Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 50

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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"While the home of Mr. Foster was at Little Rock, the most of his time while in Arkansas, was spent by him looking after his business interests in and about Malvern; every one about Malvern had learned to know and love him. No man could be with him long without becoming his friend. His very presence compelled friendship. The sunny smile which dominated his face was not the mere mask of the 'hail fellow, well met,' but the outward manifestation of an inborn and ingrained kindly nature, filled to the full with the joy of living and the delight of mingling with his fellowmen.

"What most endeared him to men was his intense humanity. He was human all through and he loved humankind; and those who were admitted to the inner cloisters of his intimacy feel that in losing him we lost a part of our own selves, and that life for us will never again be as complete a thing as it was before he was taken away. Mr. Foster was more than a friendly acquaintance to those with whom he frequently came into contact. He was a fatherly man. He was at once interested in the things in which you were interested, and immediately took upon himself the cloak of helper and adviser, and if the beautiful dream of the poet be true, that on the roll of the book of gold hereafter the names of those who loved their fellowmen shall be first inscribed, then will his name be found high on the list.

"Mr. Foster was of the type which seeks efficiency by the law of its nature. His instincts were for order, discipline, intelligent direction, voluntary subordination to a common purpose, definite conclusion, achievement.

"He was modest and unassuming-never vaunted himself or pressed himself for- ward. He was free from the exaggerated egoism which has wrecked so many fair causes. He had the unselfishness and self-control to obey where others rightfully led, and he had the clearness of intelligence, the force of personality, and the decision of character to lead, so that others might follow. He was simple and direct in thought and action. He was frank and truthful and entirely free from that cowardice which breeds deception. He had naturally an unconscious courage. Among all the multitude who have known him, in boyhood and in manhood, in private and in business affairs, not one can recall a mean, or ignoble, or cruel, or deceitful word or act on his part. He was sincere in his beliefs, he was faithful to his word, he was steadfast in his friend- ship, he was loyal to every cause that he espoused. His life made men happier; his example is making men better.

"We will not see his winning smile, no more feel the cordial hand grasp, no more receive the acts of kindly sympathy, but the memory of it all will remain with us and make us feel thankful that we knew one whose impulses through life prompted his conduct towards others to the end that he might contribute to their happiness.

"In his family relations he was particularly blessed. His enjoyment and content- ment reached its height when his family was gathered about him, and its members, more than any others, will miss him as a devoted husband, loving gentle father, and zealous protector.

"It is difficult, indeed, to realize that Harry Howard Foster has gone, never to return. Had he been spared there were other heights which he might have reached, but after traveling well the road of life service he was stricken down in the prime of life and left us lonely and sorrowful at his demise. We miss his cordial greeting, his heartfelt hand grasp, his tender solicitude. His memory will live always and we are hetter for having known him.

"The esteem in which he was held by his many friends are confessions of love and

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respect, on the part of those who not only knew him but who enjoyed in his presence and at his side those delightful characteristics and that personal charm which endeared him to young and old and which remained with him to the end. He has gone. He has trod the path we shall tread when the summons comes. Let us be as well prepared in all things as was he, for the good he did lives after him. Our struggle here may be longer, yet for whatever time it will be we will go on as 'weary ships to their haven under the hill.' I would pay tribute to those traits of character which made the loving husband, the devoted father, the faithful friend, the good citizen. These were the titles that he won; they were the flowers of love and duty and friendship that blossomed along his pathway through life. They constitute the fairest garland that can be placed upon his tomb."

BEN. N. ANTHONY.

Ben N. Anthony, distributor for the Bnick motor cars at Texarkana, where he has already developed a large and growing business, was born in Bonham, Texas, on the 30th of January, 1880. He was reared in the Lone Star state and pursued his education in the public schools and in Carlton College. Early in his business career he started out upon the road as a traveling salesman and was thus engaged for seven years. He then turned his attention to the antomobile business and in 1904 came to Texarkana, Arkansas. He has had the agency for the Buick cars here through the intervening period and has developed a gratifying business, annually making many sales. In November, 1920, he established a branch office at El Dorado. In addition to the conduct of his agency he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the cotton belt and this, too, is a gratifying source of revenue.

In 1914 Mr. Anthony was united in marriage to Miss Linnie B. Webber, a daughter of Colonel T. E. Webber. Mr. Anthony belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with the plans and purposes of that organization to upbuild the city, to extend its trade relations and uphold its high civic standards. He is regarded as one of the progressive young business men of Texarkana, his sterling worth being attested by all who know him. He belongs to the Christian church and he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

J. L. WILLIAMS.

J. L. Williams, who is now serving as circuit clerk and recorder of Conway county and is a resident of Morrillton, was born in Conway county on the 31st of October, 1881, a son of A. J. and Martha Belle ( Martin) Williams. His grandfather on the paternal side was W. J. Williams, a native of Georgia and an extensive and successful planter in that state. In later life he emigrated to Arkansas, making the trip with oxen, the journey covering several weeks. Locating in Conway county he homesteaded here and resided on the land until his death at the age of sixty-one years. He always did general farming and won prominence among the agricultorists of the community. The maternal grand- father, Andrew J. Martin, was born in Tennessee, where he engaged in planting for many years. Previous to the Civil war he came overland to Arkansas and entered eighty acres of land in Conway county. During the war his crops were repeatedly destroyed by bush- whackers. His death occurred at the age of fifty years, when he was overcome with the heat while plowing a field with a mnle team. A. J. Williams was born in Georgia in 1855 and came to Conway in the '60s. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of wooded land here, which he cleared himself and upon which he erected a log house and other improvements. He is still living on the old homestead, at the age of sixty-six years. When Mr. Williams first located in this community the nearest trading post was Lewis- burg, a landing on the Arkansas river. The country abounded in wild game, deer, hear, turkey and the like. In 1869 Mr. Williams was nnited in marriage to Miss Martha Belle Martin, who was born in Conway county in 1857, and to their union eleven children were born: Hallie, the widow of G. E. Edison of Morrillton; J. L., whose name initiates this review; Ira, an instructor in the University of Illinois dental school and a graduate of that institution; Sallie, the wife of F. C. Cargile, who is engaged in the oil business in Morrillton, Arkansas; Myra, the widow of Amos Carter of Morrillton; Emmett, associated with the McGeorge Construction Company of Pine Bluff; Leah, residing with her father; Mattie, deputy circuit clerk of Conway county; and Alvie, attending the high school at Morrillton. Two other children died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are con- sistent members of the Presbyterian church and the father always gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, in the activities of which he takes a great interest.

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In the acquirement of an education J. L. Williams attended the country schools of Conway county and graduated from the high school at Morrillton, with the class of 1904. He then enrolled as a student at Draughon's Business College in Little Rock and after putting his textbooks aside engaged in teaching in the rural schools until 1916. In that year he was elected to the office of county clerk for a period of four years and at the termination of that time was elected circuit clerk and recorder, in which capacity he is now active. Mr. Williams holds to the belief that every public office is a public trust and in every office in which he has been active he has discharged the duties and respon- sibilities devolving upon him in a very satisfactory manner. He owns some land in the county, which he rents and he takes an active interest in agricultural affairs.

Fraternally Mr. Williams is identified with the Masons, and is a member of Albert Pike Consistory of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he has for some time served that organization as elder, Mr. Williams is one of the estimable citizens of Morrillton, who can always be depended upon to meet his obligations in both public and private life.

D. C. GREEN.

D. C. Green, vice president and general manager of the Fort Smith Light & Traction Company, was born in Patriot, Indiana, in 1884. His youthful days were spent in his native state and after completing his public school education he attended Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana, where he pursued a course in electrical engineering. winning his E. E. degree in 1908: Since that time he has engaged in public utility work in the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Utah. His varied experience cover- ing thirteen years has brought him wide knowledge of every phase of the work and steadily he has advanced in positions of responsibility until he is now the vice president and general manager of the Fort Smith Light & Traction Company, which furnishes light and power for Fort Smith. He has been in Arkansas for the past four years and during his connection with the corporation at Fort Smith he has been active in in- troducing improvements and thoroughly systematizing the business in every way, his labors bringing about excellent results.

In 1910 Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Frances Sexton, a daughter of Dr. J. C. Sexton of Rushville, Indiana, and they have become parents of one son, John Sexton.

In public affairs Mr. Green takes an active interest and his aid is ever given on the side of progress and improvement. He belongs to the Business Men's Club, of which he is now the vice president and one of the directors-an organization that is doing definite work for the improvement of business conditions in Fort Smith, taking into consideration all the problems that in any way effect the commercial or industrial life of the community. He likewise belongs to the Noon Civics Club, which, as the name indicates, has for its purpose the upholding and advancement of civic standards. He is likewise the president of the Rotary Club, vice president and one of the directors of the Country Club and is national council representative of the Fort Smith Boy Scouts. During the World war he served on all the committees having to do with the Red Cross and war fund drives and hy reason of his marked energy, enterprise and patriotism he has become a dynamic force in the community in which he lives, being widely recognized as a leader of public thought and opinion.

WILLIAM LEROY LEE.

William LeRoy Lee, engaged in law practice at Dardanelle, has been a resident of Yell county since 1880, at which time he was brought to Arkansas by his parents, William Carter and Mollie (Walker) Lee, from the old home in Alabama, where William LeRoy Lee was born in 1874. His parents were natives of Virginia, but when young people they went to Alabama, where they were reared and married. The Lee family comes of the same ancestry as the distinguished Confederate general. Robert E. Lee. The grandfather in the maternal line was James Walker, a native of Virginia, who, removing to Alabama, spent his remaining days there. His daughter, Mrs. Lee, was a woman of liberal education, attending college at Selma, Alabama, while her husband's educational privileges were those of the common schools, but he became a well-read man of sound practical judgment and both were highly esteemed where they were known.

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He devoted his life to farming and won a substantial measure of success in tilling the soil. In early manhood he served through the Civil war, was wounded on two or three occasions and was captured and sent to a northern prison. In 1880 he left Alabama and with his family removed to Yell county, Arkansas, where his wife departed this life. while subsequently he became a resident of Mississippi and there spent his remaining days. They were both Christian people, Mr. Lee belonging to the Methodist church. while his wife held membership in the Christian church. Fraternally he was a Mason and his political allegiance was always given to the democratic party. To him and his wife were born six children, three of whom are living: Mrs. Lena Bernard, a widow, residing at Centerville, Yell county; William LeRoy of this review; and C. W., an oil man of Glenpool, Oklahoma.

William L. Lee, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the common schools of Yell county, continued his education in the academy at Chickalah, Arkansas, and was there graduated. He also pursued a business course in Fort Smith and when seventeen years of age he began to teach, following the profession for four years. He regarded this, however, merely as an initial step toward other professional labor and while teaching he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law. He afterward engaged in merchandising at Dardanelle and continued in the business until 1911, when he sold his interests there. He was admitted to the bar in 1915 and through the intervening period has continued in active practice, making steady progress in his chosen profession. His purpose in conducting the mercantile business was to get funds enough with which to pursue his legal education and to give him a start in his law practice. He also became one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank of Dardanelle and was elected its first president, continuing to act in that capacity for five years, when he resigned in order to give his undivided time and thought to his practice. He is deeply interested in legal science and his ability is demonstrated in the success which has followed his efforts. He practices in partnership with H. C. Scott and the firm has a liberal clientage. Mr. Lee has ever displayed marked devotion to the interests of his clients, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He practices in all of the state courts and he is a member of the Yell County Bar Association, of which he is secretary. His opponents in the trial of a case always recognize the fact that he had made careful preparation and ever displays marked ability in marshaling facts and evidence. Perhaps his strongest asset is his oratory and his ability in addressing a jury.

In 1906 Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss May Toomer, a daughter of Joshua Toomer, who possessed one of the brilliant minds of Arkansas and figured prominently in connection with the early history of the state, serving as a member of the state senate and exercising marked influence over public thought and action. Mr. Lee was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife in 1907. On the 10th of July, 1909, he married Barton Caplinger, who was reared at Conway and is a niece of Captain J. M. Jenkins, a distinguished citizen of Quitman, Arkansas. Mrs. Lee was graduated from Hendrix College at Conway, Arkansas, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Elizabeth and James, aged, respectively, eleven and four years. Mr. and Mrs. Lee belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and are interested in all those forces which make for higher ideals and the advancement of moral standards. Politically Mr. Lee is a democrat and served in the general assembly in 1921, being called to the office by the vote of his fellow townsmen without solicitation for the position on his part. He was made a member of the judiciary committee and also of the agricultural com- mittee and thus he has figured in connection with lawmaking as well as with the interpretation of the law in the courts. He is making steady advance in his profession and his ability is widely acknowledged.

SAMUEL RITCHIE BROUGH.

Samuel Ritchie Brough, superintendent of the Arkansas Water Works at Little Rock, is a man of high professional attainment and broad experience, well qualified for the important duties that devolve upon him in his present connection. His training has been thorough, his activity of a comprehensive character and his developing powers have been recognized in his selection for important positions. Mr. Brough was born in Helena, Mason county, Kentucky, December 24, 1879. His parents were Samuel and Belle ( Willette) Brough, also natives of Kentucky. The father was born on a farm in Mason county in 1840 and the mother's birth occurred in Helena, that county, in 1846. They were married in Helena in 1872 and became parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, Samuel R. being the third in order of birth. The parents resided for many years in Helena and the mother still makes her home there. The father became a physician, devoting his life to the practice of medicine, following

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his graduation from the medical department of the University of Michigan and the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. The efficiency of his service made his life work of great value to his fellowmen and he continued in active practice in Kentucky until called to his final rest in 1905. His political views were in accord with the teachings of the democratic party.

Samuel R. Brough attended the country schools of his native county and afterward had the benefit of thorough instruction in the Central University at Richmond, that state. He has been identified with public utility interests for many years. In fact, for twenty-two years he has been associated with water and electric projects, first entering upon work of this character in Joplin, Missouri. He has since been identified with similar work in the west, steadily advancing from one position to another of greater responsibility and in June, 1918, he accepted the superintendency of the Arkansas Waterworks at Little Rock, since which time he has acceptably filled the office, covering a period of three years. He is familiar with all the problems connected with work of this character and his services are giving general satisfaction to the company which he represents.

Mr. Brough was married October 18, 1911, to Miss Elizabeth Murphy, who was born in Menominee, Michigan, in April, 1885, and is a daughter of John and Anna ( Mc- Cullough) Murphy, both of whom have departed this life. Her father was a native of the far distant Pine Tree state. Mrs. Brough is a graduate of the high school at Menominee, Michigan, and also of the Marquette (Mich.) Normal. Two children have been born of this marriage: John Willette, born in May, 1915; and Samuel R., horn in February, 1919.

Mr. Brough rendered active service as fuel administrator during the World war. covering a district that comprised eight counties in Wisconsin. He filled this position in 1917 and 1918 and he was also one of the two generals on three Liberty Loan drives in Wisconsin. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, but without desire for office, although a firm believer in party principles. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has not only taken the degrees of the lodge but also of the chapter and council and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Second Presbyterian church.

BENJAMIN D. BRICKHOUSE.

Benjamin D. Brickhouse is serving for the second term as mayor of Little Rock and is giving to the city an administration characterized by thorough study of municipal needs and by practical methods in the attainment of high ideals in municipal service. The story of his life is an interesting one to his fellow townsmen, for he has long occupied a place in public regard in this city. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, June 8, 1873, and is a son of Benjamin D. and Louise A. (Wellons) Brickhouse. The father was born in Virginia in 1840 and resided in that state for many years but in 1891 removed to Arkansas, settling at Little Rock, where he continued to make his home until his demise. During the Civil war he served as a private in Company H of the Sixteenth Infantry (Norfolk Light Artillery Blues) and was on active duty until after the close of hostilities. In early manhood he wedded Louise A. Wellons, who was born in 1842 in North Carolina, their marriage being celebrated in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1867. The father died in 1916 and the mother, still surviving, makes her home at Little Rock. They became parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom survive.

Benjamin D. Brickhouse, who was the fourth in order of birth in this family, pur- sued his education in the public schools of Norfolk, Virginia, to the age of twelve years and then removed with his parents to Austin, Texas, where he continued his studies in a private school. At length he determined to enter upon the practice of law as a life work and with this end in view he became a student in the law department of the University of Arkansas, from which in due course of time he was graduated as a member of the class of 1908, the LL. B. degree being at that time conferred upon him. He and his parents came to Little Rock in 1891 and therefore he had the opportunity to pursue his law studies in this state. Since then he has been a representative of the bar of Little Rock and has won a most creditable name and place among the attorneys of the city. In 1913 he was called to the office of alderman and by reelection was continued in the position until 1917 as representative of the eighth ward. In April, 1919, he was elected mayor and was reelected in 1921, so that he is now serving for the second term. He closely studies the needs and opportunities of the city and is seeking in every way to uphold high civic standards and to promote the welfare of the community. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and he has ever been found a stalwart champion of its principles.

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On the 20th of June, 1894, in Little Rock, Mr. Brickhouse was united in marriage to Miss Edna V. Erion, who was born in Paris, Illinois, in 1875, a daughter of Jacob and Mary J. ( Marrs) Erion. Jacob Erion died in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Brickhouse were born two sons: Edwin Benjamin, horn March 19, 1895, was married in 1918, in Little Rock, to Eulalia Sanders and they have two children, Roland B. and Clifford W .; Linwcod Leonard, the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin D. Brickhouse, was horn October 17, 1897.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Brickhouse takes an active and helpful interest in the church work, serving on the official board of the Winfield Memorial church and acting as vice president of the board. Fraternally he is well known in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottishi Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past Noble Grand. His labors have been carefully and wisely directed for the benefit cf his fellowmen along many lines and he is interested in all those forces which tend to promote higher ideals or which broaden the field of general public service.

EDWIN B. SWINDLER, M. D.

Dr. Edwin B. Swindler, a physician of Stuttgart, whose ability in practice has long been successfully demonstrated, was born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, in 1883. His father, M. N. Swindler, a native of Kentucky, was a son of David and Nancy (Snider) Swindler, who on removing westward from West Virginia settled in Livermore, Kentucky, and thus the family was planted in the Blue Grass state. M. N. Swindler, after arriving at years of maturity, was married to Miss Sarah E. Hildreth. The Hildreths were from Eddyville, Kentucky. The Snider family, of which Dr. Swindler is a representative in the paternal line, came from Pennsylvania, representatives of the name removing from that state to Fairmont, West Virginia. To M. N. and Sarah E ( Hildreth) Swindler there were born five children: Arthur V., who is now a druggist of Memphis, Tennessee; Charles J., an attorney living in Washington, D. C ; Edwin B .; Sarah M., who is also located in the national capital; and Catherine, the wife of J. D. Bell of Crawfordsville, Arkansas.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 50

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