Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 36

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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CHARLES D. HYTEN.

Charles D. Hyten, originator and manufacturer of the Niloak pottery, has thus developed in Benton one of the important manufacturing interests of Arkansas. He has entered upon a unique field and his labors have found recognition in many of the leading art centers of America and among the connoisseurs of ceramic art. Mr. Hyten, who is at the head of this enterprise, was born in Benton on the 14th of March, 1877, and is a son of John F. and Hattie E. (Brown) Hyten, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Iowa. The father acquired a college education in Greencastle, Indiana, and when a youth of but sixteen years enlisted in an Indiana regiment for service in the Union army during the Civil war, remaining at the front throughout the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south. He returned to the Hoosier state when the war was ended but subsequently removed to Boone, Iowa, where he learned the potter's trade. While there residing he was married to Hattie E. Brown, with whom he traveled life's journey for many years. Some time later they made their way to Callaway county, Missouri, where Mr. Hyten engaged in the pottery business, manufacturing jars, churns and a general line of stoneware. It was about 1875 or 1876 that he came to Benton, Arkansas, for the benefit of his health and while here he noticed the splendid clay deposits in the neighborhood and again took up the manufacture of stoneware. He continued the business with a considerable measure of success for several years, but it was not until some time after that the business was developed into one of the important productive industries of this section of the state. His

CHARLES D. HYTEN

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

service as a soldier of the Civil war left him in impaired health and after a few years' residence in Arkansas he died, in the fall of 1881. His widow afterward became the wife of Frank Woosley and they now reside in Springfield, Ohio.

Charles D. Hyten, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the Benton public schools and after his father's death he worked in connection with the pottery business, which was carried on under the management of Mr. Woosley, who afterward married Mrs. Hyten. In 1896 the business was acquired by Charles D. Hyten and his two brothers, Paul and Lee Hyten, and conducted by them for about two years. At the end of that time the brothers withdrew, after which Mr. Hyten carried on the business alone. Up to this time the manufacture of pottery had been conducted in but a desultory fashion. Charles D. Hyten, rather too young to manage the business and with little capital, rented the plant where stoneware was made and worked as a journeyman potter. It was not until 1902 that he took over the business, which still was that of manufacturing stoneware, and for seven years that continued to be the output of the plant. It was in 1909 that Mr. Hyten began experimenting in the manufacture of pottery, He combined the clays of different colors, mixing them on the potter's wheel almost at random, and thus the first piece of Niloak pottery came into existence, although the name was not adopted until a year later. The citizens of Arkansas paid little attention to this new product that was placed upon the market, but travelers in the state, especially those on their way to and from Hot Springs, saw the pieces of pottery which had been placed on exhibit in a jeweler's window in Benton and a real market for the beautiful ware began to develop. In 1911 Mr. Hyten recognized that the demand would soon far outrun the output and his financial resources. He therefore organized a stock company known as the Niloak Pottery Company and this was immediately followed by a notable expansion in the business. In January, 1918, Mr. Hyten became the sole owner of the plant and its fields of clay and has continued so to the present time, By 1912 the sale of the pottery had become quite extensive. This resulted from the fact that a connoisseur in pottery visited the plant and saw the product. He was so enthusiastic over it that he formed a connection with the company and for two years acted as sales manager throughout the United States. The coloring is perhaps the greatest charm of the Niloak pottery. From the very nature of the manufacturing process, in which clays of different colors are mixed, no two pieces ever are the same as to color pattern. Many useful and handsome designs are produced, including bowls, vases, candlesticks and wine and water sets. There is no artificial clay put upon the pottery and the beautiful finish of the first piece ever turned out is still retained. Mr. Hyten personally superintends every piece of pottery turned out and the output is now about seventy-five thousand pieces annually. All articles are formed and perfected by the hand and the eye. In order for a man to be skilled in the art of turning this ware by hand, he has to start when a youth and continue for many years. The first step is weighing and kneading the clay into round shape (commonly called ball) for the potter. Each article requires a certain amount of clay in weight. All colors are kneaded thoroughly before mixing, for should the different colors be kneaded together they would gradually mix to the extent of a solid color. All machinery is run by electricity. When the pottery goes to the kiln it is fired for from thirty-six to forty-eight hours and the temperature finally is brought up to twenty- one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, the heat being supplied through natural gas. The business of the company is constantly growing. There is today a large eastern trade and the California trade has been said to rival if not surpass the sales in the east. Extensive shipments have also been made to Canada and to Cuba. Mr. Hyten owns thirty-five acres of clay banks about two miles from Benton and his plant in the city consists of a main building forty by one hundred and forty feet, but he expects soon to erect another of equal size. There are three kilns and there are storage sheds covering a space of one hundred and fifty feet long by fifty feet wide. The company employs from fifteen to twenty-five men.

On the 5th of February, 1901, Mr. Hyten was married to Mis Cora Caldwell, a daughter of Charles and Laura (Crawford) Caldwell of Benton. Her father was a merchant and traveling man but is now deceased. The mother survives and still makes her home in Benton. Mr. and Mrs. Hyten have become parents of four children, but only two are living, Norma Pauline and Mabel Arlene.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hyten are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Hyten is superintendent of the Sunday school, while in all branches of the church work they take active and helpful part. Mr. Hyten is a member of Benton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a loyal follower of the teachings of the craft. Aside from his pottery business he is a stockholder in the Bank of Benton, also the secretary and treasurer of the South-

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ern Bauxite Company and is regarded as one of the leading and representative citizens here. He still owns the clay deposits which his father located when the son was but a year old and in addition he has three other tracts of clay deposits in this county, the only bodies of such clay known to exist in the entire county. Mr. Hyten is making steady advance in his chosen vocation, constantly progressing to higher standards in workmanship and design, and today the Niloak pottery is known from coast to coast.

L. DEWOODY LYLE.

L. Dewoody Lyle, filling the office of city attorney at Pine Bluff, was born here in 1895 and is a son of T. B. and Linnie (Dewoody) Lyle, who were natives of Lincoln county, Arkansas, and of Iuka Springs, Mississippi, respectively. Their family numbered four children: L. Dewoody, Elizabeth, now the wife of S. L. Ellen; Thomas B., Jr., and Marshall.

Reared under the parental roof, his boyhood and early youth spent in Pine Bluff, L. Dewoody Lyle pursued a public school education and afterward in preparation for his professional career entered the Washington and Lee University, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1917. He then returned to his native city, where he opened an office and has since engaged in practice save for the period of his services in the World war. When America became identified with the allies in the effort to establish world democracy he entered the Army Officers' Training School at Fort Logan H. Roots, near Little Rock, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was then assigned to Waco, Texas, and with the Thirty-ninth Division went overseas, being on active duty in France, where he remained for an extended period, being mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant in April, 1920. In the same year he returned to Pine Bluff, where he served as deputy prosecuting attorney, and later in the year he was elected city attorney, which office he has since filled. Although one of the younger representatives of the har, he is recognized as an able lawyer, wide-awake, alert, energetic and possessing a laudable ambition. By reason of these qualities he is making steady progress in his chosen calling and has most capably conducted various important cases. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is widely known in the city and that his has been a well spent life is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

LEWIS RHOTON.

The legal profession demands not only a high order of ability, but a rare combina- tion of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The successful lawyer must be a man of well-balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law, with a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, possessed of an analytical mind and a ready grasp of every point that bears in any way upon the questions at issue. Splen- didly qualified in these particulars, Lewis Rhoton has gained an enviahle position at the Little Rock bar, where he now devotes his attention to the general practice of law, although his early professional connection with Arkansas was that of a teacher. He comes to this state from Indiana, his birth having occurred in Henry county, May 13, 1868, his parents being Franklin and Susanna (Garrett) Rhoton, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was born in Virginia. The father followed farming throughout the greater part of his active life and for many years was not only a progressive agriculturist of Henry county, but also one of its leading and valued citizens. He gave his political support to the democratic party and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Dunkard church, enjoying the high respect and confidence of all who knew them. They continued residents of Henry county until called to their final rest.

Their son, Lewis Rhoton, pursued his early education in the public schools of his native county and afterward matriculated in the Illinois State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, being there graduated as a member of the class of 1883. He then turned to the profession of teaching and secured the position of principal of the high school at El Paso, Illinois, where he remained until September, 1890. In that year he came to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he continued his educational work as principal of one of the ward schools until 1894. He then accepted the appointment to the principalship of the high school of the city, serving in that capacity for two years. In the meantime

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he had largely devoted his leisure to the study of law and in 1894 was graduated from the law department of the University of Arkansas. In 1896 he took postgraduate work in the law department of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and in December following opened an office in Little Rock, where he has remained in the active practice of the profession. Mr. Rhoton, as few men have done, seems to realize the importance of the profession to which he has devoted his energy, and the fact that justice and the higher attitude of mercy he often holds in his hands. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability. He has held various important positions in the strict path of his profession. From 1901 until 1904 he filled the office of deputy prosecuting attorney of Pulaski county and was afterward elected prosecuting attorney for the sixth judicial district and so capably and efficiently served that he was reelected in 1906, while in 1908 he was nominated for the third term. He proved a most able prosecutor, standing at all times for law and justice, and he was active in the prosecution and conviction of the members of the legislature of 1905 who were indicted for bribery in connection with the legislation pending before the general assembly of 1905. In June, 1908, he resigned the office of prosecuting attorney and surrendered the nomination for a third term, although such nomination was equivalent to an election. Since then he has given his undivided. time and attention to the private practice of law and has a clientage of notably large and distinctive character. In November, 1908, he was appointed assistant general attorney for the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Company, of which he became general attorney in the succeeding year, remaining as the incumbent in the office until January 1, 1910, when he resigned that he might give his undivided attention to his private practice. From 1900 until 1906 he was lecturer in the law department of the University of Arkansas, and the student body and the faculty bore testimony to the value of his service in this connection.

In 1896 Mr. Rhoton was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Riffel, a native of Greenville, Ohio, and a daughter of the late James K. Riffel, who was a representative citizen of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoton have two children: Riffel Garrett and Bayard Francis, the former born in 1899 and the latter in 1904. The elder son was graduated in 1915 from the Little Rock high school and in 1918 from the Annapolis Naval Academy, at which time he was commissioned a lieutenant and assigned to the destroyer Allen. He thus served until November, 1918. The naval base of operations of the Allen was at Queenstown, Ireland, and when the war was over he was assigned to the battleship Mississippi, on which he is now doing duty.

Mr. Rhoton is well known as the author of a valuable textbook on civil govern- ment, entitled Arkansas and the Nation, which is today widely used in public and private schools of this state. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and suporter and from 1904 until 1908 he was a member of the board of education of Little Rock, serving during the last two years of that period as president. In 1908 he was reelected a member of the board, but within the same year resigned. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, and he takes a most loyal interest in everything that tends to advance the public welfare or is a matter of civic virtue or civic pride.

J. W. A. NORDEN.

Active and alert in business affairs, J. W. A. Norden is closely associated with the commercial and financial interests of Gillett through the conduct of his store and as the vice president of the Bank of Gillett. His determined purpose and laudable ambition enable him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and he steadily pushes forward toward his objective. Mr. Norden is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Hinckley in 1884, his parents being the Rev. H. H. and Augusta (Siebert) Norden. The father was a minister of the Lutheran church and occupied pastorates in St. Louis, Jarvis and Menfro, Missouri, and Hinckley, Illinois, doing effective work in the upbuilding of the various churches with which he was connected. He resided in Menfro to the time of his demise. In early manhood he wedded Augusta Siebert, who was born in Germany and came with her parents to the new world, the family home being established in Grand Island, Nebraska. Rev. and Mrs. Norden had a family of six children: Paul, Henry, Rudolph, Theodore, J. W. A. and Amelia. The second son, Henry, became a Lutheran minister and is now preaching the gospel at Muskegon, Michigan.

J. W. A. Norden largely pursued his education at Jarvis, Missouri, where the family lived during much of his boyhood. The year 1900 witnessed his arrival in Gillett, where he engaged in farming until 1903. He then purchased the interest held by H. C. Deal

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in the store of Rook & Company, and today the owners of this mercantile establishment are Mr. Norden, J. H. Natho and A. G. Richter. The business is conducted along most progressive lines, an extensive stock of goods being carried, while every effort is made to please their patrons, for the firm has always recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement. Mr. Norden is also well known in the community through his banking connection, being now one of the directors and the vice president of the bank of Gillett.

In 1908 Mr. Norden was united in marriage to Miss Olga Hoffman, a daughter of Gottfreid Hoffman of this city, and to them were born two children, but one has departed this life. The living danghter is Isabel. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are deeply interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community in which they make their home. Mr. Norden served as mayor of Gillett, administering municipal affairs with the same thorough- ness, care and sagacity that he has displayed in the conduct of his private business interests.

W. B. WELCH, M. D.

In the passing of Dr. W. B. Welch, Fayetteville lost a distinguished citizen and the medical profession a most able representative. He began active practice at the age of twenty-one years and he ever remained a deep student of his profession, taking frequent postgraduate courses. He took an active interest in all medical societies, at one time serving as first vice president of the American Medical Association, and he was a dominant factor in the organization of the State Medical Society. He made a specialty of surgery, being one of the few men to concentrate on that particular branch of the profession in his day, and he performed some remarkable operations.

He was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, in 1829, a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Lyle) Welch. The father was a native of Virginia and removed to Kentucky at an early day. He was postmaster at Huntsville, Alabama, a number of years, to which state he removed after the Civil war. Both Mr. and Mrs. Welch died at the home of their son, Dr. Welch. They were the parents of six children, two of whom are living. Dr. Welch was the third in order of birth. The family was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father gave his political allegiance to the dem- ocratic party, having firm belief 'in the principles of that party as factors in good government.

Dr. Welch received his early education in the schools of Huntsville, Alabama, and later went to Nashville, Tennessee, aud entered the medical department of the State University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1849. He began the practice of medicine in Somerville, Alabama, and remained there until he came to Arkansas and located at Canehill. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war, his sympathies being with the south, Dr. Welch enlisted in the Confederate army as surgeon and was in active service for four years. After the surrender of his command at Fort Smith he received his honorable discharge and returned to Canehill, where he resumed his practice until 1881, when he came to Fayetteville. He repre- sented the medical profession in Canehill for some thirty-two years, and was a representa- tive citizen of that community. He practiced in Fayetteville until his demise in 1917. Dr. Welch was one of the few men in his day to specialize in surgery, and he performed some remarkable operations. He operated on a child of eight years who had never talked nor walked, and the child was completely normal at the age of eleven years, walking, talking and reading. He gained recognition as one of the able and successful surgeons of Arkansas and by his labors and high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics justified the respect and confidence in which he was held by the medical fraternity and the local public.

Dr. Welch was twice married, his first wife being Laura Mcclellan, whose demise occurred in May, 1901. On June 5, 1902, he was again wedded, taking Miss Julia A. Garside, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, for his wife. She was a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Dickens) Garside, both natives of England, who came to Memphis, Tennessee. at an early day. The father was a builder and an architect. They are both deceased. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Garside nine children were born, four of whom are living: Robert, a contractor of Memphis, Tennessee; Margaret, the widow of Rev. J. J. Vaulx and a resident of Fayetteville; Mrs. Welch, and Mary, the wife of W. E. Turley, an architect in California. Mr. and Mrs. Garside were both members of the Episcopal church, and he was a democrat in politics.

Dr. Welch always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, and although he was active in its affairs, he neither sought nor desired public preferment. He was

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never too busy to aid in the development and improvement of the community, and he was a public-spirited citizen in every respect. He was one of the founders of the City Hospital and he willed that institution a substantial sum upon his demise. Mrs. Welch survives her husband, and she has many friends in Fayetteville, where she continues to make her home.

After the Doctor's death, Mrs. Welch gave to the medical department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock the Doctor's medical library, and Dean Morgan Smith, in acknowledging the gift, said the library was such as only a man of Dr. Welch's temperament and advanced thought would accumulate.

WILLIAM AUBREY KOSER.

William Auhrey Koser, farmer and one of the leading citizens of Crittenden county, is residing on his well-improved farm just outside the city limits of Marion. He is a native of this state, his birth having occurred at Jonesboro on the 22d of December, 1886, a son of Thomas F. and Emma (Smith) Koser, the former a native of Raleigh Springs, Tennessee, and the latter of near Shannon, Mississippi. At the age of six years Thomas F. Koser came with his parents to this state, and the mother was but an infant when brought here by her parents. Her father, John Franklin Smith, served through- out the Civil war under General Forrest, and after the close of that conflict came to Arkansas and engaged in farming. He is said to have been one of the pioneer agricul- turists of this state. Thomas F. Koser, who is now living retired, was for many years the leading merchant of Marion and was likewise extensively engaged in farming. He gave the greater part of his time to his agricultural interests and also operated the store. He achieved more than substantial success along the lines of his endeavor and is one of Crittenden county's most highly respected and beloved citizens.

In the acquirement of his early education William Aubrey Koser attended the rural schools in the vicinity of the home farm and in due time enrolled in the University of Arkansas. After three years of collegiate work he decided to engage in farming and returned to his home in 1909. Since that time he has been actively identified with agricultural pursuits and is now operating seven hundred acres of land and is one of the most successful farmers in this county. His land is highly improved and boasts of fine outbuildings, everything being kept in a constant state of repair.

On the 9th of February, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Koser to Miss Madge Campbell of Fayetteville, and she is one of the prominent young matrons of this vicinity, being active in both club and social circles. She is a consistent member of the Christian church.

Mr. Koser gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, and although he does not take an active interest in politics, he is ever cognizant of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship and to that end takes a prominent part in every movement for the development and improvement of the general welfare. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, holding membership in Marion Lodge, No. 686. F. & A. M., of which body he is past master: Arkansas Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Pine Bluff. The religious faith of Mr. Koser is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth, and for some time he has served that organization as a member of the hoard of stewards. He is a stanch supporter of all educational movements, realizing that a good education is the foundation of business success, and he is now president of the Marion school board.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 36

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