Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 35

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 an education Dr. Sexton attended the public schools of Washington, D. C., and the Catholic School of Georgetown, now known as the George- town University, subsequently becoming a student in the medical department of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. For a time he served as interne in a hospital and then took up the work of his profession in Indian Territory, where he remained for a year. In 1900 he arrived in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he has since resided, and in the intervening period of twenty-one years has built up a large practice. He has ever remained a close student of his profession and pursued a three months' postgraduate course in Chicago, while for four months he was occupied in similar work in New York city, thus augment. ing his knowledge and skill.

In 1899 Dr. Sexton was united in marriage to Miss Ada Pegues, a native of Siloam Springs and a daughter of Robert Pegues, who for thirty years was numbered among the leading druggists of this locality. Two children have been born of this union: Ruth, who married T. B. Boyd. a citizen of Waco, Texas, and Paul, who is attending school.

Dr. and Mrs. Sexton are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Rogers, Arkansas, and the professional connections are with the Benton County and Arkansas State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He utilizes every possible opportunity to promote his knowledge and increase his efficiency, and he enjoys the respect of his professional colleagues and also of the general public.

RAY ANDERSON.

Ray Anderson, cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Green Forest, was born on a farm near the city in which he still makes his home, his natal day being October 26, 1891. He is a son of Columbus and Alice (Johnson) Anderson, the former born in Carroll county, Arkansas, while the latter is a native of Illinois. The grand- father, Abner J. M. Anderson, was a native of North Carolina and removed to Arkansas in the '30s, settling in Carroll county, where his remaining days were devoted to the occupation of farming and stock raising. He was in the Federal army during the Civil war. He had several brothers, all of whom were with the Confederate forces, two serving

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with the rank of captain, but Mr. Anderson believed in the righteousness of the Union cause and remained a loyal follower of the stars and stripes. The maternal grand- father of Ray Anderson was Presley Johnson, who was born near Cairo, Illinois, and became a resident of Carroll county, Arkansas, in the '80s. Here he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1910. The marriage of Columbus Anderson and Alice Johnson was celebrated in Carroll county and the father has here followed the occupa- tion of farming and stock raising, winning a substantial measure of success through the capable management of his business affairs. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party. His wife is a member of the Baptist church, and sterling worth has gained for both of them the high respect of all with whom they have been brought in contact. They have hecome parents of three children: Ray, Julia, at home, and Tom, who is married and lives upon the home farm.

Ray Anderson acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and afterward attended the University of Arkansas for one term. His first occupation after starting out in life independently was that of farming, and in 1916 he became identified with the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Green Forest, in which institution he was made cashier in 1917. This bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of sixty-seven hundred dollars and average deposits of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Anderson is proving a capable official, obliging and courteous to the patrons of the bank and at the same time carefully safe- guarding the interests of stockholders and depositors alike.

In 1912 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Gertrude Stafford, a daughter of John Stafford, a prominent farmer and stock raiser residing near Green Forest. Her father served for two terms in the state legislature. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Anderson is a Royal Arch Mason. He has passed through all of the chairs in the local lodge and is a faithful follower of the teachings of the craft. Politically he has heen a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, hut the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his attention upon his business interest, and along this line has made steady progress.

SETH C. REYNOLDS.

Seth C. Reynolds is a successful and well-known attorney of Ashdown, where he has remained an active representative of the bar during the past fourteen years. A native son of Arkansas, he was horn at Cascade Springs, now Naylor, in Faulkner county, on the 12th of May, 1878. His youth was spent on a farm in that vicinity and his early education was acquired in the public school at Naylor and in the high school at Rover, while subsequently he entered Hendrix College, from which he was graduated in 1904 He also spent one summer as a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and later entered the University of Arkansas, in which institution he completed his law course by graduation in 1907. The same year he was admitted to practice in the supreme court, while two years later he was admitted to the federal courts. Prior to and during the period of his college course he engaged in teaching school at intervals through a period of thirteen years, and won an enviahle reputation as an educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. After qualifying for law practice he took up his abode at Ashdown, where he has remained continuously since and has built up a clientage of most gratifying proportions and importance. He practiced independently until July, 1919, when he formed a part- nership with A. P. Steel, with whom he was associated as senior partner in the firm of Reynolds & Steel until January, 1922. It is characteristic of him that he always gives his hest efforts to a client, regardless of the standing of those who employ him, for he is no respecter of persons and money does not swerve him in the least from his path of duty as a lawyer. His hriefs are ever splendidly prepared and his presentation of a cause is clear and logical. Aside from his professional interests he owns a farm of eight hundred and forty acres in Little River county.

On the 21st of August, 1908, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Nelle McCrary, and they occupy an enviable social position in the community in which they make their home. Mr. Reynolds is a democrat in his political views, and in 1920 was sent as an alternate delegate at large to the democratic national convention in San Francisco. He is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist church and takes an active and helpful part in its work, having served for eighteen years as superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During the period of the World war he served as secretary of the Little River County Chapter of the Red Cross, while during three of the Liberty Loan drives he

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acted as chairman of the speakers' bureau in Little River county. He was likewise chairman of the legal advisory board of Little River county during the entire period of hostilities between the United States and Germany. His aid and influence are ever found on the side of right, reform, progress and improvement, and he has long been numbered among the leading lawyers and highly esteemed citizens of southwestern Arkansas.

WILLIAM M. GARNER, M. D.

Dr. William M. Garner, an active and successful representative of the medical fraternity at Hope, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Crawford county, this state, on the 16th of May, 1883. He was reared on a farm and supplemented his early education, which was obtained in a country school, by a high school course at Van Buren. When nineteen years of age he taught school during one summer term. Having determined to become a physician, he entered the medical department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and following his graduation from that institution spent the years of 1906 and 1907 as an interne in the City Hospital of Little Rock. He then opened an office at Catcher, this state, but a few months later removed to Dean Springs, where he remained for a year and a half, after which he spent six months as a medical practitioner of Uniontown. Subsequently he was identified with the Nashville Lumber Company of Nashville for two years, and in 1918 entered the medical department of the United States army as first lieutenant, doing hospital duty at Fort Riley, Kansas, for ninety days. On the expiration of his military service he opened au office at Hope, where he has since been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery with gratifying success, the number of his patients steadily increasing as he has demonstrated his professional skill and ability. He keeps in close touch with the most advanced thought and work of the profession through his membership in the Hempstead County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Garner wedded Miss Maude Daly and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Fern L., Mary, who passed away at the age of five years, and one who died in infancy. Fraternally the Doctor is identified with the Masous and the Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He conforms to the highest standard of professional ethics and is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, so that his reputation is an enviable one and his practice has assumed extensive proportions.

W. L. SHIREY, M. D.

Texarkana has every reason to be proud of the medical profession represented within her borders. They are men of capability and worth, holding to high standards, and at all times they are keeping in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress. In this connection mention should be made of Dr. W. L. Shirey, who was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on the 30th of November, 1867. There he was reared and educated, attending the public schools and the Jonesboro Academy. He began reading medicine when nineteen years of age and in early manhood he also worked in a drug store, thus earning the money that enabled him to pursue his college course. He afterward matriculated in the University of Tennessee as a medical student and was there graduated with the class of 1895. Soon afterward he located for practice at Foreman, Arkansas, where he remained until March, 1921, when he came to Texarkana. He had successfully followed his profession in Foreman and already he has gained a good practice since coming to Texarkana. He is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and his ability is recognized by his contemporaries and colleagues in the profession.

On the 26th of September, 1888, Dr. Shirey was married to Miss Alice M. Allen of Clay county, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of two children: Dr. Guy O. Shirey, who is now practicing at Fort Worth, and Fay, the wife of F. A. Perrot, of Arkansas. The son was in the service during the World war, being a member of the first expedition that left Texas. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the Medical Corps and was first aid on General Bullard's staff. In May, 1917, he went overseas and remained in France until December, 1918, returning with the rank of lieutenant colonel, his promotions being indicative of the splendid service which he rendered to his country.

Dr. W. L. Shirey also joined the army as a member of the Medical Corps in 1918,

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and with the rank of captain was on duty at the base hospital at Fort Oglethorpe. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having become a Consistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Episcopal church. Along strictly professional lines he has member- ship in the Miller County Medical Society and the Arkansas State Medical Society, and is thus conversant with all of the latest researches and discoveries of the profession, while wide reading is constantly broadening his knowledge, and from experience, too, he learns many valuable lessons.

JAMES A. FOLTZ, M. D., F. A. C. S.

Dr. James A. Foltz, a physician and surgeon of Fort Smith, who has developed marked efficiency and skill in his chosen profession and now enjoys an extensive prac- tice, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, March 24, 1878, and is a son of J. K. and Mary (Rathell) Foltz. At the time of the Civil war the father joined the Federal army and served in defense of the Union with the rank of captain, while Mary Rathell was the daughter of Colonel Rathell, who commanded a regiment of Confederate troops during the Civil war.

James A. Foltz pursued his education in the public schools of his native city, and after mastering the work of the high school continued his education in Tulane University of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was but three years of age when his parents removed with their family to Fort Smith, taking up their abode in this city in 1881. When he had completed his studies in Tulane University he took up postgraduate work in Harvard College and also attended the New York medical colleges and hospitals for further preparation in his profession. Returning to Fort Smith, he has here engaged in practice, making a specialty of surgery. In 1903 he was made chief surgeon of the Fort Smith & Western and the St. Louis, El Reno & Western Railroads, two years later was appointed division surgeon of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, and subse- quently was appointed surgeon of the Fort Smith Light & Traction Company. All of these positions he still holds. For two terms he served as president of the Sebastian County Medical Society, was at one time president of the Tenth Council or District Medical Society of Arkansas and in the Medical Association of the Southwest acted as chairman of the section on surgery.

In 1903 Dr. Foltz was united in marriage to Miss Janie Price, and they are well known in the social circles of Fort Smith, the hospitality of the best homes being most freely accorded them, while the good cheer of their own honsehold is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. During the World war Dr. Foltz acted as chairman of the district medical service of the Red Cross. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he has taken great interest therein, having served as a member of the board of education for eight years. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and he concentrates his efforts and attention wholly upon his professional duties, fully realizing the obligations and responsibilities that devolve upon him in this connection. In everything that pertains to professional advancement he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age and his study, investigation and experience have brought him prominently to the front in surgical work in Arkansas.

BYRD COLLINS ROCKWELL.

Byrd Collins Rockwell, organizer and general manager of the Rockwell Manufacturing Company, of Camden, manufacturers of the kasement skrene dores and kasement skrene dore hardware, has in this connection developed one of the important productive indus- tries of his section of the state. The business has grown to substantial proportions under the careful management and wise direction of the founder, who has placed upon the market goods that meet a popular demand and which merit the best that can be said for them. Mr. Rockwell came to the south from the state of New York, his birth having ocenrred in Watkins Glenn, April 1, 1866, his parents being Byron B. and Belle (Chamberlain) Rockwell, the former also a native of the Empire state, while the latter was born in Maryland. The father spent his life in connection with the lumber business, as had his father before him. In the year 1844 the grandfather Rockwell removed with his family to the lumber regions of Michigan, but subsequently returned to the state of New York, where the later years of his life were passed. Byron B. Rockwell, on reaching adult age, engaged in the sawmill and lumber business, and abont 1870 came west, operating in northern Indiana and southern Michigan, where he had

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extensive timber holdings. He died in Goshen, Indiana, in the year 1907, being a resident of that place at the time. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as captain of Company E, Twelfth Infantry, U. S. A., which was the first Federal command to enter Little Rock. He was at De Valls Bluff at the time of Lee's surrender, after which he returned to his former home in Niles, Michigan. His death was the first in a family which included himself, his wife and nine children. All of the children are still living, with one exception. The mother survives and is now hale and hearty, although in her eightieth year. For the past three years she has had her second sight. The great-grandmother of Byrd C. Rockwell in the maternal line lived to the notable old age of one hundred and five years, and at ninety years of age she gained her second sight. The grandparents in the paternal line lived to the ages of ninety-one and ninety-two years, respectively. History tells us that George Washington met the woman who was later his wife in the home of the maternal great-great-grandfather Chamberlain.

Byrd C. Rockwell, the eldest in his father's family of nine children, pursued a high school course in Goshen, Indiana, and in his youthful days started out to provide for his own support by entering the employ of the I. X. L. Pump, Lumber & Manu- facturing Company of that place. He continued in active association with that company for a period of fifteen years, rising from a humble position to that of superintendent of the business. His powers developed through the exercise of effort and his life history is proof of the fact that activity does not tire, but on the contrary develops resistance and force.

In 1900 Mr. Rockwell came to Arkansas, settling at Malvern, where he was made general superintendent of the Owoso Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of screen doors. With this business he was identified for four years. In 1904 he organized the Rockwell Manufacturing Company of Malvern, devoted to the manufacture of screen doors, and was made president and general manager of the company. In 1910 this business was sold to the trust, and in 1912 Mr. Rockwell came to Camden and organized the Rockwell Manufacturing Company. Prior to the entry of the United States into the World war the company confined its activities to the manufacture of screen doors and screen door hardware. but since the United States joined the allied forces in the effort to advance world democracy the company of which Mr. Rockwell is the head has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of special crates. This crate was designed by Mr. Rockwell for the sweet potato industry and is known as the Dixa Crate. Notwithstanding the fact that it costs thirty per cent more than other crates put upon the market by other manufacturers, it has been adopted and is being extensively- in fact, almost exclusively-used by the Arkansas Sweet Potato Growers Association. To the trade Mr. Rockwell is known as a mechanical genins, and many valuable patents are the product of his brain. In addition to his mechanical skill and ingenuity he possesses executive force and administrative ability that have enabled him wisely and successfully to direct the operations of the plants owned by the companies with which he has been identified.

In 1899 Mr. Rockwell was married to Miss Olive D. Behymer of Kansas City, Missouri, and they have become parents of five children, four of whom are living: Louis, Olive, Mary and Helen, all at home. Mr. Rockwell is a member of Goshen Lodge, No. 798, B. P. O. E., of Goshen, Indiana. He also belongs to the Hoo Hoos, the national order of Inmbermen, and he is identified with the Camden Chamber of Commerce, He takes an active and helpful interest in civic affairs and his cooperation can be counted upon to advance and support any plan or interest that is looking to the benefit and welfare of the community. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal church, and their sterling traits of character have established them high in public regard. As a business man and as a citizen Mr. Rockwell occupies an enviable position and his life record should serve as a stimulating example to others, showing what can be accom- plished through individual ability and merit.

W. TERRY FEILD.

W. Terry Feild, a consulting engineer of Little Rock, with offices in the Gazette building, was born February 17, 1880, in the city which is still his home. His parents, Talbot and Annie (Terry) Feild, resided for many years in the capital city. The father was here born in 1858 and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, and he died in the year 1883. His wife, who was born in North Carolina in 1858, survived him for only a brief period, her death occurring in 1884. They were married May 17, 1878, in Little Rock, and their family numbered twin sons and three daughters.

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In the acquirement of his education W. Terry Feild attended the public schools of Little Rock to the age of fourteen years, when he started out in the business world. Later realizing the value and advantage of further educational training, he became a student in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and there won his degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1906, while later the degree of Mechanical Engineer was conferred upon him. In 1909 he did postgraduate work in Fayetteville, and all through his college lourse he paid his own way, his industry and determination enabling him to carry out plans for the acquirement of his education. He has since become widely recognized as an able consulting engineer and he is now associated in practice with Colonel John R. Fordyce of Hot Springs under the firm style of Fordyce & Feild. Their Little Rock office is maintained in the Gazette building and their practice is constantly growing in volume and importance. By reason of his professional ability Mr. Feild was able to render most valuable aid to the government during the World war period. In September, 1917, he entered the employ of the American Car & Foundry Company, which had a government contract to manufacture high explosive shells. Mr. Feild was made construction engineer for the erection of the 155 MM. shell plant at Depew, New York. In October, 1918, Mr. Feild was sent to St. Louis in charge of two similar plants of much larger capacity. ercated at a cost of fifteen million dollars. Mr. Feild did all the work of arranging these two plants to get them ready for operation. He continued in St. Louis until December. 1918, and then returned to Detroit, where until May, 1919, he was engaged in preparing estimates for the government of the cost of restoring the plants to the original owners. Since the latter date he has resided in Little Rock, pursuing his profession, and is now engaged in the task of assisting to place a valuation upon the property and plant of the Little Rock Street Railway Company. He has also been engaged in similar work in Detroit. in Kansas City and in Washington, D. C., and the fact that he has been called to various cities throughout the country is an indication of his expert ability in his chosen field of labor.

On the 29th of March, 1915, Mr. Feild was married to Miss Nelle Trimble; who was born in Lonoke, Lonoke county, Arkansas, December 10, 1892, and is a danghter of Judge Thomas Clark Trimble, who is a native of Alabama and in 1878 became a resident of Lonoke, where he is still engaged in the practice of law. Mrs. Feild attended the Randolph-Macon College, also the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of the music department of the University of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Feild now have one child, Terry Trimble, born April 11, 1919.

The parents are members of Christ Episcopal church and Mr. Feild is a Master Mason. He also belongs to the Sigma Nu, a college fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in matters of progressive citizenship he has always stood one hundred per cent. He volunteered for service in the World war before entering upon government construction work, but was rejected for field duty. His entire time and energies are now concentrated upon professional interests and he is the secretary of the Little Rock Engineers Club, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and he also belongs to the Kiwanis Club.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 35

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