Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 70

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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some time in the near future at Columbia University and is constantly working to that end. His professional ideals are very high and he has accomplished splendid re- sults, regarding education not merely as the acquirement of knowledge, but as a prepara- tion for life's responsible duties. He is putting forth every effort to make his service of the greatest benefit to those who come under his instruction.

Professor Hall is a member of Russellville Lodge, No. 244, A. F. & A. M., and also of Camden Lodge, K. P. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, in which he is serving as a deacon and also as a member of the board of trustees. He is interested in all those forces which make for higher develop- ment along intellectual and moral lines and while seeking to attain high' ideals the plans which he follows are of a most practical and resultant character.

SAMUEL P. STUBBS, M. D.

Among those who are devoting their attention to the indispensable practice of medicine and putting forth most earnest effort to check the ravages of disease, is Dr. Samuel P. Stubbs of Fort Smith, who opened an office in this city in 1919. He is a native of the neighboring state of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Platte City, on the 10th of August, 1880, his parents being B. H. and Iris (Oliver) Stubbs, the former a native of Missouri, while the latter was born in Tennessee. The father served in the Union army during the Civil war. The mother's people belonged to an old southern family who were extensive landowners in the vicinity of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, and had a large number of slaves there.

Dr. Stubbs, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early education in the common schools near his father's home and also attended high school in Kansas City Missouri. He determined to devote his life to a professional career, and deciding upon the practice of medicine, he then entered the Kansas City College of Medicine and Surgery. He pursued the complete course, thus thoroughly qualifying for active prac- tice, and in 1919 he came to Fort Smith, where he opened an office and has here remained. In the intervening period he has built up a large and lucrative practice and has been very successful in its conduct. He is extremely careful in the diagnosis of his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in foretelling the outcome of disease. He displays the utmost devotion to the needs of the profession, and while he does not hastily discard old and time-tried methods, he is quick to take up any new idea which his judgment sanctions as of valne in professional work.

Dr. Stubbs married Miss Loga Arterbury of Neosho, Missouri, and they have become the parents of one child, Samuel P. Dr. Stubbs had been previously married and by his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Alice Watkins, he also had one child, Velma. Dr. Stubbs is medical examiner for the Woodmen of the World. He is well known both in his professional capacity and socially and the sterling traits of his character are recognized by all with whom he comes into contact.

B. A. GRISWOLD.

As the complexity of business has increased there has come a demand for efficiently trained men and women who are qualified to take up the onerous and responsible duties that have to do with the successful conduct of business at the present day. At various points in the country, therefore, have been established and conducted commercial col- ieges which have trained young people for the business world and today B. A. Griswold is manager and owner of the Fort Smith Commercial College, located at Sixth and Rogers streets. He became identified with this institution in August, 1917, and has since successfully conducted it.

Mr. Griswold is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Chariton county in 1879. He pursued his education in the schools of that state and his business educa- tion was acquired in the Capital City Business College at Guthrie, Oklahoma. Prac- tically his entire life has been devoted to educational work. He early became principal of the Lawton Business College at Lawton, Oklahoma, there remaining from 1907 until 1908. He was also principal of the bookkeeping department of the Taylor Commercial College at Taylor, Texas. In the latter part of 1908 he became manager and owner of the Moberly Commercial College at Moberly, Missonri, and there remained for about nine years, or until March, 1917, when he came to Fort Smith and purchased the Fort Smith Commercial College, of which he has since been owner and manager. Dur- ing the intervening period of four years the enrollment of the school has greatly

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increased, until its student body now represents eleven different states. The school is conceded to be the best equipped in Arkansas and is perhaps the most widely known business college in this part of the country. Mr. Griswold maintains an excellent corps of assistants, splendidly qualified to teach in their various departments, and he has supervision over the entire school, studying each individual student so far as this is possible and directing his studies to his best development.

Professor Griswold was married in 1902 to Miss Lelia Brown of Missouri, and they have one son, Raymond. Mr. Griswold belongs to the Business Men's Club and to the Ad Club. He takes the keenest interest in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of Fort Smith and his cooperation and aid are given to every plan and measure which tends to benefit the city and uphold its civic standards.

H. L. TOLAND.

H. L. Toland of Ashdown, where he is engaged in the real estate, insurance, farm loans and bonds business, is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred near Nashville on the 6th of February, 1871. There he was reared, the public schools accord- ing him his educational privileges, while later he enjoyed the benefit of a business course in Arkadelphia. He started out in the business world as bookkeeper, having studied along that line while in commercial college, and later he spent a year in that connec- tion with the Saginaw Lumber Company. He afterward acted as bookkeeper for Bascom & Ward for a year and then established business on his own account by open- ing a drug store and general merchandise establishment at Mineral Springs, where he remained until January 1, 1903. At that date he came to Ashdown, where he opened a general store, erecting the first brick business block in Little River county. He con- tinued actively in merchandising from 1903 until 1912 and then retired from commer- cial lines to establish his real estate, loan and insurance business. In this connection he has gained a large clientage and has built up an extensive business in the sale of timber and farm lands. He also handles bonds and insurance, and in these depart- ments his business, too, has reached a gratifying figure. He is likewise a director in the First National Bank of Ashdown and is regarded as a representative and resource- fnl business man, alert and enterprising and ready for any emergency.

In November, 1894, Mr. Toland was married to Miss Fannie E. Martin and they have become parents of five children: Thomas E., Joe B., Kathleen, Mary Martin and Marguerite. The two sons were soldiers of the World war, both volunteering in the infantry, and Thomas E., who went overseas, was in the Officers' Training Camp.

Mr. Toland took an active interest in everything that furthered the war and its consequent victory, acting as chairman of the Red Cross in Little River county throngh- out the entire period. He is a consistent and faitbful member of the Baptist church and is a thirty second degree Mason and Shriner. At all times he is loyal to any cause which he espouses and his fidelity is counted as a valuable asset in any organization with which he becomes allied.

WILLIAM BOOKER WORTHEN.

William Booker Worthen, who was long at the bead of the oldest and most snb- stantial private banking institution in Arkansas, classed for many years with the hon- cred and leading citizens of Little Rock, was born in the capital city September 17, 1852. He was descended from New England ancestry, connected with the history of the country from early colonial days. The line is traced back to Ezekiel and Hannah (Martin) Worthen, who were living in Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1663. His father, George Alfonso Worthen, was born in Winchester, Kentucky, June 28, 1816, and in ante- bellnm days became a resident of Little Rock, where his demise occurred Jnne 30, 1864. He was married on the 14th of November. 1849, to Louisa Booker, who was born in Springfield, Kentucky, October 8, 1827. The Booker family came originally from Eng. land, near the border of Wales, and Sam Booker, grandfather of Mrs. Lonisa Worthen, was born in Virginia in 1758. He served throughout the Revolutionary war and was a lieutenant under Washington at the time of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Mr. and Mrs. George A. Worthen became parents of four children: William Booker; Eliza H., born in 1855; George A., in 1858; and Paul, in 1862. The mother died March 29, 1895, having for more than three decades survived her husband.

William Booker Worthen began his education in the public schools of Little Rock and completed his studies in St. John's College. However, he early assumed the duties

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and responsibilities of life. He was but twelve years of age at the time of the death of his father, who had lost all of his means during the Civil war, so that upon William Booker Worthen devolved the support of his widowed mother and the younger brothers and sister. He early displayed those forces of character which made him in later years one of the strongest representatives of financial interests in the state. His initial step in business was made as rod man with an engineering party and in 1866 he was em- ployed by David F. Shaw, who was conducting a real estate and brokerage business in Little Rock. Mr. Worthen, although then but fourteen years of age, eagerly applied himself to the duties assigned him and gained wide and valuable experience in connec- tion with financial affairs. After severing his association with Mr. Shaw he entered into partnership with Gordon N. Peay on the 8th of May, 1874, when a young man of twenty- two years, for the conduct of a private bank and the relation between the two con- tinued until the death of Colonel Peay on the 1st of January, 1877. A new partnership relation was then entered upon, resulting in the organization of the firm of Parker & Worthen, which was maintained until June, 1888, when Mr. Worthen purchased the interest of Mr. Parker and continued actively in banking under the style of W. B. Worthen & Company until August 2, 1902. Articles of incorporation were then taken out under the style of the W. B. Worthen Company. The business was developed upon the principles of inflexible integrity and a most careful and wise safeguarding of the interests entrusted to their care. There was no citizen of Arkansas more familiar with the great scientific and economic principles underlying banking, for he was ever a close student of political economy and his opinions carried great weight in the banking fra- ternity of the state. He was also the author of a volume entitled "Early Banking in Arkansas," which was published in 1906 at the request of the Arkansas Bankers Association.

On the 3d of June, 1879, Mr. Worthern was married to Miss Mollie C. Peay, who was born in Little Rock, June 25, 1856, a daughter of Gordon N. and Sue (Crease) Peay, for long years honored residents of the capital city. Mrs. Worthen was educated in a convent of Little Rock and in a boarding school at Patapsco, Maryland. The children of this marriage are: Sue Peay, who was born in 1881 and is the wife of Dr. M. D. Ogden of Little Rock; George Gordon, who was born in 1883 and is assistant cashier of the W. B. Worthen Company; Elizabeth Agee, who was born in 1887 and is the wife of I. S. Hirsch of Little Rock; Louisa Booker, who was born in 1893; and Mary Booker, in 1897.

The military record of Mr. Worthen covered service in the Arkansas State Guard in young manhood, in which connection he won the rank of major. His political en- dorsement was always given to the democratic party and he was untiring in effort to advance its success. He took a conspicuous part in the Brooks-Baxter contest in 1874 and served as a lieutenant with the state troops that were upholding the cause of Governor Baxter. In the early '80s he was prominently identified with the organiza- tion of the Business Men's League and Board of Trade of Little Rock, both of which have constituted potent forces in the development of industrial and municipal progress. Major Worthen ever stood as a stalwart champion of all those activities and forces which have featured most largely in the city's growth and substantial improvement, interested in everything that promoted civic virtue and civic pride. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal church. William B. Worthen died at his home in Little Rock, October 23, 1911. In all of his life he never deviated from a course which he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen, and while success came to him in large measure as the result of business ability, he also won that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

WARREN S. WHITTLE, D. D. S.

Dr. Warren S. Whittle, engaged in the practice of dentistry in Pine Bluff, where his well equipped office is supplied with all the delicate little instruments that consti- tute the tools of dental surgery, has gained a liberal patronage during the period of his residence here and his business is steadily growing. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Whittle was born in 1894, his parents being T. W. and Iva (Stewart ) Whittle, the former a native of Columbia, Missouri, while the latter was born in Fulton, that state. The Whittle family is of English lineage and was founded in Missouri by the grand- father of Dr. Whittle, who settled there in pioneer days. The Stewarts were originally from Scotland, although the family has been found in America for a very extended period. In the family of T. W. and Iva ( Stewart) Whittle there were three children: Thomas W., Jr., Sybil and Warren S.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Dr. Whittle pursued his edu-

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cation in the schools of Columbia, Missouri, and in the State University at that place, thus gaining a broad and liberal classical education before entering upon preparation for his professional activity. He also attended the Washington University of St. Lonis and afterward became a student in the Kansas City Dental College, from which in due course of time he was graduated.

Following America's entrance into the World war Dr. Whittle enlisted for service in the army and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Dental Corps, with which he served overseas for eight months as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry, while later he was with the Headquarters Company of the Seventh Army Corps. He remained with the army until mustered out with the rank of captain in July, 1919.

With his return to America, Dr. Whittle settled in Pine Bluff, where he opened a dental office in the Citizens Bank building, and here he has remained in the active work of his profession. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also with the American Legion, being in hearty sympathy with the plans of that organization to "carry on" just as earnestly and effectively in behalf of American institutions and ideals in times of peace as they did when serving on the western front in Europe, during the period of conflict with Germany. Dr. Whittle is also identified throngh membership relations with the local, state and national dental societies and thus keeps in touch with the proceedings of these bodies, whereby he is thoroughly in- formed concerning the results of modern scientific research and discovery in the field of dental practice.

W. F. BELL.

Business enterprise at Prairie Grove finds a worthy exponent in W. F. Bell, who is here engaged in the lumber business. At the outset of his career he recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and he has made industry the beacon light of his life. Directing his labors along approved commercial lines he has met with a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred April 12, 1866, about seven miles north of Prairie Grove on the farm of his parents, John M. and Elizabeth C. (Hale) Bell. His grandfather, J. C. Bell, was a native of North Carolina and became one of the earliest settlers of Arkansas, establishing his home in Hempstead county, this state, in the '20s, or almost a century ago. He took up his abode in Washington county about 1826 and obtained land from the government-land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He was closely associated with the early agricultural progress of this section of the state and his remaining days were passed on the old homestead. The maternal grandfather of W. F. Bell was Jaber Hale, a native of Ten- nessee, who came to Arkansas in 1856, living in Benton county. The birth of John M. Bell occurred just across the boundary of Arkansas in the Indian Territory in July, 1829, and his life record covered the intervening years to 1891. It was in 1833 that he came to Washington county and throughout his life he followed the occupation of farming. During the Civil war he served as a member of Company K, Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry, and for three years was with the Confederate army. His wife was born in Tennessee and came to Arkansas in 1856. They were members of the Presby- terian church and Mr. Bell belonged to the Masonic fraternity, faithfully following the teachings of both the lodge and the church. He always voted with the democratic party and kept well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom three are living: W. F .; Minnie, who is the widow of J. N. Woodruff and lives at Prairie Grove; and Samuel E., whose home is in Gonzales county, Texas, where he is engaged in business as a decorator.

W. F. Bell obtained his education in the common schools of Washington county and started out in life as a farmer, having been early trained to the work of the fields. He soon acquainted himself with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and he continned successfully to engage in farming until 1902, when he sold his land and removed to Prairie Grove. Here he purchased a lumberyard which he conducted for three years. He then merged his yard with another in Prairie Grove and became manager for the Prairie Grove Lumber Company, in which position he has continued. This company sells lumber and all kinds of building materials and its trade extends largely over this part of the county. Mr. Bell is winning success in his connections with the lumber trade and as the years have passed he has made judicious investment in realty and today holds considerable city property.

In 1912 Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Nattie Cox, who was born in Green county, Arkansas, a daughter of George W. Cox, also a native of that county. Her father was a trader and live stock dealer and also engaged in the real estate business. He is still living at Prairie Grove. Mrs. Bell is a consistent member of the Christian

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church, while Mr. Bell belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has served as master of his lodge. Both he and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically he is a democrat, active in the work of the party and has been called to fill various public positions. He served as a member of the town council and has also been mayor of Prairie Grove, his administration resulting in benefit along many lines of general upbuilding and definite improvement. He is also the head of the Community Club and thus in various ways cooperates in all that tends to be of specific worth and value to the district in which he lives.

REV. JOHN BODEN.

Rev. John Boden, an Episcopal clergyman of Little Rock, was born on Barra Island of the New Hebrides, off the northwest coast of Scotland, on the 3d of August, 1879. His parents were John and Margaret (MacLachlan) Boden, the former born in Sweden, March 9, 1854, while the mother's birth occurred in Glasgow, Scotland, August 3, 1849. They were married in Glasgow, Scotland, September 26, 1873, and became parents of two sons, Duncan L. and John Boden. About thirty-nine years ago the family came to America and the family home was established in Chicago, Illinois. The father is a seaman. The mother departed this life November 10, 1905.

Rev. John Boden pursued his early education in the public schools of Chicago and afterward attended Hanover College at Hanover, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He next entered the McCormick Theological Seminary at Chicago. He was ordained a clergyman of the Epis- copal church in 1911. As deacon he was assigned to the charge of All Saints Episcopal church at Nevada, Missouri, and afterward became rector of St. Paul's church at Evansville, Indiana. On leaving that place he was made rector of St. Mary's church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later became rector of the Church of the Holy Com- munion in St. Louis, Missouri. At the present writing he is rector of Christ church of Little Rock, which is the mother church of the Episcopal diocese of Arkansas. He was assigned to this pastorate in November, 1919, and has labored untiringly for the development of the church and the extension of its work. His labors have covered a wide scope, not only in connection with religious work but along various other lines. He is a member of the ways and means and other standing committees of the diocese of Arkansas and is a member of the council of advice to the bishop of Arkansas. He is examining chaplain to the bishop of Arkansas and chairman of the board of religious education of this diocese.

His labors, too, have been a vital element for progress and upbuilding along lines outside the strict field of church work. He is a member of the speakers bureau of the Arkansas Advancement Association, is a director of the Arkansas State Farm for Women, is president of the Arkansas Prison Welfare Association, is a director of the Arkansas Near East Relief and in connection with the city in which he makes his home he is serving as a member of the Board of Commerce of Little Rock, as a director of the United Charities Association, as a director of the Pulaski County Tuberculosis Association, as president. of the Little Rock Motor Club, as vice presi- dent of the Little Rock Kiwanis Club and as president of the Court of Honor of the Little Rock Council of the Boy Scouts. His activities and interests are thus broad and varied, keeping him in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and particularly with the work that is seeking to improve sociological and economic conditions.

Rev. Mr. Boden is likewise a prominent figure in Masonic circles, belonging to the various Masonic bodies. He has served as worshipful master of Clinton Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of Petersburg, Illinois; was worthy patron of the Eastern Star chapter at Petersburg; prelate in Palladin Commandery of the Knights Templar at St. Paul, Minnesota; grand orator and grand marshal of the grand lodge of Min- nesota; and is a Consistory Mason and Mystic Shriner. He likewise has membership in the Sigma Chi, a college fraternity.

On the Ist of June, 1905, Mr. Boden was united in marriage to Miss Mahel Boley Crum, who was born in Virginia, Cass county, Illinois, November 27, 1881. She attended the graded and high schools of Virginia, Illinois, and afterward became a student in the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville. She is a daughter of David Marion and Henrietta (Payne) Crum, who were residents of Virginia, Illinois. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Margaret Henrietta, who died at the age of six years; John David, now eight and a half years of age; and Mabel Crum, a little maiden of five summers. Mrs. Boden takes an active interest

REV. JOHN BODEN

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in all departments of the local church work and is of great assistance to her husband. Occupying an enviable social position, their influence has been a potent force for cultural as well as moral progress in the community. Rev. Mr. Boden is a close student of the vital questions and issues of the day which affect the welfare of the individual and the progress of mankind and has been a cooperant factor in many carefully organized plans and agencies for public benefit and the general good. A man of scholarly attainments, actuated by the highest ideals of service, his labors have indeed been far-reaching and effective.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 70

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