Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 30

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

USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the 26th of March, 1871, the Rev. Charles W. Dicken wedded Miss Mary Williams of Greenville, South Carolina, who is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and a daughter of Dr. William and Ruth (Bell) Williams, who were born near Athens, Georgia. Dr. Williams was educated in the Georgia University and acquired his law education in Boston, after which he practiced his profession for four or five years in Montgomery, Alabama, winning a large clientage and proving himself a strong and able advocate in the courts. Believing that he could accomplish greater good and be of more lasting benefit to his fellow-men in other fields, he entered the ministry, and after twelve years of hard labor accepted a professorship in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Greenville, South Carolina, which position he filled with honor and ability until his death on the 20th of February, 1877, when he was fifty-five years of age. His father was William Williams, a wealthy and influential planter of Georgia.

Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Dicken had a family of five children: William Edward; Ruth Bell and Marcissa McCay, both deceased; Charles Ernest, and Hubert Alvin. Mr. Dicken had given his political allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally was connected with the Masons.

The second son, Charles E. Dicken, was educated in William Jewell College of Mis- souri, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1903, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. Ouachita College conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree in 1916, and from Baylor University at Waco, Texas, he received the Doctor of Laws degree in 1920. Following his graduation from William Jewell College he became associate principal of the Liberty Ladies' College of Liberty, Missouri, and

184

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

continued in active connection with that institution until 1911, at which time he was elected president of Woodlawn College at Jonesboro, Arkansas. Three years were there spent, and he was then elected president of Mary Connor College at Paris, Texas, and in 1916 he was elected to the presidency of Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, where he has remained for five years. The school under his direction has made steady and continuous progress, not only in the matter of attendance, but also in the methods of instruction and the system maintained in all the school work.

In the year 1906 Dr. Dicken was married to Miss Belle H. Quick, a daughter of Albert R. Quick, one of the officials of the Rocky Mountain Coal & Coke Company of Raton, New Mexico. Dr. and Mrs. Dicken have one son, Albert R., who was born February 7, 1910. In his political views Dr. Dicken has always been a democrat and he has been an active and prominent factor in public affairs, especially such as have to do with the welfare, progress and benefit of the community. He is a member of the commission of charities and corrections of the state of Arkansas, is a member of the Southern Education Association, of the American Geographical Society and is now at the head of the leading Baptist college of the state and one of the foremost educational institutions in Arkansas. Fraternally he is connected with Liberty Lodge, No. 31, A. F. & A. M., of Liberty, Missouri, and throughout his life has been a faithful follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. His life has ever been guided by high ideals, and his methods of attainment have been of a most practical character. He has ever regarded the teaching profession as a means of preparation for life, and his work, therefore, has been dominated by the most earnest efforts to prepare the young for later duties and responsibilities. His successful work has won wide recognition, and today he is classed with the eminent educators of the southwest.

EDWARD W. GIBB.

When New England thrift and enterprise are added to western opportunity, the results are certain. From the eastern coast have come men of energy and determination who have recognized the chances for development and progress beyond the Mississippi and have contributed largely to the work of upbuilding and improvement. To this class belonged Edward W. Gibb and in his life's story there is much of inspirational value, much that can serve as an example to others. Mr. Gibb was born in Hinesburg. Vermont. He was educated in private schools and at an academy and was still pursuing his studies at the age of nineteen years when his father died, leaving a family of six children, of whom Edward W. was the eldest. He took over his father's business, that of dealing in carriage furnishings and material, and a few years later removed to Chicago, where he established a carriage furnishings and material business, which was successful from the beginning. Within a short time he had established - a wholesale concern for carriage goods in a five-story building filled with a large stock and was conducting a most profitable trade when in October, 1871, the Chicago fire wiped out his establishment, causing him a heavy loss. Although he saved nothing he paid one hundred cents on the dollar to his creditors. In December, 1871, through the influence of a brother he came to Little Rock, here joining his brother, Henry Gibb, in the saw- mill and lumber business. At first Edward W. Gibb worked for wages, with the desire to see how the business was conducted in the south. He soon learned that methods were far different from those employed in the north. He had been trained to strict economy and in the thrifty way of the New Englander and his early training made deep impression upon him and was of great value to him in later life. He saw where many improvements could be made in the way of managing the sawmill and lumber business and eventually he purchased the lumber interests of his brother and organized a com- pany under the firm name of Butler, Gibb & Company. This company conducted the famous old red mill at the foot of Spring street. For years he successfully conducted this enterprise and his progressive methods, close application and indefatigable energy brought to him a substantial measure of success.

In 1857 Mr. Gibb was united in marriage to Miss Isabella A. Emerson, who had been reared in a home of refinement and culture and was liberally educated in New York state. She has spent three seasons in travel in Europe and one in the Orient and gleaned much interesting and valuable knowledge from her travels, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory. Coming to Little Rock, she at once became a favorite in social circles here. She was always a great student of ancient and religious history and has perhaps one of the best photographic collections of Oriental history and places which can be found in America. Her liberal culture and truly womanly qualities have caused her to be loved and esteemed by the people throughout the state, wherever she is known. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibb were born two sons: Fred Emerson, who

EDWARD W. GIBB

MRS. ISABELLA A. GIBB

189

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

died, aged twenty-three, a very promising young man, who was loved and respected by all who knew him; and Frank W., who is an architect of Little Rock and has attained eminence in his chosen field. Mr. Gibb built one of the large and beautiful southern homes of Little Rock, which was occupied by the family until after the son's death. At all times it was Mr. Gibbs' desire to make Little Rock a city of great beauty as well as of commercial prominence and he ever bent his energies in that direction. He was an advocate of giving sites to induce manufacturers to locate here and to exempt them from taxation for a few years until they should be placed upon a substantial business basis. His views in this respect, however, were not popular with the powers that were, yet there are many who acknowledge that such a course would have been of greatest possible benefit to Little Rock.

Mr. Gibb retired from business in 1887, some time prior to his death, giving his attention thereafter to the management of his large property interests, for he had made extensive investments in real estate and derived therefrom a most gratifying income. His last days were spent in Chicago, whither he had gone to escape the oppressive heat of the summer in the south. There he was taken ill and died suddenly, on the 19th of August, 1901. In his passing Little Rock lost one of her most respected and representative men. He was a member of the Eclectic Club and the Shakespeare Club. In politics he was a republican, but never an office-seeker. His position as one of the foremost and honored residents of Little Rock always remains unchallenged.

WILLIAM E. WATKINS.

Wiliam E. Watkins, a lumber dealer and hardware merchant of Mena, actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness in the conduct of his commercial interests, was born uear Birmingham, Alabama, November 29, 1868, and is a son of Wiley M. and Amanda (Inzer) Watkins. The father, who was born in Tennessee in 1830, died in 1904, while the mother, who was born in Alabama in 1843, now makes her home in Mena. The Watkins family was early established in South Carolina, where Daniel Watkins was born, but about 1802 he removed to Alabama and there followed farming through the remainder of his days. The Inzer family came from Georgia, the maternal grandfather being Lafayette Inzer, who was born in that state and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Alabama. The marriage of Wiley M. Watkins and Amanda Inzer was cele- brated in Alabama, where he followed farming during the greater part of his life, but also engaged in the charcoal business. He was in sympathy with secession and served in the Confederate army. His early political allegiance was given to the democratic party, but at the end of the Civil war he became a stanch advocate of republican princi- ples. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his widow is also a member. They were parents of five children, four of whom are living: Martha D., the wife of William R. Goode, a coal miner of Birmingham, Alabama; William E .; D. M., who is engaged in the hardware business in Mena, and Nancy J., the wife of J. Spencer Kelley, a real estate man of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

William E. Watkins, having pursued his education at Birmingham, Alabama, took up the occupation of farming in young manhood and later turned his attention to railway contracting. He assisted in building the Georgia Pacific, now the Southern Railroad, and was engaged in construction work of this character for about eight years. In 1896 he removed to Mena and established a cold drink stand, which he conducted for three months. He afterward opened a grocery store and later extended the scope of his commercial activities by joining with his brother, D. M. Watkins, in founding and conducting a hardware business. Later the brothers were associated in the conduct of a sawmill, planing mill and lumber business, and today they manufacture a general line of Inmber and molding. Recently they have organized a casket company and are manu- facturing caskets. They are likewise engaged in merchandising at Hatfield, where for seven years William E. Watkins was owner of a lumber yard. He came to Mena with practically nothing, but has been very successful and has constantly broadened the scope of his activities until he is now at the head of extensive and important interests. In addition to the business affairs already listed, he is a director and the vice president of the Planters State Bank and is a stockholder in the First National Bank. He and his brother own considerable land and also a substantial amount of city real estate. He personally undertakes the management of the mill and lumher business, while his brother has charge of the hardware store. The hardware business is incorporated with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, and the general store established at Hatfield is incorporated for twenty-five thousand dollars, William E. Watkins being the vice president of the Watkins Hardware Company and the president of the Watkins Lumber & Mercan- tile Company at Hatfield,

190

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

On the 30th of June, 1909, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Mande Rachael Gardner. who was born in Minnesota, but was reared in Iowa, She is a danghter of Edwin Gardner, who was a railroad engineer for a number of years and is now farming near Mena. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have four children: William E. and Marion Edwin, both in school; Mande Rachael, four years of age, and Emma Caroline. Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Watkins belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all of the chairs in the latter lodge. In politics he is a republican and is interested in all matters of general concern to the community and the commonwealth. He ranks not only with the most progressive, alert and energetic business men of Polk county, but as one of the most thoroughly alive citizens, ever watchful of the best interests of his community, and he is honored and respected not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved, although he is now one of the wealthy men of the county, but also owing to the straightforward and honorable business policies which he has ever followed.

W. J. MATHIS, M. D.

Dr. W. J. Mathis, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Cotton Plant, was born in Henry county, Tennessee, September 7, 1851, his parents heing Josiah and Angeline Mathis. The former, a native of Kentucky, accompanied his parents on their removal to Henry county, Tennessee, when but six years of age. He hecame a planter of Henry county, there spending his remaining days. His demise occurred December 24. 1863, when he was forty-seven years of age, his natal day being December 16, 1816. His wife was a native of Kentucky and went with her parents to Henry county, Tennes- see, when about five years of age. She had reached the age of fifty-five years when called to her final rest in 1880, her birth having occurred in 1825. Josiah Mathis was a member of the Masonic fraternity and his political endorsement was given to the dem- ocratic party. To him and his wife were born six children: W. J .; J. T., now deceased ; L. G., of Oklahoma City, one who died in infancy, and Susan and Dora S., who have also passed away.

W. J. Mathis was reared in his native state, and in 1881 came to Arkansas, settling in St. Francis county. He had acquired his early education in the public schools of Henry county, Tennessee, and the Henry Academy, after which he attended the Van- derhilt Medical College at Nashville, Tennessee, during the years 1869 to 1871, inclusive. Having qualified for the practice of medicine, he then entered upon the active work of the profession in Henry county, where he continued from 1873 until 1881. He next opened an office in Palestine, Arkansas, where he remained until 1887, when he came to Cotton Plant, where he has been actively engaged in medical and surgical practice to the present time.

On the 10th of November, 1875, Dr. Mathis was married to Miss Emma Wynns, a native of Stewart county, Tennessee, and a daughter of Harry and Martha (Askew) Wynns, who were also natives of Stewart county, where her father was an extensive planter. Both he and his wife passed away when about thirty-five years of age. To Dr. and Mrs. Mathis have been horn nine children: Jennie and Joe L., both now deceased; Charlie, who married Fred Parker and is living in Cotton 'Plant; William and Myrtle, deceased; Harry, who is engaged in coal mining in Texas; Ross, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Horace, who is engaged in business at Cotton Plant, and Lillian, who has departed this life.

Dr. Mathis has always voted with the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Cotton Plant and is a loyal and exemplary follower of the teachings of the craft. In his chosen profession he has made steady progress and his capability has brought him prominently to the front in coping with the intricate and involved problems which continually confront the physician.

WENDELL ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON.

Wendell Archibald Robertson, a well-known figure in insurance circles at Fort Smith, also deserves prominent mention through the fact that he hecame an aviation ace during the World war. He participated in many combats and made a brilliant military record as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Aero Squadron. A native of Oklahoma. he was born in Guthrie in 1894. and is a son of R. Scott and Elizabeth Jane

191

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

( Weudell) Robertson. He represents one of the prominent old southern families of Scotch extraction. The Robertsons settled in Tennessee prior to the Revolutionary war and afterward representatives of the name lived in Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. Captain James Robertson, the great-grandfather of W. A. Robertson, was the founder of Nashville, Tennessee. James A. Robertson, a descendant, became the father of R. Scott Robertson, who is now president of the Reynolds-Davis Grocery Company of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born in Galveston, Texas, but came to Fort Smith twenty-five years ago and here entered the wholesale grocery business, in which he engaged for a time. Later he went to New York city, where he was active in the brokerage business, and still later returned to Fort Smith and organized the Reynolds-Davis Grocery Company, of which he is now the president, thus occupying a most prominent position in the com- mercial circles of the city.

Wendell A. Robertson was largely educated in the schools of Fort Smith, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, after which he attended the Holbrook Preparatory School at Briarcliff, N. Y., and then entered Yale University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1915. Returning to Fort Smith, he became associated with his father in the wholesale grocery business, and later was connected with the Clear Creek Oil & Gas Company. When America entered the World war he joined the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Logan H. Root, near Little Rock, and from there was sent to the school of military aeronautics at Austin, Texas. His next transferral took him to Rantoul, Illinois, where he was recommended for a commission and sent to Garden City, Long Island. He was made a first lieutenant of the aviation section of the Signal Corps and went abroad with the One Hundred and Eighth Aero Squadron, proceeding first to St. Maxient, while later he was assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Aero Squadron. He saw service at many points on the fighting front and participated in many comhats. On one occasion he was flying with Dave Putnam, a noted air man, when they were attacked by fifteen German planes. Putnam was brought down, but Lieutenant Robertson managed to return to the lines in safety. So splendid was his military record that he was decorated as an American ace, but with the characteristic modesty of the American air man, he says little of his experiences in foreign lands, but history proves the splendid record which he made. Mr. Robertson has six official confirmations to his credit.

When the war was over Mr. Robertson returned to Fort Smith, where he is now engaged in the insurance business, and with the same thoroughness and determination which characterized his pursuit of German planes in the air service on the western front, he is pushing toward his objective in the business world, hasing his advancement upon thoroughness, diligence and a resolution which enables him to overcome all diffi- culties and obstacles in his path.

WILLIAM I. BOOE.

Commercial enterprise finds a substantial representative in William I. Booe, who is conducting a store at Des Arc and by reason of his close application, thoroughness and enterprise has gained a substantial measure of success in the conduct of his business affairs. He is a native son of Prairie county, his birth having occurred in the extreme western part of Union township in 1881. His parents were L. Q. and Martha Jane (Melton) Booe, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Holly Springs, Mississippi. The former was a son of Colonel I. D. Booe, who took up liis abode in Arkansas in pioneer times. The grandfather was a Confederate veteran, and on removing to this state settled in Lonoke county, near Walters Chapel, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He was a prominent figure in connection with the public life of the community and represented his district in the state legislature. The grandfather of William I. Booe, in the maternal line, was William Melton, who lived near Bucks Landing, Arkansas. He and his wife died on the same day. L. Q. Booe had one brother. William, who hecame a Confederate soldier in the Civil war and lost his life in battle. To L. Q and Martha Jane (Melton) Booe were born ten children: William I., Hosea, Dorsey, Grace, Edna, Bessie, Lois, Jewell, Thomas J. and Emma, and of this family Thomas J. served in the war with Germany.

William I. Booe pursued his education in the public schools of Prairie county, com- pleting a course in the Cabot high school, after which he taught for three years. He also studied in a commercial college and thus received thorough training in preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. Starting out in the commercial world, he hecame a clerk in a mercantile establishment at Des Arc and later occupied the position of bookkeeper with the well-known Hayley Berne & Company, which firm had been established in 1876 and was incorporated in 1902, its incorporators being: H. S. Hayley, president ;

192

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

W. H. Hayley, vice president; Howard Beine, secretary, and G. W. Edmondson, treasurer. Mr. Booe became an active factor in the conduct and management of the store, was elected to the position of secretary on the resignation of Howard Beine, and acquired stock in the husiness at that time. Later Mr. Edmondson sold his interest to H. S. Hayley and Mr. Booe, and in March, 1919, the latter purchased the interest of Mr. Hayley and is now sole owner of the business, which is one of the oldest established mercantile enterprises of the city. A progressive policy has always been maintained, and an excel- lent line of goods has been carried. Mr. Booe and his associates in the business have ever recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and, therefore, every effort has been put forth to please their patrons. An extensive and well-selected line of goods is carried, and the thorough reliability of the house has also contributed to the growing success of the business.

Mr. Booe was united in marriage to Miss Ola Hazen, a daughter of William and Alice (Stephenson) Hazen of Des Arc. The children of this marriage are two daughters: Mildred and Marjory Jane. Mr. Booe has always heen keenly interested in matters of public importance and during the World war served as chairman for the Red Cross in the northern part of Prairie county. He had previously filled the office of deputy county treasurer for four years, and at all time he is loyal to every cause which he deems of value to the community. For four years he was a member of the school hoard in Des Arc and has also served on the county board of education, the cause of public instruction finding in him a stalwart champion. He has acted as secretary of the Bible class in the Methodist Episcopal church since the age of sixteen years and has long been a loyal and consistent member of the church, in which he is serving as steward. Fraternally he is a Consistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. His life has ever heen the expression of high ideals, of noble purposes and of honorable business methods, and throughout Des Arc and this section of the state he commands the confidence and good will of all who know him.

HON. JOHN D. SHACKLEFORD.

Hon. John D. Shackleford, of Little Rock, lawyer and lawmaker, who has left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the bar and upon the laws of the commonwealth through service in both houses of the general assembly, was horn in Carthage, Missouri, November 25, 1864. His parents, Henry H. and Martha J. (Dennis) Shackleford, removed with their family to Arkansas in 1875, the father becoming one of the leading and prosperous farmers of Carroll county, where both he and his wife remained until called to their final rest.

Having attended the public schools of Carrollton until he had completed the high school course, John D. Shackleford then determined upon the practice of law as a life work and pursued his reading under private tutorship until admitted to the bar in 1886. In February, 1890, he removed to Little Rock, where he has since engaged in active practice. Here he completed the prescribed course in the law department of the University of Arkansas and was graduated as a member of its first class in 1894. He had previously been a member of what is known as the Little Rock Law Class, which had been in existence for many years and of which he was president when the class was merged into the law department of the University of Arkansas. To an under- standing of uncommon acuteness and vigor,Mr. Shackleford thus added a thorough and conscientious preparatory training, while in his practice he has exemplified all the higher elements of the truly great lawyer. He is constantly inspired by an innate, inflexible love of justice and a delicate sense of personal honor which controls him in all the relations of life. His fidelity to the interests of his clients is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. His diligence and energy in the preparation of his cases, as well as the earnestness, tenacity and eonrage with which he defends the right as he understands it, challenges the highest admiration of his associates. He invariably seeks to present his argument in the strong, clear light of common reason and sound logical principle.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 30

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