USA > Arkansas > Centennial history of Arkansas > Part 61
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Hot Springs was the first city in Arkansas to enjoy a street railway, the company being incorporated on the 21st of July, 1874. The cars were drawn by mules originally, but in later years the system was electrified.
The Hot Springs Water Company was incorporated and given a franchise November 7, 1881. 1ts mains extend throughout the city. Its source of supply is secured from two lakes located between the mountain ridges north of the city. The pump station grounds are laid out in a beautiful park, one of the most attractive spots around Hot Springs.
The Consumers Gas Company and the Citizens Electric Company were incorporated under these names on March 1, 1913, although these utilities operated under other names as early as the year 1875 and 1883, respectively.
The public utilities of Hot Springs cooperate in all movements towards the advance- ment of the interests of the city and its people.
W. S. FLOYD.
W. S. Floyd, who has been an active representative of the Arkansas bar through a period of forty-three years, has been located at Bentonville since 1887 and has been accorded a most extensive and gratifying clientage. His birth occurred in Sparta, White county, Tennessee, in Angust, 1855, his parents being John Wesley and Liza J. (Snod- grass) Floyd, who were also natives of that state. During the period of the Civil war the father served with the Confederate troops under General John H. Morgan and also in Forrest's cavalry. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Arkansas and in this state he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning a tract of land near Bentonville. He was a democrat in politics and for a quarter of a century filled the office of justice of the peace, in which connection he made a most creditable and com- mendable record. His religions faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. To him and his wife were born seven children, five of whom survive, namely: W. S., of this review; J. C., a resident of Yellville, Arkansas; James R., who is a practicing physician of Fort Worth, Texas; Frank Forrest, a retired merchant living in Bentonville; and Carrie, who is the wife of William R. Maxwell, of Alva, Oklahoma.
In the acquirement of his education W. S. Floyd attended the schools of Bentonville
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and in preparation for his chosen profession began reading law in the office and under the direction of Judge S. N. Elliott at Bentonville. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and began practice in Marion county, Arkansas, where for two years he filled the position of county judge. He also practiced in Bentonville while living in Marion county and in 1887 took up his abode in Bentonville, where he has remained continuously since or for a period of more than a third of a century. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assidnons and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. In 1914 he served as county judge in Benton county to fill out an unexpired term.
On the 25th of April, 1880, Mr. Floyd was united in marriage to Miss Josie M. Jackson, a native of Missouri and a daughter of S. H. Jackson, who was also horn in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd became the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Sallie Conine, who is a widow residing in Bentonville, Arkansas; James Hurlie, a mine operator who makes his home at Picher, Oklahoma; Hugh Jackson, who is filling the office of postmaster in Bentonville; Jennie, who is the wife of Clande Silver, a contractor and architect of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; and Maggie, who is the wife of Timothy Apple- gate, a druggist of Bentonville. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 18th of August, 1914. She joined the Presbyterian church in early life but later became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
In politics Mr. Floyd has always been a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recogniz- ing his worth and ability, have called upon him for public service. He filled the office of mayor of Bentonville for several terms, giving to the town a most public-spirited and progressive administration that was characterized by many needed reforms and im- provements. He now devotes his entire time and attention to his law practice and has long been recognized as one of the leading attorneys of his part of the state. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic order and his entire career has been in harmony with upright principles of manhood and citizenship, so that he enjoys the high esteem and warm regard of all with whom he has been associated in both professional and social relations.
SAM LASER.
Sam Laser, a well known representative of business enterprise at Clarksville, his labors contributing in substantial measure to the commercial development of the city, where he is engaged in merchandising, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, April 14, 1865, and is a son of Abraham and Lacetta (Ackerman) Laser, who were natives of Germany and came to the United States in early life, their marriage being celebrated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. They afterward removed to Baltimore, Maryland, and thence to Detroit, while subsequently they became residents of Memphis, Tennessee, and later of Mobile, Alabama. It was in that city that the father died of yellow fever. He was a rabbi, having been educated in Germany and devoted his life to the ministry. To him and his wife were born five children, only two of whom are living: Sam, of this review; and Rosa, the wife of A. Lazarus, a wholesale grocer of Camden, Arkansas.
Sam Laser, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the Southwestern Baptist University in Jackson, Tennessee, and after putting aside his textbooks started out in the business world, his first occupation being that of clerk in a store at Little Rock. In 1884 he came to Clarksville, where he opened a small store in 1886. He increased his stock from time to time and now has one of the largest stores of the county, besides being the oldest merchant in Johnson county, and his success is the direct outcome of his persistency of purpose, his close application and his indefatigable energy. He has always based his advancement upon principles that neither seek nor require disguise and he has long occupied a prominent position among the leading merchants of this part of the state.
In 1886 Mr. Laser was married to Miss Minnie Nichols, a daughter of T. D. Nichols, a pioneer physician of Paris, Arkansas. They have become parents of seven children: Thomas S., who is engaged in the automobile business in Little Rock; Lucile, at home; Albert, a hardware merchant of Clarksville; Rille, who married Richard Orme, con- nected with the automobile business in Little Rock; Alvin, owner of a coal mine and mercantile enterprise in Clarksville; Minnie and Manrine, both at home. Mrs. Laser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the daughters have membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Laser is a loyal follower of Masonic teachings and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He likewise belongs to the Knights
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of Pythias. In politics he is a democrat and he served on the town council and on the school board for a number of years, He has ever stood for progress and improve- ment in public affairs, has contributed to the welfare and upbuilding of the city in many ways and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He is devoting his life to his business affairs and in connection with his mercantile interests he is a director of the First National Bank. He started out in the business world a poor boy and has been dependent upon his own resources from the age of fourteen years. His life illustrates what can be accomplished through energy and persistency of purpose, which qualities have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and work his way steadily upward toward the goal of prosperity.
R. E. HUDDLESTON.
R. E. Huddleston, one of the capable young officials of Little River county, living at Ashdown, is filling the position of county and probate clerk in a highly satisfactory and commendable manner. He is a native son of Arkansas, having been born at Salem. Fulton county, on the 24th of August, 1891, and since the age of eleven years has resided at Ashdown. The graded and high schools afforded him his educational opportunities and after putting aside his textbooks he worked in a store for several years, while sub- sequently he spent seven years as an employe of the First National Bank of Ashdown. which was then known as the Little River Bank. In 1920 Governor Brough appointed him county clerk to fill out an unexpired term and later he was elected to the office, so that he is the present incumbent and is making a most creditable record, efficiently discharging the important duties devolving upon him iu this connection.
Mr. Huddleston has been married twice. In 1912 he wedded Miss Nola Boggerly and they became parents of two children, Robert E., Jr. and James E. For his second wife Mr. Huddleston chose Miss Mary Locke, by whom he has one son, Mathew W. R. E. Huddleston is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and served as secretary of his lodge for several years. His religious faith is shown by his membership in the Methodist church, South. These connections indicate the rules which govern him in the varied relations of lite, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and respect.
W. I. GREEN.
The field of real estate has been a profitable one in western Arkansas because of the rapid and substantial growth and development of this section of the country. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the opening years of the twentieth century the tide of immigration has continually flowed into this district and there has been a constant demand for property by those who have sought western Arkansas to become permanent settlers here. W. I. Green, therefore, has found a fertile field of labor in conducting a real estate office and at Mena has negotiated many important transfers, which include not only city realty but also farm property. He is one of the native sons of Polk county, his birth having occurred on a farm December 23, 1871, his parents being Jesse M. and Frances J. (Isham) Green, the former a native of Georgia and a son of William W. Green, who was born in South Carolina, whence he removed to Georgia, while in 1868 he became a resident of Polk county, Arkansas. He founded Bethesda Springs about 1880 and for many years was closely associated with the substantial development and progress, of his section of the state. The maternal grandfather of W. I. Green was Charles Isham, who was also one of the early residents of Polk county.
It was in western Texas that Jesse M. Green was united in marriage to Frances J. Isham, after which they began their domestic life in the Lone Star state, where they remained until 1869 and then became residents of Polk county, Arkansas, where he home- steaded and engaged in farming for a number of years. In 1892 he removed to Oklahoma, where he still resides, living retired at the age of eighty-five years. He is also a minister of the gospel, having engaged in preaching for a number of years in addition to farming. He served in the Confederate army for one year during the Civil war and then went to Texas, where he fought the Indians during the uprising there. He now receives a pension from the Federal government in recognition of his service against the Indians. In politics he had always been a stalwart democrat and he served in the Arkansas legis- lature from Polk county from 1888 until 1890. He was also the second county judge of Comanche county, Texas, and has ever been most loyal to the duties entrusted to his care as a public official. In early manhood he taught school and he is a man of broad and liberal information along general lines. His wife departed this life in 1877. They
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were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: J. B., who is a farmer of Oklahoma; H. J., who carries on farming and merchandising at Fillmore, Oklahoma; W. I., of this review; J. R., who is clerking in a store at Okmulgee, Oklahoma; and Luella, the wife of J. R. Wallace, living on a farm in Oklahoma. The father is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and as one of its ministers he became widely known. Fraternally he is a Mason.
W. I. Green, after mastering the early branches of learning taught in the rural schools of Polk county, continued his education in the high school at Bethesda Springs, which he attended for two terms. He started out to provide for his own support as a farmer and divided his time between farming and school teaching until 1898, after which he engaged in merchandising at Hatfield in 1899. He continued as a merchant in that city until 1904, when he disposed of his business there, having been called to public office. He was elected circuit clerk and occupied that position for four years, at the end of which time he became assistant cashier in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, while later he was elected to the presidency of the bank. He sold his stock in 1919 and ceased his active connection with the banking business, since which time he has given his attention to the real estate and insurance business. He has gained a good clientage and negotiates many important realty transfers each year, while at the same time he writes a large amount of insurance annually. He is also at the head of the Mena Oil & Gas Company and he owns a farm in Polk county, together with real estate in the city. He said that he made his start in the business world with a little yellow mule and a yearling calf, which was all that he ever had given him. Steadily, however, he has progressed in the business world and today he is the possessor of valuable property and is at the head of a constantly growing and successful business.
In 1892 Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Julia Lindsey, who was born in Mississippi, a daughter of J. Lindsey, who followed farming in Polk county for a number of years. They became parents of the following children: Ivan, who has been a member of the navy for twelve years; Jesse J., who was assistant cashier of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank to the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1919; and Jewell Grady, who is assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Electra. Texas. The wife and mother died August 8, 1904. Mr. Green was again married on the 17th of January, 1907, when Miss Ida E. Martin became his wife. She was born in Polk county, Arkansas, a daughter of W. M. Martin, a pioneer living in Hatfield, who was a mechanic and is now living retired. To this marriage there have been horn three chil- dren: Hazel E, W. I. and Julia Frances, all in school. The parents are members.of the Baptist church and Mr. Green is a Royal Arch and Council Mason. Politically he is a democrat and has served on the school board. He was also one of the first aldermen of Hatfield and he filled the position of city clerk. While he has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship he prefers to give his attention to business affairs rather than to public office and his close application, thoroughness and enterprise have been the dominant factors in winning him place among the men of affluence in Mena.
JAMES W. WILLOUGHBY.
For the past seventeen years James W. Willoughby has been closely connected with the development and upbuilding of McGehee and he has thoroughly identified his in- terests with those of the town, being recognized as a leader of public thought and action and a live wire in his community. He is an able financier and is now serving as vice president of the MeGehee Valley Bank, in which connection he is doing all in his power to broaden the scope of the institution and promote its success. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Vermilion county, on the 6th of January, 1874, and his parents were Andrew J. and Sina (Truax) Willoughby, who were also natives of that county. Both are deceased.
Mr. Willoughby completed his education in the high school at De Witt, Arkansas, and afterward engaged in teaching in country schools of the state, devoting three years to that profession. In May, 1898, he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war, being assigned to the Second Arkansas Regiment, and was stationed at Camp Chicka- mauga for a time. From that point he was transferred to Anniston, Alabama, where he remained with his command until discharged from the service in February, 1899. He then returned to Arkansas county, where he had previously been occupied with educa- tional work, and entered the field of journalism, being identified with the publication of a newspaper at Stuttgart until 1903. Removing to Arkansas City, he accepted an office position with the Kimball Lacy Lumber Company, with which he remained for a year, and early in 1905 he came to MeGehee, becoming connected with financial interests as cashier of the McGehee Valley Bank. His excellent work in that connection led to his
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choice for the vice presidency in January, 1921, and he is now filling that responsible office. Broad experience has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the intricate and involved problems of modern finance and he has been largely instrumental in promoting the growth and prosperity of the bank, which is classed with the substantial moneyed institutions of this part of the state.
In 1905 Mr. Willoughby was united in marriage to Miss Viola Edmonds of Browns- ville, Tennessee, and of their family three children are living: James W., Jr., Mary Lucille and Verna Mae. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Willoughby is one of its trustees and is also serving on the board of stewards. In civic affairs he has ever been deeply and helpfully interested and for the past fourteen years has been secretary of the school board and he is also an alderman of his city, rendering valuable service in both connections. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to McGehee Lodge, No. 165. His career has heen marked by continuous advancement, due to his close application, his study of the business to which he has turned his attention and his unquestioned integrity and reliability. He is hroad-minded and public-spirited, a strong champion of moral progress and civic advancement and stands as a high type of American manhood and citizenship.
JOHN MCGINTY, M. D.
Dr. John McGinty, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Fort Smith. was born in North Vernon, Indiana, in 1863. His youthful days were passed in his native state and after acquiring his preliminary education he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. To this end he matriculated in the University of Louisville, then known as the Kentucky School of Medicine, from which he was graduated with honors in 1884, making a very high record in his studies. He received the medal for the highest standing in examination on materia medica.
Returning to his native city, Dr. McGinty opened an office and continued in practice at North Vernon, Indiana, for three years. In 1887 he came to Arkansas, attracted by the opportunities of the growing southwest. He has since remained in Sebastian county. practicing at different periods in Hackett, Jenny Lind, Bonanza and for the past sixteen years in Fort Smith. He has continued in general practice and has also served on the staff of St. Edward's Hospital and is one of the lecturers in the school for nurses in connection with that hospital. He is likewise local surgeon for the Kansas City Southern Railway and for the Midland Valley Railway.
In 1890 Dr. McGinty was united in marriage to Miss Johnny Park, a daughter of Dr. Frank Park, of Arkansas, and they have become the parents of three sons: John Park, Earl Andrew and Paul Raymond. The two eldest sons were soldiers of the World war, being connected with the army for eighteen months, and during six months of that time were overseas, being identified with the One Hundred and Fourteenth Field Artillery Ammunition Train as members of Company C. Both escaped injury and re- turned safely to their home at the end of the war. Dr. McGinty and his family are well known in Fort Smith, where he has now practiced for sixteen years. He belongs to the Sebastian County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Association, the Southwest Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Through the activities and proceedings of these bodies he keeps informed concerning the latest discoveries and scientific researches of the profession. Throughout his entire life he has held to high professional standards and has made his labor of great benefit to his fellowmen, putting forth the most earnest effort to meet the demands of his practice and find ready solution for the intricate problem which we call life.
WILLIAM L. NEWTON, M. D.
Dr. William L. Newton, who is now filling the position of postmaster of Camden, Arkansas, and has for the past twenty-two years been numhered among the foremost physicians and surgeons of Camden, was horn in Atlanta, Texas, July 22, 1876, a son of Andrew J. and Frances A. (Chamblee) Newton, who were natives of Georgia, in which state they were reared and married. Immediately after their marriage they removed to Cass county, Texas, where Mr. Newton engaged in farming to the time of his death, at the age of forty-five years. His widow survives and has reached the age of eighty years, making her home with her son, William L.
In the public schools of Texas Dr. Newton pursued his early education, completing Vol. II-25
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a high school course at Atlanta, that state, while later he entered the Georgetown College at Georgetown, Texas, and became a student in the Memphis Hospital Medical College in 1895, receiving therefrom his M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1898. He served for one year as interne in the City Hospital at Memphis and in 1899 he entered upon the private practice of his profession in Camden, where he has remained, winning a position among the leading practitioners of the state. He has always kept apace with the onward march of professional thought and progress and his ability has been dem- onstrated in his careful diagnosis of his cases and the splendid results which follow his professional labors. In 1914 he was appointed postmaster of Camden and is now serving for the eighth year in this important position. He discharges his duties with marked capability and promptness.
In 1900 Dr. Newton was united in marriage to Miss Eula L. Morriss of Atlanta, Texas, and they have become parents of three children: Kate C., who is a graduate of the Camden high school; Jack J, a junior in high school: and Evelyn F., a pupil in the seventh grade. Dr. Newton belongs to Eagle Lodge, No. 540, A. F. & A. M., of Eigie Mills, Arkansas, and is also identified with the Royal Arch Chapter. He has member- ship iu Camden Lodge, No. 1140, B. P. O. E., is identified with the Woodmen of the World and with the Camden Chamber of Commerce. Along strictly professional lines his connection is with the Ouachita County Medical Society and the Arkansas State Medical Society and throughout his life he has made it his strong purpose to qualify to the greatest extent for professional duties and responsibilities, his conscientious service giving him high professional rank.
GASTON PERCY GEORGE.
Gaston Percy George, lawyer and banker of Hamburg, was born here on the 25th of March, 1873, a son of G. P. and Joan George, both of whom are deceased. On the paternal side he is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry and he is English on the maternal side. The paternal grandfather, Hosea George, came to Ashley county in 1840, and was one of the pioneer settlers here, as was the maternal great-grandfather, Elias, who came to this state from the northern part of Louisiana at the close of the Civil war. G. P. George was born in Ashley county and resided here throughout his life. He enlisted for service in the Civil war from this state and became a private in the infantry. He engaged in farming near Hamburg at the close of the war and became one of the prominent agriculturists in this community. At Farmersville, Louisiana, in 1864, occurred the marriage of Mr. George to Miss Joan George, a native of that state. Her father, Wash George, likewise served in the Civil war as private. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. George ten children were born, two girls and eight boys, Gaston Percy, whose name initiates this review, being the third in order of birth. Three boys and one girl are living. Mrs. George died at Hamburg in 1900, in her forty-eighth year. Mr. George departed this life on the 24th of April, 1909, when sixty- five years of age.
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