Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 37

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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J. A. DOWDY.

J. A. Dowdy. mine owner of Clarksville, Arkansas, and president of the Spadra Coal Company, is one of the dynamic forces in the business circles of that section of the state. In the conduct of a business project he never fails to reach his objective, and his position as one of the leading and representative business men of Arkansas remains unchallenged. He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in White county in 1870, his parents being William T. and Elizabeth Dowdy. The schools of his native county accorded him his educational privileges and when his textbooks were put aside he became a traveling salesman and devoted a number of years to business of that character.

Constantly watchful of opportunities and utilizing every chance for legitimate advancement. in 1908 Mr. Dowdy became associated with others in acquiring the Spadra

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coal mines, the property embracing more than five hundred acres in the principal mining district of northwestern Arkansas. The company employs from forty to fifty miners and produces more than two hundred tons of coal per day. The officers of the Spadra Coal Company are: J. A. Dowdy, president; Dave Mckinney, W. J. Lemley, R. A. Dowdy and Tom Mckinney.

In addition to his coal mining interests Mr. Dowdy is connected with oil develop- ment in Columbia county, Arkansas, he and his business associates having acquired immense acreage in Columbia and other counties. Active drilling has begun in Columbia county and this is considered one of the large development projects of the state. Mr. Dowdy is a man of clear vision, keen insight and sound business judgment. He carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his energy and deter- mination have enabled him to reach the goal of success. Moreover, his activities are of a character which have contributed to public progress and prosperity, as well as to individual affluence, and northwestern Arkansas is indeed fortunate in that he has cast in his lot with the residents of this section of the state and has here directed his energies to the benefit and upbuilding of the community.

MAJOR JOHN H. AVERY.

Major John H. Avery, engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Hot Springs and also the president of the Superior Bathhouse Company, was born in Dundaff, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1841. He was a lad of but five years when in 1846 his parents removed to Connecticut, and for ten years he resided in New England, the family home being established in Onarga, Illinois, in 1856. There he was living when he attained his majority. He had acquired a common school education, and on the 10th of August, 1861, before he was yet twenty years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company M of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry for service in defense of the Union during the Civil war. He was on duty largely in Tennessee and participated in the battle of the Cumberland. He was altogether in fifty-six skirmishes and battles, including some of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner, nor was he in a hospital, and never lost a day's service. Within a year after his enlistment he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and later became first lieu- tenant, while at a subsequent period he was advanced to the rank of captain and was made major by brevet by the president of the United States in recognition of distinguished service. During the last two years of the war he was staff officer of the Fifth Division of the Cavalry Corps, acting first as aide-de-camp and subsequently as assistant adjutant general. He thus served until November 30, 1865, and when the country no longer needed his aid he received an honorable discharge, returning to his home with a most creditable mililtary record.

Major Avery again hecame a resident of Illinois and for eight years was connected with the internal revenue service. He came to Arkansas in 1872, settling at Forest City, where he engaged in merchandising and also became proprietor of a hotel. He like- wise conducted an insurance business and was thus active in the affairs of Forest City until 1890, when he came to Hot Springs and here opened a real estate and insurance office, which he has since conducted, having gained a large clientage in those fields. He is also interested in the Superior Bathhouse, being the largest stockholder in the enter- prise and the president of the company. This is one of the important enterprises of the city, as Hot Springs owes its development in large measure to its medicinal waters. Mr. Avery served for four years as postmaster under Presidents Roosevelt and Taft, and has always manifested a most progressive attitude concerning everything relating to the public welfare. He is likewise a stockholder and a director in the Arkansas National Bank, and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.

On the 8th of February, 1872, Mr. Avery was married to Miss Emma B. Johnson, and to them were born three children: Elise, the wife of William F. Lake, now associ- ated with Major Avery in business; Lyman J., who died at the age of thirty years, at which time he was serving as teller of the Arkansas National Bank, and Eunice, who died at the age of eighteen years, following her graduation from high school.

In politics Major Avery has always been a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is also a Knights Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, having served as eminent commander of the Knights Templar Commandery. He likewise belongs to the Loyal Legion and to Camby Post, No. 5, G. A. R. He served as department commander for two terms and is now commander of the local post. He proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a representative of the Grand Army of the Republic, having loyally stood by the

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Union cause throngh that crisis whereby national perpetuity was established. Hot Springs has long classed him with her representative men, and his efforts have been a direct and beneficial element in her growth and progress. Major Avery is now nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey, but in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime and is still an active factor in the world's work.

F. P. VINES, M. D.

Dr. F. P. Vines, a well-known representative of the medical profession at El Dorado, was born in Hillsboro, Arkansas, on the 4th of October, 1877. His youthful days were spent as a farm-bred boy. He worked in the fields through the summer months and nntil the harvests were gathered in the late autumn, and he also assisted in the operation of a sawmill and cotton gin. His educational privileges were those accorded by the public schools of Junction City, and later he attended Onachita College, while afterward he became a student in the Westminster College at Dallas, Texas. Stili ambitious to promote his intellectnal development and thus qualify for responsible and important duties in life, he matriculated in the Memphis College of Memphis, Tennessee, and was graduated in 1903. He next attended Tulane University as a medical student. and since graduating there he has pursued five postgraduate courses in Tulane. Wide reading has kept him in touch with the trend of modern professional advancement, and he has been very successful in the field of general medical practice and surgery.

Dr. Vines first opened an office in Hillsboro, his native town, where he remained from 1903 until 1905. The succeeding seven years were spent at Strong, Arkansas, and in 1912 he went to Hot Springs, where he remained until 1917. In that year he removed to Bauxite, where he practiced until coming to El Dorado in July, 1921. Already he has gained a good practice here. He belongs to the Union County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties, carefully diagnosing his cases and meeting all the requirements that are made upon the physician of the modern day.

Dr. Vines is likewise widely known through his fraternal connections, having mem- bership with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen.

HORTON H. MILLER.

Business enterprise in Rogers finds a prominent representative in Horton H. Miller, who is conducting one of the leading insurance agencies of the town and also has other interests. He is a member of one of the pioneer families of Rogers and for many years he was in the employ of the United States government in connection with the Indian service, doing important and valuable work along that line. He is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in Warren county in 1867. His parents, William A. and Clarissa (Thomas) Miller, were also natives of Tennessee and were married in that state, where the father became the owner of a large plantation. In 1868 he started for Missouri, driving the entire distance, and in Lawrence county he established his home. There he followed mercantile pursuits until 1881, when he came to Arkansas, opening the first dry goods establishment in Rogers. This he continued to conduct nntil 1893, when he sold out and spent the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. He was a very successful business man and stood high in commercial circles of the town, of which he was one of the promoters and upbuilders. He was a democrat in his political views and a Presbyterian in religious faith, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons, with which order all of his sons are likewise connected. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born ten children, of whom eight survive, seven sons and one daughter, namely: Horton H., Hugh J., who is superintendent of the Sand Springs (Oklahoma) Railway Company; John F., of San Francisco, California, who is con- nected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, being a member of the board of train rules; Charles A., a railway mail clerk residing at Rogers, Arkansas; F. Horace, a railroad conductor, who makes his home at Grove, Oklahoma; A. Claude, who follows the same occupation and resides at Muskogee, Oklahoma; Finis E., cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Rogers, and Mande, who makes her home with her brother Horton.

In the public schools of Missouri and Arkansas Horton H. Miller acquired his education, and after laying aside his textbooks entered his father's dry goods establish- ment in Rogers, assisting in the management of the enterprise until it was sold. He

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then became connected with the United States Indian service, being located in Oklahoma for five years, while later he was sent to California, Nevada, Arizona, Montana and Idaho. For a period of twenty-six years he was connected with the service, and during twenty-one years of that time acted as Indian agent, his services being very valuable to the government. In January, 1920, he returned to Rogers and turned his attention to insurance interests, with which he has since been connected. He conducts a general insurance business, having the agency for the Equitable Life and also carrying a large line of casualty and fire insurance. He is building up a good business in this connection and ranks with the leading insurance dealers in the town. He also has other interests, being a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Rogers, and he is likewise the owner of two well-improved farms situated near the town. His business affairs are capably managed and success has attended all of his ventures.

In Oklahoma, in 1897, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ansley, a native of Prescott, Arkansas, and a member of one of the pioneer families of the state. They are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, serving as secretary of his lodge, and he is also a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, commandery and Shrine, and he is now acting as senior warden of his lodge, captain of the chapter and junior warden of the commandery. He is likewise connected with the Rotary Club of Rogers, of which he is secretary. His is a creditable record, characterized by devotion to duty, by enterprise and integrity in business and by loyalty in citizenship, and he enjoys the esteem and good will of a large circle of friends.

OSCAR ABSALOM CARRUTH, M. D.

Dr. Oscar Absalom Carruth, physician of Little Rock, was born February 19, 1881, in Parkdale, Ashley county, Arkansas. His parents were Benjamin Franklin and Emma (Harris) Carruth and the family comes of Irish ancestry but was established in America in early colonial days by the great-grandfather of Dr. Carruth, who, with two brothers, came from the Emerald isle to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war. The brothers separated, the Doctor's branch of the family being established in Mississippi, whence a removal was afterward made to Arkansas. The grandfather became one of the pioneers of this state at a period which antedated the building of the railroads. In proving up his title to his lands he rode a mule into Little Rock. He shared in the hardships and trials of frontier life and aided in laying broad and deep the founda- tion upon which has been built the present progress and prosperity of this section.

Benjamin F. Carruth, the Doctor's father, was a small boy when the family home was established in Arkansas and in this state he was reared and educated. He became one of the prominent farmers of the state and departed this life in 1921. He wedded Emma Harris, whose people were pioneer residents of Alabama, her father, William Harris, being long numbered among the leading merchants of Talladega, that state.

Dr. Carruth obtained his early education in the public schools and afterward attended the University of Arkansas and the University of Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902 with the degree of M. D. Later he took a post- graduate course in Tulane University at New Orleans as a member of the class of 1904. He first practiced his profession in Ingalls, Arkansas, for a period of eighteen months and afterward removed to Warren, Arkansas, his home town, where he spent the succeeding ten years in active practice. In 1913 he pursued a postgraduate course in the Johns Hopkins University, where he specialized in diagnosis. On his return to his native state he took up his abode in Little Rock, where he has since followed his profession, and from 1913 until 1919 he served as chief of the medical clinic of the University of Arkansas. In the latter year he became diagnostician in St. Luke's Hospital at Little Rock and remained in active connection with that institution until 1921, when he became associated with Dr. A. G. McGill in the private practice of his profession. Dr. Carruth confines his practice to diagnosis and is regarded as an eminent specialist in that field. During the World war he served as medical examiner of Local Board, No. 2, and he also took part in all drives and activities for upholding American interests.

In October, 1903, Dr. Carruth was united in marriage to Miss Rena Harding, a daughter of William H. and Lee Eiler ( Morris) Harding, both representatives of old Alabama families. Dr. and Mrs. Carruth have three children: Margaret Elizabeth, James Anthony and William Franklin. The daughter is a senior in the Little Rock high school and is an honor pupil in mathematics. She contemplates taking a university course, majoring in mathematics. The elder son is a student in the Junior high school,

DR. OSCAR . CARRUTH

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while the younger son has not yet reached school age. Mrs. Carruth is regarded as a model mother and charming housewife and this is one of the representative families of the city. Dr. Carruth has never been prominent in fraternal relations, confining his membership te the Masonic order and to the Phi Chi, a medical fraternity. He has ever been actuated by a mest high purpose and landahle ambition in his professional career, putting forth every effort that will promote his knowledge and advance his efficiency that his labors shall be of the greatest possible service to his fellowmen. He has thus made steady progress and is today one of the eminent diagnosticians of the southwest.

PAUL MCKENNON.

Professional interests find a most substantial representative in Paul Mckennon, attorney at law, whose ability has been demonstrated in the trial of various important cases before the bar of the district. Clarksville not only numbers him among her honored citizens at the present time, but also among her native sons, his birth having occurred December 30, 1873, his parents being B. P. and Maggie (Harley ) McKennon. The father, who was. bern in Carroll county, Arkansas, died November 30, 1919. The mother's birth occurred in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and she was called to her final rest in 1912. They were married in Clarksville, Arkansas, her parents having settled in Johnson county soon after the Civil war, removing to this county from Princeton, Dallas county, Arkansas. The parents of B. P. McKennon came to Johnson county from Carroll county also soon after the close of hostilities between the north and the south, and B. P. McKennon was educated in Clark's Academy at Berryville, while his wife pursued her education in the public schools of the state. He was a traveling salesman in Arkansas for more than thirty years, but retired from business several years prior te his death, on account of ill health, dying in a hospital at Shrevepert, Louisiana. He had served in the Civil war, enlisting when but fifteen years of age with General Stand Waitie's Indian Brigade. He was twice captured, but was never wounded. His father was Archibald McKennen, a native of Tennessee, who settled in Carroll county. Arkansas, at a very early peried and there practiced medicine until he removed te Clarksville, where he again followed his professien fer a number of years, or until the time of his death. The family has thus been represented in this state from a very early day. B. P. McKennon was a member of the Methedist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally was connected with the Masons and the Knights of Honor. He wedded Maggie Harley, a daughter of Basil C. Harley, a prominent resident of Arkansas, whe was bern in Smith county, Virginia, whence he removed to Mississippi and while in that state he filled the office of lieutenant governor. He became a resident of Dallas county, Arkansas, long prier to the Civil war and died during the progress of that struggle. He served in the state senate of Arkansas in 1852 and 1854 and was president of that body. He was defeated by Augustus H. Garland as candidate for the Confederate congress. He was one of the promoters of the Iron Mountain Railroad, known at that time as the Cairo & Fulton Railroad, serving as secretary and treasurer of the company. He made the preliminary routing of the road and took an active part in public improve- ments and in all that pertained te the progress and welfare of the state. He was an excellent public speaker and was heard on many questions vital te the commonwealth. It was his daughter Maggie who became the wife of B. P. McKennen, and to them were horn eleven children, five of whom are living: R. H., whe is engaged in the furniture business in Clarksville; Paul, of this review; William A., who is a lumber merchant at Shreveport, Louisiana; Mrs. A. W. Belt, whose husband is a miller at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Basil C., an electrical contracter at Shreveport, Louisiana.

After acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of Clarksville, Paul Mckennon continned his studies in Cumberland College and was graduated with the class of 1894. He read law under the direction of his uncle, Captain A. S. McKennon, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. He then began practice in Clarksville, where he has since remained and through the intervening period he has advanced steadily to the front rank of the legal profession, where he has long occupied an eminent position. He has been connected with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district, and his ability is pronounced.

On the 10th of June, 1910, Mr. McKennen was married to Miss Pearl Blackard, whe was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, a daughter of H. Blackard, who was a pioneer settler ef Clarksville. The father was a contracter and builder and served throughout the Civil war with the rank of captain. Mr. and Mrs. McKennon have become parents of three children: Pauline, now in school, and Claude and Clyde, twins, who are also pursuing their education in Clarksville.

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Fraternally Mr. McKennon is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He served as county attorney for ten years and is county chairman of the democratic central committee. On one occasion he was defeated for the office of district attorney, but while probably not without that laudable ambition which is so great an incentive to activity and fidelity in public office, he nevertheless regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and he is now devoting his entire time to his law practice in all the courts. His clientage is large and of an im- portant character and he is noted for the care and precision with which he prepares his cases and the strength which he displays in presenting his arguments. He is most forceful and resourceful in his law practice and has won a well merited reputation in his chosen profession.

SANFORD WILBOURN.

Sanford Wilbourn, distributor of the Ford cars in England, has spent his life in the little city which is still his home, his hirth having here occurred in 1883, his parents being Sanford and Bettie (Graham) Wilbourn. While spending his youthful days under their roof he attended the public schools and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade and became a practical and thoroughly trained mechanic. In 1909 he established a garage and in 1914 secured the agency of the Ford cars, his district covering the south half of Lonoke county. He sells an average of about one hundred and thirty-two cars per season and twelve tractors and has thus built up a business of substantial proportions. He carries in stock all the automobile accessories, tires and equipment and is able to fit out a car completely. He has also become one of the directors of the Citizens' Bank & Trust Company and is regarded as one of the most thoroughly reliable and progressive young business men of this part of the state.

Mr. Wilhourn was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Hamilton and they have become the parents of one son, Sanford S. In his political views Mr. Wilbourn is a democrat and while not an aspirant for office he has filled the position of alderman and in that connection exercised his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. In matters of citizenship he has always stood for progressiveness and advancement and during the World war he did everything in his power to uphold the interests of the government and acted as chairman of the Red Cross chapter here. Fraternally he is a Mason of high rank, as is indicated by the fact that he is identified with the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, which finds in him a generous supporter and loyal follower and all who know him class him with the public-spirited citizens of England.

REV. JOHN HOOVER.

Crossett numbers among her representative citizens Rev. John Hoover, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. A native of Arkansas, he was born at Selma, on the 16th of December, 1883, a son of J. A. and Agnes (Lampton) Hoover. The father was born in Georgia and came to Drew county, this state, with his parents when but four years of age. They arrived here in 1856 and were among the pioneer settlers of Drew county. In early life Mr. Hoover engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed with substantial success for many years. His demise occurred at Monticello, in Novem- ber, 1921, at the age of sixty-eight years. His father, John T. and a brother, Fred, served in the Civil war, enlisting in the Confederate army. For many generations the Hoover family have lived in America, their ancestors having located in Georgia and North Carolina at an early day. It was on the 28th of February, 1883, that Mr. Hoover was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Lampton, who died in 1906, at the age of thirty- nine years. She was horn in Kentucky and came to Drew county, this state, with her parents in 1880. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover four boys and four girls were born. All are living except one daughter. John Hoover, whose name introduces this review, was the oldest child.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 37

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