Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 58

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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The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Jones is a deacon. Fraternally he is identified with Columbia Lodge, No. 82, A. F. & A. M., and he is likewise a member of the Woodmen of the World.

DAVID P. PROCTOR, M. D.

Dr. David P. Proctor, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Carlisle, comes to Arkansas from the neighboring state of Missouri and is one of the young physicians whom many an older representative of the profession might well envy. In touch with the most progressive methods in the practice of medicine and surgery, he is making steady progress in his chosen life work and his ability is attested by many. He was born in Palmyra, Missouri, in 1896, a son of E. M. and Frances (Forsythe) Proctor, the former also a native of Palmyra, Missouri, while his parents were from Kentucky. The mother was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was brought to the west at an early day. E. M. Proctor is a successful lumberman who has conducted business along that line for an extended period. To him and his wife were born four children.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. Proctor attended the public schools of Car- lisle, his parents having removed to this place during his boyhood, and passing through consecutive grades, he completed the high school course. He afterward returned to his native state and attended the William Jewell College, while later he hecame a student in the University of Arkansas, in which he spent two years. He then entered upon preparation for his chosen profession as a medical student in Tulane University at New Orleans, and there won his M. D. degree. Immediately afterward he located for practice in Carlisle, where he has since remained, and his ability is attested by his growing practice. He is very careful and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and most thorough in diagnosing his cases.

Dr. Proctor was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Birkhead, a daughter of Dr. Birkhead of Cabot, Arkansas. They occupy an enviable social position and their own home is noted for its warm-hearted hospitality.

HENRY L. VEAZEY.

Henry L. Veazey, a man of liberal education and high professional attainments, is numbered among the leading representatives of the Monticello bar, with which he has been identified since 1903, and is recognized as a leader of public thought and opinion in this part of the state. A native son of Arkansas and a member of one of the pioneer families of the state, he was born near Warren, in Bradley county, on the 15th of June, 1867, of the marriage of Fielding and Nancy (Howard) Veazey, both natives of North Carolina, the former of Scotch ancestry and the latter of English origin. The mother was a lineal descendant of John Howard, a noted prison reformer of England. Mr. and Mrs. Veazey were married in North Carolina an eight of their eleven children were born in that state. In 1859 the family came to Arkansas, first locating in Bradley county, and on New Year's day of 1860 they moved into the home in which the subject of this review was born. While a resident of North Carolina, Mr. Veazey had engaged in farming, being the owner of a number of slaves, whom he brought to Arkansas to assist in the cultivation of his plantation in Bradley county. He was a Confederate veteran and three of his sons also served in the Civil war, one of whom, Thomas, lost his life in that conflict. He died on his farm in August, 1884. The mother's demise occurred in April, 1896. They were members of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Veazey served as a deacon, and he was one of the leading residents of his community, being highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. .

Henry L. Veazey attended both public and private schools, devoting three years to the study of music, and as the years have passed he has spent much time in reading and investigation, storing his mind with valuable and useful information. In 1886

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he secured a teacher's license, but did not take up educational work until two years later, when he became an instructor in the schools of Calhoun county, this state, with which he was connected for two years. In 1891 he came to Drew county and for five years taught school at Lacy and for one year at Monticello, heing very successful as an educator. For some time he had heen desirous of joining the legal profession, and in 1890 he began reading law, being admitted to the bar in 1903. He has since engaged in practice at Monticello and in the intervening period his clientele has steadily in- creased as he has demonstrated his professional ability. He is well versed in the law, readily quotes precedents, and adheres to high standards in professional service. His mind is analytical and logical in its trend and he displays keen discrimination in the solution of intricate legal problems. He possesses marked oratorical ability and is regarded as one of the ablest platform speakers in southeastern Arkansas. His services are much in demand in this connection and he has probably delivered more public addresses than any other man in this part of the state. He has used his talents to further worthy measures and was a leader of the cause of prohibition and also of the movement to establish higher educational standards in the state. Twenty years ago he strongly advocated the consolidation of schools and within recent years this work has been accomplished, about eight schools having been consolidated in Drew county alone. He is recognized as a man of sound and well balanced judgment, who looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future, and in all that he undertakes he is actuated hy high ideals, utilizing practical methods in their attainment.

On the 20th of December, 1894, Mr. Veazey was united in mariage to Miss Minnie Lee Hillman of Lacy, Arkansas, and they have become the parents of twelve children. ten of whom survive, namely: Hubert Lamar, an expert automobile mechanic, residing at El Dorado, Arkansas; James Fielding, who is attending a commercial college; Velma B., a student at a normal school in southern Ohio; Bessie, the wife of Shannon Bell of Harrisburg, Arkansas; and Willis Leon, Ruby B., Madeline, Lewis H., Catherine and Billie, all of whom are still at home.

The family are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Veazey is serving as super- intendent of one of the Sunday schools. His fraternal connections are with the Wood- men of the World and the Tribe of Ben Hur. Endowed hy nature with a keen intellect. he has used his well-developed powers not only to further his individual interest, hnt also to advance the public welfare along lines which are constituting effective forces in ad- vancing the world's civilization, and he is a man whom to know is to esteem and admire.

J. J. SMITH, M. D.

Dr. J. J. Smith, actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Paris, was born in northern Alabama, January 7, 1854, and is a son of Arthur F. and Mary Jane (Adams) Smith, who were also natives of northern Alabama. His paternal grandfather married a Miss Frazier and both were natives of North Carolina. whence they removed to Kentucky, afterward to Tennessee and eventually settled in the wilderness of northern Alabama, casting in their lot with the pioneers who first planted the seeds of civilization there. After residing for a time in northern Alabama, follow- ing their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Smith removed to Franklin county, Arkansas, in the spring of 1860, and there the father owned and developed a farm and also worked to some extent along mechanical lines. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all personal and business considerations and joined the Confederate army, dying at the front on the 3d of April, 1863, when forty-three years of age, his hirth having occurred in 1820. His wife, who was born in 1828, survived him until 1896. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: J. J .; H. A., who occupies the old home farm in Franklin; Frank, a retired farmer living in Paris; A. M., who is engaged in medical practice with his eldest hrother; and Mary A., the wife of L. C. Gammill of Wetumka, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in law practice. The parents were members of the Baptist church and enjoyed the high respect of all with whom they came into contact.

J. J. Smith acquired his early education in one of the little, primitive schools of Franklin county, Arkansas, and after putting aside his textbooks as a student he devoted three years to teaching. He had heen reared to farm life and in vacation periods had always worked in the fields. He regarded teaching, however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to enter upon the practice of medicine and eventually he saw the beginning of the fulfillment of his hopes when he became a student in the medical college of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was graduated in 1879. Desiring still further to perfect himself for his chosen calling, he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia,

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Pennsylvania, and was there graduated in 1891. He practiced in Logan county, Ar- kansas, and in 1899 removed to Paris, where he opened an office. In the early days he rode horseback over a wide territory in order to respond to the call of his patients. Today he has a large and successful practice in Paris, and his ability is widely acknowl- edged, for from time to time he has taken postgraduate work in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans and Boston, and in this way and through wide private reading he has kept thoroughly informed concerning the latest methods and scientific researches of the profession. He is today the oldest practicing physician in Logan county and his ability prevents any one winning from him his position of professional leadership. He now devotes practically all of his time to surgery and is most thoroughly skilled and efficient in this field. His name is likewise well known in financial circles, for he has been the president of the American Bank & Trust Company for the past fifteen years.

In 1880 Dr. Smith was married to Miss Ida Childers, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Isaac Childers, who died while serving in the Union army. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian church and a most estimable lady. Dr. Smith has always voted with the democratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office have never had attraction for him. He has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and atten- tion upon his professional duties, which have constantly developed in volume and impor- tance as the years have passed. Today he concentrates largely upon surgery and is conducting a well-equipped hospital, which was built in 1911 and has a capacity of fifteen beds. Dr. Smith belongs to the Logan County and Arkansas State Medical Societies, also to the American Medical Association, was the president of the Tenth Councilor District Medical Society in 1920, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His name has become a synonym for marked efficiency and ability in his chosen profession and he enjoys in large measure the confidence and good will of his colleagues and contemporaries.

ALVIN STERLING GARDNER.

Alvin Sterling Gardner, who as secretary of the Building Materials Corporation occupies an enviable position in the business circles of Little Rock, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, November 19, 1880, and is a son of Robert M. and Mary E. (Farrell) Gardner. He acquired his early education in the graded schools of his native city and afterward attended . the Christian Brothers College of St. Louis, while later he pursued a commercial course in the St. Louis Business College. After thus thoroughly qualifying for the activities and responsibilities of life he obtained employment in connection with the hardware business and through the succeeding five years was in the service of such mammoth concerns as the Simmons Hardware Company and the Shapleigh Hardware Company, both of St. Louis.

Severing his connection with the hardware trade, Mr. Gardner spent the suc- ceeding six years in the lumber manufacturing business and in 1905 came to Little Rock as manager of the hardware and paint department of the Charles T. Abeles Company of that city, remaining with that company until 1917. when he organized the Building Materials Corporation and became its secretary and manager-a position which he still fills. The extensive wholesale plant of the company is located on the railroad tracks at the foot of Rock street, where a large stock of building materials, paints, oil and varnish is at all times found. The corporation also conducts a retail store at Seventh and Main streets and they are sole distributors of the Peaslee-Gaulbert paints, the Pratt and Lambert varnishes, the Muresco wall tint and the Valdura asphalt roofing paint, together with other such high-grade products. Mr. Gardner will prob- ably make history for himself and for Arkansas by a varnish he has recently invented. This product has not yet been named nor a patent obtained, nor has it been placed upon the market. This product is a clear surface varnish that has been thoroughly tested and promises to revolutionize the trade. Severe tests made of the varnish prove that it will stand up under a stream of hoiling water without suffering a stain or mark and it has been tested with one hundred and eighty-eight per cent alcohol, the strongest ammonia and an extra strong muriatic acid-resisting all of them. The writer witnessed a test of this remarkable varnish, which had been placed upon a small board. Vinegar, muriatic acid, ammonia and alcohol were all rubbed into the surface one after the other, and when finally wiped dry no one single blur was found upon the wood and the polish was bright and undimmed. Mr. Gardner has been offered all sorts of propositions from varnish makers for an interest in his invention but so far has paid no attention to these proposals. That Arkansas will become famous by the manufacture of this product is beyond question.

In 1905 Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Doshie Grewell, a daughter of John R. Grewell of Potosi, Missouri. Mrs. Gardner is a graduate of Columbia College. Her

ALVIN S. GARDNER

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father comes from a pioneer family of Missouri and served gallantly in the Civil war. He is now a well known farmer of that state. Mrs. Gardner is a most wise and capable mother and active in church work, and in the School Improvement Society she is also a well known and influential factor. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have two chil- dren: Edith Eleanor, now a high school pupil, who possesses remarkable musical talent; and Helen Clydene, who is a pupil in the grades.

In his political views Mr. Gardner has always been a stalwart democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the Methodist church, South, and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Woodmen of the World. He has keen appreciation for the social amenities of life, is neglectful of no duty or obligation to his fellowmen or to the community and at the same time he is a most enterprising and progressive business man who already has made for himself a notable position in commercial circles, while the future seems to hold in store for him enviable success and prominence.

JOHN BAXTER.

John Baxter, one of the foremost attorneys in Chicot county and for the past five years a member of the Dermott bar, is a self-educated, self-made man, whose advance- ment has been won through self-denial, untiring effort and persistency of purpose. He is one of Arkansas' native sons, his birth having occurred in Drew county, four miles south of Monticello, on the 2d of June, 1887, and his parents were Robert M. and Virginia (Sanderlin) Baxter, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Georgia. The father is engaged in the lumber business at Winnsboro, Louisiana. The mother died in November, 1887.

John Baxter attended the Hinemon University School at Monticello, Arkansas, after which he entered the law department of the State University and was graduated from that institution on the 3d of June, 1912, heing admitted to practice before the supreme court on the same day. In order to secure his tuition fees he engaged in , teaching school. For two years after his graduation he devoted his attention to educational work, and in 1914 began his professional career, first locating at Hampton, Arkansas, where he remained for three years. In 1917 he came to Dermott and in the trial of cases entrusted to his care has won many favorable verdicts. Like all men who have achieved success in the best sense of the term, he has been an indefatigable worker and his legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the most capable lawyers who has ever practiced in Dermott. He is well qualified to handle important litigation and his clientele is a large one.

On the first of November, 1917, Mr. Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Edith Bailey of Little Rock, Arkansas, and they have many friends in Dermott. They are Baptists in religious faith and helpfully interested in the work of the church, Mr. Baxter being teacher of the men's Bible class. He has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities and in his practice has displayed a conscientious zeal and energy that have carried him steadily forward in his profession, while his upright policy and adherence to high standards have won for him the respect and confidence of his associates and also of the general public.

R. C. BOLLINGER.

One of the attractive commercial establishments of Fort Smith is the piano and music store of R. C. Bollinger. Carrying an excellent line of goods, Mr. Bollinger has built up a substantial trade and the spirit of enterprise and progress characterizes him in all that he does. He is considered the dean among the merchants of the city because of his long connection with the trade interests, while the activity and capable manage- ment which he has ever displayed have placed him in the front rank among the leaders in commercial circles.

Mr. Bollinger is a native son of Fort Smith, his parents being Samuel and Emilia (Grober) Bollinger. The father came to this city from Switzerland in the year 1854 and here established a general merchandise store, carrying everything from hardware to music. He remained an active factor in the business life of the community for more than three decades, or until the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife is a native of Saxony, Germany, and also came to the United States in 1854. She is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In the family were thirteen chil-

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dren, all of whom have passed away with the exception of three sons and two daughters. One brother, Henry Bollinger, is also engaged in the music business in Fort Smith, while the other brother, Samuel Bollinger, is a pianist and composer of St. Louis. He conducts a music conservatory and is considered one of the foremost American com- posers. R. C. Bollinger financed the education of his brother, who after studying for eight or ten years in this country went to Leipzig, Germany, where he continued his studies for six or seven years, completing his course in the Royal Conservatory of Music in Leipzig.

R. C. Bollinger spent his youthful days in Fort Smith, and the public schools of the city accorded him his educational opportunities. His initial business training was here received and he has always concentrated his efforts and attention along commercial lines. For forty-three years he has conducted the business which he now owns and he today occupies four floors of one of the leading business blocks of the city. His is considered the best music house in Fort Smith and he carries many makes of pianos and other musical instruments-in fact, keeps on hand everything that the trade demands, includ- ing a splendid line of sheet music. His own love of the art of music enables him to be of great assistance to his patrons in their purchases, and he has done not a little to develop and improve musical taste in the city. Moreover, he displays excellent business qualifications in the management of his store, his enterprise enabling him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties, while his indisputable commercial integrity has always stood as a strong feature in his success.

Mr. Bollinger was married in 1881 to Miss Emma Wegman of Fort Smith, and they have become parents of the following named: Clarence, who is identified with his father in business, now acting as manager of the store; Lillie, the wife of R. D. Parmenter, who is a violin teacher in Louisville, Kentucky; Emma, the wife of Tom Higgs, now living in Spokane, Washington; and Ida, the wife of Marvin Leard, manager of the Edison Shop at Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Mr. Bollinger belongs to the Advertisers' Club of Fort Smith, to the Business Men's Club, the Rotary Club and the Country Club. He is very fond of golf and finds his recreation and diversion on the links. His entire life has been passed in Fort Smith, and he certainly deserves representation in this volume as one of the native sons and representative citizens, for throughout his entire career he has been a loyal supporter of every interest for the public good and has given tangible evidence of his support of progressive public measures on many occasions. Moreover, his unfailing courtesy, his geniality and his kindly spirit have won for him a most extensive circle of friends, and all who know him speak of him in terms of respect and regard.

W. L. CURTIS.

W. L. Curtis, who has engaged in the practice of law since 1898, became a representa- tive of the Fort Smith bar on the 30th of June, 1916, and is today recognized as one of the prominent attorneys of the city, specializing largely in corporation law. He is a native of northwestern Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Newton county, March 6, 1874, his parents being J. H. and Sarah C. Curtis, who still reside on the old homestead in Newton county, where the father has long followed the occupation of farming.

The boyhood days of W. L. Curtis were passed in the usual manner of the farm- bred lad, who divides his time between the acquirement of a public school education, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. Later he had the advantage of a course in Jasper Academy and then started out to provide for his own support by serving as circuit court clerk of Newton county. While thus engaged he took up the study of law, devoting his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurispru- dence. In 1898 he was admitted to the bar and then opened an office in Sallisaw, Okla- homa, then a part of the Indian Territory, where he remained in active practice for almost two decades, or from 1898 until the 30th of June, 1916. During that period he built up and enjoyed an extensive practice, connecting him with much important litiga- tion tried in the courts of the district. He was also quite prominent in public affairs, served as county attorney and on three different occasions was elected mayor of Sallisaw, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration which greatly furthered public welfare. He was also chosen a member of the state legislature and gave thought- ful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement while in the general assembly. Seeking the broader field of labor offered in a larger city, Mr. Curtis removed to Fort Smith on the 30th of June, 1916, and through the intervening period of five years has successfully engaged in practice here. His clientage is large and of a distinctively representative character. He has to a considerable extent specialized in corporation law and is now trial attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company

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in Oklahoma, also general counsel for the Commonwealth Public Service Company, attorney for the Brown-Hinton Wholesale Grocery Company and for the O. K. Transfer & Storage Company.

Mr. Curtis was united in marriage in 1893 to Miss Hattie Harrison, a daughter of Robert Harrison of Jasper, Arkansas, and a granddaughter of Robert Harrison, who was a prominent representative of the Newton connty bar and served as county judge. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have become parents of six daughters: Alpha, who is now the wife of Fred G. Beckman of Oklahoma; Mrs. Maude Shipley; Willie, who died June 22, 1920; Jessie, a teacher in the public schools of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Katherine B. and Anna Louise, both in school.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have become widely known in Fort Smith since taking up their abode in this city and occupy an enviable position in its social circles. As a citizen he stands for all those activities and interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride, while in his profession he has ever held to the highest deals and standards. practicing along ethical lines, so that he enjoys the highest respect and confidence of his contemporaries and colleagues in the profession. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to all bodies of the order, including the Mystic Shrine.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 58

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