Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 57

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 57

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).

Irvin T. Sims, who is engaged in merchandising in Hazen, was born in Audrain county, Missouri, October 26, 1876, his parents being John and Melinda (Crockett) Sims. The father came to Hazen about thirty-four years ago and has been a prominent factor in the business life of the city for many years. He has devoted the major part of his time to the purchase and shipment of grain and has also engaged extensively in dealing in cattle. His business affairs have been wisely, carefully and successfully conducted, and his position is that of an honored and representative citizen not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward and progressive business policy which he has ever followed. He was also widely known as one of the pioneer rice cultivators of the state and assisted materially in developing rice produc- tion in this section. He was among the first to plant large acreages to rice and dem- onstrated the possibilities in this connection. His first wife was of the noted Crockett family and was a kinswoman of Davy Crockett. Following her death Mr. Sims married Sallie Dooley. To John and Melinda (Crockett) Sims there were horn seven children, six of whom are now living, namely: Samuel C., who at one time was state senator of Arkansas and is represented elsewhere in this work; J. F., who was formerly sheriff of Prairie county and is now engaged in the banking business; Mrs. Oswell Nail, living at Biscoe, Arkansas; Mrs. F. G. Harris, a resident of Columbia, Missouri; J. H., of Little Rock; and Irvin T.

Irvin T. Sims was educated at Hazen and in early life became a stockman, while later he engaged in dealing in hay. He likewise gave his attention in part to the cultivation of a rice plantation and established a mercantile business in Hazen, which he still successfully conducts. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to creditable and profitable completion, and his enterprise and industry enables him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles that may har his path. He is now a director and the vice president of the New Bank of Hazen and figures most prominently in connection with all of the business affairs which have claimed his time and energy.

Mr. Sims was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Brockway, a daughter of David and Rebecca (Balance) Brockway, who were at one time residents of McDonough county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Sims have been born two children: John P. and Marguerite Imogene. The son married Susan P. Screeton, of Hazen, a daughter of S. E. Screeton.

Fraternally Mr. Sims is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks but has never sought to figure prominently and hoth within and without the organization he is held in high esteem. He is regarded as a most progressive and representative business man, and his activities have been of benefit to his section of the state. As a citizen he stands for all that makes for improvement and advancement and he justly deserves classification with the representative men of Prairie county.

G. C. McKENNON, D. D. S.

A well equipped office and marked skill in practice have enabled Dr. G. C. McKennon to gain a position of prominence in the ranks of the dental fraternity of Russellville, with which he has been identified for over a quarter of a century, heing the dean of his profession in Pope county. He is a native son of Arkansas and a member of one of the old and highly respected families of the state. His birth occurred at Clarksville on the 13th of November, 1869, and his parents were A. S. and Virginia (Berry) McKennon, the former of whom was born in Pulaski county, Tennessee, in 1841, while the latter was a native of Virginia. The father received limited educational advantages and when a youth of seventeen came to Arkansas, securing a position as clerk in a store at Carrollton. He was called to public office, serving as sheriff of Carroll county, and later he removed to Clarksville, becoming one of the leading merchants of that place. Subsequently he completed a course in law and successfully followed his profession at Clarksville, building up a large practice and winning recognition as an able attorney.

358

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

He served as prosecuting attorney and also represented Johnson county in the state legislature, being urged to accept still higher public offices, but refused. He was appointed by President Cleveland a member of the Dawes commission at McAlester, Oklahoma, and for nine years was identified with that body, after which he became attorney for the Seminole Indians, with headquarters at Wewoka, Oklahoma. He also conducted a law office at McAlester, Oklahoma, and was one of the most prominent men of that state and also of Arkansas. While residing in the Bear state he was elected prosecuting attorney of his district, which comprised the western tier of counties lying between Little Rock and Fort Smith, this being during the early days when lawlessness held sway in the state. He waged a determined warfare against evildoers and within a few years succeeded in eliminating crime from this section, thus reducing the necessity for holding court in these various counties from four weeks per term to a week or ten days. It was also owing to his untiring efforts that every saloon between Little Rock and Van Buren, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles, was forced out of business. He was a strong prohibitionist and did more to promote the cause than any one man either in Arkansas or Oklahoma. Although his educational opportunities were extremely meager,during his youth, he was a close student and a keen observer and he became in his later years an exceptionally well informed man. He was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served as a captain in the Confederate army, and was captured at Port Hudson, being a prisoner on Johnson's island at the close of the conflict. He gave un- faltering support to the democratic party and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. In Masonry he attained the honorary thirty- third degree and was an exemplary representative of the craft. He was deeply interested in the cause of education and was the first president of the board of trustees of Hendrix College, giving to the students of that institution a medal for high scholarship-a gift that is continued by the subject of this review. He died at McAlester, Oklahoma, on the 20th of September, 1920, at the age of seventy-nine, having for many years survived his first wife, whose demise had occurred in 1874, when she was but thirty-five years of age. She was a sister of Senator James H. Berry of Bentonville, Arkansas, who is represented elsewhere in this work. To the first union were born five children, of whom three survive; Mrs. Minnie Mulcahey, a resident of Chicago, Illinois; G. C., of this review; and Mrs. Gene Towell, whose home is at Hot Springs, Arkansas. Following the death of his first wife, Mr. McKennon married Miss Hannah Basham, a sister of J. H. Basham of Clarksville, and she is also deceased. They became the parents of nine children, of whom five are living, namely: P. D., a leading dentist of Fort Smith, Arkansas: Mrs. Basham Brice, who resides in Colorado; Mrs Rose Leinbach of Onaga, Kansas: Mrs. Louise Mourning, who lives at MeAlester, Oklahoma; and Mrs. R. L. Kilgore, a resident of Wichita Falls, Texas.

In the acquirement of an education G. C. MeKennon attended the grammar and high schools of Clarksville, after which he was for two years a student at the Arkansas State University. He then entered the dental college of Vanderbilt University at Nashville. Tennessee, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1895, and in the same year opened an office in Russellville, although he had previously practiced at points in Texas and Oklahoma during vacation periods. Throughout the intervening period of twenty- seven years he has maintained the same office and has devoted his life to the profession, being the oldest practicing dentist in Pope county. He possesses the mechanical skill and ingenuity which are so essential in this profession and adds thereto a comprehensive knowledge of the broad scientific principles upon which his work rests. As time has passed his practice has enjoyed a continuous growth and it is now one of large propor- tions. He also has other interests, being a director of the Peoples Exchange Bank, and he likewise owns two valuable pieces of property in the business section of Russellville.

In 1895 Dr. MeKennon was united in marriage to Miss Rose Griffin, who was born near Clarksville, a daughter of B. F. Griffin, who was at one time county treasurer of Johnson county, Arkansas. They have become the parents of four sons: Frank Archi- bald, a prominent dentist of Waxahachie, Texas: Berry Peel, who is assistant to the chief clerk of the Rock Island Railroad freight office at Little Rock; George C., Jr., who for the past three years has been a student in the dental college of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee; and Forrest Lee, who is attending high school.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and they reside in an attractive home standing in the midst of twelve acres of land on the outskirts of Russellville, the property being owned by Dr. MeKennon. Like his father, he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, while his fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias, and of the last named organization he has been chancellor commander. When he arrived in Russellville his financial resources were extremely limited and he was obliged to borrow the sum of one hundred dollars in order to furnish his office, but his enterprising spirit, unfaltering purpose and pronounced

359

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

ability were invaluable assets, and as the years have passed he has worked his way steadily to the front in his profession, being numbered among Russellville's self-made men and most valued citizens.

VICTOR ANDERSON.

Victor Anderson, an alert, energetic business man, now general manager of the Fort Smith Brick Company, with offices in the Merchants National Bank building, is a native son of this state, his birth having occurred in Van Buren, Arkansas, in 1880. No special events occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood, which was largely devoted to the acquirement of a public school education in Fort Smith. He mastered the work of successive grades until he had completed three years in high school and also a business course. In early manhood he filled the office of deputy United States marshal and most loyally and capably performed the duties of that position. It was in 1914 that he entered the service of the Fort Smith Brick Company as a salesman, and thoroughly acquainting himself with the work and manifesting marked capability and adaptability, he was advanced to the position of sales manager in 1917.

The Fort Smith Brick Company was organized as the Burke Brick Company by the Burke brothers, who secured an extensive contract for paving the streets of Fort Smith. The wonderful quality of shale found in this vicinity, especially adapted to the manufacture of brick, resulted in making a splendid finished product, used in paving the streets, and thus the brickmaking industry became a firmly established enterprise of Fort Smith. The entire output of the original factory was used for street paving for some time, but later was used for construction work. Among the buildings that have been built with the product of the Fort Smith Brick Company are the new dormitory of Galloway College at Searcy, Arkansas; the high school building at Little Rock: the station of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad and the Frisco station at Durant, Oklahoma: the station of the Midland Valley Railroad at Fort Smith; the Frisco station at Hugo, Oklahoma: the plant of the Cooke-Boyd Motor Company at Fort Worth, Texas; the Bank of Commerce at EI Dorado, Arkansas; the hospital at El Dorado; the high school at De Valls Bluff. Arkansas; the federal post office at Rogers, Arkansas; and many residences throughout this and other states. In the position of general manager Mr. Anderson has greatly developed the business, which is now one of very gratifying proportions. He has constantly studied the trade and striven to extend the commercial activity of the company and the results achieved have been most grati- fying and satisfactory to the corporation which he represents.

LUCIEN S. RAMSEUR.

Lucien S. Ramseur, who is widely recognized as one of the leading and representa- tive business men of Hot Springs, has since February, 1912, occupied the important position of manager of the local branch of the Scott-Mayer Commission Company, whole- sale grocers and dealers in fruits and produce. His birth occurred in Augusta, Arkansas, on the 4th of November, 1877, his parents being Colonel Lee M. and Mary I. (Bland) Ramseur, the former an officer of the Confederate army during the Civil war. Colonel Ramseur, who was long numbered among the prominent attorneys of Augusta, this state, is deceased, but the mother survives and now makes her home with her son, Lucien S.

In the acquirement of an education Lucien S. Ramseur attended the public schools of his native city, Center College of Danville, Kentucky, and the University of Arkansas. Thus well equipped, he started out upon his husiness career in 1897, when a young man of twenty years, as shipping clerk in the employ of the Scott-Mayer Commission Com- pany of Little Rock, with which he was identified through the succeeding nine years. In 1906 he resigned his position and went on the road for the American Tohacco Com- pany in Texas territory, being thus engaged for about one year. It was in 1908 that he came to Hot Springs as assistant manager of the branch of the Scott-Mayer Com,- mission Company here and four years later was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the manager. He has filled the responsible position of manager at Hot Springs for nearly a decade and the business has continued to prosper under his able direction, the Scott-Mayer Company regarding him as one of its most efficient and successful representatives.

In June, 1914, Mr. Ramseur was united in marriage to Miss Helen Anderson of

360

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Statesville, North Carolina, and they have become parents of a daughter, Martha Helen. Fraternally Mr. Ramseur is identified with the Masons, belonging to Hot Springs Lodge, No. 62, A. F. & A. M .; Hot Springs Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; and Hot Springs Com- mandery, No. 5, Knights Templar. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist church, in which he is serving as steward and to which his wife also belongs. He is likewise connected with the Rotary Club and with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a college fraternity. His life has been spent in Arkansas, and through the wise utilization of his opportunities he has won a most creditable position in business circles of Hot Springs.

WILLIAM D. FOSTER, M. D.

In 1900 Dr. William D. Foster retired from the active practice of medicine and he is now serving as postmaster of the little city of Gravette, his services in this con- nection heing of the highest character. He is a native son of Arkansas. his birth having occurred at Pea Ridge on the 12th of November, 1853. His father. George R. Foster, was a prominent agriculturist who came to this state in 1842 and resided here until 1905, when his demise occurred at the age of eighty-five years. He was born in Bedford countv. Tennessee, in 1820, and was the son of Thomas Foster, who is also buried in Pea Ridge. A contemporary writer says of Thomas Foster: "Thomas Foster was the head of the delegation of Fosters who set out with ox-teams to make the journey from Bedford county to Arkansas, coming by way of St. Louis to Arkansas and casting anchor, so to sneak, at Pea Ridge. Arkansas, afterward (in 1862) made famous as the battle ground of the Federal and Confederate forces. The Foster settlement proved a permanent one. and it gave Benton county a family name which has been perpetuated here during the succeeding generations."

George R. Foster, the father of our subject, was a veteran of the Mexican war. having joined the service from Tennessee when a young man. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war his sympathies were with the Union, and conditions in Arkansas were such that he found it necessary to send his family to take refuge in Union territory. During their absence his property was destroyed by the invading forces. He had a son, Elias, who died in Kansas at the close of the war, and his stepson, George Jones, wore the blue in the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, both offering their lives as a sacrifice that the Union might be preserved. Mr. Foster married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, a widow. She was a daughter of George Parsons. She had a son, George, bv her former marriage. and, as before stated, he died shortly after the war from disabilities received and is buried at Fort Smith Mrs. Foster's demise occurred in September, 1897, when seventy- seven years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster the following children were born: Elias; Dr. J. S., a practicing physician of Seligman, Missouri: Dr. William D., whose name initiates this review; Jacob Allen, a retired farmer of Sparrow, Oklahoma; Margaret Heaston, a widow residing in Miami, Oklahoma; Ellen, whose demise occurred in 1910 in Miami. Oklahoma; Alice, deceased, who was the wife of Rev. Charles Wade; Edgar. farming the old home place at Pea Ridge and also traveling; and Mrs. Rettie Tatum, who married George Tatum, a prominent merchant of Anderson, Missouri.

In the acquirement of an education Dr. William D. Foster, whose name initiates this review, is indebted to the public schools of Pea Ridge and to the college at that place Upon putting his textbooks aside he engaged in teaching school for a short time, but his choice of a career was given to the medical profession, and he commenced study under the direction of Dr. A. Chenoweth of Pineville, Missouri. Later he removed to Exeter, Missouri, where he subsequently engaged in the drug business, at the same time attending lectures in the Joplin College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1881 he removed to Nebo, where he established an office, and when the railroad caused the estab- lishment of Gravette he removed to that town. For a period of about twenty years Dr. Foster was active in professional circles, but he retired from the practice of medi- cine in 1900 unon his appointment to the office of postmaster. He was active in that capacity until June 30. 1914. and the next seven years he followed the real estate and brokerage business. He achieved a substantial success in that connection and was well versed in land valuations. On the 18th of June, 1921. he was again appointed post- master and assumed the duties of that office, July 1. 1921. Dr. Foster's interests have been varied and for some six years he was engaged, as a side issue, in thoroughbred horse breeding. He owns several farms and his efforts are for the most part directed toward the development of race stock. Dr Foster won distinction as the first importer of fine hogs in the county, and so many have followed his example as to give Benton county a highly improved breed of swine. The raising of swine has consequently become a great profit-making industry for the farmer.

361

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

On the 20th of June, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Foster and Miss Mary Hartman, who was born in Pendleton county, West Virginia, in 1858. Her parents were Ahia and Mary (Cassell) Hartman. One daughter, Tallie, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Foster. She married James P. Sparks and became the mother of Florence and Clayton Foster Sparks. Mrs. Sparks died 'on the 26th of November, 1905, at Gravette, and her children are being reared in the home of their grandparents.

Since attaining his majority Dr. Foster has been a stanch supporter of the repub- lican party, and a contemporary writer says of him: "Dr. Foster has ever been known for his political opinions and convictions, and for being a republican he has no apology to offer, having always given an enthusiastic and whole-hearted allegiance to the men and measures for which the 'Grand Old Party' stands sponsor. His first political appoint- ment was in 1891, when he was made one of the Benton county board of pension exam- iners, and he was obliged to yield his position to a democrat when Cleveland entered the White House a second time. President Mckinley restored him to rank again, and he went from examining board to post office in 1901. He has witnessed the change from a third to a second class office and bears a commission from President Roosevelt and another from President Taft." Dr. Foster has been republican state committeeman from Benton county and has been a member of the county committee, serving for ten years. He is likewise a member of the Gravette school board, having defeated a democrat for the place in a democratic territory. He served two years as mayor of the city.

Socially Dr. Foster finds pleasure and profit in his lodge relations. He is a Mason, being a member of both the chapter and commandery; an Odd Fellow and former dele- gate to the Grand Lodge; and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is a consistent member of the Baptist church of Gravette, and he was a dominant factor in the organ- ization of that congregation. Dr. Foster believes that every public office is a public trust and he has won the esteem of the community by reason of his faithful discharge of all matters of trust and his high standards of citizenship.

WILLIAM M. JONES.

One of the well-known newspaper men of Columbia county is William M. Jones, who for seven years has been active in the conduct of the Columbia Banner at Magnolia. A native of York county, South Carolina, his hirth occurred on the 14th of March, 1869, a son of B. C. and Susan E. (Sturgis) Jones. His father, whose death occurred in 1885 at the age of fifty years, was for many years one of the prominent merchants and stockmen of Winnsboro, Texas, where he resided until his demise. When just a boy he enlisted in the Civil war and served throughout that conflict, participating in many of the most important engagements. The Jones family are for many generations back of American descent, and for many years they resided in North Carolina. In York county, South Carolina, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jones to Miss Susan E. Sturgis, a native of that county, of Welsh descent, her ancestors having come from Wales to America prior to the Revolutionary war. Some years after the death of Mr. Jones Mrs. Jones was married to James Johnson, now deceased, and she is making her home with a daughter near Warren, being hale and hearty at the age of seventy-five years.

In the acquirement of an education William M Jones attended the public schools of Warren and later entered Ouachita College at Arkadelphia. In 1897 he was graduated from that institution, receiving his A. B. degree. For thirteen years Mr. Jones engaged in teaching school in Bradley, Lincoln and Columbia counties, the last two years of that time being spent as an instructor in the schools of Magnolia. In 1901 he gave up teaching and went into the drug business at Magnolia, under the name of the W. M. Jones Drug Company, which business he conducted successfully until 1912. During that time he hecame a registered pharmacist, having studied at home and acquired some knowledge along that line while attending college. From 1912 to 1914 he went on the road as traveling salesman for the Arkadelphia Melting Company, his territory being southern Arkansas, and in the latter year, resigning his position, he entered the news- paper business at Magnolia. Mr. Jones purchased the Columbia Banner, which was established in 1878 and is one of the oldest newspapers in the state, and he has since been active in its publication. The Columbia Banner is one of the most popular sheets in the county and has an extensive circulation. The paper is known for the high and honorable policies it maintains and it readily champions every cause for the develop- ment and improvement of the general welfare. Mr. Jones is one of the public-spirited citizens of Magnolia and has been chief executive of this community for one term, his administration being marked by general development and prosperity.

At Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on the 22d of November, 1897, was celebrated the marriage

362

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

of Mr. Jones to Miss Mollie C. Cannon, a daughter of B. F. Cannon of Hempstead county. She is a woman of much culture and refinement and a leader in the club and social circles of Magnolia. She is a graduate of Central College at Conway, which institution con- ferred upon her the degree of A. B. Mrs. Jones is now active in educational work, being an instructor in English in the Third District Agricultural School. She has done more or less writing and is an active member of the Authors and Composers Club of Little Rock. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jones one son has been born, William J., Jr., nine years of age.

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 57

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