Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 41

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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Following his marriage, John Thomas Humphreys resided in Van Buren, Arkansas, for three or four months, or until after the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the sonth, when he organized a company of infantry at Van Buren and was captain of this company during the Oak Hills fight. After this fight the company was dis- handed and he organized a company of artillery and was captain of this company in the Elk Hill battle. He served throughout the war and was in command of a battalion for some time east of the Mississippi river. It was during a part of this time that his family resided in Texas as refugees.

Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys were the parents of six children: Eustace W., who died in infancy; Thomas Hadden, a supreme court judge of Arkansas; G. A., a practicing physician who has followed his profession iu New York city for the past quarter of a century; John, who is living in Shreveport, Louisiana; Ora Belle, now deceased; and Birdie, the wife of A. J. Coniff, living with her mother at Fort Smith.

In his political views Mr. Humphreys was a democrat. After the close of the Civil war he practiced law for a time in Fort Smith, devoting several years to the profession. Later he went to San Francisco, where he served as assistant city attorney. He departed this life about 1893 or 1894, his remains heing interred in one of the cemeteries of the city that borders the Golden Gate. He was a Presbyterian in his religious faith and enjoyed the esteem, confidence and high regard of all who knew him.

Mrs. Humphreys reared her family and is deserving of great credit. Left with

MRS. BELLE HUMPHREYS

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only limited financial resources she kept her children together and bought ten acres of land, where she now lives. Some time later this was subdivided and platted and is known as Humphreys place. Later she bought twenty acres adjoining and developed an excellent addition, which was named in honor of her father and known as the Aldridge addition. Mrs. Humphreys has displayed excellent business ability in the management of all her affairs, winning a substantial measure of success as the years have gone by. She is a consistent member of the Christian church and enjoys the high esteem of all who know her, while her friends throughout the community are many.

A. B. PRIDDY.

A. B. Priddy, judge of the district court in the fifth district of Arkansas and an honored resident of Danville, was born in Logan county, this state, December 12, 1874. his parents being Buril and Katherine (Scott) Priddy. The father was a native of Mississippi and in 1858 came to Arkansas, settling in Logan county. He pursued his medical education in Memphis, Tennessee, and devoted his life to the practice of his profession. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army. raising a company of which he was commissioned captain and serving throughout the period of hostilities. He was married during the first year of the war to Miss Katherine Scott, who was born in Yell county and is a daughter of Alexander Scott, an Arkansas pioneer, who followed farming and stock raising as his life work and won a very substantial measure of success. Dr. and Mrs. Priddy were consistent members of the Baptist church and he was an exemplary follower of Masonic teachings. In politics a democrat, he represented Logan county for three terms in the state legislature and left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the legislative enactment of that period. He continued to practice medicine for a long period in Logan county, Arkansas, and departed this life December 31, 1901. His widow long survived him, her death occurring in December, 1918. They were the parents of five children: Eudora, the wife of E. D. Bowden, living at Magazine, Arkansas; Florence, the wife of E. T. Powell, a practicing physician of San Antonio, Texas; Edna, who is residing at Magazine, Arkan- sas; A. B., of this review, and Blanche, the wife of W. W. Westmoreland, a merchant of Conway, Arkansas.

A. B. Priddy pursued his education in the State University, in which he took a three years' course, and in the Cumberland Law School at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was graduated with the class of 1896. Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, his preparation was thorough, and his ability has brought him prominently to the front. He entered upon his professional duties as a partner of John M. Parker of Dardanelle, and later formed a partnership with John E. Chambers, with whom he practiced until elected to the bench in 1915, entering upon his official duties in January. 1916, as judge of the fifth district. He is now serving for the second term, his reelection indicating most clearly the confidence which the public has in his ability as a fair and impartial interpreter of the law in the court. When he had completed his schooling and entered upon active practice his cash capital consisted of but five dollars. He has been very successful as the years have passed, his ability enabling him to win the patronage of many clients. Today he is the owner of a valuable farm and an attractive residence on the edge of Danville, and he also owns a splendid plantation in Louisiana in connec- tion with a partner. He was at one time president of the Yell County Bank and is still a member of its board of directors. His attention, however, is mainly given to his judicial duties, his district comprising four counties and he has made for himself a most creditable place as one of the capable jurists of the state. His course has ever been in harmony with his record as a man and as a lawyer, being distinguished by marked fidelity to duty and a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. The scales of justice are evenly balanced in his hands and neither fear nor favoritism can swerve him in his opinions.

On the 14th of March, 1900, Judge Priddy was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Ellington, who was born at Magazine, Arkansas, a daughter of M. M. Ellington, a pioneer farmer of Logan county, where he spent most of his life. Judge and Mrs. Priddy have become parents of seven children: Julian B., now a student in the University of Arkansas; Katherine, attending Galloway College at Searcy; Richard, Lorene. Arthur Henderson and Paul, all in school; and Ellen, who is but three years of age. The parents are loyal members and generous supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and the judge is a thirty-second degree Mason. In politics he is a democrat and has served as mayor of Danville, but was never a candidate for office until he was elected judge, save that he served as mayor of the town. He had always preferred to leave office-holding to others, regarding his professional pursuits as in themselves abun-

Vol. 11-17

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dantly worthy of his best efforts. He holds to high ideals in the discharge of his official duties, and never forgets that he holds not only justice but the higher attribute of mercy in his hands.

SAMUEL ADAMS COCHRAN.

Samuel Adams Cochran, president of the Cochran-Foster Lumber Company at Little Rock, is a native of the city in which he makes his home, his birth having here occurred April 15, 1886. His youthful days were largely devoted to the acquirement of his education in the public schools of Arkansas and in the Cascadilla School at Ithaca, New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. In the fall of that year he entered Cornell University, where he received thorough training and was graduated in 1908 with the degree of' Mechanical Engineer. Having completed his college course, he returned to his native city and here turned his attention to the lumber business, in which he has since been engaged. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the trade and his ability and enterprise have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties and advance steadily toward the goal of success. The Cochran- Foster Lumber Company, of which he is now the president, is accorded a liberal patronage and controls a large trade that makes its business one of substantial results.

On the 10th of June, 1909, Mr. Cochran was married to Miss Marion L. Foster, who was born in Merrill, Wisconsin, April 3, 1889, and is a daughter of Harry Howard Foster, a native of Wisconsin, who has now departed this life. Mrs. Cochran is a college- bred woman of innate culture and refinement and presides with gracious hospitality over their home. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Harry Foster, born June 18, 1910, and Jane Aunis, whose birth occurred July 7, 1914.

Mr. Cochran is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, and his wife belongs to the Second Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha, a Greek letter fraternity; of the Country Club and of the Boat House Club-associations that indicate much concerning the nature of his recreation-and of the Rotary Club, his membership in the last named being proof of his interest in the welfare and progress of the city along lines of progressive municipal upbuilding. His political support is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He feels that business affairs make full demand upon his time and energy, and the careful direction of his labors in the field of trade and commerce has gained for him a gratifying position among the lumbermen of the state.

HENRY C. READ.

Henry C. Read, a representative resident of Fort Smith, where he is engaged in the brokerage business, has not only gained a creditable position in financial circles, but has also rendered valuable aid in public affairs as mayor of the city and in other connections. His life record had its beginning in Columbia. Kentucky, where he was born in 1863, his parents being Rev. Henry C. and Ada (Frazer) Read, the former a minister of the Presbyterian church, who was graduated from Danville College at Danville, Kentucky, and also pursued his education in part in Princeton Seminary. He afterward located in Columbia, Kentucky, and in addition to his work in the ministry he entered the educational field as president of the Columbia male and female high school, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and thus contributing much to the educational development of the city.

Henry C. Read was a pupil in the Columbia high school and afterward matriculated in Center College at Danville, Kentucky, where he obtained his more specifically literary education that served as an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. In 1883 he took up the study of architecture and engineer- ing and for some time was associated with the firm of McDonald Brothers of Louisville, Kentucky, thus gaining much valuable practical experience. He afterward removed to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he accepted the superintendency of the Aqua Pura Water Company, thus representing the Kentucky capitalists who were the stockholders in that company. It was during his residence in New Mexico that Mr. Read was married. In 1888 he removed to Fort Smith, where he entered the brokerage business, becoming a pioneer in the wholesale grocery brokerage trade. He has since handled and devel- oped a business of very substantial proportions, and his activities of this character place him among the representative merchants and successful business men of the city.

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While residing in New Mexico, in 1888, Mr. Read was united in marriage to Miss Stuart Eads, and they have become the parents of four children: Anne, who is the wife of Willis W. Hale, an electrical engineer of Cleveland, Ohio; Adele, who is the wife of Lyman C. Martin of Louisville, Kentucky; Dorothy, who is the wife of Wendel A. Robertson of Fort Smith, and Henry, who is at home.

In his political views Mr. Read has always been a stalwart democrat and in 1913 he was elected to the office of mayor of Fort Smith. He has labored untiringly for what he has believed to he the best interests of the city and was instrumental in securing the passage of a bill for the commission form of government. He acted as mayor of the city for four years, his administration being thoroughly businesslike and progressive, while the results achieved were most satisfactory. He served for twelve years as a member of the school board and was active in obtaining a construction program for bigger and better schools, his labors proving a most potent force in the development of the educational system of the city and improvement of the architecture of the school buildings, for his standards were high and he put forth every effort to secure their adoption. During the World war Mr. Read was active in promoting every interest that would further the welfare of the country and was active in teaching the principles of American government. Those who know him-and he has a wide acquain- tance-esteem him highly as a man of genuine worth and one who by his own merit and ability has steadily risen to a place in the foremost rank of the business men and citizens of Fort Smith.

He has been an active officer of the Presbyterian church, lending his aid to all the church's activities, and rendering valuable help through his knowledge of church architecture.

FRED ARTHUR ISGRIG.

Fred Arthur Isgrig, who has devoted his attention to the practice of law since completing a course in the law department of the University of Arkansas in 1910, and who throughout this period has remained in Little Rock, was born October 5, 1884, on a farm in Perry county, Arkansas. His father, William A. Isgrig, came to this state from Indiana, his birth having occurred on the 16th of October, 1862, in Campbellsburg, Indiana, thence his parents removed to Kansas in 1869, when he was a lad of but seven years. After a residence there covering a decade they established their home in Perry county, Arkansas, in 1879, and William A. Isgrig, then a youth of seventeen years, soon afterward began farming in that county and devoted many years of his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1911 he removed to Little Rock, where he and his wife now reside, and where he is manager of a cotton oil mill. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party. In early manhood he wedded Nancy Jane Noah, who was born in Albia, Iowa, in September, 1863. Their marriage was celebrated in Perry county, Arkansas, February 27, 1882, and they have become the parents of six sons and four daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy.

Fred A. Isgrig, who was the second in order of birth in the family, pursued his early education in the country schools of his native county and afterward had the benefit of three years' instruction in Hendrix College at Conway, Arkansas. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he later entered the University of Arkansas and when he had finished the regular course he was graduated with the class of 1910, the degree of. LL. B. being at that time conferred upon him. Through the intervening years he has continued in practice and has made steady progress in his chosen calling. The zeal with which he has devoted his energy to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unflagging attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. His arguments have elicited warm commendation not only from his associates at the bar, but from the bench.

In November, 1908, Mr. Isgrig was united in marriage to Miss Mittie J. Jones, who was born in Lonoke county, Arkansas, August 25, 1888, a daughter of Julius K. and Mary J. (Chandler) Jones, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. The father served in the Confederate army throughout the Civil war, being a member of Forrest's Cavalry, and though he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, he never was wounded nor was he captured. He has now departed this life, while his widow yet makes her home in Little Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Isgrig have become the parents of one daughter, Nancy Jane.

In his political views Mr. Isgrig has been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has filled several local offices, serving as police judge of Little Rock from 1913 until 1915, while at the present time he is alderman of the city

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from the eighth ward. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, South.

P. B. ADAMS, D. D. S.

Dr. P. B. Adams, successfully engaged in the practice of dental surgery in Stuttgart, comes to the southwest from Indiana, his birth having occurred in Clark county, that state, in 1883. His parents were S. F. and Elizabeth (Conn) Adams, the former a veteran of the Civil war, having served in defense of the Union. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, the son pursued his early education in the public schools of his native county and later continued his studies in the Danville State Normal College. Having decided upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he next entered the Cincinnati Dental College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1916. The opportunities of the southwest attracted him, and he hegan practice in the Ozark moun- tain region in the northwestern part of this state, opening his office at Heber Springs, in Cleburne county. There he remained until 1918, when he came to Stuttgart and through the intervening period of four years has steadily followed his profession here, building up a practice of gratifying and substantial proportions. He has a well-appointed office, supplied with all of the machinery and multitudinous delicate little instruments which constitute the equipment of a dentist, and his mechanical skill and ingenuity, combined with his scientific knowledge, has made him one of the capable dental surgeons of this part of the state. In addition to his professional interests he is the owner of six hundred and eighty acres of land in Faulkner county, devoted to timber, and he also has eighty acres in Arkansas county.

Dr. Adams was married to Miss Edith O. Badger of Charlestown, Indiana, a daughter of Louis Badger. They are well known in Stuttgart, where they have gained many friends and where the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed. Dr. Adams is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the beneficent spirit upon which this order is founded finds expression in his relations with his fellowmen.

R. MACK MORTON.

R. Mack Morton, who is engaged in general agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Farmington and not far distant from Fayetteville, was born on the place which is still his home, his natal day being June 3, 1866. He comes of the sturdy pioneer stock of northwest Arkansas. His grandfather, William Morton, who was horn in South Carolina in 1804, emigrated in early manhood to middle Tennessee, where he wedded Rachel Crawford. He and his young bride came to Washington county, Arkansas, in the year 1830, estab- lishing their home in the valley immediately north of where the town of Prairie Grove now stands. The old homestead was between the lines of the Union and Confederate forces in the battle of Prairie Grove during the Civil war. To the union of William and Rachel (Crawford) Morton, ancestors of the Morton family in Washington county, Arkansas, were born five children: James A., Nancy J., John M., Martha E. and William T. William Morton departed this life on the 30th of January, 1880, having for several years survived his wife, whose death occurred December 5, 1873.

Henry Tollett, the maternal grandfather of R. Mack Morton, was born in Virginia in the year 1793. In early manhood he made his way to middle Tennessee, where he was united in marriage to Eliza Brown, who was also a native of Virginia, born in 1795. Henry Tollett was a soldier in the War of 1812 and held a commission as captain in the Black Hawk Indian wars. He and his young wife emigrated to Little River county, Arkansas, in the year 1819 and a decade later took up their ahode in Washington county, this state, establishing their home where the subject of this review now resides. To them were horn five children: William J., Rowland C., Margaret J., Ferdinand G. and Harriett L. Mr. Tollett died in July, 1871, while the demise of his wife occurred on the 15th of October, 1885, when she had reached the ripe old age of more than ninety years.

James A. Morton, the father of R. M. Morton, was born in Washington county, Arkansas, February 19, 1831. On the 12th of July, 1860, he wedded Miss Harriett L. Tollett and they became the parents of three sons: W. H., R. M. and J. E., all of whom are still living at this date. James A. Morton was reared in a typical pioneer home, and, true to the faith of his fathers, in early manhood united with the Presby- terian church, in which he served as an elder until his death, which occurred on the

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30th of November, 1885. In politics he was a democrat. He was a Confederate veteran of the Civil war and spent two years in northern prisons, having suffered capture at the battle of Prairie Grove. His wife, Harriett L. Morton, died at the old home where she was born, in November, 1905.

R. Mack Morton, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education in the country schools and when he had reached adult age he took up as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. Throughout the greater part of his life he has engaged in tilling the soil and harvesting the crops, but at different periods his fellow countrymen have called him to public office, and he has rendered efficient service in these connections. In 1914 he was chosen sheriff and collector of Washington county and continued to serve in that capacity until January, 1919, discharging his duties without fear or favor and retiring from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all law-abiding citizens. During the World war he was prominently identified with all war activities in Washington county. He acted as chairman of the draft board or classification board of the county throughout the period of hostilities and until the board was discharged from further service. Since resuming the work of the farm Mr. Morton has given his attention to the further development and improvement of the fields, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation.

In 1886 Mr. Morton was united in marriage to Miss Kate Smith, who was born in Washington county and is a sister of the wife of W. H. Morton, her husband's brother. Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Morton are the parents of four children: Grace, who is the wife of J. C. Barnett, a farmer of Washington county; Ruth, who died at the age of twenty-six years; Albert Russell, who died at the age of thirteen years, and Mamie, the wife of C. A. Carnes, who is engaged in farming with Mr. Morton.

In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Morton are Presbyterians, loyal to the teachings of the church and contributing generously to its support. He belongs also to the Masonic lodge of Farmington and has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. In politics he has ever been a democrat and has taken a deep interest in politics, yet he feels that the pursuits of private life are in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and is now concen- trating his undivided time and attention upon his agricultural interests. He owns the old home place and other lands, so that his holdings embrace three hundred and seventy- five acres. He carries on general farming and specializes in raising berries and tomatoes. In former years he also engaged in raising thoroughbred horses and was one of the best-known breeders in the county. On his farm stands an attractive and commodious country residence, and the place is supplied with all the comforts and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century. Mr. Morton is also operating a canning factory on his farm. having a capacity of forty thousand cans per day, and he usually ships front forty to fifty carloads of canned goods per year. He cans blackberries, tomatoes and peaches, but the first two in larger amounts. The first year in which he began this work he canned two hundred and fifty cases in a small shed near his home. Then he developed his plant until he now has a well-equipped establishment, which during the canning season furnishes employment to many and constitutes an important source of revenue to the community, while the capable management and unfaltering enterprise of the proprietor have found their reward in the gratifying profit which comes to him as the result of his labors in this connection.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 41

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