Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 45

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

USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 45

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

COY M. NIXON.

Coy M. Nixon, a well known and successful attorney of Pine Bluff, was born in Conway, Arkansas, in 1887, and is a son of W. H. and Mary C. (Townsend) Nixon. The father was a soldier of the Confederate army during the Civil war and in days of peace he devoted his attention to farming.

Coy M. Nixon is indebted to the public schools of Jacksonville, this state, for the early educational opportunities which he enjoyed and which qualified him for his col- legiate work, which he pursued in the University of Arkansas. Wben at the end of four years he had completed the more specifically literary course he entered the law department of that institution, from which he received the degree of LL. B. He holds membership in Sigma Phi Epsilon, a college fraternity of the university. He located for practice at Pine Bluff in 1916 and through the intervening period has followed his pro- fession here. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, yet he has made steady and

281

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

gratifying progress and has been connected with much important litigation of a repre- sentative character. The only interruption to his professional service came during the period of the World war, when he entered the first Officers' Training School at Fort Logan H. Roots.

Mr. Nixon married Miss Willie Belle Mason of Little Rock, a daughter of L. W. and Sarah (McKinnis) Mason. They have a wide circle of friends in Pine Bluff, occupy- ing an enviable social position, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by those who know them. Mrs. Nixon is a member of the Christian church, while Mr. Nixon belongs to the Presbyterian church and is also identified with the Masonic fraternity-associations which indicate much concerning the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.

T. J. COWAN.

T. J. Cowan of Clinton, now county superintendent of schools in Van Buren county, has reached a creditable and enviable position in educational circles in his native state. He holds to high standards in his chosen profession and has inspired teachers and pupils under him with much of his own zeal in the work of public education. Mr. Cowan came to Van Buren county from Cleburne county, where his birth occurred January 31, 1888, his parents being William F. and Mary Etta (Vaughn) Cowan. The father was also born in Cleburne county, while the mother's birth occurred either in White or Cleburne county. William F. Cowan was a minister of the Presbyterian church and preached at Heber Springs, Arkansas, and also in Van Buren county for a number of years, devoting his life to that holy calling. He departed this life at the age of forty-seven years. His wife died when but twenty-eight years of age. They were the parents of five children: Lulu, the wife of W. Bradford, residing at Morrillton, Arkansas; Lela, the wife of Hebert Mix, a farmer of New Mexico; Mrs. Thonia Moore and Cicero, both deceased, and T. J., of this review.

T. J. Cowan was reared in a home of culture and Christian refinement, where the verities of life are rated at their true value. He was educated in Choctaw, Arkansas, attending the public schools and passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He later spent a year in study in the State Normal School at Ada, Oklahoma, and next pursued a course in bookkeeping and banking in Draughon's Business College at Dallas, Texas. His youthful days were largely passed on the home farm, with the usual experiences of the farm bred boy, until he entered the office of county superintendent on the 1st of January, 1921. He is proving most competent in the educational field, having put forth earnest and effective efforts in systematizing the work of the schools and in introducing higher standards for the pupil and also in the methods of instruction.

On the 1st of September, 1914, Mr. Cowan was married to Miss Minnie S. Rogers, whose family history is given in connection with the sketch of Judge O. E. Rogers on another page of this work. They have become parents of two children: Thomas Wynne and Zane Steele.

Professor Cowan votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, He is a Royal Arch Mason, holding membership in the lodge of Clinton and the Royal Arch Chapter of Marshall. He and his family are members of the Christian church and are most highly esteemed in the locality where they reside, for their influence is ever given on the side of those forces and projects which make for intellectual and moral progress.

CHARLES W. WALKER.

In the legal profession, which embraces many of the most brilliant minds of the nation, it is difficult to win a name and a place of prominence. Many aspire, but few attain. In commercial life one may start out upon a more elevated plane than others; he may enter into a business already established and carry it still further forward. But this is not true in the case of the lawyer. He must commence at the initial point, must plead and win his first case and work his way upward by ability, gaining his reputation and success by merit. People do not place their legal business in unskilled hands; it is the man of power before judge and jury who commands public patronage. Of this class Charles W. Walker is an illustrious type. He began as many others do in the practice of law and his present prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest

282

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized ability. He is now living retired in Fayette- ville, the oldest native born citizen in the community, and is hale and hearty in his eighty-sixth year. For sixty years he was numbered among the prominent members of the legal profession, practicing for a short time in Carrollton, but returned to his home town prior to the Civil war, where he was active along professional lines until 1919, when he retired from active life.

Mr. Walker was born in Fayetteville on the 24th of December, 1835, a son of David and Jane Lewis (Washington) Walker. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Wythe Walker, was for many years prominent in the legal circles of Kentucky. He was born in Virginia, but removed to Kentucky at an early day and there entered the legal profession. Later in life, however, he came to Arkansas and locating in Fayetteville retired from professional life. He was well known in the financial circles of the community, being director of the Real Estate Bank of Fayetteville, and a deep feeling of bereavement swept the community when he departed this life in 1838. Whiting Washington, the maternal grandfather, was likewise a native of Virginia, who went to Kentucky at an early day. He was a wealthy slave-owner and his demise occurred on his estate in Kentucky. David Walker, the father of Charles W. Walker, was born in Todd county, Kentucky, in 1806, and died on the 30th of September, 1879. In early life he determined to enter the legal profession and as a result began study in a law office and some time later was admitted to the bar. In 1831 Mr. and Mrs. Walker came to Fayetteville and the father immediately opened offices there. In 1836 he was a member of the constitutional convention and in 1848 he was appointed supreme judge, serving on the bench from that year until 1878. Mr. Walker was one of the oldest members of the profession in Fayetteville and held distinct precedence as an eminent lawyer. His wife, who was before her marriage Jane Lewis Washington, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, in 1814, and died on the 7th of March, 1847. The following children were born to their nnion: Wythe, a soldier in the Civil war, who met his death at the battle of Jenkins Ferry; Charles W., whose name initiates this review; Edward, who died in 1919; Nannie, who married Charles R. Buckner, and both of them are deceased; David, a farmer of Coal Hill, this state, and two other children who died in infancy. Mr. Walker was a stanch supporter of the whig party until 1852, when he gave his allegiance to the democratic party, in the interests of which he took an active part. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, while his wife was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth.

Charles W. Walker received his early education in the schools of Fayetteville and in due time entered Princeton University, from which institution he was gradnated in 1858. Returning home from school he read law in his father's office for some time and then went to Lebanon, Tennessee, where he took a law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1859 and practiced here until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he entered the army, and after the close of the war immediately opened up offices here with Thomas M. Gunther, and continued in active and successful practice until his retirement in 1919. The zeal with which he devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assidnons and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. His arguments elicited warm commendation not only from his associates at the bar, but also from the bench. A very able writer, his briefs always showed wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons which could be urged for his contention, presented in cogent and logical form and illustrated by a style unnsually lucid.

Although the greater part of Mr. Walker's time was devoted to his legal practice, he was active in political circles as a stanch supporter of the democratic party. The ability and training which qualified him to practice law also qualified him in many respects for duties which lay ontside of the strict path of his profession and for one term he was mayor of Fayetteville, the honor being unsolicited, as he was chosen for the office while away on hnsiness. His administration was marked by the progress and development of the community and he is remembered as one of Fayetteville's best executives. For two terms he was a member of the state legislature and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1868.

On the 26th of September, 1867, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Serena Jernigan, a native of Illinois, who was reared in Texas, to which state her parents removed at an early day. She was a daughter of Clement L. and Louisa (Sams) Jernigan, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois, in which latter state their marriage occurred. Her father won prominence in the saddlery business and conducted that business in Texas until June, 1866, when he came to Arkansas and located in Fayetteville. Mr. Jernigan died in 1895, while his wife's demise occurred in 1888. Four children were born to their union, two of whom are living: Mrs. Walker; and Mrs. Josephine Davenport, a widow, residing in Fayetteville. Throughont her life Mrs.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Jernigan was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith the family was reared. He gave his political allegiance to the know nothing party and was a member of the Good Templars. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Walker three children have been born: The eldest daughter, Nannie F., is the wife of Dr. G. A. Warren of Black Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Warren is one of the most prominent physicians in the state and is considered an authority on typhoid fever. He is a member of the leading medical societies of the state and is president of the State Medical Society; the second member of the Walker family is Louise, the wife of P. C. Wikersham, associated with the Electric Light & Gas Company of Oakland, California; Jennie is the wife of John W. Tilman, an attorney of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are consistent members of the Baptist church.

For many years Mr. Walker was actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. His life has been exemplary in every respect and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.

WALTER G. EBERLE, M. D.

Dr. Walter G. Eberle, who returned to the private practice of medicine and surgery in Fort Smith following his active service in the World war, now occupies an enviable professional position and his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country. Dr. Eberle is a native of the city in which he makes his home and is here accorded a liberal and gratifying patronage. He was born in the 11th of September, 1886, his parents being Dr. J. G. and Elizabeth (Pearson) Eberle, the former also a capable physician, whose example has been an inspiration to the son. The latter pursued his early education in the public schools of Fort Smith and then in preparation for his professional career, went east to matricn- late in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He there pursued the regular course, winning his M. D. degree and later he took up postgraduate work in the Bellevue and allied hospitals of New York city. He has availed himself of every opportunity to promote his knowledge and alvance his efficiency in practice and by broad reading and study has kept in touch with the trend of professional research and investigation. In the early days of his active career he served as a surgeon instructor in New York and also on the training ship Newport, specializing in surgery during that period. In 1913 he returned to Fort Smith, where he entered upon private practice and was not long in demonstrating his ability to cope with the intricate and involved problems occasioned by disease. Gradually his patronage was increasing, but in 1917 he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to respond to the country's call for medical aid in connection with the World war. He became a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the Field Artillery at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, and there remained until August, 1918, when he was sent overseas. He was assigned to duty with the field troops as regimental surgeon and continued until his aid was no longer needed in France.

With his return to Fort Smith, in 1919. Dr. Eberle resumed private practice and has again become well established in his profession in his native city. He married Miss Ella Smart of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and, like her husband, she has made for herself an enviable social position during the period of her residence in the southwest. Dr. Eberle never lightly regards the duties devolving upon him in his professional capacity. nor his duties as a man and citizen, and the friends he has made as the years have gone by mark him as one of the popular residents of Fort Smith.

CHARLES STEVENS YARBROUGH.

Charles Stevens Yarbrough, now well known as an oil operator in the El Dorado fields, deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started out in life with limited educational opportunities and few advantages of any kind. Since then he has made the best possible use of his time and talents and has steadily advanced, progressing step by step until the onward march has brought him to a place of prominence in business circles. He was born in Texas, October 13, 1882, and is a son of Charles Yarbrough, a native of Ouachita county, Arkansas, who in 1880 removed to Texas. After four years

284

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

he returned to Ouachita county in 1884 and is now living on the old home farm where he was born. He is a son of George Yarbrough, a native of South Carolina, who was one of the first settlers of this section of the state. He bought a farm upon which his son, Charles Yarbrough, now resides and there he developed his land with the aid of the slaves whom he owned. He was a very strong southern sympathizer during the Civil war and after the close of hostilities his wife papered a room with Confederate money. On the old homestead Charles Yarbrough, father of C. S. Yarbrough, was reared and throughout the greater part of his life his attention has successfully been given to general agricultural pursuits. He married Georgia Smith, who was born in Pike county, Arkansas, and they became parents of five children, two sons and three daughters. The wife and mother died in 1911, while the father is still living at the age of sixty-five years.

Charles S. Yarbrough was only two years of age when his father returned to Arkansas and upon the old homestead he was reared, while his early education was acquired in the common schools. Through vacation periods and during the long summer months he assisted his father in the work of the fields and continued to aid in cultivating the farm until twenty-one years of age. He then went into the logging camps of Louisiana, where he made some money, and with his earnings he paid his tuition while attending the University of Arkansas for two years. He afterward taught school for an equal period and later he resumed farming, to which he devoted his attention for five years. When that period had elapsed he began the operation of sawmills and was busily engaged in cutting lumber until November, 1920. At that date he removed to El Dorado, where he is now interested in the Prairie Gas & Oil Company. The largest well owned by this company is a thirty-thousand-barrel well, and altogether they have six oil wells and two gas wells. In addition to the properties of the oil company, of which Mr. Yarbrough is one of the stockholders, he owns forty acres in his home place and also has other property in the oil fields. He is likewise a stockholder in the De Soto Spring Company of Hot Springs.

Mr. Yarbrough was married to Miss Lula Murphy, a daughter of M. J. Murphy, and they have become parents of five children, of whom two are deceased. Those living are: Robert, eleven years of age; Loraine, six; and Lucille, who is in her second year.

Mr. Yarborough is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and loyally follows the teachings and purposes of that society. His ability in business has long been demonstrated in the excellent results which have come to him. Diligence, enter- prise and the wise use of opportunity have brought him to the front and he became well known in connection with the lumber industry, while at the present time he is figuring prominently as a representative of the oil interests of the El Dorado district.

WILL D. VANCE.

Will D. Vance, a native son of Arkansas, representing the third generation of the family in this state, is engaged in the abstract business in Russellville and through untiring industry and intelligently directed effort has gained a position of leadership in the field in which he specializes. He was born in Conway county, July 30, 1877, a son of W. D. and Mary F. (Brigham) Vance, who were also natives of that section of the state. There the father engaged in farming for many years, but he is now following the carpenter's trade and resides in Russellville. The paternal grandfather, Walter J. Vance, was a native of Tennessee, whence he came to Arkansas, becoming one of the pioneer farmers of Conway county, where he spent his remaining years, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as a soldier in the Confederate army. The maternal grandfather, John Brigham, was also an early settler of Conway county and he, too, served in the Civil war, meeting death on the battle field and leaving behind him a widow and three children in straitened circumstances. Mr. Vance is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he was formerly identified with the Knights of Honor. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. To Mr. and Mrs. Vance were born eleven children, of whom five survive, namely: Will D .; Margie, who is employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper at Fort Smith, Arkansas; Holden, who is connected with the cotton industry at that place; Pearl, who married R. F. Richardson, a leading jeweler of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and John W., who assists the subject of this review in the conduct of his business interests.

After completing his education, which was acquired in the public schools, Will D. Vance engaged in farming and also followed the profession of teaching for four years. Later he worked as a clerk and also did bookkeeping, entering the abstract business in

285

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

1908. He opened an office in Russellville and now has the most complete set of abstract books in the state, being recognized as an authority in his line of work. He displays sound judgment, enterprise and determination in the conduct of his interests and with the passing years his business has steadily developed until it has reached large proportions.

Mr. Vance has been married twice. In 1903 he wedded Miss May Burris, a native of Pope county, who died in 1905, leaving one son, William B. In 1917 Mr. Vance married Mary Harden, who was born in Mississippi. They have a son, Alfred Crawford, twenty months old. They are members of the Methodist Episopal church, South, and frater- nally Mr. Vance is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he served as secretary for one year. He is a stanch democrat in his political views and has heen called to public office, serving as alderman for one term. His time and attention are concentrated upon his abstract business, of which he has made a comprehensive study, and his present success is well deserved, for he started out in life empty handed and has depended entirely upon his own efforts for advancement, being numbered among the self-made men and progressive citizens of Russellville.

LUTHER B. NEWTON.

Luther B. Newton, manager at Fort Smith for the Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, in which connection he has greatly developed the interests and business of the company in this state, was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, on the 13th of May, 1881, his parents being A. W. and Mattie (Bussall) Newton of Gurdon, where the father engaged in merchandising for many years. The grandfather in the maternal line was prominently known in Clark county, Arkansas, where for sixteen years he filled the office of county treasurer, and he likewise won the rank of captain during his service in the Confederate army.

Luther B. Newton obtained a high school education in Gurdon, Arkansas, and starting out upon his business career, turned his attention to the field of insurance. He subsequently became an agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company at Little Rock and the ability which he displayed in making insurance sales led to his appointment to the position of district manager at Fort Smith on the 17th of June, 1919. At that time but few policies were held in this district and there was no office. Mr. Newton has developed the district and has been instrumental in building up a wonderful business for the corporation at this point. He now has fourteen men working out of this office, covering western Arkansas, and he and the agents under him have written insurance to the amount of over six million dollars. The agents now in his employ were without previous experience, but under the careful instruction and direction of Mr. Newton they have been developed into excellent men for the business and are reaping substantial profit for themselves and at the same time contributing largely to the upbuilding of the company with which they are connected.

Mr. Newton was united in marriage in 1909 to Miss Cora E. Jones of Gurdon, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of one child, Sarah Jane. Fraternally Mr. Newton is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, with the Knights of Pythias and with the Masons, and in his life he exemplifies the sterling principles upon which these orders are based. He is a young man of most progressive spirit, of clear vision in business affairs and of marked executive ability, and as the years pass he accomplishes what he undertakes and each year sees him a long way in advance of the position which he had attained the previous year.

JUNIUS ALEXANDER TOWNSEND.

Junins Alexander Townsend, owner and proprietor of the Townsend Hotel at Hot Springs, was horn in Robeson county, North Carolina. November 2, 1853. There he was reared, pursuing his education in private schools. His youthful days were spent upon his father's plantation, and in September. 1882, he first visited Hot Springs, stopping here on his way to Texas, as he thought, but he decided to remain and seenred a clerkship in a dry goods store, in which he was employed for three years. For eight years before removing to Arkansas he had been engaged in clerking in a dry goods store in North Carolina, so that he brought knowledge and experience to his work here. Moreover, he was ambitious to establish business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until in 1885 he was able to open a small store, purchasing a stock of dry goods which he increased as the years passed by and prosperity attended his

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 45

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