Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 34

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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Walter A. Lee spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native country and pursued a public school education. He then accompanied his parents to the new world and here he initiated his business career by entering the railroad service, with the Wabash Railway, as fireman and extra engineer. Steadily he worked his way upward hy reason of his industry and fidelity to the interests which he served, until various promotions had brought him to the responsible position of engineer on passenger trains with the St. Louis & South Western, on the 25th of August, 1885. He continued in that employ to the time of his death, which occurred March 13, 1912. He was always most careful and efficient, methodical and systematic in the performance of his tasks and never did he take any undue risk. His fidelity is indicated in the fact that throughout his life he remained in the railroad service with two companies.

In 1881 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Martino, a daughter of Joseplı Martino, who was a resident of the state of Ohio and belonged to one of the old families there. Mr. and Mrs. Lee had two children, but one is deceased. The sur- viving son, Charles E., is now in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, with head- quarters at Little Rock. The other son was Walter Hamilton, who died at the age of twenty years.

In his political views Mr. Lee was a democrat, always voting for the men and measures of the party, yet never seeking nor desiring office. Fraternally he was a Mason and attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite, while he was also identified with the Scottish Rite bodies, and was a Shriner. He enjoyed the unqualified regard of his brethren of the craft because of his loyalty to its teachings and its high purposes. He was a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He had many friends in Pine Bluff and this section of the state, the sterling traits of his character being such as win esteem in every land and every clime. Mrs. Lee, sur- viving her husband, now makes her home at No. 602 East Second avenue in Pine Bluff. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lee were members of the Eastern Star and she is a Maccabee.

A. D. NORWOOD.

A. D. Norwood, a dealer in produce at Lincoln and classed with the enterprising and progressive business men of his section of the connty, was born June 11, 1881, on a farm in the vicinity of Lincoln, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Holt) Nor- wood, the former a native of Texas and the latter of Washington county, Arkansas. The father had one brother, John Norwood, who was killed while serving in the Con- federate army during the Civil war. William Norwood came to Washington county about 1875 and was here married. He was one of the early nurserymen of Washington county but is now living retired, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. He and his wife are residents of Lincoln. William Norwood has always voted with the democratic party but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, while his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church. Their family numbered eleven children, ten of whom are yet living: Sam V., who is associated with his brother in the produce business and in handling real estate at Lincoln; A. D., of this review; William L., a traveling salesman residing at Lincoln; Fannie, at home; Lucille, the wife of Alfred Kelley, a traveling man residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Lem, who is engaged in clerking in a store in Minneapolis; Clyde, a produce dealer of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Eula, the wife of Bert West, manager for the Hodges Brothers Mercantile Company at Lincoln; Bryan, a produce merchant of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; and Lola, at home.

A. D. Norwood was educated in the schools of Washington county, Arkansas, and pursued a business course at Springfield, Missouri. The first work in which he engaged in the employ of others was that of farming and later he began clerking in a store. He

WALTER A. LEE

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subsequently conducted a mercantile business on his own account for a period of four years and later he devoted four years to government and state work in connection with the bureau of animal industry. He next engaged in the fruit and produce business at Lincoln in 1911 and in this won a substantial measure of success. He erected a large two- story brick building in Lincoln, seventy-five by ninety feet, and is today one of the leading produce men of this section of the state, annually handling a large amount of fruit and vegetables. He is also the owner of a theatre in the First National Bank building and he has his produce offices upstairs. He is the vice president of the First National Bank of Lincoln and also president of the Lincoln Spray & Supply Company, which mann- factures lime and sulphur for spraying fruit. He has developed his entire business through his own efforts, close application, energy and determination being the vital forces which have brought his prosperity.

In 1903 Mr. Norwood was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Holt, who was born in Washington county, a daughter of Benjamin Holt, a pioneer of this county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Norwood belongs also to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always voted- with the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has served as a member of the town council. Mr. Norwood has spent his entire life in northwestern Arkansas and has contributed in no small measure to the growth and progress of the communities in which he has lived.

JOHN S. PIERCE.

John S. Pierce, actively identified with farming in White county for many years and now making his home at Russell, was born near Denmark in this county, November 16, 1859. His parents, Moses and Sallie Ann (Womack) Pierce, were natives of East Tennessee and in that state were married. There the father followed farming until 1858, when he started across the country with horse team and wagon, making the river cross- ing on ferry and ultimately reaching White county. It was his purpose to continue the journey to Texas but one of the horses became sick and they tarried in White county. Being pleased with the country Mr. Pierce purchased land, which was then a heavily wooded tract. He cut away the native timber, cleared off the brush and as soon as possible began to plow and cultivate the land, which he thus continued to improve until enlisting for service in the Confederate army at the beginning of the war, being on duty most of the time west of the Mississippi. He died during the war period, his death, however, resulting from a wound which he had sustained previous to his enlistment. In that early day he had engaged in hunting and he also followed blacksmithing, making the tools with which he worked and also tools for his neighbors. He experienced all of the hardships and privations of frontier life, living in White county when it was a pioneer region, in which bears, deer and turkeys could be secured in large numbers. He was but twenty-nine years of age at the time of his death, while his wife reached the age of sixty years. She married again, becoming the wife of H. P. Herd and by her first marriage she had three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy, the others being: John S. and Stephen S., but the latter died at the age of twenty-one years. By her second marriage she had one child, Belle, who is the widow of W. F. Mayfield, of White county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pierce belonged to the Baptist church and endeavored at all times closely to follow its teachings, while politically he gave his support to the democratic party. His father was a factor in the pioneer development of different localities. He was Stephen Pierce, a native of Tennessee, who emigrated to Illinois, where he owned land and carried on farming, removing to that state soon after the Civil war and spending his remaining days there. The maternal grandfather of John S. Pierce was Jacob Womack connected with one of the old and honored pioneer families of this state.

John S. Pierce attended the subscription schools in his boyhood days. He walked five and a half miles to receive instruction in a little log schoolhouse, seated with split log benches, while the curriculum consisted of little more than the "three R's." Moreover. he conld pursne his studies for only about two months in the year, as he remained on the home farm with his mother and assisted her in its development and improvement. Following her death he went to Tennessee, where he was employed at farm labor for four years, on the expiration of which period he returned to White county and here did contract work in making wagon spokes. He also manufactured staves and sold log timber and piling. Eventually he entered the livestock business, buying and selling horses and cattle at Russell. He likewise became a factor in mercantile circles at Russell, where he owned and conducted a store for three different periods. He also owned farm land and at one time he operated the Pierce and Moore ranch, devoted to

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the raising of hogs and cattle. He now specializes in strawberries and cotton and the land which he owns is particularly adaptable to the cultivation of strawberries.

Mr. Pierce has been married twice and by his first marriage had one child, Earnest F., now living in New Mexico. He afterward wedded Hannah Cunningham, a native of Indiana and a daughter of William Cunningham, a railroad man and a merchant of Bradford. There have heen six children born of the second marriage, two of whom died in infancy, the others being: W. S., a livestock man of Russell; J. W., who follows farming in White county; Mary A. and Lela, hoth at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in which he is serving as steward. They take an active interest in all of the church work and do everything in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Pierce is a Blue Lodge Mason and in politics he is a democrat. He has served as school director and is interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of his community. His life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and those who know aught of his career speak of him in terms of the warmest regard, because he has ever been faithful to his profession, loyal in citizenship, reliable and progressive in business.

B. ALLEN HANCOCK.

B. Allen Hancock, of El Dorado, who is serving as sheriff of Union county, was born near the old town of Marysville on the 6th of April, 1872, and was reared to farm life, early becoming acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His educational privileges were limited to the opportunities afforded by the common schools. He attended through the winter seasons, working on the farm through the summer months, and remained on the old homestead until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Texas, where he was employed as a cowboy on the range. He devoted three years to work of that character and then returned to Columbia county, Arkansas, near Atlanta, where he was again engaged in farm work for a period of five years, and in addition to the cultivation of his land he carried on merchandising in Atlanta. In 1906 he removed to El Dorado, where he has conducted a general merchandise store and later a hardware store. He also has engaged in buying and selling horses and mules, following this business for a number of years. He has always led a life of activity and his energy and determination have constituted the salient qualities on which he has builded the success that has come to him.

Mr. Hancock has filled a number of public positions. He was city marshal of El Dorado from 1912 until 1915 and in 1920 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Union county, taking up the duties of the position on the 1st of January, 1921. He is now making an excellent record by the prompt and fearless manner in which he is promoting the cause of justice through the apprehension of criminals. Aside from this he has oil interests and land interests in Arkansas, being connected with the Stewart Oil Company. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and his life should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be done when the individual is industrious and ambitious.

Mr. Hancock was married December 23, 1904, to Mrs. Mary Lee McBride. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings have guided him in all the relations of life. He is well known in Arkansas, where he has gained a large circle of friends, all of whom speak of him in terms of high regard.

J. E. DARR.

J. E. Darr, an enterprising merchant of Atkins, is today the oldest native born resident of the city. Here his birth occurred October 17, 1870, his parents heing James F. and Mary Jane (Hearne) Darr. The father was born in Lincoln county, North Carolina. on the 3d of June, 1841, and died August 7, 1894. His father, who was born in North Carolina, died in that state, and the mother, Mrs. Ann Darr, afterward came to Ar- kansas. It was in the year 1858 that James F. Darr arrived in Pope county and settled on a farm. He purchased considerable land and added to his holdings from time to time until he had large property interests in this part of the state. He also engaged in merchandising and was conducting a store at the time of his demise. He started out in the world empty-handed hut by persistent effort and unfaltering energy worked his way steadily upward and became one of the prosperous residents of his section of the state. In early manhood he joined the Confederate army and served for four years with the southern troops, being twice wounded during that period. He

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was always a democrat in his political views and he served as the first mayor of Atkins. Fraternally he was connected with the Knights of Pythias. It was near Atkins in 1867 that he wedded Mary Jane Hearne, who was born December 5, 1849, a daughter of Joshua Hearne, who was born in South Carolina and was one of the pioneer settlers of Arkansas. His people came originally from Ireland, while the Darr family was of Scotch lineage. Mrs. Mary J. Darr died May 21, 1920, and during her life was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Like her husband she enjoyed the high esteem and goodwill of many friends throughout this part of the state. They became the parents of nine children, of whom four are living: J. E .; W. E., who is a farmer of Atkins; R. W., a physician, practicing in Atkins; and Irl R., who is a merchant engaged in business with his brother, J. E. Darr.

The public school system of Atkins afforded J. E. Darr his educational opportunities. His early business training was received in his father's store-in fact, he has been connected with the store from the age of eleven years. The business is now conducted under the firm style of Darr & Darr, the brothers carrying an extensive line of general merchandise and conducting a large and profitable business. Together they also own fifteen hundred acres of land, which they have acquired since the father's death. They are men of marked business enterprise, displaying almost intuitive wisdom in the con- duct of their affairs and their determination and diligence are the substantial qualities which have brought to them well earned success. J. E. Darr devotes his entire time to his store and his farm. He and his brother also buy cotton and handled about twenty- five hundred bales in 1920. Their store is a commodious and well stocked establishment and they have a large business, which is the merited reward of their close application and sound judgment.

On the 22d of April, 1894, J. E. Darr was married to Miss Susie Nugent, who was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1871, a daughter of Joseph Nugent, who removed to Canada from Ireland in 1868 and in 1873 brought his family to Arkansas, his daughter, Mrs. Darr, being then but two years of age. He was a farmer and also operated a ferry in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Darr have become parents of two children: Leta, who was graduated from Galloway College at Searcy, Arkansas, and from the Bush Conservatory of Music in Chicago, is now head of the music department in the public schools of Atkins; Alta is the wife of Thomas A. Watkins, president of the Bank of Searcy at Searcy, Arkansas. She was also graduated from Galloway College at Searcy and from the Bush Conservatory in Chicago. She became a teacher of voice and had taught for two terms in Galloway when she met Mr. Watkins and was married. Mrs. Darr and her daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Darr is a Mason, also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has filled all of the offices in the Knights of Pythias lodge and he is at all times faithful to the teachings and high purposes of these different fraternal societies. In politics he is a democrat and has served as mayor of Atkins, loyally advocating every plan that has to do with the city's upbuilding. He is widely recognized as a most public-spirited man and one whose entire record is a credit to one of the most honored family names in this section of the state. His worth is widely acknowledged as he has long been a dynamic factor in the business development of Pope county, nor has he ever been unmindful of the duties and obligations of citizenship. On the contrary his support has been a valued asset in public progress and he belongs to that class of men who have been most active in upholding the civic, legal and moral standards of the community.

ERWIN KOLLER.

The development and upbuilding of every community depends not alone upon one line of activity but upon the combined efforts of many men of enterprise who control various phases of business, all of which are essential to the welfare and well-being of a community. In this connection, therefore, mention should be made of Erwin Koller, who is the senior partner in the Koller-McKim Plumbing Company of Fort Smith. Mr. Koller is a native of Switzerland and spent the first fourteen years of his life in the land of the Alps, after which he came to America, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed he might secure on this side of the Atlantic. Arriving in the new world in 1884, he worked for a time in a grocery store and afterward learned the machinist's trade at Fort Smith. He was employed for a period in St. Louis and then returned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he secured a position with the Electric Light & Power Company. Each experience that came to him brought to him wider knowledge of business conditions and activities and step by step he has advanced, utilizing fully the opportunities which have been his. In 1907 he established a gas appliance store and in 1910 formed a partnership with Paul McKim, opening a plumbing

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department in connection with the other business. Their present establishment is located at No. 16 North Seventh street, where they have one of the most complete display rooms of its kind in this part of the state. They handle gas appliances, furnaces and plumbing fixtures, do all kinds of plumbing and steamfitting and are agents for the Round Oak furnaces and also for the American radiators. Their business has assumed extensive and gratifying proportions. They are expert workmen in their line and they have thus secured many important contracts of this character and have rendered valuable service in the field of their chosen labor.

Mr. Koller was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Graber and they have become parents of three children, as follows: Cecilea, Edwin and Robert.

Mr. Koller has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has steadily advanced. His position is now a gratifying one in connection with the in- dustrial and commercial interests of Fort Smith and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors and careful management.

THOMAS E. SANDERS, M. D.

Dr. Thomas E. Sanders, actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Hot Springs, was born in Beebe, Arkansas, on the 13th of December, 1880. His father, A. F. Sanders, a native of Alabama, was also a physician and in 1886 came to Hot Springs, where he continued in the practice of his profession to the time of his death in 1906. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having joined the Confederate army when a youth of but fourteen years. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias lodge and was highly esteemed by those with whom he was brought into contact through social or professional relations.

Dr. Thomas E. Sanders was a lad of but six years when brought by his parents to Hot Springs and here he attended the public schools, while after completing his high school course he became a student in the Arkansas State University, graduating there- from with the class of 1901. Whether natural predilection, environment or inherited tendency had most to do with his choice of a profession it is perhaps impossible to determine, but at any rate he entered upon the field of labor for which nature seemed to have aptly adapted him. He determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and read medicine under his direction for a time, while later he entered Tulane University at New Orleans, Louisiana, as a medical student and was gradnated therefrom with the class of 1905. He then put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test by serving as interne in the Charity Hospital at New Orleans and there gained that broad and valuable knowledge which hospital practice and experience bring. He afterwards re- turned to Hot Springs and became associated with his father in practice, the partnership continuing until the father's death. Since that time Dr. Sanders has practiced in- dependently and has steadily advanced by reason of his merit and skill to a point in the front rank of the able physicians of the city. His practice is now extensive and of an important character and the results which he secures well entitle him to the enviable reputation that he now hears.

Dr. Sanders was married to Miss Ethel Hallman, a daughter of Dr. Hallman, and they now have two sons: Hallman, who is twelve years of age; and Carl, a lad of seven. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and along strictly professional lines Dr. Sanders is connected with the County, State and American Medical Associations. He served as city health officer in 1914 and 1915. He is keenly interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life. His reading and study have covered a wide field and he at all times keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, investigation and progress.

J. Z. SEXTON, M .D.

Dr. J. Z. Sexton, a leading representative of the medical fraternity of Siloam Springs, has a thorough knowledge of his profession and through close study and practical ex- perience has gained the skill which brings to his work the utmost possibility of accuracy in results. He was born in Smith county, Virginia, July 31, 1871, a son of Le Grand and Catherine (Korff) Sexton. The father was a native of Winchester, Virginia, and always remained a resident of that state, followed the occupation of farming and also engaging in merchandising. When a young man of thirty years he enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate army and served throughout the period of the Civil war. Mrs. Sexton

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was born in Washington, D. C., and acquired her education in the Convent of the Visi- tation at Georgetown, D. C. Owing to the illness of a half brother, who was serving in the Confederate army, she took up the profession of nursing, which she continued to follow throughout the Civil war, performing important, self-sacrificing service, and it was while acting in this capacity that she met Mr. Sexton. For a time she was connected with the treasury department of the Confederate government and was thus active at the time of Sherman's memorable march to the sea. She was with Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy, in St. Paul's church, when General Lee sent word that the city of Richmond, Virginia, should be evacuated, and was present during the burning of the city, losing all of her clothing except the garments which she wore. She sought safety in the Federal Hospital and aided in nursing the northern soldiers. After her marriage she returned to Virginia and continued a resident of that state until after her husband's death. She then went to Washington, D. C., where she lived for a number of years, but later returned to Virginia, dying in that state in 1919. She was at one time connected with Sullins College at Bristol, Tennessee, organ- izing the kindergarten department of that institution. She was a prominent member of the Daughters of the Confederacy and her life was a noble and self-sacrificing one, devoted to the interests of others. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Sexton were six children: Jennie, the wife of Dr. N. H. Reeve, a leading physician of Bristol, Tennessee; Moses, a well-known druggist of Washington, D. C .: J. Z., of this review; Mattie, who is unmarried and also resides in Washington; Paul, who is connected with the govern- ment service and resides in the nation's capital, and Kathryn, who is unmarried and also makes her home in Washington. Mrs. Sexton was a Catholic in religious faith, and her husband was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he was a demo- crat in his political views. His father, Aaron Sexton, was born in Massachusetts and removed to Virginia prior to the outbreak of the Civil war. The maternal grandfather, Herman Korff, was a refugee of Russian Poland, who sought shelter in the United States in order to avoid religious and political persecution. For a time he resided in Wash- ington, D. C., but became a victim of tuberculosis and died in Cuba. He was of royal birth, the Sexton family being originally members of the English nobility, bearing a coat-of-arms.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 34

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