Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 52

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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Mr. Ledwidge belongs to the Catholic church and to the Knights of Columbus, and he also has membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has long served as alderman of the city, representing four different wards as a member of the city council. In fact, he has been alderman from each ward of Hot Springs, and is now serving as chairman of the streets and alleys committee. He takes deep and helpful interest in public affairs and is seeking ever to promote progress and improvement along the lines of civic interests.

C. S. WILSON, M. D.

Dr. C. S. Wilson, a well known and highly regarded medical practitioner of Gentry, where he has successfully followed his profession for the past eight years, was born in Lee county, Iowa, on the 6th of September, 1877, his parents being G. W. and Lucy Elizabeth (Stewart) Wilson, who are likewise natives of the Hawkeye state. The paternal grandfather, George Wilson, was born in Tennessee and in 1832 removed to Iowa, where he entered a tract of land from the government and spent the remainder of his life. Frank Stewart, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Wilson, was a native of Scotland, but emigrated to the United States in his boyhood and settled in Iowa, where he also made his home until called to his final rest. G. W. Wilson, the father of the Doctor, has successfully devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, and now resides with his wife in Missouri. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and at one time he capably filled the

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office of assessor. His family numbers six children, namely: . C. S., of this review; George Frank, a railway engineer residing in Alliance, Nebraska; Mary Grace, who is the wife of John Spencer, a farmer residing at Gibbs, Missouri; Walter B., who is a geologist in the service of the Gypsy Oil Company of Tulsa; Edward D., who cultivates the home farm near Gibbs, Missouri; and Alice Beatrice, who is the wife of Ray Begole, a railway agent of La Plata, Missouri.

C. S. Wilson obtained his education in the schools of his native state and prepared for a professional career as a student in the medical department of the St. Louis Uni- versity, which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1905. During the succeeding eight years he practiced medicine in Missouri and in 1913 removed to Gentry, Arkansas, which has since remained the scene of his professional labors. He has pursued several postgraduate courses in Chicago and in 1920 did postgraduate work in St. Louis. His practice has become extensive and important, steadily increasing in volume as he has demonstrated his professional skill in the successful treatment of many difficult cases. He is now serving as president of the Benton County Medical Society and he also belongs to the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

On the 29th of April, 1912, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Maun Shihley, a native of Missouri and a daughter of John Shibley, who is a retired physician of Gentry, Arkansas. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, John Stewart, who is six years of age. The mother belongs to the Congregational church. In his political views Dr. Wilson is a stalwart democrat and his aid and influence can ever be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to advance the general welfare.

CLAUDE A. FULLER.

Claude A. Fuller needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for his long connection with the professional and business circles of Eureka Springs and north Arkansas has made him well known and his efforts have ever been of a character which have contributed to public progress and prosperity, as well as to individual success.

Illinois claims Mr. Fnller as her native son, for his birth occurred in Whiteside county, on the 20th of January, 1876, a son of W. P. and Maria L. (Ocoback ) Fuller. The paternal grandfather, Levi Fuller, was a native of New York state and removed to Illinois at an early age. He became one of the prominent stockmen of that state and remained there until the town of Eureka Springs was started. Soon afterward he came here and was recognized as one of the town's most representative and enterprising citizens. The maternal grandfather, Albert Ocoback, was likewise born in New York state, and he also made his home in Illinois for several years. Later, however, he removed to Kansas, and was residing in that state at the time of his demise. William P. Fuller was born in Illinois and for many years followed farming and the carpenter's trade there. In 1881 he moved to Kansas, and in 1887 came to Eureka Springs, and he is still following that line of work, achieving substantial success. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were married in 1868, the ceremony being performed in Illinois. The death of Mrs. Fuller occurred in 1904 at Enreka Springs. She leaves, besides her husband, three children to mourn her death: Mrs. Maude Parkhill of Eureka Springs; Claude A., whose name initiates this review; and Harvey H., a traveling salesman for a large concern with headquarters in Eureka Springs. The family was reared in the faith of the Baptist church.

Claude A. Fuller was but eleven years of age when he came with his parents to Eureka Springs and for some time attended the public schools here. At an early age he had determined upon the practice of law as his life work, and in 1896 he entered a night school in Chicago for the study of the profession. He secured office work during the day in order to pay for his schooling, and he later studied at home under the direction of C. G. White. In February, 1898, he was admitted to the har, and beginning practice immediately, he has continued an active member of the profession since. He has been admitted to practice in all the courts of this county and he is one of the best known and most reliable lawyers in northern Arkansas. Mr. Fuller has learned his lessons in the hard school of experience, for his start in the business world was made as a bootblack and he worked on railroad sections and did all kinds of work in order to make enough money to enable him to begin the study of law. He is a self-made man and as such he is appreciated by his many friends throughout the state. Mr. Fuller has not only become prominent in professional circles and farming, hut he is intensely interested in political affairs and has always been a stanch supporter of the democratic party. He had the honor of being city clerk of Eureka Springs, in which office he served from the years 1898 to 1902, inclusive, and he was elected to represent his fellowmen in the state legislature in 1903, serving in that office until 1905. In

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1906 he became mayor of Eureka Springs, and the four years of his administration were marked by progress and prosperity. At the termination of that office he became prosecuting attorney and he was active in that position until 1914. He ran for congress in 1914, but was defeated by a few votes. A keen business man, Mr. Fuller has invested heavily in real estate and he owns valuable farm lands, which he oversees and from which he receives a substantial income. Returning to his political career, Mr. Fuller has attended several national conventions as a delegate and he was on the national platform committee at the convention in San Francisco. His popularity and prominence in the state won him the position of manager for the campaign of Governor Brough. and he was an important factor in making the election a success for his party.

On the 25th of December, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fuller to Miss May Ohenchain, a native of Fayetteville and a daughter of J. B. and May Obenchain. Her father settled in Fayetteville at an early age and followed the trade of wagon making, achieving substantial success in that connection. He later became master mechanic with the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad. During the Civil war Mr. Obenchain served in the Confederate army for four years and participated in many of the most important battles of the conflict. His death occurred in 1899. His widow is still living, now making her home in Eureka Springs. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller two children have been born: Ruth M., twelve years of age; and Dorothy, aged eleven years. The family is affiliated with the Baptist church, and they are generous contributors to its support. Fraternally Mr. Fuller is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and for three terms he served as Exalted Ruler of that organ- ization. Since its organization he has been a trustee in the same lodge. His other fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias. The success that Mr. Fuller has attained is the result of a full-faithed attempt each day to know more and to grow more. His is the record of a strenuous life-the record of strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action. There is no success in life without effort, and Longfellow says: "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, without a thought of fame."

DAVID HUGH LATIMER.

David Hugh Latimer is the popular proprietor of a well-equipped drug store at Lockesburg and is accorded a most gratifying patronage in this connection. He is a native son of Sevier county, in which his entire life has been spent, his birth having occurred at Lebanon on the 29th of March, 1886. He was reared on a farm to the age of fourteen years, and in 1900 removed to De Queen. His early educational oppor- tunities were those afforded by the graded and high schools, while subsequently he spent two years as a student in the Henderson-Brown College at Arkadelphia. In 1905, when a young man of nineteen years, he obtained a position in a drug store at De Queen and eventually embarked in business along that line on his own account, there remaining until the 1st of January, 1919, when he purchased his present establishment at Lockes- burg. He carries a large and carefully selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries and his attractive store is extensively patronized, for he has won a well-merited repu- tation as a progressive, enterprising and thoroughly reliable merchant. He is likewise a stockholder and director in the Bank of Lockesburg.

In 1910 Mr. Latimer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Steel, a daughter of Judge A. C. Steel, and they have become parents of a son, Richard Hugh. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Latimer is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, now serving as junior deacon of his lodge and being also connected with the chapter, the commandery and the Mystic Shrine. His career has been upright and honorable in every respect, and he is widely and favorably known as one of the prosperous young business men and representative residents of Sevier county.

GEORGE HEARTSILL BANKS.

Since 1921 G. Heartsill Banks has been superintendent of the Parkin schools. He was born in Raines, Tennessee, on the 15th of February, 1893, a son of W. L. and Lucy ( Heartsill) Banks. For several generations the Banks family has resided in America, progenitors of the family in this country having come from England in 1722, locating in Elbert county, Georgia. The father, W. L. Banks, has for many years engaged in farming and is now residing in retirement in Hickory Ridge, this state, at the age

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of fifty-two years. He has always been prominent in the public life of the communities in which he resided. He is a stanch advocate of education and is a member of the board of directors of the State Agricultural School. On the 31st of December, 1890, at Marshall, Texas, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Banks to Miss Lucy Heartsill, whose demise occurred in 1919, at the age of forty-seven years. The maternal ancestors came from Holland in 1795, members of this family having been prominent in American history for some five generations. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Banks four children were born, three boys and one girl, but one hoy and the girl have died. George H., whose name initiates this review, was the eldest of the family.

In the acquirement of his early education George H. Banks attended the country schools of Shelby county, Tennessee, and for one year attended the Parham School at Benton, this state. He took a preparatory course in the Fitzgerald & Clark School at Trenton, Tennessee, and was a student at the University of Arkansas from 1910 to 1911. In 1914 he was graduated from the University of Missouri, at Columbia, that state, with the B. S. degree. Subsequently Mr. Banks took postgraduate work in the University of Wisconsin. In 1914 he started his career as an educator, accepting a position as teacher at Bolton College, Brunswick, Tennessee, a position in which he was active one year. At the termination of that time he went to Villisca, Iowa, as principal of the schools at that point, and he remained there until 1917. He was engaged in extension work for the University of Arkansas during 1917 and 1918, and was in the service of the United States navy for eight months during the World war. From 1919 to 1920 he was engaged in farming in Cross county, Arkansas, and on the 1st of January, 1921, he came to Parkin as superintendent of schools, in which position he is now active. He is well fitted to carry out the duties devolving upon him in this capacity, and although being in charge but a short time he has brought the school to a high state of efficiency. The school is now overcrowded, having an enrollment of three hundred and eighty-seven pupils and facilities for caring for but two hundred and fifty. Students come to this school from a radius of ten miles, making the trip in a bus each day, the bus being operated for their convenience at a nominal charge. The high school is accredited and the students may matriculate in any university in the country. Mr. Banks is not only active in educational affairs, but is a director in the Arkansas Cooperative Marketing Association for Cotton. He is likewise commissioner of the Parkin Road Improvement District Association and on the executive committee of the Cross County Farm Bureau.

On the 7th of July, 1917, occurred the marriage of Mr. Banks to Miss Gertrude Brodrick, daughter of E. G. Brodrick of Villisca, Iowa. To their union two boys have been born: David F., three years of age: and William Love, one year old.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church, and Mr. Banks has been a teacher in the Sunday school for years. Fraternally he is identified with Parkin Lodge, No. 680, F. & A. M., of Parkin, and along strictly professional lines he holds membership in the Arkansas State Educational Association and the Cross County Edu- cational Association. He is one of Parkin's most public-spirited and progressive citizens, and every man who knows him is his friend. He well merits the position he has attained as an educator and no man stands higher in this community for integrity and sterling worth.

D. B. CASTLEBERRY.

D. B. Castleberry, attorney at law, who is now serving as mayor of Booneville and manifests a most progressive spirit in the conduct of his law practice and in the discharge of his official duties, is classed with those men whose native strength of character and acquired ability have brought them prominently to the front in public relations. Mr. Castleberry is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Marshall county, that state, May 11, 1845. His grandfather, James Castleberry, had removed in an early day from North Carolina to Kentucky and had there devoted his attention to farming throughout the remainder of his life. He was the father of Wesley S. Castle- berry, who was born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, in 1813 and became a farmer, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits until he died August 2, 1845, at the comparatively early age of thirty-two years. He had married Isabelle Larimer, who was born near Shelbyville, Tennessee, in 1817, and was a daughter of John Larimer, who was born in Tennessee, but in early life removed to Kentucky, where he, too, carried on farming. His daughter, Mrs. Wesley S. Castleberry, survived her husband for a number of years, departing this life June 11. 1863. She never married again, but lived a widow to the time of her demise. Her husband was a school teacher at an early day. but later concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming. In politics he was a democrat. The family of this worthy couple numbered three children, but only

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two are living, the elder being John W. Castleberry, who was born in Kentucky in 1842 and entered the Confederate army during the early progress of the Civil war, serving throughout the period of hostilities. Several years ago he came to Booneville, Arkansas, and filled the office of county judge, while at the present time he is serving as justice of the peace, although practically living retired. Iu former years he carried on farming and through his agricultural pursuits won the competence that now enables him largely to rest from further labor.

D. B. Castleberry received but limited educational opportunities. He attended the common schools for only four or five months and then at the age of eighteen years, or in 1863, joined the Confederate army, becoming a member of Company G, Third Ken- tucky Regiment of Mounted Infantry. This command was attached to Forrest's cavalry forces, and Mr. Castleberry was captured by Wilson's cavalry on the 31st of March. 1865, which was the last battle fought by the cavalry troops under General Forrest. He received a furlough on the 14th of April of that year and walked all the way home from Montgomery, Alabama, to Kentucky, reaching his destination on the 11th of May. Immediately he took up farm work, nor did he scorn any labor that would bring to him an honest dollar, for he had arrived home penniless. His mother had a small tract of land, which he and his two brothers farmed, but it was all one could do to make a living there. He continued to devote his attention to the cultivation of the land until 1866, when he went to Texas, where he was employed on a farm and at other manual labor until 1868. That year witnessed his arrival in Benton county, Arkansas, and throughout the intervening period he has lived in this state.

In 1869 D. B. Castleberry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Latimer, who was horn in Missouri, a daughter of Dr. G. W. Latimer, who for a number of years engaged in the practice of medicine in Benton county, Arkansas. After his marriage various pursuits occupied the attention of Mr. Castleberry, and later he took up the study of law, reading privately under the direction of attorneys of this locality until admitted to the bar in 1901. He has since continuously engaged in practice, covering more than two decades, and has won a satisfactory place at the Logan county bar, now having a large clientage that connects him with much important litigation heard in the courts of this district. He also owns farm property and is a stockholder in the Bank of Booneville.

Mr. Castleberry and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He is also a Mason and has served for six consecutive years as master of his lodge. Polit- ically he is a democrat and for eleven years has been mayor of Booneville-a record which indicates most clearly his capability and efficiency in office and his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. His administration has been characterized by close study of the needs of the city and practical methods in meeting the highest civic standards and ideals. He has made a most excellent record in office and also in his business and professional career. He has never had a dollar given him, but by persistent effort has worked his way steadily upward, advancing step by step, winning both a creditable name and place in connection with the professional and public interests of his city and county.

W. R. MARTIN.

W. R. Martin of Fort Smith, recognized as one of the leading attorneys of Arkansas, was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the 6th of February, 1865. The period of his minority was passed in his native state and when he had mastered the elementary branches of learning he continued his studies in the University of Alabama, in which he pursued an academic course, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts at his graduation in 1882, while the following year the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. In further preparation for a professional career he entered the law department of the University of Virginia and attained his LL. B. degree in 1884.

Returning to his native city, Mr. Martin there opened an office and entered upon the active practice of his profession in the month of June, but on the 2d of May, 1885, removed to Arkansas, settling in Fort Smith, where he has since made his home. Ad- vancement at the bar is proverbially slow, yet no dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon gained recognition of his ability and for many years his practice has been extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected, but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argu- ment, all combine to make him one of the capable lawyers practicing at the Arkansas

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bar, and his name is associated with much notable litigation heard in the courts of his district.

Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sue Bozman, a danghter of J. A. Bozman of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and they have become the parents of six children, two of whom have passed away, while four are yet living, namely: Mrs. Sue Williams of Fort Smith; Mrs. Julia Conlson of Detroit; Mrs. Ann Ross of Fort Smith; and Mary, at home.

During the World war Mr. Martin served on varions committees in soliciting funds for financing the war and upholding the interests of the government and was active in connection with the Red Cross. Although he had no sons to give to his country, all three of his sons-in-law were in the service, Mr. Ross being a member of the Marine Corps and wedding Ann Martin after his return. Mr. Williams was in the aviation branch of the service, and Mr. Coulson was connected with the navy. In all matters pertaining to public welfare Mr. Martin displays an intelligent and helpful interest. He belongs to the Business Men's Club, with which he has been identified since it was first organized. He is also well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of Pythias. His life is guided by the teachings and high purposes of these societies, and his sterling character worth commands the respect and confidence of all, while his professional abilities have gained him high standing among the leading attorneys of the state.

CEPHAS L. BARTON.

The progressive spirit which dominates certain of the growing cities of Arkansas has its root in the enterprise and landable ambition of its business men. Among the representatives of this class in Camden is Cephas L. Barton, the general manager of the Coco-Cola Bottling Company and president of the Camden Chamber of Commerce. He is recognized as a dynamic force in the business development of the city and the advance- ment of its civic standards. Mr. Barton was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 10, 1888, and is a son of Isaac B. and Anna E. (Anthony) Barton, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was born in Georgia. They were married near Carters- ville, Georgia, in 1876. The father was a planter in the south for a number of years, and in the spring of 1888 went to the eastern states to look over the conntry, but after spending a year in Boston he returned to Georgia and continued to devote his attention to farming and trading until about ten years ago, when he removed to Atlanta, where he has since lived retired.

Cephas L. Barton was educated in the Cartersville high school, and after completing his studies secured a clerkship in the Park Hotel at that place, remaining in the position for eighteen months. He then became identified with the drug trade as a clerk in the Auditorium Pharmacy at Atlanta, Georgia, there continuing for a period of three years, at the end of which time he accepted a position with the Marshall & Pendegrast Phar- macy, with which he was associated for two years. He next became identified with the Coco-Cola Company at Atlanta, Georgia, and was sent to Arkansas as the state repre- sentative of that corporation. In this important position he served for two and a half years, and in June, 1917, he came to Camden, where he took over the management of the Coco-Cola Bottling Company's plant. He entered upon the duties of the position at a time when the business had declined to a low ebh through mismanagement and was all but defunct. The enterprise was losing money heavily, and the company was doing business in a rented ramshackle building. They had a team of mules and an old horse for their delivery service. When Mr. Barton took charge new life was infused into the enterprise, and the changes have been continuons. Today the company does business in a new modern building, erected under Mr. Barton's management, and the company now owns four automobile trucks, while other equipment is equally modern and attractive. This is today one of the largest and most successful plants of its kind in the state, dne to the enterprise, energy and keen business sagacity of Mr. Barton. In all business affairs he readily discriminates between the essential and the non-essential, and his sound judgment is manifest in the results which have been achieved.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 52

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