syhil Augusta, who are students in the Junior high school of Little Rock.

Dr. Pettus gives his political allegiance to the democratic party hut, unlike his immediate forbears, has not been active in politics, his only political position being that of assistant postmaster at Morton, Mississippi, in his early manhood. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason, a Mystic Shriner and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He concentrates his efforts and energies upon his professional duties and devotes his time almost ex- clusively to surgery. He has taken several postgraduate courses and thus promoted his efficiency, which now gives him high rank among the able surgeons of the cap- ital city.

JESSE L. HIGGINS.

A loyal and enterprising citizen of Mansfield is Jesse L. Higgins, who since the 1st of February, 1919, has been engaged in the hardware business here. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred near Mansfield in 1891, a son of J. F. and Harriett (Goble) Higgins. The father came to Arkansas from Georgia when a hoy, just after the close of the Civil war, and he engaged in farming here. His father, Reuben W. Higgins, served with a Georgia regiment throughout the Civil war and par- ticipated in the battles of Gettysburg, Manassas Junction and Bull Run.

When Jesse L. Higgins hecame of school age he attended the country schools of the surrounding country and later entered Cumberland College in Clarksville, this state. Upon graduating from that institution he entered the business world as hook- keeper for the Bank of Mansfield. His rise in financial circles was rapid and subse- quently he resigned his position with that institution to become assistant cashier of the Huntington State Bank. Some time later he became associated with the Mitchell & Mitchell Manufacturing Company as secretary, that concern being located at Fort Smith and he was active in that capacity when the United States entered the World war. His patriotism prompted immediate enlistment and he was sent into training at Camp Pike. At the close of the war he returned to Mansfield and on the Ist of February, 1919, he purchased an interest in a hardware concern. Mr. Higgins has won for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have earned him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

In May, 1918, occurred the marriage of Mr. Higgins to Miss Rowena Harwell. She was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Little Rock and also was an in- structor in shorthand at Draughons College. One child, Harriett, has been horn to their union. She is two years of age.

Fraternally Mr. Higgins is a thirty-second degree Mason and he belongs to the consistory at Little Rock. He is post commander of the American Legion and takes

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an active part in furthering the interests of that organization. As head of one of the representative business interests of Mansfield, Mr. Higgins has the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come into contact and has won for himself a host of friends. He is loyal and enterprising, possessing the progressive spirit of the times and accomplishing what he undertakes.

JOHN W. SALLIS.

John W. Sallis, editor and owner of the Herald Democrat, published at Clarks- ville, in Johnson county, was born in Fulton, Mississippi, March 21, 1863, and is descended from French ancestry. His grandfather was Solomon Sallis, who was born in France and in young manhood came to the United States, spending his last days in Mississippi. His life was devoted to the occupation of farming. He was the father of W. J. Sallis, who was born in Alabama but when young accompanied his parents to Mississippi, where he reached adult age and was united in marriage to Miss Mary Young, who was born in Macon, Georgia, and was a daughter of Woodson Young, also a native of that state, who was of English lineage and died in Mississippi

at the age of forty-five years. Following his marriage W. J. Sallis devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Mississippi until 1874, when he removed to Arkansas and purchased a farm in Franklin county. He later engaged in the hotel business at Branch, Arkansas, continuing therein to the time of his death. During the Civil war he joined Forrest's command, with which he served for two years, and later he was transferred to an infantry regiment, with which he remained until the close of hostilities. He was slightly wounded at Port Hudson. His political allegiance was always given to the democratic party and fraternally he was a Mason, loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. Religiously he was a Pres- hyterian and the church ever found in him a consistent and helpful member. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom four are yet living: John W., of this review; J. S., who is an automobile dealer of Oklahoma; W. D., who follows farming near Little Rock; and Mrs. Mary Ross, a widow, now living at Branch, Arkansas.

John W. Sallis, whose name introduces this review, remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he entered Canehill College of Arkansas, where he completed his education. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which claimed his time and energies for over a quarter of a century, and he became one of the most eminent educators of Arkansas. For seventeen years he was the efficient and honored superintendent of the city schools of Clarksville, con- tributing largely to the development along educational lines in this city. He likewise filled the offices of county examiner and county superintendent for eighteen years and there is no one who has so strongly left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the educational interests of the county as has Mr. Sallis. In 1912 he turned his attention to newspaper publication and purchased the Johnson County Herald, continuing in the business until 1918, when he sold the paper to the Clarks- ville Democrat, with which it was then consolidated. In March, 1920, however, he repurchased the paper and has since continued its publication under the name of the Herald Democrat. He has a large job printing plant in connection and his paper has a circulation of two thousand, which renders it a splendid advertising medium and he thereby secures an excellent advertising patronage. He publishes his paper in accord with the most progressive ideas of modern journalism and his success has been most gratifying.

On the 6th of March, 1887, Mr. Sallis was married to Miss May Real, who was born in Texas. They became the parents of three daughters and a son: Ocie B., who is the wife of O. B. Durham, superintendent of schools at Parkdale, Arkansas; Vera, the wife of C. M. Threagill, who is part owner of the Herald Democrat and acts as foreman of the plant; Neita, the wife of Roy Garrett, part owner and man- ager of the Clarksville Bottling Works; and John W., who is part owner of the Herald Democrat. The wife and mother died in 1909 and in 1911 Mr. Sallis was married to Miss Newell Foster, a native of Tennessee, and they have become parents of a son and a daughter, Richard and Grace, aged respectively eight and four years.

Mr. Sallis and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and he also loyally follows the teachings of Masonry, being identified with both the York and Scottish Rites. He is now master of his lodge, having filled the office for four or five years. He is likewise high priest of the chapter and eminent con- mander of the commandery and is one of the most active workers of Masonry in

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this section of the state. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party, but though a stanch advocate of its principles, he has never sought or desired public office save that he served as county superintendent of schools. He was an attendant of the meetings of the Arkansas Teachers Associa- tion for a period of seventeen consecutive years. He was also a member of the board of trustees and was president of the Western Arkansas Teachers Association. He also taught in county normal schools of Arkansas through eight summers and in Oklahoma through the summer seasons of seven years. Throughout the country today are found capable business men who were formerly his pupils and who acknowledge their indebtedness to him for the stimulus which he gave to them in their school days. He ever recognized the fact that education is but a preparation for life's responsible duties and his whole training was directed with that end in view. His labors indeed brought splendid results and again in the newspaper field through his editorials he is contributing in large measure to the enlightenment of the public upon many vital questions. He has made the Herald Democrat a newspaper that is indeed well worth while.

ROBERT L. ROGERS.

Robert L. Rogers, of whom it has been said, "He was horn for the platform: it is his throne," is today one of the eminent attorneys of the state and his oratorical ability, as well as his knowledge of law, has placed him in the advanced position which he occupies as a member of the Arkansas har. The state is proud to number him among her native sons. He was born at West Point, White county, January 28, 1868, his parents being David E. and Mary (Taylor) Rogers, the former a native of Ken- tucky, while the latter was born in Virginia. The father's death occurred in 1879, and the mother's in June, 1920.

Robert L. Rogers spent the first thirteen years of his life at the place of his nativ- ity and during that period entered the public schools at the usual age, continuing his studies there until he came with his parents to Little Rock and entered the public schools of this city. He afterward resided for three years in Texas and was a pupil in the schools of that state. Deciding upon the practice of law as a life work, he began reading in Little Rock and following the removal of the family to the Lone Star state he completed his preparation and was admitted to the bar at Lubbock, Texas, where he entered upon active practice. With his return to Arkansas he was admitted to practice at the bar of this state and opened an office in Crawford county, where he was soon successful in winning a good clientage. While there residing he served as prosecuting attorney and was also made one of the lawmakers of the state hv elec- tion to the general assembly, in which he served for two terms, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement during his legislative career. In the meantime he had removed to Van Buren, the county seat of Crawford county, and in the autumn of 1904 he established his home in Little Rock, where he has since followed his profession. He is regarded as a most able trial lawyer and a wise counselor and from the beginning of his residence here his clien- tele has been extensive. In a calling where advancement depends entirely upon indi- vidual merit and ability he has steadily worked his way upward until he stands in the front rank among the leading attorneys of the state. In 1905 he was elected attorney general for Arkansas on the democratic ticket and his administration of the duties of the office was highly satisfactory to the general public. In 1906 he was the candi- date for nomination for governor on the democratic ticket. Since then he has engaged in the private practice of law and has become prominently known on the lecture plat- form, his brilliant oratory at all times holding the attention of his audiences. More- over, he has continued an active supporter of the democratic party and his public utterances concerning the vital questions and issues of the day have had marked effect over public thought and opinion. In the fall of 1910 he was elected prosecuting attor- uey for the sixth judicial district and continued to fill the office until 1914, discharg- ing his duties with the same capability and fidelity that has marked his other public service.

It would be difficult to say whether his law practice, his official record or his lec- ture tours have added most to his reputation, making him one of the most widely known muen of the state. Nature endowed him with the gift of oratory, which he has con- stantly developed and he may well be called one of the silver-tongued speakers of the southwest. He never lacked for a word, a well-rounded phrase or an apt anecdote, and the logic of his utterances makes his impress upon all. The broader spirit of the new century finds expression in his lectures, and it is a dull mind that does not respond

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 175

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