Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 66

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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Returning to Arkansas, Dr. Slaughter opened an office in EI Dorado, where he has since engaged in private practice and in the intervening period a liberal patronage has been accordel him. He has had broad experience and his wide knowledge gained from books has made him one of the most capable medical practitioners of southern Arkansas.

On the 2d of September, 1920, Dr. Slanghter was married to Miss Mahel Rogers of El Dorado, who is a graduate nurse. Fraternally Dr. Slanghter is connected with Wesson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His time and attention, however, are chiefly concentrated npon his professional interests and business affairs, for aside from his profession he has been successful in his lease operations in the oil fields of El Dorado and still has some lease holdings. He likewise has a fourth interest in the royalties on forty acres which at the present writing has four producing oil wells; and twenty acres in section 4 with three producing wells. He manifests sonnd judgment and keen discrimination in the manage- ment of his business interests, while in his profession he is a most capable and con- scientious practitioner, neglecting no duty that devolves upon him and finding keen pleasure in rendering aid to the sick and suffering. He is also chairman of the Union County Medical Association and a member of the Arkansas State Medical Association.

JOSEPH T. IRBY, M. D.

One of the substantial citizens of Earl is Dr. Joseph T. Irby, physician and surgeon. A native of Mississippi, he was born at Vimville, Lauderdale county, on the 5th of October, 1879, a son of J. M. and Louvisa ( Brewster) Irby, both of whom are living in Vimville where they are highly respected and heloved citizens. The father has engaged in farming all his life and has achieved more than gratifying success along that line, having won a place among the representative agriculturists of the state. Both the Irhy and Brewster families have resided in America for many generations. Mr. and Mrs. Irby were united in marriage near Vimville and to their nnion nine children were born, five boys and four girls. Three boys and three girls are living. Joseph T., whose name initiates this review, was the second in order of birth.

In the acquirement of his early education Josephi T. Irby attended the country schools of Lauderdale county and in due time entered Peabody College at Nashville, Tennessee. He took a two-year literary course there and subsequently enrolled in the medical department of the University of Tennessee at Nashville, Tennessee, graduating therefrom with his M. D. degree in 1905. Dr. Irby received no financial aid in acquiring

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his higher education but worked his way through, being employed at various jobs in his spare time. In the year of his graduation he located in Enterprise, Mississippi, where he practiced until 1917. In 1912 he became railroad surgeon for the Mobile & Ohio Rail- road there, a position he held for five years. He was likewise health officer of Enterprise for a period of ten years. In July, 1917, he volunteered his services to the United States army and enlisted in the Medical Corps. He was commissioned a first lieutenant and was sent to the Base Hospital at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was on the surgical staff. In July, 1918, he was sent to the Mayo Brothers, at Rochester, Minnesota, to take a special course in surgical work, in connection with the army. In October he was ordered to Camp Crane, Allentown, Pennsylvania, to await embarkation for service overseas but the signing of the armistice prevented the transportation of further troops and he re- ceived his honorable discharge in December, 1918, with the rank of captain. He then came to Arkansas and locating in Earl in June, 1919, established offices for the practice of his profession. He has won an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon and is enjoying an extensive and lucrative patronage. During 1919 and 1920 he was health officer of Earl.

At Oaklands, Tennessee, on the 16th of January, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Irby to Miss Effie Hall Smith, a daughter of J. G. and Maggie Smith of that place. To their union two daughters have been born: Margaret, twelve years of age; and Lady Mary, eight years of age. Mrs. Irby is prominent in the club and social affairs of Earl and is conceded by her many friends to be a charming hostess and a model housewife and mother.

Since attaining his majority Dr. Irby has voted with the democratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, holding membership in Crittenden Lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M .; Oklahoma Consistory, No. 1, at Guthrie; and India Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Oklahoma City. He is likewise connected with Enterprise Lodge, No. 76, Woodmen of the World. Along strictly professional lines the Doctor belongs to the Arkansas State and Crittenden County Medical Societies and through membership in those organizations he keeps in constant touch with the advance in medical research being made by eminent members of the profession throughout the state. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he was elder in the church while residing in Enterprise. Dr. Irby is devoted to his profession and although his many patients make heavy demands upon his time, he is never too busy to give his aid to the further- ance of any movement he deems essential in the development of the community. He has won the confidence and respect of his professional brethren throughout the state and is readily conceded to be one of Earl's most public-spirited citizens.

PAUL J. CARUTH.

Paul J. Caruth, engaged in business as an undertaker and embalmer of Hot Springs, is widely recognized as a man of marked skill and proficiency is his chosen work and enjoys well merited prestige along that line. His birth occurred in Tupelo, Lee county, Mississippi, on the 18th of November, 1867, his parents being Absalom L. and Josephine M. (Ratcliff) Caruth, who were likewise natives of that state and are now deceased. The father was successfully engaged in business as a dry goods merchant of Tupelo, Mississippi, for many years.

Paul J. Caruth obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and after putting aside his textbooks secured employment in a furniture and undertaking establishment of Tupelo. In 1889, when a young man of twenty-two years, he removed to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he entered the service of an exclusive undertaking firm, with which he remained for seven years. On the expiration of that period, in 1896, he came to Hot Springs to take charge of the undertaking establishment of Benz & Buchanan, which he ably managed for several years or until the business was sold. In 1919, feeling that his capital and experience justified the step, he embarked in business as an undertaker and embalmer on his own account and has since won a most enviable reputation in this connection, an extensive patronage being accorded him. His experience in this field of activity dates from the time when he first started out in the business world, so that he has become thoroughly familiar with every phase thereof and utilizes the most scientific methods in the care of the dead. He is a charter member of the Arkansas State Funeral Directors' Association and also belongs to the National Funeral Directors' Association.

In 1902 Mr. Caruth was united in marriage to Mrs. Sadie (Wilson) Polk of Fayette- ville, Arkansas, and they have become parents of a son, Paul J., Jr. Fraternally Mr. Caruth is identified with Hot Springs Lodge, No. 380, B. P. O. E., and with Hot Springs

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Valley Lodge, No. 67. I. O. O. F., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Baptist church. He likewise belongs to the Lions Club and to the Business Men's League and is widely and favorably known as a representative and respected citizen of Hot Springs, where the period of his residence now covers a quarter of a century.

L. E. DAVIS, D. D. S.

For fourteen years Dr. L. E. Davis has been successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry and for a considerable portion of this period bas resided in Fort Smith, where he maintains a well appointed office and enjoys a liberal patronage. Dr. Davis is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Macomb county, in 1880, his parents being C. F. and Catherine (Sullivan) Davis. His boyhood days were spent under the parental roof and his early education was largely acquired in the public schools of Detroit, Michigan. He afterward went to Chicago, where he entered the National Medical University as a student in the dental department and there prepared for his chosen life work. He was graduated with the class of 1907, and making his way to the southwest, located at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1908. Later he removed to Earl, this state, and there he remained in the active practice of his profession for seven years, but returned to Fort Smith in 1915 and has here continued to the present time. He has a well appointed office, splendidly equipped with dental appliances, and he shows the utmost ingenuity and skill in the use of the multitudinous delicate little instruments which form the equipment for dental practice. Moreover, he has intimate and accurate knowledge of the scientific principles underlying his work and has met with excellent success, as evidenced in the liberal patronage now accorded him.

Dr. Davis was married in 1909 to Miss Ora E. York. They have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Fort Smith, occupying an enviable position in those social circles where intelligence and true worth are accepted as passports into good society. Dr. Davis has never regretted his determination to come to the southwest, for here he has made a creditable name and place for himself in connection with his professional activity and at all times he has stood with the vanguard in the adoption of improved methods which have been brought to light through scientific research and investigation.

J. L. SMILEY, M. D.

Dr. J. L. Smiley, a native son cf Arkansas, is numbered among the leading physicians and surgeons of Siloam Springs, where he has made his home since 1911. He does every- thing to perfect himself in his chosen vocation and his ability is pronounced. He was born in Springdale, Arkansas, May 24, 1874, a son of William and Alpha (Holcomb) Smiley, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in North Carolina. They were married in Arkansas, coming to the state as young people, and for many years the father successfully followed the occupation of farming. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving for four years in the Confederate army. He was captured at the battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was confined in prisons at Alton, Illinois, and Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Baptist in religious faith and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Smiley became the parents of five children, of whom three survive, namely: Dorothy, who married T. Stearns of Fayette- ville, Arkansas; Tabitha, who is the wife of George Harris, a well known farmer resid- ing at Cave Springs; and J. L., of this review.

After completing his high school course J. L. Smiley became a student in the medical department of the University of Nashville, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. Going to Robinson, Arkansas, he opened an office and there remained for seven years, at the end of which period he removed to Bentonville, where he followed his profession for four and a half years: In 1911 he arrived in Siloam Springs, where he has since resided, and with the passing years his practice has steadily grown in volume and importance, having now reached extensive proportions. He has never lost the attitude of a student toward his profession and has taken postgraduate work in leading medical institutions in various parts of the country. He attended the Polyclinic at Philadelphia in 1902; took Polyclinic and hospital work at New Orleans in 1916, 1917 and 1921; spent four months at the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago; and for two weeks studied at Mayo Brothers' Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He devotes considerable attention to surgery, in which he has developed expert skill, and has been called upon to perform more surgical operations than any other medical practitioner in

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this locality. He has always made his professional duties his first consideration, being most thorough and conscientious in the performance of the work that devolves upon him in this connection, and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. Through his membership in the Benton County and Arkansas State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association he keeps in close touch with the ad- vancement that is continually being made in the science of medicine and hy constant reading and careful study of the cases that come under his care he is ever broadening his knowledge and ability.

On the 2d of June, 1895, Dr. Smiley was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Webster, a native of Elm Springs, Arkansas, and a daughter of Thomas F. Webster, a prominent merchant and farmer of that place. They have become the parents of three children: Diva, at liome; Opal, who is employed ås a stenographer in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Barnette, who follows the trade of a mechanic and resides at Siloam Springs.

Mrs. Smiley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and in his political views the Doctor is a democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor commander, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past Noble Grand. He is a veteran of the World war, entering the service on the 15th of June, 1918. He received his training in the Presbyterian Hospital at Chicago, afterward going to the Base Hospital at Camp Logan, and in November. 1918, he was sent overseas. He received his discharge from the service on the 24th of March, 1919, and at once returned to Siloam Springs, where he has continued in practice. Prompted in all that he does by laudable ambition and broad humanitarian principles, as a member of the medical fraternity he has attained high rank among those whose skill is uniformly acknowledged.

JOHN PIERCE HOLMES.

One of the leading lumbermen of Ashley county is John Pierce Holmes, who is residing in Hamburg. A native of this state he was born in Okolona. Clark county, on the 8th of December, 1873, a son of J. P. and Martha (Williams) Holmes, both deceased. On the paternal side he is descended from English ancestry, the Holmes family having come from England to this country at an early date. J. P. Holmes was born in Georgia and come to Arkansas prior to the Civil war. He was for many years a minister in the Methodist church and was widely known throughont this section of the state. At Tulip. Arkansas, in 1862, occurred the marriage of J. P. Holmes to Miss Martha Williams, a native of Tennessee, who came to this state with her parents, they being among the pioneer settlers at Tulip, Dallas county. Her brother, Sim, served in the Civil war. Ten children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, five boys and five girls, six of whom are living. John Pierce, whose name initiates this review, was the sixth in order of birth. Mrs. Holmes died at Princeton, this state, in 1882, at the age of forty- two years. Mr. Holmes departed this life in 1886, at the age of fifty-four years.

John Pierce Holmes received his early education in the rural schools of southern Arkansas and later enrolled in the Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas, where he took a literary course for two years. At the termination of that time he went to work in a sawmill in Perla, Arkansas, as a day laborer but did not long remain in that capacity, his conscientious preformance of every duty assigned him winning him constant promotion. From 1890 to 1893 he was in the employ of that concern and at the time of his resignation in the latter year, had been holding the position of foreman for some time. Leaving Perla he went to St. Louis, Missouri, in the office of the Malvern Lumber Company, and he was employed as bookkeeper there until May, 1896. Sub- sequently he became sales manager for the Summit Lumber Company at St. Louis, and was active in that connection until the 1st of September, 1896, when he was sent to the Upland, Arkansas, branch of the company to serve in like capacity. On the 1st of January, 1898, he went to Wesson as general manager of the H. C. McDaniel Lumber Company and held that important position until 1905. The following year he entered the lumber business on his own account, locating in Union county, near El Dorado, and he remained in that location until September, 1917, when he organized the Ashley Lumber Company and located ten miles east of Hamburg. He is still active in the conduct of that business and is achieving more than substantial success. Working his way from the bottom to the top of the lumber business he is familiar with every phase of it and is well qualified to take his place among the foremost lumbermen in the county and state.

At El Dorado, Arkansas, on the 8th of December, 1902, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Shumaker. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes one daughter has been born: Martha, seventeen years of age. She is an accomplished young woman

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and will graduate from the Hamburg high school this year. She expects to attend Galloway College for a short time prior to enrolling in an eastern college.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Holmes is a generous contributor to its support. He is alive to the duties and obligations, as well as the privileges, of citizenship, and though he has never sought nor desired public preferment, he takes a prominent and active interest in any movement for the develop- ment and improvement of the general welfare. The success he now enjoys is well merited and he is rightly entitled to a place among the self-made men of Arkansas.

STUART WILSON.

Stuart Wilson, first vice president of the State National Bank of Texarkana, is a prominent figure in banking circles in the southern part of the state. He has studied closely the vital financial problems and has ever recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of public support that most carefully safeguards the interests of depositors. He has therefore maintained the highest standards in the conduct of the bank and his labors have been a resultant factor in the attainment of success for the institution.

Mr. Wilson is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Columbus on the 16th of June, 1882. He was but four years of age when his parents left that place and removed to Hope, where the family home was maintained until he reached the age of nine years. They next resided in Washington for two years and then went to Little Rock, where Stuart Wilson attended the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he started out in the business world, making his initial step as an employe in a dry goods store. He was afterward connected with the Little Rock Street Railway Company until 1903, when he obtained a position in the oil mill at Ashdown and there remained until 1904. That year witnessed his preliminary connection with the banking business, for he obtained a position in the Bank of Hope, now the Hope National Bank, acting as bookkeeper for two years, after which he was advanced to the cashiership and there remained until 1911, when he came to Texarkana as cashier and executive officer of the State National Bank. In 1920 he became vice president and his time is now occupied by constructive effort, administrative direction and executive control of one of the strong and growing financial institutions of southern Arkansas.

On the 25th of October, 1909, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Pauline Eakin and they have become parents of three children: Pauline, ten years of age; Mary Adele, eight years of age; and Margaret Stnart, who is in her first year.

Mr. Wilson and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. He likewise belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, to the Rotary Club and to the Country Club and in all of these is a director. He is interested in all that pertains to the wel- fare and progress of his community and his labors are of far-reaching effect in advancing the public good.

RUPERT CONDREY.

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Fort Smith is Rupert Condrey, the manager of the Sterling Drug Store and the treasurer of the Carnahan Drug Company of this city. A progressive spirit actuates him in all that he has undertaken and the thoroughness aud diligence which he displays in his work have been the salient features in bringing him to the point of prominence and prosperity which he now occupies. Mr. Condrey is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Smithville in 1888. His youthful days were spent in his native state and becoming interested in pharmacy he matriculated in the College of Pharmacy in St. Louis and thus qualified for his active business career. He had been engaged in the retail grocery business for four or five years previous to taking up the study of pharmacy, but believed the latter would prove a more congenial and profitable field and he has never had occasion to regret the change which he made. He has been identified with the Carnahan Drug Company of Fort Smith for the past eleven years. This is an incorporated company. which has been the outgrowth of the consolidation of three large drug stores and one warehouse in Fort Smith. Mr. Condrey also has full charge of the Sterling Drug Store. of which he has been the manager since 1910 and he has been largely instrumental in developing the trade, the patronage of this store equalling if not exceeding that of any other drug house in the city. Mr. Condrey employs the most progressive methods and puts forth untiring efforts to please his patrons, while his straightforward dealings and courteous treatment are strong elements in the attainment of prosperity. There is no feature of the trade with which he is not thoroughly familiar and in the Sterling Drug

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Store he carries an extensive line of drugs and druggist's sundries, thus being able to meet any demand of the trade.

In 1913 Mr. Condrey was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Birne, a daughter of H. C. Birne, and they have one son, Rupert, who is three and a half years of age. Mr. Condrey belongs to the Lions Club and is interested in the work of that organization which has its basis in the purpose of upbuilding the city and advancing American ideals and standards. During the World war he served on all the committees for raising war funds and at any time his cooperation and aid can be counted upon to promote public welfare.

N. D. KIMBROUGH.

An energetic business man, whose success in life has been on a parity with his well directed endeavors, is N. D. Kimbrough, senior partner of N. D. Kimbrough & Company, brokers and shippers of fruits, vegetables, flour, feed and seeds, with headquarters in Van Buren. He is a uative son of Arkansas and was born in Crawford county in 1875, a son of J. A. and Katie (Fort) Kimbrough. His father was born in Springfield. Missouri, but removed to East Tennessee at an early day and was there reared to man- hood. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army and participated in many of the important battles of that conflict. He is living, at the advanced age of seventy-six years.

N. D. Kimbrough is the eldest of six living children, having three brothers and two sisters. He received his early education in the common schools of Crawford county and in due time enrolled in the University of Arkansas, from which institution he was graduated in 1900. While attending the university Mr. Kimbrough taught school and he was also active along that line during many of his vacations. At different times for the nineteen years following his graduation he followed that profession, teaching in the Mansfield, Trusty, and Malvern high schools. In the summer vacations Mr. Kim- brough would work as shipper and broker in fruits and vegetables and two years ago he gave up teaching in order to devote his entire time and attention to that line of business. He formed a partnership with F. L. Clark and the enterprise is conducted as N. D. Kimbrough & Company, brokers and shippers of fruits, vegetables, flour, feed and seeds. Van Buren is the center for the fruit and vegetable business in western Arkansas and among the products handled here most extensively are strawberries, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes and cucumbers. These products are shipped clear across the country. Since his connection with local business interests Mr. Kim- brough has become known for his spirit of enterprise and his tireless energy, being progressive in his policy and quick to act when the occasion demands.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 66

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