Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 65

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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Elbert A. Henry, the youngest member of the household, obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools and afterward became a pupil in the preparatory department of the University of Arkansas. His college training was there received and in 1914 he was graduated from the University of Arkansas with the Bachelor of Arts degree. The succeeding year was devoted to the teaching of economics in Barton Academy, Mobile, Alabama. Later he began the study of law and was graduated from the Ar- kansas Law School with the LL. B. degree in 1916. Through the intervening period to the present time, covering six years, he has engaged in law practice and is now identified with one of the strongest and most prominent law firms of the city, that of Rogers, Barber & Henry.

On the 22d of October, 1920, Mr. Henry was married to Miss Mary Garrett Cargile, who was born on the 1st of January, 1899, in Cardile, Union county, Arkansas, a daughter of John Stark Cargile, a native of Clark county, Arkansas, and now residing in Arka- delphia, Clark county. Mrs. Henry was accorded liberal educational opportunities and is a graduate of Ouachita College, in which she completed her course in 1919.

After America's advent into the World war, Mr. Henry enlisted for service and became a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-second Depot Brigade at Camp Pike, where he served with the rank of first lieutenant, receiving his honorable discharge on the 11th of December, 1918, one month after the signing of the armistice. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party and fraternally he is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He like- wise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his religious faith guides him in all of his relations, he being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

TALBOT FEILD.

Talbot Feild, president and general manager of the Hope Lumber Company, man- ufacturers, wholesalers 'and retailers of lumber, and also president of the Hope Chamber of Commerce, is a dominant figure in the business circles of this city. A man of steady and persistent purpose, his plans have always been carefully formulated and promptly executed and the results which he has achieved have been most satisfactory. Little Rock numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred on the 17th of February, 1880, his parents being Talbot and Annie Rose (Terry) Feild, who were also natives of Arkansas. The father died at the early age of twenty-eight years and the mother died when her son was but four years of age, after which he was reared by his grandfather, Silas Flournoy Feild, a Little Rock merchant, who was senior partner in the firm of Feild & Dolley, pioneer merchants of the capital city. In later years, however, the grandfather engaged in farming. Talbot Feild has a twin brother, William Terry Feild, who is a mechanical engineer, with office in the Gazette building in Little Rock.

Talbot Feild was educated in the Little Rock grammar schools and in Keys Com- mercial College. In young manhood he found employment with the J. H. Martin Arms Company of Little Rock, with which he was associated for a period of fifteen years, rising from the position of salesman to the vice presidency of the firm. His steady advancement came as a recognition of his ability and expanding powers. He readily adapted himself to any task which confronted him and step by step he progressed until he became one of the officials of the company. On the 1st of January, 1910, how- ever, he removed to Hope, Arkansas, to become secretary of the Hope Lumber Company, in which he purchased stock. In 1911 he was elected to the presidency and was made general manager at the same time. This company is conducting an extensive business in the manufacture of lumber, which is sold to both the wholesale and retail trade, and the business is now one of substantial proportions. Mr. Feild likewise became identified with the Hope Ice & Coal Company on his removal to this city, purchasing stock at that time, while in 1912 he became president of the company and has remained as chief executive officer to this time.

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On the 14th of October, 1908, Mr. Feild was married to Miss Wanda West, a daughter of Captain J. T. West, who was the organizer of the Hope Lumber Company. He died in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Feild are parents of a son and daughter: Talbot and Hattie Anne. Mr. Feild is well known in Masonic circles, having membership in Whitfield Lodge, No. 239, A. F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., of Hope; Albert Pike Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and was invested in 1921 with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor: and Al-Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He like- wise belongs to Hope Lodge, No. 1109, B. P. O. E., of which he is now the exalted ruler, and to the Woodmen of the World, having previously served as council commander, in which capacity he continued for four years. His membership relations likewise extend to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to the United Commercial Travelers, the Woodmen Circle and the Rotary Club, of which he was secretary for three years. He and his wife are active and faithful members of St. Mark's Episcopal church, of

which he is serving as treasurer Along strictly social lines he has connection with the Hempstead County Hunting Club. During the World war he was active in support of all projects for the country's good and served as sales director in the third and fourth Liberty Loan drives, in both of which his district went over the top, and he was publicity director in the United War Work campaign. He was likewise county chair- man of the War Camp Community Service and also served as county chairman of the Girls' Industrial School. He belongs to the Arkansas Travelers. His interests and activi- ties are hroad and varied and many of them constitute forces for public improvement and for the support of those projects which have most to do with the welfare and upbuilding of community, commonwealth and country.

SAMUEL P. MCCONNELL, M. D.

Dr. Samuel P. McConnell, one of the alumni of the St. Louis University, has en- gaged in active medical practice in Booneville since 1906 and through the intervening period his progress has been continuous as his ability has increased through further study, research, investigation and experience. Moreover, he is entitled to representa- tion in this volume as a member of one of the old pioneer families of the state. His grandfather, S· muel C. McConnell, was born in East Tennessee in 1824 and on leaving that state removed to Missouri, whence in 1859 he came to Arkansas. From this state he entered the army, serving with the Confederate forces for three years. His son, Dr. John W. McConnell, was born in Missouri in 1855 and was but four years of age when hrought to Arkansas. Having attained his majority, he was married near the White Bluff schoolhouse, near what is now Bonanza, Arkansas, to Miss Sarah McNahb, who was born in Tennessee in 1857 and is a daughter of Nathaniel B. McNabb, whose birth occurred in eastern Tennessee, in 1824. and who came to Arkansas in 1870. He was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and a missionary to the Indians. Mrs. McConnell was thirteen years of age at the time the family home was established in this state. Dr. John W. McConnell devoted his life to the practice of medicine and surgery and was for twenty-three years surgeon for the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, the Central Coal & Coke Company and also the Frisco Railroad at Huntington, Ar- kansas. A few years prior to his death, which occurred in 1906, he removed to Booneville, but did little practice here, largely living retired. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Booneville. She as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, to which Dr. McConnell also belonged. His political endorsement was always given to the democratic party. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, but only three are now living: John L., who is a structural engineer of Chicago; Samuel P .; and Ruby, at home.

Samuel P. McConnell was born at Hackett, Arkansas, on the 4th of February, 1883, and liberal educational advantages were accorded him. He attended Hendrix College at Conway, Arkansas. He started out in the business world as a clerk in a dry goods store and afterward entered the medical college of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A year later he went to St. Louis and was gradnated from the medical depart- ment of the St. Louis University with the class of 1906. For three months he practiced in Magazine, Arkansas, and then came to Booneville, where he has since remained. Here he gradually won recognition of his ability which, moreover, has increased through experience and further study until he is now recognized as one of the capable physicians and surgeons of this section of the state. He devotes his entire time and attention to his professional duties and at different periods he has attended clinics in Chicago, thus coming in touch with the advanced methods of some of the most eminent members of the profession in that city. He has served as health officer and he is a member of the Logan County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the American

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Medical Association and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He was assistant superintendent of the Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanatorium for a period of two years and he is now division surgeon for the Rock Island Railroad. He displays marked skill in surgery as well as in medical practice and large professional demands are now made upon his time and energy.

In 1907 Dr. McConnell was married to Miss Dessau Dorsey, who was born near Hartford, Arkansas, a daughter of Nathan A. Dorsey, a farmer and mill man who came to this state in 1872 and is now engaged in the insurance business in Booneville. Dr. and Mrs. McConnell became the parents of three sons, John Paul, Dorsey A. and Robert Emmett, all in school. The wife and mother died in 1917 in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of which she was a consistent memher.

Dr. McConnell also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he is an exemplary Mason, helonging to lodge, chapter and council. He is a past master of the lodge, past high priest of the chapter and past thrice illustrious master of the council. He has always closely followed the teachings and purposes of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations therehy imposed.

NORA BINGHAM PARKER RICE.

Mrs. Nora B. P. Rice, one of the best known women in Little Rock, is a daughter of Isaac Montgomery and Mary Ann (Bingham) Parker, both natives of Arkansas. Her father was born at Point Chico, in 1818, and had the distinction of being the first white child born in that county. The mother was born in Pulaski county, in 1832. Isaac M. Parker was best known for his wide benevolence and there are many suh- stantial citizens and successful men and women living in Arkansas today who owe their advancement to the assistance which he kindly rendered them. Mr. Parker took more than passing pleasure in helping those whom he knew to be deserving and reared and educated fifteen children in addition to those of his own family. He spent his life as a planter and his career seemed an exemplification of the admonition, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you," for notwithstanding his great generosity he continued to prosper, so that he was able to aid his fellowmen more and more as the years passed by. In politics he was a democrat and as a citizen he did much for the improvement and upbuilding of the state. The Parkers came from old colonial Virginia stock and Samuel Parker, the father of Isaac M. Parker, was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. Immediately after the close of that war he came to Arkansas and thus cast in his lot with the earliest of the pioneers of the state. The Bingham family was one of the early fam- ilies of North Carolina, connected with that state from colonial times. Both Mr. and Mrs. Parker have long since departed this life, both dying in 1883, the mother in March and the father in July.

Nora Bingham Parker was educated in private schools and in May, 1881, she became the wife of Patrick J. Rice, a native of New York, who had located in Arkansas when nineteen years of age. He took up railroad work and remained in active con- nection with railroad interests for thirty years. As an engineer he took into Pine Bluff the first engine of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and as a conductor brought into Little Rock the first train on the same line. His character as a business man may be gleaned from the fact that all his service of thirty years was spent with the one road, indicating his marked capability and fidelity. He died November 16, 1900, much re- gretted by a large circle of friends and by the officers and employes of the corporation to whose interests he had given faithful service for so many years. Mrs. Rice was left a widow with four children: Mary J., who is now the wife of Thomas Harding, a well known architect; Leonora, the wife of E. A. McCaskill; James H., who is the superintendent of public works in Little Rock; and Patrick J., who is engaged in the oil business. Another member of the family is Walter B., who was adopted and is now a resident of El Dorado, Arkansas.

Mrs. Rice is one of the most patriotic and public-spirited women of the south. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution by virtue of the services of her an- cestor, John C. Vance of North Carolina, in connection with the war for independence. Her membership in the Daughters of 1812 comes through her grandfather, Samuel Parker, and she was formerly vice president of the Nicholas Headington Chapter. She was also one of the organizers of the Arkansas Pioneer Association and during the first year of the life of that association acted as first vice president and acting president. She is a member and an ex-president of the J. M. Keller Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and an ex-president of the School Improvement Association. She has membership in the League of Women Voters and is especially

MRS. NORA B. P. RICE

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active in club work. The society that reflects more clearly than any other the char- acter of Mrs. Rice is the Widows Benevolent Society, of which she is one of the or- ganizers. This association is made up of fairly well-to-do widows and the purpose of the society is to help widows who are needy by advancing money for vocational training for themselves or their daughters, so as to make them self-supporting. This noble work is done without publicity and really helps without ostentation those who are not seeking public charity. These good women are an honor to the community and the organization is the only one of the kind in the country. It certainly sets an example that might well be followed in every city and state. Born in Arkansas, a daughter of a native of the state and a granddaughter of pioneers in both the paternal and maternal lines, Mrs. Rice is a splendid type of the noble women who make up the citizenship of Arkansas.

W. W. LOWE, M. D.

Dr. W. W. Lowe, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Gillett, where he also conducts a drug store, was born in Albany, Missouri, in 1876, his parents being W. P. and Nancy (Peck) Lowe. The father was a native of Tennessee and a son of Joseph Lowe, who removed from Tennessee to Missouri, thus establishing the family in that state. The mother, Nancy Peck, was a daughter of William and Julia ( McGon- agel) Peck. Her father was from Tennessee and on removing to Missonri settled in the county where the Lowe home had been established. It was there that W. P. Lowe and Nancy Peck became acquainted and were married. They afterward removed to Gillett, becoming well known residents of this city. They reared a family of four sons and two daughters: W. W .; Dr. A. M. Lowe, living at Little Rock; Sam, a resident of Gil- lett; C. C., who died in 1910; Mrs. F. E. Martin, also of Gillett; and Mrs. Marie Menard, who is living in Lake Village.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. W. W. Lowe, after completing his ele- mentary course, attended the Northwestern Missouri College. He later became a student in the St. Louis University Medical School, for he had determined to make the practice of medicine and surgery his life work. He completed the course of study there by graduation with the class of 1903 and then located for practice in Gillett, where he has remained. Here he has built up an excellent practice, the number of his patients increas- ing year by year as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate and involved problems that continually confront the physician. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in determining the outcome of disease. He adds to his hroad scientific knowledge a deep human sympathy and his attitude of courage and cheer is often like a ray of sunshine in the sick room. In addition to his practice he conducts a drug store in Gillett and in this connection has built up a very satisfactory business. During the World war he was physician for the exemption board.

In 1911 Dr. Lowe was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Quertermous of De Witt, Arkansas, a daughter of Ben and Nellie (Cannon) Quertermous, her father a farmer and merchant of this section of the state. Dr. and Mrs. Lowe have become parents of a son and a daughter: Benjamin and Nancy. Fraternally Dr. Lowe is a Royal Arch Mason and along strictly professional lines he has membership in the Arkansas County and Arkansas State Medical Societies, thus keeping abreast with the trend of modern pro- fessional thought and progress. His ability is pronounced and he is reaping the satis- factory rewards of his labors.

L. E. HALL.

L. E. Hall, deceased, was horn in Tipton county, Tennessee, April 3, 1864, and had been for some years a resident of Fayetteville ere he departed this life in 1917. He was a son of John N. and Sarah (Alexander) Hall, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Tennessee in early life. The father was a farmer and cotton planter. He belonged to the old school Presbyterian church and lived a life of the utmost integrity and honor. To him and his wife were born two children, the elder son being James R. Hall, now living at Covington, Tennessee.

L. E. Hall pursued his education in the schools of Mount Carmel, Tennessee, and was reared to agricultural life, which claimed his attention for many years. He owned and successfully conducted a plantation and he also maintained a store on his farm. As the years passed success in substantial measure came to him and he continued to own his land after his removal to Fayetteville, where he arrived on the 12th of August, 1910.

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It was in the year 1891 that Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Willie Mitchell, who was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, a daughter of Charles B. and Virginia (Dennis) Mitchell, who were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. They were married in Mississippi and hegan their domestic life in that state, continuing to reside within its borders throughout their remaining days. The father was a dstinguished attorney and also for one term represented his district in congress, heing one of the most prominent and influential residents of the section in which he lived. He gained fame as a criminal lawyer and was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases tried in the circuit in which he practiced. He served with the Confederate army throughout the period of the Civil war. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, while his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church. In the family were seven children: Charles D., a physician and surgeon, who is now superintendent of the Insane Asylum at Jackson, Mississippi; Virginia, who is the widow of J. G. Conway, a Pres- byterian minister, and she lives at Red Springs, North Carolina; Mary, the wife of Ben Sumner, president of the Jones Lumber Company at Dallas, Texas; Mrs. Hall; George T., a prominent lawyer of Tupelo, Mississippi; Annie, the wife of Sidney Stitt, a planter of Covington, Tennessee; and Frances, the wife of Charles Moore, who is con- nected with the Dunn Mercantile Agency at San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall also had a family of seven children: Charles Mitchell, who is secretary of the Young Men's Business League at Waco, Texas, took a year's collegiate course at Sherman, Texas, and for two years studied medicine at Galveston, hut did not complete his course and turned to other business pursuits; Sarah is the wife of M. A. Stice, manager of the Handle factory at Fayetteville; Frances is the wife of B. L. Milhurn, who is a captain in the regular army now stationed in the Philippine islands; and Lonnie E., Virginia, Evelyn and William N. are all attending school.

Mr. Hall's religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, as is that of his widow. He also had membership with the Knights of The Maccabees and he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. It was the condition of his health that caused him to remove from Tennessee, at which time he went to Texas, remaining in the Lone Star state for six years. He then came to Arkansas, settling in Fayetteville, where his remaining days were passed. He did not engage in active business here, but purchased three different farms in Washington county and Mrs. Hall still owns these properties. He also bought farms in Texas which are yet in possession of Mrs. Hall. In business affairs he displayed sound judgment and unremitting enterprise and his activity brought him most gratifying results. Those who knew him, and he gained many friends during his residence in Fayetteville, esteemed him highly for his sterling worth and the many excellent traits of character which he displayed, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

JAMES H. STACK.

James H. Stack, who is filling the position of postmaster at Brinkley, is prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties and is making an excellent record in office. A native son of Texas, he was horn in the city of Nacogdoches in 1875, his parents being Thomas J. and Mollie (Corey) Stack. He was quite young at the time of the removal of the family to Woodruff county, Arkansas, and there he attended the public schools. He dates his residence in Brinkley from 1909, at which time he entered the employ of the firm of Lamm & Company, merchants. He worked in that connection until appointed postmaster in April, 1914, and he is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon the duties of the office. He is accurate and reliable in the distribution and care of the mail, is always a courteons and obliging official and by reason of his excellent service and sterling worth has made for himself an enviable position in the regard of the patrons of the office. During the World war he acted as vice chairman of the Monroe County Red Cross and his influence is always given in behalf of all those measures which have to do with progress and upbuilding and with the adoption of high standards of manhood and citizenship.

JAMES WILEY SLAUGHTER, M. D.

Dr. James Wiley Slaughter, a physician and surgeon of El Dorado, in which city he was born July 27, 1886, is a son of Hardy and Mary Ellen ( Martin) Slaughter. The father was a native of Alabama and was a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Arkansas, the family home being established on a farm

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in Union county. There Hardy Slaughter was reared to manhood and since attaining his majority has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His wife was born in Union county, this state, and they are highly esteemed people of the county, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been bronght into contact.

Dr. Slaughter was educated in the rural schools of Union county, in the El Dorado high school and in the Arkansas State University. In 1907 he entered upon the study of medicine at the last named institution and was gradnated with the class of 1912, at which time his professional degree was conferred npon him. He displayed the elemental strength of his character by paying his own way throngh the university. There was a lapse of one year in his medical course, 1909-10, when he taught school for six months, also acted as census enumerator for one township and raised a crop of sweet potatoes. By these three lines of activity he made enough money to finish his course in medicine. A man who will provide means for his education is sure to succeed, for the same quality of determination and perseverance which enabled him to finance his schooling will bring him success in anything that he undertakes. When his course was finished Dr. Slaughter located for practice in Lisbon, Arkansas, and there remained for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Wesson, a sawmill town, where he successfully followed his profession for three years. On the 15th of January, 1918, he enlisted for service in the Medical Corps of the United States army and was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he remained in training for three months. He was then assigned to duty at Camp Dodge. Iowa, where he was stationed for five months and then was sent overseas in Angust, 1918, with the Three Hundred and Thirty-ninth Field Artillery, with which command he remained up to the time of their return to the United States in March, 1919. He saw much of the horrors of modern warfare and always promptly and efficiently discharged his duties, returning to his home with a most creditable military record. When he had again reached his native land he was made assistant camp sanitary inspector at Camp Dodge, Iowa .. On the occasion of the race riots at Omaha he was sent on detached duty with a machine gun battalion to the scene of trouble, the battalion there remaining for three weeks. On the 12th of January, 1920, he was transferred to Fort Bayard, New Mexico, where he was stationed to the time of his discharge on the 16th of June of that year.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 65

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