Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 2

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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The George family has long heen represented in the south. The grandfather of Burton O. George was David O. George, who was born in Tennessee and in an early day removed to Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life, devoting his at- tention to the occupation of farming. The Burton family, of which Burton O. George is a representative through the maternal line, was also an old family of Tennessee. His grandfather died when Mrs. Mary (Burton) George was but a young girl and thus much of the family history has been lost.

Burton O. George was educated in Clarke's Academy at Berryville, one of the old, substantial schools of the state. His first commercial venture was in connection with the drug business, in which he engaged for twenty years, associated with his father. He made a success in that line but eventually sold his drug store in 1912 and became actively identified with the First National Bank as cashier. Later he was elected to the position of vice president and has been the active vice president of the institution since that date. The First National Bank was organized by his father in 1889 and is one of the strong financial institutions of Arkansas. It is capitalized for sixty thousand dollars and has a surplus of thirty thousand dollars, with average annual deposits amounting to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He was also at one time a director of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Green Forest but sold his interest in that institution, which, however, he conducted for six months in 1915. He now acts as guardian for the children of his deceased brother.

Mr. George is a member of the Masonic fraternity, loyal to the teachings and pur- poses of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He devotes his time to the bank and to the management of his father's estate and is thus leading a busy, active and useful life.

ISAAC ASBURY CLARKE.

Professor Isaac Asbury Clarke, who for years was principal of Clarke's Academy of Berryville and was one of the most widely known and ablest educators of the state, was born in Overton county, Tennessee, March 22, 1837. He acquired his early educa- tion in Rhea's Academy at Berryville, which he attended for several years, and he later became a student in the University of Missouri at Columbia in the year 1860. He left school the following year, however, to enlist in the Confederate army, with which he served until the close of the war. He was on duty with the First Creek Regiment of the Indian Territory under General Standwatie and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and of Honey Springs. He received his discharge at the close of the war, at which time he had risen to the rank of captain.

It was less than two years after the close of hostilities that Professor Clarke opened an academy at Berryville. The institution hegan with twenty-five pupils on the 14th of January, 1867, and such was the success of the new enterprise that the number of pupils had increased to one hundred before the first term had closed. From the beginning the school was a success and Professor Clarke continued his educa- tional work until within a year and a half of his death. He was a most capable edu- cator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and many of the ablest men of the state and of the west received at least a part of their training under his direction and bear testimony to the thoroughness of the work and the inspiration of his own career over their lives.

In 1871 Professor Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Virginia G. Layton and they became the parents of a son and two daughters. The mother, Mrs. Clarke, was killed on the 8th of August, 1879, while on an outing trip with her husband and chil- dren. They were camped at Eureka Springs when a tree fell upon Mrs. Clarke, caus- ing her death almost instantly. Professor Clarke remained true to her memory, never marrying again. His son, Cuthbert Clarke, resided for a time at Victor, Colorado, but is now deceased. The daughters are: Vinnie, now the wife of Malone Lewis of

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Denver, Colorado; and Fannie, the wife of Digby John West of Berryville. In the summer of 1905 Professor Clarke made an extended trip through the west and at every stop was greeted and entertained by his old students, many of whom are now men of prominence in business circles and in the councils of state and federal government. It was the arduous duty that he imposed upon himself in carrying on the school and in writing nights and evenings concerning his western trip that finally caused the breakdown resulting in his death. He was for many years teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday school of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and his entire life was guided by a most earnest belief in the Christian faith, although he did not unite with any church. However, he closely followed the Golden Rule and there are few men whose lives have been such a force for intellectual and moral advancement in the state of Arkansas. One of the local papers said: "He has, through his personal influence and the influence of his school, done more to advance the educational inter- ests of the county than any other individual. It would be an impossibility to estimate the loss Carroll county has sustained in the death of Professor Clarke. Always public- spirited, he was ready at all times to give of his effort and his means to any enter- prise that promised good to his county or state, and his voice will be missed in those councils that are called upon to act for the good of the people. The moment of his death-sunset-was emblematic, for with the going out of this life a source of both light and warmth was withdrawn from a large section of the earth." He lived and labored long for the benefit of his fellowmen and his influence remains as a power and a benediction among those with whom he was associated.

WYLIE BLOUNT MILLER.

Wylie Blount Miller, manager of the insurance department of the Union & Mer- cantile Trust Company of Little Rock and a well known figure in the insurance circles of the state, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, July 16, 1878, and is one of a family of five children, four sons and a daughter, of whom one son is deceased. The parents were James Russell and Geraldine (Hill) Miller. The father was born in Rogersville, Tennessee, in 1842, while the mother's birth occurred in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and they were married in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1877. Mr. Miller served in the Confederate army during the Civil war, organizing a company at Nashville, Tennessee. soon after the outbreak of hostilities. He was chosen captain and served for four years in General A. S. Johnson's command. His political endorsement was always given to the democratic party. He followed various lines of business to the time of his death, which occurred in Saratoga, New York, in September, 1892. His widow survives and now makes her home in Little Rock.

Wylie B. Miller was quite young when he became a resident of the capital city and in private schools here he pursued his early education, while later he attended St. Alban's College at Radford, Virginia, and for a time was a student in the Univer- sity of Virginia. After leaving the University he was engaged in looking after his father's estate until it was settled up. In his business career he has steadily advanced and now occupies the responsible position of manager of the insurance department of the Union & Mercantile Trust Company.

On the 1st of June, 1904, in Staunton, Virginia, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Helena Hunter Spitler, who was born in Staunton, Virginia, in 1881. Mr. Miller has always voted with the democratic party but has never been an office seeker. During the World war he assisted the welfare committee and took active part in promoting the Liberty Bond and Red Cross drives. He and his wife are members of Christ Episco- pal church and he also belongs to the Country Club, through which avenue he derives much social pleasure.

HARRISON E. CRILL.

The enterprising little city of Gillett numbers among its wide awake, progressive and energetic merchauts the gentleman whose name introduces this review. Harri- son E. Crill succeeded in business William J. Stillwell, one of the oldest merchants of Gillett, his present establishment being the outgrowth of the business that had been founded by Mr. Stillwell many years before. In the conduct of his store Mr. Crill displays a most progressive spirit, carrying a well selected and attractive line of goods and employing modern-day business methods in the management of the trade,

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

while his thorough reliability has been one of the potent elements in the attainment of his present-day success.

Mr. Crill was born in McDonough county, Illinois, in 1875 and is a son of E. J. and Phoebe (Walker) Crill. The father was a native of Oneida county, New York, where his father was a well known capitalist. He purchased land in Illinois and other western states at a very early day and E. J. Crill made visits to these places in the interest of his father and ultimately became identified with the middle west. It was while on one of these trips looking after his father's business affairs that he met and married Phoebe Walker, a native of New York, and for a time they resided in Illinois, the birth of their son, Harrison E., there occurring. Subsequently they became residents of Oneida county, New York. To them were born the following named: Arthur, who is now living in Gillett; Harrison E., of this review; and John W., deceased. The father removed with his family to Arkansas and established his permanent residence in 1887 where the town of Gillett now stands. He was a civil engineer by profession and at one time served as surveyor of Arkansas county.

Harrison E. Crill was reared and educated in this state and in early life became identified with farming interests. In 1902, however, he entered into association with Mr. Stillwell, pioneer merchant of Gillett, and later became one of the organizers of the Still- well Mercantile Company, which succeeded to the individual ownership of Mr. Stillwell. Mr. Crill became president and general manager of the business and in January, 1920, he took over the interests of his associates in the store, becoming sole owner of what is today one of the leading mercantile establishments in his part of the county. His stock is attractive, his business methods thoroughly reliable and progressive and his trade is steadily growing.

Mr. Crill has been married twice. He first wedded Dasie McGraw of Gillett, a daughter of George and Sally McGraw. His second wife was Roberta Branstetter and in the social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position, having a legion of warm friends. Fraternally Mr. Crill is connected with the Woodmen of the World and his entire life has been guided by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership.

HON. JAMES P. CLARKE.

Hon. James P. Clarke of Little Rock, who died October 1, 1916, was serving at the time of his death, for the third term as a member of the United States congress. He had previously been governor of Arkansas and he left the impress of his individ- uality and marked ability upon the history of state and nation, being connected with various important legislative measures while a member of congress.

A native of Mississippi, James P. Clarke was born in Yazoo City, August 18, 1854, and was the eldest son of Walter and Ellen (White) Clarke, the latter the daughter of a prominent family of New Jersey. The father was a civil engineer and architect. After attending the public schools of Yazoo City, James P. Clarke became a student in Professor Tutwilder's Academy at Greenbrier, Alabama, and completed his prep- aration for the bar as a law student in the University of Virginia in 1878. Before becoming a university student he had edited a small newspaper in Yazoo City and this constituted his initial step in the business world.

It was in 1879 that Senator Clarke became a resident of Arkansas, taking up his abode in Ozark, later moving to Helena, Phillips county, where he opened a law office and had soon gained a large and distinctively representative clientage. He possessed a keen, analytical and logical mind and his reasoning was always sound, while he was seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle.

Senator Clarke was well known through his political activity. In 1886 he was elected to represent Phillips county in the twenty-sixth general assembly of Arkansas and after two years' service in the lower house he was elected to the senate from the fourteenth district, continuing a member of that body until 1892 and serving as president of the senate in 1891. In the succeeding year he received the nomination of the democratic party for the office of attorney general and was elected by a large majority, continuing to serve in that position in 1893 and 1894, vigorously prosecuting the duties of the office. He declined a second term, to which he would without doubt have been elected, had he so desired. In September, 1894, he was made a candidate for governor on the democratic ticket and entered upon one of the most bitterly con- tested campaigns in the political history of the state. He was elected, however, and inaugurated in January, 1895. He declined reelection as governor and it was while serving as chief executive of the state that he established a precedent in the matter of preventing prize fighting. Some prize fight promoters undertook to arrange a bout

HON. JAMES P. CLARKE

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

between James J. Corbett and Robert Fitzsimmons at Hot Springs, whereupon Governor Clarke announced that no prize fights should take place in Arkansas while he was governor and that he would call out the militia if necessary to prevent the match. His unyielding determination to protect the good name of the state caused the aban- donment of the project by its promoters. In 1896 Senator Clarke became a candidate of the United States senate against Senator James K. Jones of Garland county, but withdrew from that contest and devoted the next six years to the active practice of law. In 1902 he again became a senatorial candidate against Senator Jones, whom he defeated, taking his seat in Washington, March 9, 1903. So valuable was the service which he rendered to the state that he was reelected in 1909 without opposi- tion, for another six years' term. In 1914 he was again chosen for the office and was filling the position for the third term at the time of his demise. He was regarded as one of the influential members of the senate and in 1913 after a bitter contest he was elected president pro tempore of that body, being the first Arkansas man to receive this honor. In 1915 he was again chosen for the same position. During his last term he served as a member of three of the most important committees in the senate, being chairman of the commerce committee and a member of the foreign relations and military affairs committee. He was closely associated with the passage of some of the most important legislation enacted during his connection with the United States senate. He introduced and was responsible for the passage of the Philippine bill, also of the cotton futures bill and he had opposed the ship purchase bill introduced by the administration in the sixty-third congress. He was also one of the two democratic senators who voted against the Adamson bill passed in September, 1916, to stop the threatened national railroad strike. It was largely through his efforts, at a most strenuous contest in both house and senate, that the rivers and harbors committee recommended a substantial appropriation for Arkansas rivers. Senator Clarke was a student of men and events. He watched the trend of the times and with notable prescience foresaw what might be accomplished in the future. He looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of oncoming times and labored to meet the needs which would arrive with the passing years. None ever doubted the integrity of his position. Those who opposed him politically had the keenest respect for the sterling worth of his character and his fidelity to a cause in which he believed.

On the 15th of November, 1883, Senator Clarke was married to Mrs. Sallie (Moore) Wooten of Moon Lake, Mississippi, a daughter of Francis Marion and Nannie B. Moore, members of a prominent family in eastern Arkansas. They became the parents of two daughters and a son: Julia, now the wife of Joseph W. House, Jr., and they have a daughter, Ellen Clarke House; Marion, now the wife of Robert Monroe Williams, and they have one child, Francis Marion Williams; and James P., Jr., who was a captain in the late war and died while serving his country at Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas, October 28, 1917. Senator Clarke was a prominent member of Albert Pike Consistory, in which he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry and he also belonged to Al-Amin Temple of the Mystic Shrine and was a past exalted ruler of Little Rock No. 29, B. P. O. E. He died on the 1st of October, 1916, leaving behind him a memory that is en- shrined in the hearts of those who knew him because of the sterling traits of his character, his upright manhood, his fidelity to principle and the broad vision which he always displayed in connection with public affairs. The state honored Senator Clarke by placing his statue in Statuary Hall of the capitol at Washington, D. C. The statue stands between those of Jackson and Lee.

J. L. WRAPE.

J. L. Wrape, manager of the Henry Wrape Co., and thus closely associated with the productive industries of the city, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, November 1, 1877, and is a son of John and Mary ( Meeley) Wrape, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ireland. The father went to Indiana prior to the Civil war and there engaged in farming. To him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom nine are living: Henry J., who is engaged in the stave milling business throughout Arkansas and is treasurer of the Henry Wrape Company of this state, makes his home in St. Louis. W. R. is also engaged in the stave milling business as a member of the Wilson Wrape Stave Company of Little Rock. F. S. is a director of the Henry Wrape Stave Company of St. Louis. Three sisters, Mrs. John Fahy, Mrs. John Reichle and Mrs. Richart, are all residents of Indiana, the two former living in North Vernon and

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

the latter making her home in Seymour. Bob and Louis are in Paragould, Arkansas, where they are engaged in the stave business connected with the Henry Wrape Company.

J. L. Wrape of this review was educated in North Vernon, Indiana, where he pursued a public school course and then came to Arkansas, settling in Jonesboro. He had charge of the Henry Wrape Stave factory there, thus becoming actively identified with the business that has been in active operation in Arkansas since 1880. This business was founded by the uncle, Henry Wrape, Sr., and the first factory was at Paragould, built in 1880. Mills were also established at Searcy and at Walnut Ridge, hut the principal mills were at Searcy and Paragould. The factory at Searcy was constructed in 1909 and J. L. Wrape is in charge here, employing sixty men in the operation of the plant. The business has been incorporated and is confined to the manufacture of staves and headings. It is a mammoth enterprise, shipment being made to all parts of the United States from the various branches situated in Arkansas and St. Louis. J. L. Wrape has continuously served as manager at Searcy and has most carefully and wisely directed the business, which is one of the most important productive industries of this section.

In 1902 Mr. Wrape was married at Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Miss Anna Higgins, a native of this state and a daughter of Carlton Higgins, manager of a hotel at Jonesboro. In religious faith Mr. Wrape is a Catholic. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but he devotes practically his entire time and attention to his business affairs. Thoroughness, close application and indefatigable energy have been the salient features in his growing success and Searcy regards him as a valuable asset in connection with the business development of the city.

JOHN H. WHARTON.

John H. Wharton, living in EI Dorado, was born on a farm in Union county, Arkansas, February 23, 1883, his father being John U. H. Wharton, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with a sketch of his son, Dr. J. B. Wharton. In the public schools of Louisiana John H. Wharton acquired his early education and afterward attended Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, in which he completed a classical course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree at his graduation in 1905. Following the completion of his studies he entered the employ of the Ritchie Grocery Company, a wholesale house, with which he was associated for fifteen years. He worked in every department, winning promotion from time to time until he reached the position of assistant to the manager. On the 1st of May, 1921, he resigned and accepted a position with the Arkansas Wholesale Grocery Company, with which he is still associated, being now the head of the sales department. This is a position of responsibility and importance and Mr. Wharton is proving thoroughly adequate to the duties devolving upon him.

On the 15th of October, 1915, Mr. Wharton was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Gibney, a native of El Dorado. They are highly esteemed in the city, where they make their home. Mr. Wharton belongs to EI Dorado Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., also to El Dorado Lodge, No. 1129, B. P. O. E. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is heartily in sympathy with the purposes and plans of that organization for the ctiy's development and improvement. He belongs to the Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Wharton is a young man who has made steady progress since starting out in the business world. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. He has won his advancement through earnest labor and close applica- tion and his record illustrates what can be accomplished by a young man of laudable ambition and determined effort.

JAMES DRAYTON DUBARD.

One of the representative business men in Marked Tree is James Drayton DuBard, cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of which institution he is likewise a director. He was born in Grenada, Mississippi, on the 2d of December, 1889, a son of Charles R. and Celie Emma (Bernhardt) DuBard. The father was horn and reared to young manhood in Vaden, Mississippi, and in early life engaged in farming. He has become one of the successful agriculturists of that state and is now living retired in Charleston. At Vaden, Mississippi, in 1885, Charles R. DuBard was united in marriage to- Miss Celie Emma Bernhardt, who is likewise a native of that state. To their union four

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

children were born, three girls and one boy. . Two of the daughters and the son are living. James Drayton, whose name introduces this review, was the second in order of birth.

James Drayton DuBard attended the grade and high schools of Grenada, Mississippi, and later took a course in the Macon & Andrews Business College at Memphis, Ten- nessee. He made his initial step into the business world in 1910, when he became assistant cashier of the Bank of Marked Tree. In January, 1911, he was promoted to the position of cashier and was active in that capacity until 1914, when he tendered his resignation. On the 1st of September, 1914, he accepted a position as bookkeeper for Ritter & Company and was active in that connection until the 1st of January, 1915. when he became manager of the Marked Tree Telephone Company. He remained with the telephone company until the 1st of February of the following year, when he came to the Farmers & Merchants Bank as cashier. which position he now holds, as well as that of a director in the institution. The Farmers & Merchants Bank, which was organized in 1911, is one of the most reliable institutions of its kind in the county. During Mr. DuBard's service as cashier the capital and surplus has been increased from thirteen thousand, five hundred dollars to sixty-two thousand dollars and the deposits from fifty thousand to two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Mr. DuBard is well fitted for his present position and his genial and pleasing personality have won for the bank many stanch friends.

At Lebanon, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1914, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. DuBard to Miss Ida Dilatush, a daughter of Walter Dilatush, a well known resi- dent of that community. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. DuBard two children have been born: Ann, five years of age; and James Drayton, Jr., aged three.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 2

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