Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 177

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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EDWARD F. ELLIS, M. D.

Since 1904 Dr. Edward F. Ellis has been practicing medicine in Fayetteville and the consensus of public opinion places him in the foremost rank of professional men in the state. A native of Missouri, he was born in St. Clair county, August 19, 1863, a son of Edward S. and Martha (Stearns) Ellis, the former a native of Tennes- see and the latter of Missouri. Their marriage was celebrated in Missouri and there the father engaged in farming until 1861, when he joined the Confederate army. After the close of the war he came to Arkansas and bought land in Washington county, where hoth he and his wife continued to reside until called to their final rest. Five children were born to their union, three of whom are living: Edward F., whose name initiates this review; William E., who is in the government service in Colorado; and Mark St. Clair, who is living retired in Fayetteville. The last named was for thirty years in the United States navy. Throughout his life Edward S. Ellis was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and a consistent member of the Christian church.

In the acquirement of an education Edward F. Ellis attended the common schools of Springdale and later, after determining to become a physician, he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis. He was graduated in 1885 and imme- diately began practice in Hindsville, Arkansas, where he remained for a decade. The year 1896 witnessed his removal to Springdale, where he continued to follow bis profession until 1904, when he came to Fayetteville and has practiced here since. He makes a specialty of surgery and his courteous sympathy and his professional skill have gained him distinctive precedence.

In 1888 occurred the marriage of Dr. Ellis and Miss Mabel Stafford and they became the parents of two children: Forrest, the wife of Guy Gardner, a prominent hardware man at Russellville; and Earl, engaged in the automobile business in Fayetteville. The wife and mother departed this life in 1896. Eight years later Dr. Ellis was again married, his second union being with Miss Cener Holcomb, a native of Springdale, Arkansas. Three children have been born to them: Martha Belle, Elizabeth and Ruth, all at home.

Dr. Ellis votes with the democratic party but has never taken an active part in politics, aside from exercising his right of franchise in support of measures which he deems of value in good government. He is now president of the Fayette-

ANNUNCIATION ACADEMY

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ville school board and is a member of the hoard of health and pension examiners. Fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. In the line of his profession he holds membership in the Washington County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, of which he was at one time president, the American Medical Association and the Southern Medical Association. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgery. He is likewise prominent in financial circles as a director of the First National Bank. In professional circles his worth and ability are widely recognized and that public opinion is favorable to him is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him. He keeps in touch with what is being done by eminent members of the profession throughout the country and his perusal of the best medical literature has brought him wide knowledge of scientific principles. In his practice he is always careful in the diagnosis of his cases and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties.

A. C. BROOKS.

Arkansas numbers among her native sons A. C. Brooks, who since April 1, 1920, has been serving as postmaster of Harrison. He is descended from southern ancestry, his maternal and paternal grandfathers having come from Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Jacob. Brooks, was born in Tennessee in 1803 and upon reaching man's estate engaged in farming and became a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1880 he came to Arkansas and here continued his duties as farmer and minister until his death in 1884. The maternal grandfather was Moses P. Hart, who was born in Kentucky, where he engaged in farming until his removal to Polk county, Missouri, where he purchased a large tract of land and engaged for the most part in stock raising. He served as county judge of Polk county for some time and did much to further the development and improvement of the community. He built the first brick residence in Southern Missouri and therein resided until he left Missonri as a refugee with Price's army, going into Texas, At the close of the war, however, he returned to Arkansas and locating in Boone county bought land and resumed his farming and stock raising, achieving more than a substantial success. His death occurred when he was ninety-two years of age. Mr. Hart was a consistent member of the Christian church. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government.

The parents of A. C. Brooks, whose name initiates this review, were George W. and Rebecca (Hart) Brooks, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. In 1870 the father left his native state for Arkansas and made the trip with horse teams in company with some thirty families. Members of this emigrant train suffered the hardships usually experienced by the early pioneers but finally arrived in Arkansas and located in Benton and Washington counties. Mr. Brooks hought a farm in the latter county and thereon put np log improvements. There were some deer in the vicinity of the homestead and in the spring and fall Indians passed through on their hunting trips. In 1879 Mr. Brooks disposed of his Washington connty place and removed to Boone county, where he is still living, aged sixty-nine years. Since his residence in Boone county he has engaged in general farming and has become one of its well known agriculturists. The death of Mrs. Brooks occurred in 1880. She is survived by her husband and one son, A. C. She had always taken an active interest in the affairs of the Christian church and her many friends mourned her departure. Some time after her death Mr. Brooks married Miss Leona Lipps. She is a native of Boone county, Arkansas. Three children have been horn to their union: Birdie, who is the wife of Charles Eaton, a farmer of Boone county; Jerome, engaged in the oil business in Oklahoma; and Oma, who is keeping books for an oil company in Oklahoma. Like his father, Mr. Brooks has always been a stanch supporter of the democratic party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

A. C. Brooks is indebted to the public schools of Harrison, Arkansas, for his education and after putting his textbooks aside he engaged for four years in teaching in the Harrison schools. Subsequently he retired from that profession to enter the business world and he built and conducted a steam laundry for a period of fifteen years. He installed modern machinery in the laundry and built up a business of extensive proportions. In 1917 he was appointed to the office of county clerk and served in that capacity for eight months. He was appointed assistant postmaster on the 1st of July, 1918, and was actively identified with that office until April 1, 1920, when he was appointed postmaster.

In 1898 Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gibson, a daughter of Napoleon and Anna (Easton) Gibson, both natives of Pike county, Missouri. The Vol. II-72

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father ran a drug store in Eureka Springs for nine years, having removed to that place from Missouri in 1886. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks: Frank G., who is owner of the Harrison Creamery and a representative young business man of the community; George H., John A., Anna and Joe, all attending school and residing at home. The eldest son enlisted in the United States navy at the age of seventeen years and received his training at San Diego, California. After leaving the navy he was for some time employed in a creamery at Springfield, Missouri, and at Fort Worth, Texas.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Brooks has given his allegiance to the democratic party. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and fraternally he is identified with the Royal Arch Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Columbian Woodmen. Mr. Brooks has always been a stanch advocate of education and for nine years was president of the school board, during his activity in that office erecting three school- houses. Mr. Brooks' interests in life have been broad and varied and whatever he has undertaken he has accomplished.

ROY W. MILUM.

The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial ac- tivity, its industrial interests and its trade relations, and, therefore, among the builders of the town are those who stand at the head of the business enterprises. Roy W. Milum, although but thirty-eight years of age, has for many years been active in the commercial circles of Harrison and has been the promoter of many of its chielf busi- ness interests.

Roy W. Milum was born at Lead Hill, Boone county, this state, on the 16th of January, 1883, a son of J. N. and Mary (Farmer) Milum, further mention of whom is made on another page of this work. He received his education in the public schools of his native town and in due time entered the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was graduated in 1904, with the degree of B. A. After putting his textbooks aside he made his initial step into the business world as a partner in the conduct of a mercantile establishment, an association he maintained for some time. In 1905, how- ever, he determined to enter into that business independently and until 1918 conducted one of the prominent general merchandise houses in Harrison. In that year, however, he disposed of the mercantile business and entered the produce business, buying out the interests of Mose Smith & Company, in the conduct of which he is still active. In addition to the produce business Mr. Milum owns a millinery store in Harrison and he is prominent as a stockholder in the Fort Smith, Van Buren, and Harrison hardware stores and he is vice president of the Citizens Bank of Harrison and the Bank of OIvey. He is the owner of a mercantile establishment in Valley Springs. Although the greater part of his time is devoted to his business interests he is interested in agricultural pursuits and is in possession of between three and four thousand acres of land located for the most part in Boone county.

In 1907 Mr. Milum was united in marriage to Miss Andra Connerley, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of W. M. Connerley. Her father is deceased. He was for many years a well known hotel man in Harrison. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Milum four children have been born: Mary, William James, Roy W., Jr., and John C., now at home.

The political allegiance of Mr. Milum is given to the democratic party, in the interests of which he has taken an active part. He is now serving his second term as county treasurer and has served two terms as county collector. He has been a member of the city council, of the board of water commissioners, and president of the school hoard. Fraternally he is a Mason and has crossed the sands of the desert, becoming a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has filled all chairs in the Odd Fellows Lodge and was Grand Master 1915-1916. Mr. Milum possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which he now enjoys.

R. E. WOMACK.

There is no doubt that the teacher is one of the most important forces in the progress of the world and the successful teacher deserves the respect and honor of all friends of humanity. R. E. Womack, superintendent of the public schools of Conway, is a conscientious and progressive educator and deserves prominent mention in a work

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relating to Arkansas and the men who have contributed in a large way to its de- velopment.

Mr. Womack is a native of this state, his birth having occurred in Benton county, on the 4th of November, 1882, a son of James W. and Elizabeth (Gamble) Womack. His paternal grandfather, Richard Womack, was born in Tennessee in 1819 and was a successful farmer and a large slave owner. He came to Arkansas in 1855, making the trip overland and passing through the states of Kentucky and Missouri. Many priva- tions were suffered by the family and two of his children died during the trip. They were buried by the roadside. On reaching Arkansas he located on a tract of timber land the greater part of which he cleared himself. He was one of the first settlers in Benton county. During the Civil war the log house that he had built on the homestead was burned to the ground and the family lived in the smoke-house until the period of civil strife came to an end. Federal soldiers camped on his land throughout the period and they plundered his home and destroyed his crops. He had three sons in the war, Bransford, William and Martin. Bransford and Martin were in active service for four

years. Grandfather Womack resumed the cultivation of his land after the war and resided thereon until his demise, which occurred suddenly when on a visit in Fort Smith. His son carried the remains back to Benton county in a wagon, the journey requiring two days. Mr. Womack not only engaged in general farming but set out a nursery on his place and sold fruit trees all over this state and into Kansas. He con- tributed land, lumber and most of the work for the building of the Center Point church in Benton county and he was in every way an exemplary citizen. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. Alexander Gamble, the maternal grandfather, was born in Alabama in 1819 and sometime in the '30s he came to Arkansas with his widowed mother. He entered land and taught school in the country schools near his home. He was ordained a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church but never held any charge. He served as county assessor for several terms and was never known to make a speech in his own behalf. He was also a clerk in the county offices for several years, in addition to farming. Grandfather Gamble was also one of the pioneers of Benton county and a prominent figure in both public and private life. He died when seventy-seven years of age.

James W. Womack, the father of R. E. Womack, whose name introduces this review, was a native of Wilson county, Tennessee, where his birth occurred in 1849. He was but six years of age when he came with his parents to Arkansas and he received his education in the log schoolhouses of Benton county. In later life he engaged in farming, specializing in fruit farming, and he has achieved substantial success. He is now living retired but still owns his farm, from which he derives a substantial income. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gamble, who was born iu Benton county in 1850, and to their union nine children have been born: Cora, the wife of F. M. Marr, engaged in the canning business at Warrensburg, Missouri; J. P., superintendent of schools at Jonesboro; Anna, now the wife of H. B. Good, a farmer near Centerton; Ida, the wife of R. E. Lee, engaged in farming in Louisiana; John A., pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Fayetteville; Stella M., a stenographer for a large concern in Pueblo, Colorado; R. E., whose name heads this review; William V., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Siloam Springs; and Luther, who died in infancy. The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Womack has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government.

R. E. Womack received his education in the common schools of Benton county and in due time entered the preparatory department of the State University. He graduated from the Arkansas University in 1909, with the degree of A. B. Previous to that, in 1902, he had taught school and for four years was a teacher in Columbia, Ouachita and Benton counties. In 1909, after receiving his degree from the University of Arkansas. he became a teacher of history in that institution, where he remained as an instructor until 1917. In that year he became superintendent of the schools of Conway and has since been active in that connection. In 1916 the Peabody College for Teachers at Nashville, Tennessee, conferred upon him the Master's degree. Mr. Womack is tireless in his devotion to the duties devolving upon him as superintendent of schools and he is an earnest, energetic and progressive member of his profession.

In 1904 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Womack and Miss Mamie Boner, who was born in Grainger, Missouri, in 1883, a daughter of Stephen Boner, who was for many years a prominent farmer and stockman of Missouri but came to Benton county in 1896 and took up fruit farming. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Womack six children have been born: Lucile, who is now residing at home and is a graduate of the Conway high school; Elma Lee, a student in the high school; Helen, attending the junior high school; Hazel and Richard in the grade schools; and Edith, at home.

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The family is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and for the past five years Mr. Womack has been a member of the board of stewards. In politics he supports the principles of the democratic party and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is an active worker in all progressive movements which aim to promote the general welfare, and at present he is a member of the Rotary Club and the Com- mercial Club. He has no fraternal affiliations but in the line of his profession is an active member in the State Teachers Association. Mr. Womack is held in high regard in Conway and he justly ranks among the leaders in education in Arkansas.

LAWRENCE HEDRICK DERBY.

Another prominent business man of Warren is Lawrence Hedrick Derby, sales manager of the Arkansas Lumber Company here. A native of Colorado, he was born in Pueblo on the 20th of April, 1896, a son of Claude A. and Zuloo (Doudna) Derby, both natives of Iowa. They were married in Colorado, where both had emigrated as young people and the father was for some years assistant superintendent of the Colo- rado Fuel & Iron Company. In later life, however, he removed to Warren and at the time of his demise, in 1907, he was assistant manager of the Arkansas Lumber Com- pany here. Mrs. Derby died in 1918, just eight days before the signing of the armistice.

In the acquirement of his early education Lawrence Hedrick Derby attended the Warren Training School and in due time enrolled as a student in the Park College at Parkville, Missouri, where he remained for two years. He then took a commercial course in Huff's School of Expert Training at Kansas City and was studying there when the United States entered the World war. Putting his textbooks aside, he enlisted in the navy on the 1st of June, 1918, and was assigned to duty at the naval operating base at Hampton Roads, Virginia, where he remained in service until receiving his honorable discharge on the 13th of March, 1919. He entered the service as an apprentice seaman and on leaving held the rank of ensign. Following his discharge he was placed on the naval reserve force and there remained until the reduction of the military and naval forces by the government, his release occurring in September, 1921. Subsequently he spent a short time visiting friends and relatives in Colorado and Kansas City and on the 2d of April, 1919, returned to Warren. Soon afterward he accepted a position as sales manager of the Arkansas Lumber Company here and has since been active in this connection. He is a business man of progressive spirit and unfaltering determination, who accomplishes everything that he undertakes and steadily works his way upward to success, employing modern business methods and wisely utilizing every opportunity that comes to hand.

On the 17th of June, 1920, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Derby to Miss Mabel Meek, a daughter of S. B. Meek, president of the Warren Bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Derby are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and she takes an active part in the club and social affairs of the community.

Fraternally Mr. Derby is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and as a citizen having the welfare of the community at heart, is an active member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is now serving as secretary and treas- urer of the former organization, likewise being a member of the board of directors. Mr. Derby also takes an active interest in the American Legion. He is one of the live- wire citizens of Warren and occupies an enviable position in both business and social circles.

EDWARD JONES BYRD, M. D.

Dr. Edward Jones Byrd, a representative of the medical profession in Millville since 1905, has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate and complex prob- lems which confront the physician, and his professional labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success when viewed from the health and financial standpoints. Dr. Byrd is a native of Hampton, this state, his birth having occurred on the 20th of May, 1875, a son of William Augustus and Mary S. (Lee) Byrd, both natives of this state. The father was born in Union county near El Dorado, while Mrs. Byrd was born at Jersey in Bradley county. They were married in the latter county and soon after- ward located on a farm in Calhoun county, where the father had acquired some val- uable farm land a number of years previous. For about fifty years they resided on that land, the father becoming one of the representative and progressive agriculturists of the community. In March, 1919, Mrs. Byrd died, and soon thereafter Mr. Byrd retired from active life and is now making his home with a daughter in Bearden.

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In the acquirement of an education, Edward Jones Byrd attended the common schools of his birthplace and in due time enrolled as a student in the Woodberry Nor- mal School at Woodberry. He completed his course there in the required time and for the next five years was engaged in educational work. He did not believe himself cut out for that work, however, and in 1896 he entered the Memphis Hospital Medical College, which institution is now merged with the University of Tennessee, and was graduated therefrom in 1902, with the M. D. degree. He immediately launched into the practice of his profession, locating in Woodberry, where he remained for five years. Subsequently he spent one year in practice in Bearden and in April, 1905, he came to Millville as physician and surgeon for the Freeman-Smith Lumber Company in which official capacity he has since served. He is local surgeon for the St. Louis & South- western Railroad and is likewise active as county health officer for Ouachita county. In addition to these connections Dr. Byrd has an extensive private practice. He holds to high professional standards and puts forth conscientious efforts to make his labors of the utmost value to his patients. That his work is attended by gratifying results is manifest in his constantly increasing patronage and that he holds to high professional ethics is evidenced in the fact that his fellow practitioners always speak of him in terms of high regard.

In June, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Byrd to Miss Virginia Pierce of Woodberry, and to their union the following children were born: Clyde, a student at Central College, in Conway; Clarice, attending Kidd-Key College at Sherman, Texas; Edwin Henry, a student at Bearden high school; Virginia, attending grammar school; and Mary Lou, five years of age. Mrs. Byrd departed this life on the 19th of March, 1920.

Along strictly professional lines Dr. Byrd is connected with Arkansas State Medical Society and the Ouachita County Medical Society and through the proceedings of these bodies he keeps in close touch with what is being done by eminent members of the profession and in his work employs the most modern and scientific methods. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in Millville Lodge, No. 538, and he is likewise a member of Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Dr. Byrd is recognized by his many friends as a steady, substantial citizen, whose cooperation may be counted upon to promote any movement he deems essential to the welfare of the community.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 177

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