Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 26

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 acquirement of his education Finis E. Stockton mastered the branches of learning taught in the country schools and afterward attended the State University of Arkansas for two years. He then began teaching in the rural schools of Franklin county and followed the profession for two years, while later he pursued a commercial course at Fort Smith, He then started out in mercantile lines by working in a store for two years, after which he became connected with the People's Bank of Ozark, in 1910. His original position was that of bookkeeper and in 1916 he was advanced to the cashiership, since which time he has occupied that position. He is thorough and systematic in all of his work in connection with the bank, is courteous and obliging to its patrons and has made a popular official. The People's Bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of thirty thousand dollars and its deposits amount to more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The bank was established in 1905 and is under the presidency of L. L. Ford.

In 1910 Mr. Stockton was united in marriage to Miss Annie Bearden, who was born in Webb City, Arkansas, a daughter of Moses Bearden, a farmer of Alma, Arkansas. They have become the parents of five children: Grady, Finis and Axie Catherine, who are in school; Christina and Wilson, who are not yet of school age. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Stockton is a Royal Arch Mason, has served as master of the lodge and high priest in the chapter. In politics he is a democrat and is now serving as chairman of the democratic county central committee. He does everything in his power legitimately to promote the success of the party because of his firm belief in its principles and he is interested in all that pertains to the city's welfare and promotion of public interests.

SAMUEL JOSEPH ESTES, M. D.

Dr. Samuel Joseph Estes, physician and surgeon of Little Rock, who has practiced in this city since 1915, was born at Holly Springs, Mississippi, August 27, 1874, and1 was a lad of but seven years when his parents removed to Denmark, Tennessee, there taking up their abode in 1881. He is a son of Robert Fenner and Mattie Emma (Sharp) Estes. The father's hirth occurred in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1841, and the mother was born in Wall Hill, Mississippi, in 1850. They were married in the year 1866 at Wall Hill and became parents of three sons and a daughter, all of whom are living. The wife and mother, however, died in March, 1910. The father resides at Brownsville, Tennessee. He has always been a democrat in his political views and he was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as a captain in Forrest's command. He was with the Con- federate troops for four years and was captured at the battle of Fort Donelson, but soon afterward made his escape.

Dr. Estes was largely reared in Denmark, Tennessee, where he pursued his educa- tion until graduated from the high school with the class of 1895. At a later period he attended the Mississippi State Normal School at Iuka and there won the degree of Bachelor of Science as a member of the class of 1898. He was graduated in medicine in 1902 from the Memphis Hospital Medical College and in the following year he did postgraduate work in Memphis. Since that time he has continuously practiced his profession and has made his home in Little Rock since 1915. His success has resulted from close application, broad study, careful analysis and a sympathetic nature that enables him readily to win the confidence of his patrons. Wide reading has kept hin informed concerning the latest scientific researches and discoveries and he is quick to adapt his knowledge to specific needs, He is conceded by the profession, not only in Little Rock but throughout the South as an especially fine diagnostician.

On the 10th of May, 1901, Dr. Estes was married to Miss Sallie Bobbitt, who was born in Lorado, Arkansas, June 10, 1883, and was graduated from the high school there.

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The children of this marriage are: Donald Bobbitt, who was born in 1904; Everett Edward, born in 1906; Alma Estelle, born in 1908; and Samuel James, born in 1915.

Dr. Estes always votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Methodist denomination, his membership being in the Highland Methodist Episcopal church, South, in which he is serving as a member of the board of stewards. Fraternally he has wide connections. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, is a past master of Lorado Lodge, No. 241, I. O. O. F., and is also a representative of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is greatly interested in the good road movement and does everything in his power to advance improvement along that line. He finds his recreation in outdoor life and is fond of all manly sports. These things, however, are not allowed to interfere with the faithful performance of every professional duty that devolves upon him and he is an esteemed and valued member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

BEN ALLEN.

Ben Allen, sheriff of White county and a resident of Searcy, is ever found prompt and faithful in the discharge of his official duties and his record is one which reflects credit and honor upon himself and has proven highly satisfactory to his constituents. A native son of Arkansas, he was born in Cleburne county, September 23, 1872, his parents being Thomas and Missouri (Butler) Allen. The Allen family has been represented in this state from pioneer times. The grandfather, Eli Allen, was a native of Virginia, born in 1804 and followed farming in that state ere his removal to Arkansas in 1818. He first made his way to New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and White rivers to Des Arc, from which point he traveled to Heber Springs, hecoming one of the earliest settlers in that district. He fished, hunted and trapped and carried the furs to Arkansas Post, trading among the Indians. He had seen hundreds of buffaloes in droves on the western plains and he passed through all of the experiences and hard- ships of pioneer life. In the early days he was a squatter but afterward entered land from the government and engaged in farming and on his land he reared his family. He departed this life at the age of eighty-five years. His son, Thomas Allen, was horn in what was then old Van Buren county and is now Cleburne county, in 1823, and his life record covered the intervening years to 1888, when his death occurred. His wife was born in Missouri and died in 1919 at the age of sixty-five years. Thomas Allen was educated in the old-time subscription school, the schoolhouse heing a log structure with split log benches and puncheon floor. Reared amid pioneer surroundings he became familiar with all of the conditions of life on the frontier and hore his share in the work of early development and progress. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Confederate army, joining the Tenth Arkansas Infantry, with which he served the greater part of the time, going to Mississippi under Captain Miller. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and served throughout the period of the Civil war. With his return from military life he again settled in Van Buren county. where he followed the occupation of farming. homesteading land in that locality. The tract which he secured was covered with timber and he had to clear most of this. At one time he owned a thousand acres of land, for which he paid only a dollar per acre. In the early days most of his trading was done at Batesville, at Des Arc and at Little Rock. He crossed the ice on the Arkansas river at Little Rock in order to get to market. There was much wild game to be had in this section of the country in those days and the hunter had no difficulty in securing meat for the table. During the Civil war Mr. Allen lost everything that he had accumulated and when he returned home his stock consisted only of an old mule. With undaunted courage he took up the task of regaining his lost possessions and for many years en- gaged in general farming and stock raising. At a later day he removed to Texas, where he purchased land and his last years were spent in the Lone Star state. He always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Missionary Baptist church. In their family were nine children. six of whom are living: J. G., a practicing physician, residing at Commerce, Texas: Ben, of this review; Jolin, living in Hunt county, Texas, where he follows farming; Theopholis, a photographer, also living in Hunt county, Texas: Vester, a government mail clerk, living at Waco, Texas; and Dora, the wife of Joe Tedford of Pueblo, Colorado. One daughter, Effie, died at the age of twenty-three years and two children died in infancy.

Ben Allen was educated in the common schools of Heber Springs and remained in Cleburne county through the period of his boyhood and youth. He afterward taught for

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a few terms in the rural districts of Cleburne county and then took up the occupation of farming. He bought and cleared land, securing a part of his father's old homestead and devoted his attention to the task of developing the fields and producing substantial crops. In 1893 he came to White county and entered the employ of the Millen Lumber Company at St. Louis, Missouri, occupying the position of general manager for eight years. He next purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Beebe and while engaged in farming there he served as constable and as deputy sheriff for a period of eight years. He was afterward elected justice of the peace at Beebe and occupied that position for four years, while in 1920 he was elected to the office of sheriff, entering upon the duties of the position on the 1st of January, following, and is serving in an acceptable manner. He still owns his farm of one hundred and twelve acres, from which he is deriving a good rental.

Mr. Allen was married to Miss Jennie Thompson, who was born in White county, Arkansas, a daughter of Wes Thompson, a farmer and stock dealer. They have become parents of six children: Opal, who is the wife of Albert Bevill, a farmer of White county; Homer, farming in the same county; Nellie, the wife of Elbert Walls, a barber of Cabot, Arkansas; Elvis, Velda and Oatley, all at home. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Allen belongs to the Masonic lodge at Beehe and is also identified with the Woodmen of the World. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. In all matters of citizenship he stands with those men who are seeking to promote progress and uphold high civic standards.

S. E. MCREYNOLDS.

S. E. McReynolds, county and probate clerk of Conway county, was born in Conway on the 19th of December, 1891, a son of T. J. McReynolds and Isabelle (Templeton) McReynolds. The paternal grandfather, James McReynolds, came to Conway several years prior to the Civil war, making the trip overland with oxen. He entered land here. which he had to clear and upon which he erected log improvements. He did his trading at Lewisburg, a landing on the Arkansas river and obtained his meat by shooting deer, bear and turkey. He was an extensive farmer and slave owner and resided on his homestead until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. T. J. McReynolds was born in Conway county, where he engaged in farming, owning some valuable land, the original homestead acquired by his father. He received his edu- cation in the country schools of the county attending them but three months out of every year. He won substantial success as a general farmer and stock raiser. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war, his sympathies being with the south, he enlisted in the Confederate army and served under Colonel Gordon, for the most part west of the Mississippi. He was captured and held prisoner at Rock Island, Illinois, his release being secured only after hostilities had ceased. He then returned to Arkansas, where he lived until his death at the age of fifty-nine years, in 1903. Mrs. McReynolds died in 1908, at the age of fifty years. To their union six children were born, four of whom are living: T. J., who is a mail carrier of Morrillton; S. E., the subject of this review; Walter, a barber at Morrillton; and Terry, a stenographer for the board of Commerce at Little Rock, Arkansas. Two other children died in infancy. The family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. McReynolds was an active worker in that organization. Throughout his life the father was a stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government.

S. E. McReynolds received his education in the country schools of his native county and later attended the high school at Hattieville. Upon putting his textbooks aside he became hookkeeper for the sheriff of Conway county, being then but twenty-one years of age, and he was active in that connection for six years. At the termination of that time he became bookkeeper of the Bank of Morrillton and the Rainwater Bank and he was active in financial circles until 1920, when he was elected to his present office of county and prohate clerk. He devotes his entire time to the duties devolving upon him in that office and has won the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come into contact.

In 1921 occurred the marriage of Mr. McReynolds to Miss Ora Childress, a native of Conway county and a daughter of J. W. Childress. Her father was a well known business man in Hattieville, where he conducted a mercantile establishment for some time. Mrs. McReynolds is prominent in the club and social circles of Morrillton and is a consistent member of the Christian church.

On October 19, 1918, Mr. McReynolds enlisted for service in the World war and Vol. 11-11

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as a member of Company 36, Depot Brigade, he received training at Camp Pike. He was there ten days when he was transferred to Benton as clerk on the local board and he served in that capacity until receiving his discharge on the 19th of December, 1918, at Camp Pike. In his political views he is a democrat and he has always taken an active part in local political affairs. He is discharging the responsibilities of his present office in a manner highly creditable to himself and his constituency and by reason of his faithful discharge of all matters of trust and his high standards of citizenship, he has won the esteem of the community.

HERMAN PEAY MADDOX.

Herman Peay Maddox, who ranks high among the prominent lawyers of Arkansas, has engaged in practice in Harrisburg since 1912, and his constantly increasing ability has brought him continuous recognition in a large and distinctively representative clientage. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry on hoth paternal and maternal sides. His ancestors came to this country at an early day and became prominent figures in the public life of the communities in which they resided. Herman P. Maddox was born in Rockport, Ohio county, Kentucky, on the 14th of June, 1884, a son of James E. and Verda (Gentry) Maddox. His father, who is living in Harrisburg at the age of sixty- seven years, is active in the milling business and is achieving more than substantial success in that connection. For many years the father was engaged in farming in Ohio county, Kentucky, the county of his birth. He was married in Ohio county in 1880, to Miss Verda Gentry, who is also living at the age of sixty-seven years. She was born and reared in that county, her family having been among the pioneer settlers there. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Maddox ten children were born, seven boys and three girls. Five sons and the three daughters are living. Two sons died in infancy. Herman P., whose name initiates this review, was the second in order of birth.

Herman P. Maddox received his early education in the common schools of Ohio county, Kentucky, and after graduating from the high school at Beaver Dam, that state, entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College at. Louisville. After completing his course there he started out in the business world as assistant cashier of the Rockport Deposit Bank at Rockport, a position he held for two years, 1905-07. At the end of that time he came to Arkansas and located in Cherry Valley, where he was employed as cashier with the Bank of Cherry Valley, and this position he held for five years. During his spare time he took up the study of law and in 1910 was admitted to practice in the circuit and chancery courts. He remained with the bank, however, until January, 1912, when he went to Wynne, Arkansas, and began the active practice of law, which he continued there until October, 1912. He then removed to Harrisburg, established his office and began practice independently. He soon built up a distinctively represen- tative clientage. He has concentrated his time, energies and attention upon his pro- fessional duties and the work that he has done as advocate and counselor indicates clearly his familiarity with the principles of jurisprudence and an analytical power that enables him correctly to apply those principles to the question under consideration. On April 5, 1915, Mr. Maddox was admitted to practice before the state supreme court and on October 5th, following, he was admitted to the federal court. In 1916 he was elected deputy prosecuting attorney of Poinsett county and was active in that office for two years. He is now a member of the local city council. Although the greater part of Mr. Maddox's time is devoted to his professional interests, he is well known in financial circles as a stockholder in the Bank of Cherry Valley, at Cherry Valley, this state.

On the 21st of February, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Maddox to Miss Ruth Halk, a daughter of George and Anna Halk, well known residents of Cherry Valley. To their union four children were born: Edward Stacey, twelve years of age; Maurine, ten years of age; Vivian, aged six; and Herman Peay, Jr., aged five. Mrs. Maddox's demise occurred on the 19th of October, 1918, at Harrisburg, and came as a severe blow to her family and many friends.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, to the support of which Mr. Maddox is a generous contributor. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason; a member of Poinsett Lodge, No. 184, A. F. & A. M., of Harrisburg; Arkansas Consistory, No. 1, Little Rock; and Sahara Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pine Bluff. He is like- wise affiliated with Lodge No. 1080, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Paragould and Cherry Valley Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Along strictly professional lines he is identified with the Arkansas State Bar Association. During the World war Mr. Maddox was chairman of the legal advisory board and a Four-Minute man, making many speeches throughout the county in behalf of various war activities.

HERMAN PEAY MADDOX

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He is readily conceded to be a public-spirited citizen of Harrisburg and is recognized as a man of well-rounded character, whose interests are varied and who at all times keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought and progress.

THOMAS E. ALLYN.

Thomas E. Allyn has been engaged in the general practice of law in Marked Tree since 1916. He was horn near Mt. Vernon, Posey county, Indiana, on the Ist of April, 1883, a son of Elisha and Laura (Lewis) Allyn. On the paternal side he is of English, Irish and Scotch extraction. Progenitors of the Allyn family in this country came from England on the Mayflower and located at Plymouth. The branch of the family from which Thomas E. is descended migrated to Pennsylvania and thence down the Ohio river to Mt. Vernon, Indiana. They were among the pioneer settlers of that section of the country. Elisha Allyn was born and reared in Indiana and on the Ist of September, 1901, came to Arkansas, where he acquired land in Clay county. For many years he followed agricultural pursuits and achieved more than substantial success. He is now living on his farm near Boydsville, at the age of sixty-five years. In Posey county, Indiana, in 1881, Elisha Allyn was married to Miss Laura Lewis, who was likewise born and reared in Indiana. She was of Irish extraction, although members of her family have lived in America for many generations. The demise of Mrs. Allyn occurred in 1884, at the age of twenty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Allyn one son was born, Thomas E., whose name initiates this review.

Thomas E. Allyn received his early education in the common schools of Posey county, Indiana. At the age of seventeen years he started teaching school near Piggott, this state, having come to Clay county in company with his father. He was engaged along educational lines continuously from 1901 to 1916. In the meantime he had been reading and studying law and in 1910 he was admitted to practice in the state courts. He came to Marked Tree in 1916, established offices for the practice of his profession and has remained here, practicing under his own name. He has built up an extensive and lucrative clientage, most of the litigation which he conducts being of chancery and civil character. During the World war Mr. Allyn served on the legal advisory board of Poinsett county. He was likewise active as one of the Four-Minute men, and made speeches throughout the county in behalf of the various drives.

On the 5th of December, 1912, in Clay county, occurred the marriage of Mr. Allyn to Miss Gussie Choate, a daughter of James and Ollie A. Choate, prominent residents of St. Francis, Arkansas. To their union four children have been born: Gerald Elisha, who died at the age of five years; Lloyd Exter, eight years of age; Frances Elaine, six years of age; and James Joseph, four years of age.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Allyn has given his political endorsement to the republican party and the principles for which it stands. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons, being an exemplary member of the craft. He belongs to Marked Tree Lodge, No. 668, F. & A. M., of which body he is past worshipful master, and he has heen worshipful master of St. Francis Lodge, No. 505, F. & A. M. He is district deputy grand master of the Tenth District of the Grand Lodge of this state and was grand representative of Panama Grand Lodge to this state. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Marked Tree Lodge, No. 197, of which he is past grand. He is now holding the office of treasurer in the local lodge. He has served as noble grand of several other lodges and is now grand conductor of the Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F. of this state. For some time he was district deputy grand master of District 89, of the I. O. O. F. Grand. Along strictly professional lines Mr. Allyn is connected with the County and District Bar Associations. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and for many years Mr. Allyn has served the church as a steward. During the years of his residence here he has wielded a great influence for good in the community and his friends are legion.

WINSTON LEE WINTERS.

Winston Lee Winters has gained creditable standing as a civil and hydraulic en- gineer and is now practicing his profession with offices in the Merchants National Bank huilding at Fort Smith. He has heen a resident of this place for twenty-four years, or since 1897. His hirth occurred in Charleston, Arkansas, and he was a youth in his teens when he came to this city. Here he resumed his education, entering

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the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He afterward pursued a course of study in the University of Arkansas and is numbered among its alumni of 1906, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Civil Engineering. Since entering upon this professional work he has given most of his attention to civil and municipal engineering. In 1910 he established the firm of Winters & Dove, Civil & Hydraulic Engineers, and conducted the business under a partnership relation for a number of years but in 1918 he assumed entire control and has since directed the efforts of the office. He has been engaged in municipal engineering, including the building of water works and sewer systems, and the contracts awarded him have been of an extensive and important character, calling him in their execution into various sections of the state. Today as monuments to his skill, ability and handiwork are seen the water systems of Ashdown, Clarendon, Meno and Clarksville, Arkansas, and also of Sallisaw and Stigler, Oklahoma. He has likewise been the builder of the sewage systems of Siloam Springs, De Queen, Clarksville and Bentonville, Arkansas, and in the construction of these important plants he has solved many difficult engineering problems and has shown himself fully equal to the responsibilities thus devolving upon him.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 26

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