Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 28

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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Mr. Bauerlein belongs to Camden Lodge, No. 1140, B. P. O. E., and also to Ouachita Camp, No. 19, W. O. W., while in Masonry he is connected with Camden Lodge, No. 11. A. F. & A. M .; Whitfield Chapter, No. 4. R. A. M .; Western Missouri Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., of Kansas City; and is an hororary member of Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, of Little Rock. He likewise belongs to Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pine Bluff, and is a member of Columbia Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star at Magnolia. He has taken a very prominent part in Masonic activities and was grand orator of the Grand Lodge of Masons in 1915, while in 1916 he was elected junior grand deacon. In 1917 he was elected junior grand warden and in 1918 was promoted to deputy grand master, while in 1919 he served as grand master of the Grand Lodge of the state. Mr. Bauerlein has likewise been active in civic affairs and in educational work and for ten years was a member of the school board, during five years of which time he served as secretary of the board. His championship of educational interests has been manifested in many tangible ways and the results achieved have been highly satisfactory in connection with the work of the schools. During the World war Mr. Bauerlein served as treasurer of all the Red Cross drives and on the first drive he made the unprecedented record of collecting one hundred and twenty per cent of sub- scriptions. He also served as one of the local directors of the first and third Liberty Loan drives and was identified in some important capacity with all of the other drives. A one hundred per cent American, a business man of ability, a champion of education and all civic interests, Mr. Bauerlein has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of Camden and Ouachita county.

SAMUEL GIVENS DILLARD.

Samuel Givens Dillard, a well known cotton merchant of Little Rock, was born on a farm in Lamar county, Texas, January 29, 1879. His father, Miles Anderson Dillard, was a native of Illinois, born in the year 1812. He removed to the south in early man- hood and owned and operated a plantation. He served as a private in the Mexican war and became a colonel in the Civil war, commanding the Ninth Texas Infantry. He died in Paris, Texas, in the year 1907, having for four years survived his wife, who in her maidenhood was Lucinda Olivia Burrow. She was born in Mississippi in 1821 and their marriage was celebrated in Tupelo, that state. Her death occurred in Blossom, Texas, in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Miles A. Dillard were the parents of nine sons and four daughters, and of this family four sons and one daughter are yet living.

Samuel G. Dillard, the youngest of the family, was educated in the country schools of Lamar and Delta counties, Texas, and his youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of

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the playground and the work of the fields. Reared in a cotton growing state he early became interested in the industry and turned his attention to the cotton trade as a merchant in Paris, Texas. He continued to operate there and at other points until 1905, when he removed to Little Rock and through the intervening period has since been well known as a cotton merchant of this city. He is the secretary-treasurer of the Little Rock Compress Company and is now serving as a director of the Cotton Exchange, of which he was the president in 1919. He is also identified with financial affairs as a director and the vice president of the Central Bank.

On the 9th of April, 1902, Mr. Dillard was married to Miss Jeffie Morris, who was born in Cooper, Texas, February 11, 1883. The two children of this marriage are Loraine, born April 27, 1906; and Wilma, horn December 25, 1910.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dillard has been a stalwart advocate of democratic principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and as a club man is well known through his membership in the Quapaw and Spring Lake Clubs. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and he is a consistent and faithful member of the Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal church, South.

ROBERT A. HILTON, M. D.

Dr. Robert A. Hilton, deceased, was for a long period a prominent physician and surgeon of El Dorado and enjoyed in large measure the confidence, esteem and high regard of those with whom he came into contact. He was born in Simpson county, Mississippi, October 8, 1868, his youthful days being spent on the home farm on which his birth occurred. He early hegan work in the fields and soon had acquired practical knowledge of all phases of crop production. He attended the public schools and after- ward had the benefit of a course in the Mississippi College at Clinton, that state. In young manhood he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and with that end in view he began studying privately, while later he attended the Louisville Medical College and the Tulane Medical College, now the medical department of Tulane University at New Orleans, Louisiana. Later in life Dr. Hilton took post- graduate work two different times at Tulane University, New Orleans. Having qualified for the profession he came to Arkansas, settling first at Lisbon, where he remained from 1893 until 1895. He then returned to his home town in Mississippi, and there practiced for about six years, or until January, 1901, when he came to El Dorado, residing here to the time of his death. He was in partnership with Dr. Thompson in the early years of his practice here and later became a partner of Dr. Mahoney. His ability was recognized by his professional colleagues and contemporaries and hy the general public as well and during the years of his residence in El Dorado his prac- tice steadily increased in volume and importance. He was acknowledged a prominent member of his profession and he did important service on the health board.

On the 14th of February, 1898, Dr. Hilton was married to Miss Nannie E. Butler, a native of Simpson county, Mississippi, and reared in that locality. Besides a pleasant home in El Dorado Dr. Hilton owned a very fine fruit farm six miles south of the town, whereon he had a large peach orchard. His place comprised several hundred acres of land and in addition to his horticultural pursuits he raised corn and cotton. His life's lahors were ended in death on the 24th of June, 1916, and his demise was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he also had member- ship with the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belonged to the Knights of Pythias and to the modern Woodmen of America, while along strictly professional lines he was connected with the Union County and the Arkansas State Medical Societies, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He thus kept apace with the onward trend of the profession, heing thoroughly familiar with modern thought and investiga- tion as related to the science of medicine and surgery.

D. A. CARROLL.

Various business interests are profiting by the enterprise, sound judgment and keen sagacity of D. A. Carroll, who is giving his attention to the hardware trade, to farming and to banking at Charleston. He was born on a farm twelve miles north of this city, April 22, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Arbuckle) Carroll, who were natives of Mississippi and of Arkansas, respectively. The grandfather, Derosey Carroll.

DR. ROBERT A. HILTON

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was a colonel in the Confederate army and was killed near his home by bushwhackers in 1862. The maternal grandfather, John D. Arbuckle, came to Arkansas in 1833 and obtained land in this state through his uncle, Matthew Arbuckle. Here his remaining days were spent and during the Civil war period he was shot in the leg by bushwhackers which rendered him a cripple for life.

The marriage of Henry Carroll and Mary Arbuckle was celebrated in Franklin county, Arkansas, where the former took up the occupation of farming, which he followed throughout his remaining days, departing this life at the old homestead in 1871. His widow long survived him, her death occurring in 1920. They were faithful and con- sistent members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Carroll belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he was a democrat and at the time of the Civil war he served in Monroe's regiment of the Confederate army. On one occasion he was captured but after three days succeeded in making his escape. To him and his wife were born five children, three of whom are living, D. A. being the eldest. The others are: John, who is located on a farm in Franklin county; and Emma, the wife of Thomas Davis, also a farmer of this county.

D. A. Carroll largely pursued his education in the schools of Booneville, attending the high school at the latter place. He then started out in the business world as a farmer and has always given his attention in a greater or less degree to agricultural pursuits. He still owns a large farm, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and which return's to him a gratifying annual income. In 1907 he left the farm and took up his abode in Charleston, where he assisted in organizing the Charleston Hardware Company, of which he became the first president and has continued to serve in that capacity throughout the intervening period to the present time. He is also one of the directors of the Bank of Charleston and thus various business interests claim his attention and profit by his diligence and determination.

On the 1st of September, 1886, Mr. Carroll was married to Miss Mattie Rhyne, who was born in Booneville, Arkansas, a daughter of Marvel Rhyne, a merchant, who carried on business at Booneville for a number of years, becoming the pioneer merchant of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have a family of four children, three of whom are living: Marvel, who occupies his father's farm; Forrest, who is in the hardware store at Charleston; and Susan, the wife of Charles Wakefield, a farmer, living near Charleston.

Mr. and Mrs. Carroll hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, contribute generously to its support and take a helpful part in its work. He is also a faithful follower of Masonic teachings and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a democrat and while living at Booneville filled the office of mayor and has also occupied the position of chief executive of the city of Charleston. For eighteen years he was justice of the peace, rendering decisions strictly fair and impartial, so that he won golden opinions from all sorts of people. In 1893 he served in the state legislature and gave earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. He is never neglectful of any duty of citizenship and loyally supports any cause or project which he believes will benefit the community, commonwealth or country.

CHARLES VANCE SCOTT, M. D.

With keen recognition of the responsibility that devolves upon the physician and surgeon Dr. Charles Vance Scott is practicing his profession in Little Rock and his capability is making for continued success. Arkansas claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Gainesville. August 15, 1867. His parents were William H. and Emily Wesley (Stedman) Scott, both of whom have departed this life. The father was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1827 and 'on coming to this state settled at Gainesville, where he followed the occupation of farming. The removal was made sub- sequent to the Civil war, in which he had served as a private in a North Carolina regi- ment for a period of four years. His political support was at all times given to the democratic party. His wife was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1834, and their marriage was celebrated in that city in 1852. They became parents of a family of nine sons, six of whom are living. The mother died in 1887, while the father survived for more than two decades, his death occurring in 1911.

Born in Arkansas, in his youthful days Dr. Charles V. Scott attended the public schools of Gainesville and afterward spent two years as a student in the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis. He then returned to this state and was graduated in 1904 from the medical department of the University of Arkansas. Having thus qualified for professional activity, he at once entered upon practice as a physician and surgeon and has given his entire time to professional duties since that day. His efficiency has been

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constantly heightened hy reason of his hroad study and wide experience and at all times he keeps thoroughly informed concerning the latest scientific researches.

On the 10th of January, 1892, in Gainesville, Arkansas, Dr. Scott was married to Miss Martha Louise Greider, who was born in Altamont, Illinois, in 1870, and they have become parents of four children: Leon, who died in 1893; Vivian Merrell, the wife of I. J. Steed; Cleo Beatrice, who died in 1894; and Jessie Marie, whose death occurred in 1898.

Dr. Scott has always been a democrat in his political views. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, also to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to other societies. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal church and he is serving on its board of stewards, doing everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and advance its object. Along professional lines his connection is with the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southwestern Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His life is characterized by high ideals and worthy purposes and he has accomplished great good for his fellowmen as the years have passed.

FERGUS O. MAHONY, M. D.

Dr. Fergus O. Mahony, displaying marked ability in the performance of pro- fessional duties as a physician and surgeon of El Dorado, is a native of the city which is still his home, his birth having here occurred July 30, 1879. His parents are Edmond and Mary R. (Klopher) Mahony, the former a native of County Cork, Ire- land, while the latter was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, her parents having come to this section of the state from Sweden at a very early period in the pioneer develop- ment of Arkansas. The father was a tailor by trade and was employed along that . line by the Confederate government during the period of the Civil war. Following the close of hostilities he worked for a time at his trade in El Dorado and when he had acquired some capital he engaged in general merchandising on his own account, being associated with that line of commercial activity to the time of his death in 1889. His wife survived until 1897. Mr. Mahony was filling the position of county treasurer of Union county when he became ill and on account of the condition of his health he resigned, after which he went to New Orleans for an operation. He never fully recovered and his death ensued some time later.

Dr. Mahony, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the University of Arkansas until he had completed a three years' course of study, after which he matriculated in the medical department of Tulane University at New Orleans and there won his professional degree as a member of the class of 1908. In the summer of 1906, however, he entered upon the active work of his professional career. That spring, after medical lectures at the university were ended for the season, he went to Huttig, Union county, Arkansas, and acted as physician in charge of a logging camp of the Union Sawmill Company. In the following autumn he returned to the university and in the summer of 1907 he practiced in connection with Dr. R. A. Hilton of El Dorado. When he had completed his university course he settled in Huttig, where he continued in successful practice until 1914, when he returned to El Dorado and formed a partnership with Dr. R. A. Hilton, an association that was maintained until the death of the senior partner in 1916. Since that time Dr. Mahony has practiced independently and in the intervening years has built up an en- viahle reputation as a most capable, resourceful and successful general practitioner. During the latter part of Governor Hays administration he was appointed a member of the state hoard of health and in 1921 was elected president of the state hoard of health, while at the same time he is filling the positions of county health officer and city health officer. His marked ability is widely recognized and it is well known that he is keenly interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the com- plex mystery which we call life. He thinks broadly, studies deeply and carries his in- vestigations far and wide into the realms of medical and surgical science.

In 1908 Dr. Mahony was married to Miss Minnie Lee Maguire of Fayetteville, Washington county, Arkansas, and they have become parents of three children: Minnie Lee, Fergus O. and Edmond Ossain. Dr. Mahony gives his political endorse- ment to the democratic party and is now representing Ward 1, in the El Dorado city council. He has membership in Roland Lodge, No. 594, A. F. & A. M., at Huttig, and is a member of Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and also of Al- Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Little Rock. He belongs to El Dorado Lodge, No. 133, I. O. O. F., and to El Dorado Lodge, No. 1129, B. P. O. E. Along strictly professional lines his connection is with the Union County Medical Society, the Arkan-

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sas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. While the major part of his time and efforts is given to his professional interests and duties he neverthe- less has found opportunity to aid those projects which are looking to the benefit and npbuilding of the community at large. He is a member of the Rotary Club, also of the Kamel Cluh and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. All who know him attest the sterling worth of his character and his devotion to duty, whether of a public or private nature and hear testimony to his progressiveness in citizenship and his hearty and effective endorsement of all those interests which are looking to the benefit and welfare of the community and the commonwealth.

ELMER WHEAT SMITH.

Elmer Wheat Smith of Searcy, who is filling the position of circuit clerk, is a native son of White county, his birth having occurred July 20, 1889. He is a son of J. F. and Sarah Elizabeth (Walker) Smith, who are also natives of White county. The paternal grandfather, J. L. Smith, was a native of Mississippi and engaged in farming in that state previous to his removal to Arkansas, which occurred in 1850, at which time he took up his ahode in White county. He traveled across the country in a prairie schooner accompanied by five brothers and after reaching his destination homesteaded. He also engaged in freighting during the early days and as opportunity offered gave his atten- tion to the further development and improvement of his farm. He had to clear his land, which was covered with timber and he used an ox team to break the sod and develop the place. There was much big game to he had in this section of the country in that early day and all of the conditions of pioneer life were here found. As the years passed his labors resulted in the development of a good farm property and he continued his residence in White county to the time of his death, which occurred in 1899 when he was sixty eight years of age. In young manhood he was married, near Searcy, to Miss Sarah Skidmore and the house in which the marriage was celebrated is still standing, heing one of the old landmarks of this section of the state. Mrs. Sarah Smith passed to the home beyond in 1920 at a notable age, heing in her ninetieth year. The maternal grandfather of Elmer W. Smith was A. G. Walker, who removed from Tennessee to Arkansas hut afterward returned to the former state. Later he again came to Arkansas, taking up his abode in White county. He opened a market in Searcy and engaged in selling meat and produce for a number of years. He married Saline Paige and died at the age of sixty years, while his wife departed this life at the age of sixty-two.

J. F. Smith, father of Elmer W. Smith, was born in White county in 1852, and acquired a common school education, pursuing his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses with its homemade benches and other primitive equipment. He remained with his parents to the age of twenty-nine years, when he married, purchased land and began farming for himself. As his tract was covered with timber he had to clear away the trees and brush ere he could hreak. the sod. He still owns the land which he first 'purchased two miles from Searcy and has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising. He served as deputy sheriff of White county for a part of one term but has never been anxious to hold public office. He married Sarah Elizabeth Walker and to them have been born four children: Lorena, the wife of A. I. Darnall, a salesman with the Neelly & Smith Hardware Company at Searcy; Elmer W .; Grace, the wife of Dudley Morris, who follows farming near Searcy; and Hettie, the wife of F. J. Davenport, who is engaged in farming near McRae, White county. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and fraternally J. F. Smith is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party.

Elmer W. Smith attended the country schools of White county and afterward the high school at Searcy, while later he pursued a commercial course in the Memphis Business College at Memphis, Tennessee, and thus became well qualified for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. He started out in the business world as bookkeeper for the Sandefur-Julian Wholesale Company of Little Rock and afterward came to Searcy to fill the position of deputy circuit clerk in 1914. For four years he occupied that position and in 1918 was elected circuit clerk, entering upon the duties of the office on the 1st of January, 1919. He was reelected at the close of his first term, so that he is now serving for the second term in office, devoting his entire time to his duties in this connection. He is prompt, reliable and systematic and his official record is winning him high commendation from all who know aught of his work.

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Martha Irene Chrisp, who was born in White county, a daughter of Horace Chrisp. They have become parents of two sons: Elmer Wheat and Edward Forest. Mr. Smith has always given his loyal support to the Vol. 11-12

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democratic party. He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Searcy Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., while in Albert Pike Consistory of Little Rock he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in November, 1921. He also belongs to Al Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward, and they take an active and helpful interest in all branches of the church work and contribute liberally to its support. They are well known socially in Searcy, where they have many friends, and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by those who know them.

B. W. REEVES.

B. W. Reeves of El Dorado is senior partner in a large general mercantile store in which he has associated with him his sons and daughters. He has long been connected with commercial activity here and has manifested a spirit of the utmost progressiveness in controlling his interests. He was born in Union county, Arkansas, October 3, 1848, a son of John A. Reeves, who came from Georgia to Arkansas in 1845, settling on a farm near El Dorado, where he operated his land with the labor of the slaves whom he owned. His place was situated two miles northeast of El Dorado, and thereon he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in the fall of 1860.

B. W. Reeves was born and reared on the old homestead. He was only three years of age when his mother died, and a lad of twelve when his father's demise occurred. He attended one of the old-time subscription schools held in a log building, and when still quite young he and his elder brother operated the home farm. He turned to commercial pursuits when twenty-two years of age hy securing a clerkship in the store of T. C. Moore & Son of El Dorado, with whom he remained for three years. He then returned to the farm, upon which he again lived for three years, and later he opened a small country store at Hillsboro, carrying on business for a year. He next engaged in clerking for a few months, and then in March, 1879, established a store under the firm style of Reeves & Gresham, this partnership being maintained for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Reeves purchased the interest of his partner, who had died. Later the firm became Reeves & Miles, and the business was carried on at the present location for two years. At the end of that time Mr. Reeves purchased the interest of his partner and afterward carried on the business independently until January, 1921. when he admitted his four sons and three daughters to a partnership. They have a large and well-appointed general store, and in 1900 erected a fine brick building fifty by one hundred and fifty feet. Aside from his connection with the mercantile interests of El Dorado, Mr. Reeves became the first president of the First National Bank and is still one of its stockholders. He is also a director in the Bank of Commerce and he has oil interests in Arkansas, being connected not only with oil companies, but also with oil refining companies. He is the oldest merchant of the city and one of the most enterprising and progressive business men, having long been a potent factor in the commercial development of El Dorado.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 28

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