Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 42

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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JOHN C. CARROLL.

In El Dorado and throughout Union county, John C. Carroll, now deceased, was widely and favorably known, having long been closely associated with agricultural interests in that section. He was born in Union county, about ten miles west of El Dorado, on the 29th of August, 1839, and spent the period of his boyhood and youth in this locality. He was a young man of about twenty-two years when the Civil war broke out, and true to his loved southland, he joined the army and served for four years with the Confederate forces. He was injured in the exploding of a mine during the siege of Vicksburg, but recovered and remained at the front until the close of hostilities.

When the war was over Mr. Carroll returned to the old home farm and took up the active work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Year after year he carefully cultivated his fields and his labors brought substantial results, so that in the course of time he became the possessor of a very comfortable competence.

Mr. Carroll was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Tatum, a daughter of Edmund Tatum, who came to this state from Alabama and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Union county. To Mr. and Mrs. Carroll were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters.

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The family circle was broken hy the hand of death when on the 23d of September, 1912, Mr. Carroll was called to his final rest, being then seventy-three years of age. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, active and prominent in its work, and his entire life was guided hy his religious faith. Mrs. Carroll is a member of the Methodist church and is equally loyal to its teachings. She continued upon the home farm until 1918, when she removed to El Dorado, where she now resides. She is still the owner of the farm property, however, which embraces three hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land and annually returns to her a gratifying income. Mrs. Carroll had three sons and a grandson who were in the World war. The family has long been prominently known in Union county, its members enjoying the high regard of those with whom they have been associated.

L. B. MCCLURE.

In financial circles of northwestern Arkansas, L. B. McClure is well known as vice president of the Peoples Exchange Bank of Russellville, with which he has been identified for the past twenty-eight years, entering the institution in a minor capacity and working his way up to his present office of trust and responsibility through merit and ahility. A native of Virginia, he was born February 12, 1866, and his parents were M. T. and Sarah Catherine (Baumgardner) McClure, the former also a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Missouri. The father served throughout the Civil war, entering the service as a private and winning promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and was with General Lee's army at Appomattox at the time of the surrender. He is a well- informed man and has frequently been urged to become a candidate for public office, but has always refused. He is a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church and his political support is given to the platform and candidates of the democratic party. He resides on the farm in Virginia on which he was born and has reached the venerable age of eighty- eight years. His father, John McClure, was also a native of Virginia and a farmer by occupation. He was a grandson of James McClure, who emigrated from Ireland to Virginia about the year 1730 and became the American progenitor of the family. The maternal grandfather, Lewis Baumgardner, was born in Virginia and after living in that state for a number of years he went to Missouri, but subsequently returned to his native state, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. M. T. McClure became the parents of nine children, of whom eight survive.

L. B. McClure, the only member of the family to come to Arkansas, was educated in the public schools of Virginia, spending two years as a student in the high school at Tinkling Springs, after which he completed a business course at Staunton, Virginia. His initial business experience was acquired in a country store, where he was employed' as a clerk and bookkeeper, working the first month for his hoard. At the end of eighteen months he resigned that position and in 1888 came to Russellville, entering the employ of Captain R. J. Wilson as bookkeeper and remaining in his service for six years. In 1894 he became bookkeeper for the Peoples Exchange Bank, with which he has since been connected, and his faithful, conscientious and efficient service won him promotion from one position to another of greater importance until he now occupies the vice presidency. Broad experience has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the complex problems of modern finance and the prestige which the institution now enjoys is largely attributable to his untiring efforts, keen sagacity and marked executive ability.

In 1890 Mr. MeClure was united in marriage to Miss Allie Bayliss, a native of Pope county and a daughter of B. F. Bayliss, who was born in Tennessee. His father, A. J. Bayliss, became one of the early pioneers of Pope county, arriving here in 1836. He followed the profession of teaching and filled several public offices of importance, serving for a number of years as county clerk. He occupied that position during the Civil war and rendered valuable service to the county hy concealing the records in an adjacent forest, thus preventing them from being destroyed, and he also served as county judge. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have had five children, but only one survives, Benjamin, who is preparing for the Master of Arts degree in the State University at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is also an instructor in that institution, While attending the University of Virginia he volunteered for service in the World war and was first with the Ambu- lance Corps, while later he was assigned to Tank Unit, No. 314. He participated in the Argonne and St. Mihiel offensives and for fourteen months was in France. Owing to physical disability he was sent home from service before the termination of hostilities and was discharged, returning home about the 25th of March, 1919. He has now regained .his health.

The family resides in an attractive home in Russellville, and Mr. McClure also owns other property within the corporation limits. He has in his home a large library

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of books which he highly prizes. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in his political views is a stanch democrat. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office and he has served as alderman and city treasurer and for nine years was chairman of the school board, performing effective service for the public good in these various capacities. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. For thirty-four years Mr. McClure has been a resident of Russellville, arriving here with a cash capital of three dollars and a half and an indebtedness amounting to twenty-five dollars, while he now ranks with the most substantial business men of the town, which has greatly benefited through his progressive spirit and intelligently directed activities. His life has been one of unremitting industry and to him has come the crown of earnest effort and persistency of purpose-success and an honored name.

J. C. CLEVELAND, M. D.

Dr. J. C. Cleveland, a physician and surgeon for more than a third of a century. practices at Bald Knob, where his capability has again and again been demonstrated in his successful handling of important and involved medical cases. Dr. Cleveland is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Independence, county, November 19, 1852, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Bntcher) Cleveland, who were natives of Georgia and Alabama, respectively, their marriage being celebrated in Tuscaloosa. Alabama. The father was a son of Joseph Cleveland, a native of Georgia, who served with the rank of colonel in the Seminole war. In days of peace he engaged extensively in farming in Georgia, where he owned many slaves, and he also carried on merchan- dising there. Snstaining many losses- on account of the ravages of war, hie removed to Texas and there died ere the war had been brought to a termination. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Cleveland was T. J. Butcher, a native of Alabama, who carried on farming on a large scale. He removed to Hempstead county, Arkansas, after his son- in-law removed with his family to this state and his death there occurred.

It was in the year 1851 that Joseph Cleveland came with his family to Arkansas. settling in Independence county, having made the journey across the country with horse team and wagon. He purchased a preemption near Oil Trongh and had to clear most of the land. For three years he served in the Confederate army and was captured while par- ticipating in the General Price raid in Missouri. He was sent to Fort Monroe, where he was incarcerated for ten months, and then being paroled, returned home, walking from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and crossing the Mississippi river on a raft, which he and his companions made. He had three brothers who were in the battle of Shiloh. Joseph Cleveland had his gun shot out of his hand, and his trousers were on one occasion pierced by bullets, but he escaped injury. With his return home he resnmed farming and he also took an active interest in public affairs, serving as a member of the state legislature during the time of the Brooks-Baxter war. He was in the legislature during the extra session called by Governor Brooks and in various ways aided in shaping the destiny of the state during that momentous period. Returning to Independence county, he resumed farming and also operated a mill and steam cotton gin near Oil Trough. Later he retired and removed to Newport, where he departed this life in 1867, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow long survived him, her death occurring in 1910 at the age of eighty years. In their family were eleven children, six of whom are living. Those who have died are: Thomas J., Mary, John, Frank and Susan. The others are: J. C., H. P., an attorney of Judsonia: Mary, who is the widow of J. B. Cantrell of Chicago, Illinois: C. E. of Memphis, Tennessee; Samnel, living in Van Buren, Arkansas, and Edward L. of North Little Rock. The parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and Mr. Cleveland was a Royal Arch Mason. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and he served for many years as justice of the peace and also filled the position of county commissioner in Independence county.

Dr. Cleveland pursued his education in the public schools of his native county and also through private instruction at home. He taught in the rural districts and in the town schools for several years, and afterward hegan reading medicine, while for a time he was employed in the drug business. He afterward attended the Kentucky School of Medicine and later the Louisville Medical College, while later he was graduated from the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, winning the M. D. degree in 1888. Previous to this time he had practiced at Russell, Arkansas, and following his graduation he went to Newport, Arkansas, where he opened an office. In 1888 he came to Bald Knob, where he established an office and has since devoted his attention to medical and surgical practice. He has taken postgraduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic, and in 1919 he opened a private sanitarium, which he has since conducted. He devotes practically all

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of his attention to his professional interests, which are of an important character, and his ability is demonstrated in the excellent results which follow his labors in the treat- ment of disease. For thirty-two consecutive years he has been local surgeon and dis- penser of medicine for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. He belongs to the White County Medical Society, the Arkansas State and Southern Medical Societies, the American Medical Association and the Southern Railroad Medical Association. He enjoys the high respect and confidence of his colleagues and contemporaries in medical practice and his position has long been a creditable and enviable one.

Dr. Cleveland was married to Miss Eleanor Vick, and they had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving daughter. Vina E., is the wife of C. E. Preston, a linotype operator on the paper of Memphis. For his second wife Dr. Cleveland chose Nannie E. Goad, and they became parents of three children: Estella, the wife of Perdy Spriggs of Cairo, Illinois; Hattie May, the wife of Dr. J. B. Crawford, a practicing physician of Benton, Arkansas, and one who died in infancy. For his third wife Dr. Cleveland chose Mrs. Dora (Winfield) Webb, and by a former marriage Mrs. Cleveland has a daughter, Cecile, who is the wife of B. J. Perham, a bookkeeper with the Fruit Exchange of Bald Knob.

Dr. Cleveland is an exemplary representative of Masonry, having taken the degrees of the Blue Lodge at Newport, the chapter and the council at Bald Knob and he has served as high priest of the chapter. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. the Knights of Pythias, is examining physician of the former and passed through all of the chairs of the latter. His political endorsement has always been given to the repub- lican party, and he stanchly advocates its principles. His entire life has been passed in Arkansas and thus for almost seventy years he has been a witness of the growth, progress and development of the state. He served as a member of Baxter body guard during the Brooks-Baxter war, although but a boy in his teens at the time. Many events which are to others matters of history are to him matters of personal knowledge and experience, and his reminiscences concerning the early days in Arkansas are most interesting and instructive. All who know Dr. Cleveland, and he has a wide acquain- tance, speak of him in terms of high regard by reason of his splendid professional attainments and, moreover, by reason of the sterling traits of his character.

ROBERT GEDDES DAVIES.

Robert Geddes Davies, a prominent representative of the bar of Hot Springs, prac- ticing with a large clientele that has connected him with much important litigation heard in the courts of the state, was born in Lake Village, Arkansas, a son of Anthony H. Davies, who was a native of Milford, Connecticut, and became one of the first settlers of Chicot county, Arkansas, arriving there in 1829. From Connecticut he went first to New York and removed from the Empire state to Arkansas. He had been dependent upon his own resources from the age of twelve years, at which time, in 1812, he began working in a store. He was with the American soldiers for a period during his youth and then went to St. Louis, where he entered the employ of Chotean, the fur trader and merchant. Mr. Davies began trading among the Indians, who gave to him the name of Rising Sun. He took up his work of this character on the Platte River and also traded with the Indians in Dakota. Coming to Little Rock, he established the first bank of Arkansas, and Albert Pike acted as attorney for the institution, the bank being conducted under the name of the Real Estate Bank of Arkansas. This was in 1829. He also purchased a plantation of two thousand acres located oposite the present site of Lake Village. He was likewise engaged in the commission business in New Orleans while developing his Arkansas interests, and he was a large slave owner, owning one hundred and sixty negroes, his home being on the Lake Hall plantation. He contributed much to the material development and progress of this section and was also prominent in connection with public affairs, serving as judge of the county and probate court for many years. He was likewise a member of the constitutional convention of the state and fraternally he was connected with the Masons. He died in April, 1861, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mildred H. Gaines, was born in Kentucky at Gaines Cross Roads, a place settled by her father in 1798. He was the father of Major William H. Gaines. The daughter, Mrs. Davies, died in 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. In the family of this worthy couple were the following named sons and daughters: Harpin, who served throughout the Civil war and is now living in Montana; Fanny, the wife of Charles W. Fry of Hot Springs; Walter, who is living on the old homestead; Robert G., of this review; Joseph, who also occupies the old plantation, and Mildred, who died at the age of twelve years.

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Robert G. Davies lived on the old plantation in his boyhood and youth and acquired his education under the instruction of private tutors until he entered the Garrison Forest School at Baltimore, Maryland, while still later he became a student in George- town College at Washington, D. C. He likewise attended the Locust Dale Academy and also the University of Virginia, from which he was graduated on completing a course in the law department with the class of 1874. He next made his way to Little Rock, where he entered the law office of Garland & Cockrell, well-known attorneys, with whom he remained for a few months. He then came to Hot Springs, where he formed a partnership with E. W. Rector for the practice of law, an association that was maintained for a number of years. He afterward practiced by himself for several years and still later was associated with Charles D. Greaves, who at one time was a candidate for governor of the state. In 1887 Mr. Davies went to Helena, Montana, where he followed his profession and also acted as assistant state land agent. In 1900 he again came to Hot Springs, where once more be entered into partnership with E. W. Rector and in 1910 he removed to Elko, Nevada, where he practiced law and engaged in mining for three years. On the expiration of that period he once more located in Hot Springs, where he has continued to the present time and is today one of the able and well-known attorneys of the city. For three terms he has filled the office of city attorney, making a most excellent record in that position. He was also chairman of the vigilantes committee in 1882, when that organization had a big fight on with the gamblers and succeeded in freeing Hot Springs from this element of professional gamblers.

In 1875 Mr. Davies was maried to Miss Cornelia Alice Gibbs, a daughter of James E. A. Gibbs, inventor of the Gibbs sewing machines. Mr. and Mrs. Davies became parents of the following named: Fanny, who was teacher of mathematics in the Hot Springs high school for several years; James Gibbs, manager of the Great Northwestern Tele- graph & Telephone Company of Canada with office in Winnipeg; Charles E., general manager and superintendent of all the Canadian government telegraph and telephone lines, living at Toronto, Canada; Harpin, who also holds a very prominent position with the Bell Telephone Company and lives in New York. All three of these sons began as messenger boys and worked their way upward through individual merit and ability to the present prominent and responsible positions which they now occupy. The wife and mother passed away in 1884 and later Mr. Davies wedded Margaret Cameron Fulham of New Orleans. There are three children of this marriage: Allen T., an attorney, living at Hot Springs, who is a member of the state legislature: Cornelia, the wife of Ernest Woodcock, a merchant of Hot Springs, and Fulham, who is likewise living in this city. There are now eight grandchildren. Mr. Davies has had an interesting and varied experience as he has removed from place to place in the conduct of his business affairs. He ranks with the representative attorneys of Hot Springs and well deserves mention in this volume by reason of the fact that he belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent of the pioneer families of the state.

A. E. KINDLEY.

For twenty-three years A. E. Kindley figured prominently in financial circles of Benton county as cashier of the Bank of Gravette and his record was at all times a most creditable one, for his entire career was actuated by progressiveness and dom- inated by a spirit of fair dealing. He held to advanced ideals of citizenship, was guided by an enterprising spirit in business and in every relation of life exemplified the highest standards of manhood and citizenship. He was a native of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Bentonville on the 20th of September, 1860. In the acquirement of an education he attended the grammar and high schools of Benton county, later com- pleting a course at the State University at Fayetteville. On the 21st of March, 1898, he took up his residence in Gravette and soon afterward established the Bank of Gravette, of which he became cashier, serving in that capacity until his demise. With keen insight into business affairs and situations and with a thorough understanding of every phase of banking, he was largely instrumental in promoting the growth and success of the institution and made for himself a creditable place among the substantial and trustworthy bankers of his part of the state.

On the 6th of October, 1885, Mr. Kindley was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Cliburn, a native of Benton county and a daughter of James H. and Jennie ( McPhail) Cliburn, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, while the latter was a native of Arkansas. They were married in this state and became the parents of two children, Mrs. Kindley being the only surviving member of the family. Mr. Cliburn was a veteran of the Civil war, serving for four years as a Confederate soldier. He was a member of

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the Baptist church and his wife was a Presbyterian in religious faith. To Mr. and Mrs. Kindley were born eight children: Lena married Herman D. Chatfield, a leading hardware merchant of Gravette; Wendell is engaged in the stationery business in Los Angeles, California. He married Miss Minnie Holding and they have a daughter. Virginia, aged seven years; Uther was born in Maysville, Arkansas, July 1, 1892, and acquired his education in the schools of Gravette. On starting out in life independently he became connected with the banking business, to which he has since given his atten- tion, and following his father's demise he was made cashier of the Bank of Gravette. in which capacity he is now serving, being regarded as an able financier. In 1913 he married Miss Edna Austin, a daughter of W. H. Austin of Gravette, and they have a daughter. Mary Frances. Mr. Kindley is a member of the Presbyterian church and a democrat in his political views; Ola, the fourth in the order of birth, married Gus English, who is connected with the moving picture industry at Los Angeles, California; May is the wife of J. B. Simons, who is foreman of an oil refinery at Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they have a daughter, Norma Jane; Emma married Roy C. Martin, a bookkeeper residing at Fort Smith, Arkansas; Genevieve is attending high school, and Norma is a pupil in the grades.

Mr. Kindley was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church of Gravette, in the work of which he was actively and helpfully interested, serving for several years as an elder and also becoming a teacher of the men's Bible class. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office. He was elected county assessor of Benton county, filling that office for two terms, and for many years was a member of the Gravette school board. His political record was a most creditable one, characterized by strict integrity and marked devotion to the public good. His demise occurred at Gravette on the 3d of December, 1915, and in his passing his community lost a valued citizen, his associates a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father. Many were his sterling qualities and many the good deeds which he quietly performed, so that his memory lives as a blessed benediction to all who had the honor of his closer acquaintance.

DAVID HENRY DUNCAN.

On the list of Pine Bluff's honored dead appears the name of David Henry Duncan who was one of the prominent lumbernien of Arkansas-a man who in his business career displayed marked capability, great thoroughness, notable initiative. splendid executive ability and unsullied integrity and honor. Business, however. was to him only one phase of life-a means to an end. He rejoiced in his success by reason of what it enabled him to do for his family, for his friends and for the community at large. Those qualities which make a man an outstanding figure among his fellowmen were his in large measure. His entire life was a credit and honor to the parents who reared him-an example of marked love and loyalty to his family and of devotion to the high standards of friendship. There are perhaps few men who have inspired warmer regard and friendship among their associates than did he a fact which was strongly manifest in a beautiful and merited tribute paid to him in a memorial prepared for the American Lumberman and which was signed simply "Friends." This memorial gives so completely the story of his life that it is appended herewith in its entirety.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 42

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