Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 71

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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S. W. DONAGHEY.

S. W. Donaghey, condneting a feed and wagon yard in Searcy, was born in Perry county, Alabama, September 12, 1871, his parents being E. and Salina E. ( Osborn) Donaghey, who were likewise natives of that state. The father followed farming in Alabama, but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business considerations and personal interests and enlisted in the Confederate army, serving throughout the period of hostilities. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and in other engagements. He left his wife and two children at home while in the service and all he had of his property possessions when he returned was his residence, for through the exigencies of war the farm had been neglected, there being no one left to till it. With his return Mr. Donaghey at once set to work to retrieve his lost possessions and in 1879 he removed from Alabama to Arkansas, settling in White county. He made the trip by boat from Memphis, proceeding up the White and Little Red rivers to West Point. After reaching his destination he rented land and carried on farming, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as death called him a little later. His wife died in 1913, at the age of seventy-two years, while his death occurred at the age of forty- eight years. They were loyal members of the Baptist church throughont their lives and Mr. Donaghey always gave his political support to the democratic party. To him and his wife were born four children: Mattie, who is the widow of Aaron Tettleton, and resides in San Antonio, Texas; Nannie, the wife of J. W. Blevins of Pasadena, California: S. W., of this review; and Estelle, living in Searcy. The Donaghey family is of Irish descent, for the grandfather of S. W. Donaghey was a native of Ireland and smuggled his way across the ocean to the new world. He then settled in Perryville, Alabama, and afterward took up the ceenpation of farming there. In due course of time lie became owner of a plantation and a number of slaves and he died in Ala- bama prior to the Civil war. The maternal grandfather of S. W. Donaghey was William Osborn, a native of Tennessee, who in early life became a resident of Alabama, where he, too, owned and cultivated a plantation, while his property interests also included a number of slaves. He died while the Civil war was in progress.

S. W. Donaghey pursued his education in the public schools of Kensett, Arkansas, attending one of the old-time box schools, a crude structure of four walls, with wooden benches and primitive furnishings. He walked three miles to school and in this way laid the foundation for his education. Later he took np farming on his own account in Kensett township, White county. Arkansas, and for a considerable period gave his attention to the work of tilling the soil and raising stock. In 1899 he removed to Searcy, where he entered the livery business and for three years he also worked in connection with a harness business. He now conducts a feed and wagon yard and is accorded a liberal patronage by reason of his thorough business reliability and his enterprise. Whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the direct reward of his own labors. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has always voted for its candidates. but has never sought nor desired office for himself as a reward for his party loyalty. Much of his life has been spent in this state and he has a wide acquaintance in White county, where he has become well known through his farming and kindred interests.

ISAAC M. GEORGE, M. D.

Dr. Isaac M. George, a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, practicing successfully in El Dorado, was born in Clark county, Arkansas. November 3, 1860, and is a son of Daniel and Martha (Reid) George. The parents were natives of the state of Georgia and the father was of English descent, while the mother came of Irish ancestry. The grandfather in the maternal line assisted in building the first railroad ever constructed in Georgia and in this way he made the money

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with which he purchased his first negro slave. He served as captain of the Home Guards during the Civil war, while nine of his ten sons served throughout the period of hostilities between the north and the south and six of the number laid down their lives on the battle fields. The grandfather was also seriously wounded, but lived through the memorable struggle. The birth of Dr. George's parents occurred on adjoining farms, but they were not married until their removal to Arkansas. Daniel George came to this state in young manhood, while his future wife was brought to Arkansas by her parents when twelve years of age, the family settling in Clark county. Mr. George de- parted this life soon after the close of the Civil war, his death resulting from exposure during the service.

Dr. George was educated in the high school at Lanius, Texas, and in 1887 he took up the study of medicine, which he read for two years before entering college. In 1889 he enrolled as a student in the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended one course of lectures that fall and in the following spring he pursued a course in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville. In July, 1890, he, entered upon active practice in Clark county, Arkansas, and in December of the same year he removed to Union county with the coming of the railroad, settling in Smackover. In 1896 he completed his medical studies in the University of Arkansas, which conferred upon him his professional degree that year. He continued to practice in Smackover, in Union county, until the fall of 1899, and through a period of two and a half years thereafter he made frequent removals and trips for the benefit of his wife's health. In 1902 he located at Jonesboro, Louisiana, where he was in active practice for five years, and in 1907 he came to El Dorado, where he has remained. In 1900 and again in 1907 he took postgraduate work on the eye, ear, nose and throat in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College, and in 1914 he pursued a special course in the same depart- ment of the Tulane University at New Orleans. For the past twenty years he has spe- cialized in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, but for fifteen years of that time also conducted general practice. During the past five years, however, he has confined his attention solely to his specialty and is recognized as an eminent authority upon this branch of professional activity.

On the 15th of May, 1892, Dr. George was married to Miss Anna Norton. a daughter of Preston Norton, a farmer of Clark county. They are consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, South, and Dr. George is identified with El Dorado Lodge, No. 13. A. F. & A. M., and El Dorado Chapter, No. 114, R. A. M. He is interested at all times in those forces which make for the benefit and progress of the community and for the uplift of the individual. In his practice he has performed his work in a most conscientious way and is zealous in promoting his knowledge, that his labors may be of the greatest possible benefit to those who seek his aid. He keeps in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries and his methods are thoroughly modern in every particular. He is a member of the Union and the Arkansas State Medical Societies.

J. M. CAMPBELL, M. D.

Dr. J. M. Campbell, one of Arkansas' native sons and a representative of a pioneer family of the state, is numbered among the leading physicians and surgeons of Rus- sellville, where for the past nineteen years he has engaged in general practice, and he has also become well known as a real estate owner, winning success along both business and professional lines. He was born on a farm twenty-five miles north of Russellville, March 1, 1859, his parents being Charles R. and Ruth ( Herrin) Campbell, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and were married in Arkansas. The father came to this state during his boyhood and on starting out in life independently he took up the occupation of farming, which he continued to follow until his demise. He was a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served for a year, during the latter part of that confiict, and his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church and as a young man he became identified with the Masonic order. His father, Edward Campbell, was also a native of Tennessee, who had settled in Arkansas many years before the outbreak of the Civil war. Here he suc- cessfully engaged in farming, becoming the owner of a number of slaves. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Campbell were born seven children, of whom three survive: Henry, a well known farmer residing at Scottsville; J. M .; and Charles K., a leading physician of Dover, Arkansas.

After completing his high school education, which was acquired at Valley Springs, Arkansas, J. M. Campbell devoted six years to the profession of teaching in order to provide the funds necessary to pursue his collegiate course. During the scholastic year of 1887-88 he was a student at the medical college at Little Rock and then entered the

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medical school at Memphis, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. He began his professional work at Scottsville, Arkansas, where he remained for fifteen years, and since 1903 has successfully engaged in practice at Russellville. He carefully diagnoses his cases and thoroughly understands the scientific as well as the practical pbases of his profession. He is most thorough and conscientious in the per- formance of the work which devolves upon him in this connection and with the passing years his practice bas steadily grown until it has now assumed large proportions. Dr. Campbell is also a successful business man. In 1896 he made investment in land which is now the townsite of Russellville and is the owner of twenty acres at the present time. He has sold many lots and has still about twenty-five thousand dollars' worth of property to dispose of, having made a profit of fifteen thousand dollars on his original investment of twenty-five hundred dollars. His operations along this line have not only been a source of individual prosperity, but have also contributed in large measure to the upbuilding and development of his community.

In 1887 Dr. Campbell was married to Miss Tennessee Price, a native of Pope county, Arkansas, and a daughter of Allen Price, who was born in Tennessee and came to Arkansas in pioneer times, devoting his energies to farming pursuits. To this union was born a daughter, Norma Gertrude, who married Earl Hobbs, who is identified with railroad interests and resides at Warren, Arkansas.

Dr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Masons, belonging to the lodge and chapter of the latter order. He has held all of the offices in his lodge except that of master and for two years was scribe of the chapter. His pro- fessional connections are with the Pope County and Arkansas State Medical Societies and of the first named organization he has served as president. He is also a director of the Peoples Bank of Russellville. He is a loyal, patriotic and public-spirited citizen and during the World war did all within his power to aid his country in its time of need. He has never lost the attitude of a student toward his profession, in which he has made continuous advancement, and his pronounced ability and high standards have won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow practitioners and the general public as well. In his political views he is a stanch democrat and for twelve years he served as a member of the school board, doing everything in his power to promote the cause of education in his community.

EULEN GREEN SHOFFNER.

Little Rock has always been distinguished for the high rank of her bench and bar. She has claimed many members capable of crossing swords in forensic combat with the ablest lawyers of the country. The present generation has furnished a full quota to the legal profession and among those whose record has at all times been creditable and an honor to the calling, is numbered Eulen Green Shoffner. Born on a farm in Carroll county, Tennessee, in 1878, he was the fourth child in a family of seven, whose parents were Midian Davis and Julia Belle (Cate) Shoffner, who were likewise natives of Car- roll county, Tennessee, where the father was born in 1836 and the mother on the 28th of December, 1858. The father lived for many years in Cabot, Lonoke county, Arkansas, where he took up his abode in 1881 and there followed the carpenter's trade. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, which at all times he supported. His military record covers service as a private in the Twenty-second Tennessee Infantry of the Confederate army and he was on duty from the beginning of bostilities until 1864, when he was invalided home. He continued to reside in Tennessee for a period of seventeen years thereafter and then came to Arkansas, living for some time at Cabot. On the 10th of August, 1918, he died in Little Rock, where his widow still resides. Their family numbered five sons and two daughters, who are all living.

The youthful experiences of Eulen Green Shoffner were those of the farm bred boy. He was reared in Lonoke county, Arkansas, and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of Cabot, passing through consecutive grades to his gradua- tion from the high school with the class of 1896. Through his life he has been a close and attentive observer of men and measures and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons. His professional training was received in the law department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated in 1915, with the LL. B. degree. Through the intervening period of six years he has continued in the practice of his profession, spending all of this period in Little Rock, where he is now well known as an able lawyer. In no instance has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue: it has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and pro- vided not alone for the expected, but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts

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quite as frequently as out of them. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been another potent element in his growing success.

On the 7th of September, 1904, Mr. Shoffner was married to Miss Rosa Blanche Rice, who was born in Little Rock, December 9, 1878, and is a graduate of the high school of this city. Her parents were Edmund Samuel and Blanche ( Macarte) Rice, both of whom were natives of England. The father came to the United States about 1875 and died April 23, 1916. The mother survives and still makes her home in Little Rock.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Shoffner has voted with the democratic party and has firm faith in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government. He served as a representative from Pulaski county in the 1915 general assembly and was one of the active members of that body. He helongs to the Second Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as a deacon, and he takes deep and helpful interest in all that has to do with the betterment and welfare of the community, casting his aid and influence at all times on the side of progress, reform and improvement.

J. W. SEARAN.

J. W. Searan, a man of executive ability and keen sagacity in business affairs, is now the secretary and manager of the Arkansas Grain Company, operating at Stuttgart. He is numbered among the substantial citizens the Buckeye state has furnished to Ar- kansas, his birth having occurred in Springfield, Ohio, in 1861, his parents being Thomas and Mahala (Souder) Searan. The grandfather, Michael Searan, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and at the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he joined the Union army and followed the stars and stripes to southern battle fields. The grandfather in the maternal line removed from Ohio to Pettis county, Missouri, and it was in that county that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Searan resided for many years after leaving Ohio.

J. W. Searan pursued his education in the schools of Pettis county and then re- moved to eastern Kansas, where he lived until 1885. At that date he became a resident of Harper county, Kansas, and eventually settled in Wichita county of the same state. There he drove a mail coach from Garden City to Fort Wallace. In 1888 he went to Fairfield, Iowa, where he was married and in the same year he took up his abode in Arkansas, settling at Stuttgart, when there were only three or four buildings in the town. Here he turned his attention to the grocery business and eventually established a wholesale grocery house. After continuing in that line for a time he went on the road as a traveling salesman for the Hammett Grocery Company of Pine Bluff, which he thus represented for ten years. In 1904 he removed to Little Rock, there resided until 1912 and then returned to Stuttgart, where he established a grain business, organ. izing the Arkansas Grain Company, which operates a grain elevator at this place. The officers of the company are: C. C. Hayes, James Thomas, Floyd Searan and J. W. Searan, the last named being secretary of the company and the active manager of the business, which under his control has developed rapidly and substantially.

J. W. Searan wedded Kate E. Chander of Fairfield, Iowa, and they are parents of two sons: Floyd and Carl, the former having married Lillian Kinnikin. In his fraternal relations J. W. Searan is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Masons, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His life has ever been the expression of straightforward principles and all who have had business or social relations with him have come to respect and esteem him for the sterling worth of his character. He has always been imbued with the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has been a dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country and step by step he has advanced until his steady progression has made him one of the forceful figures in the grain trade circles of this part of the state.

MRS. LOGAN H. ROOTS.

Among the splendid women of Little Rock who have contributed in large measure to the benevolent and philanthropic work of the city and have been active in those organizations which are looking to the benefit of mankind and the amelioration of hard conditions of life for the unfortunate is Mrs. Logan H. Roots, who in her maidenhood was Emily Margaret Blakeslee. She was born at Silver Creek, Chautauqua county, New York, September 21, 1844, a daughter of Lyman Curtis and Maria Candace (Angell) Blakeslee. Her father was a native of Fredonia, Chautauqua county, New York, and lived for many years at Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he was connected with the oil

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industry. His wife was born at the Angell settlement in Chautauqua county, New York, and was a relative of Cyrus Angell, who discovered the belt theory of crude oil. In his political views Mr. Blakeslee was always a stalwart republican. His wife died July 4, 1860. They were the parents of three children: Emily Margaret, Helen Maria and Charles Henry.

The daughter, Emily Margaret, attended the public schools of her native state and continued her education in Duquoin Seminary of Illinois. On the 9th of August, 1871, she became the wife of Logan H. Roots, mentioned at length on another page of this work. To them were born seven children: Mrs. Frances Roots Mitchell, whose birth occurred in 1874; Mrs. Miriam Roots Crawford, born in 1879; Mrs. Lois Roots Hemingway, born in 1884; Logan Guernsey; and three sons who died in infancy.

Mrs. Roots has taken a most active and helpful part in benevolent and charitable work in societies and clubs. She is honorary president of the board of the Logan H. Roots Memorial Hospital, was president of the Woman's Auxiliary and president of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Episcopal church, in which she holds membership. She was also the president of the Colonial Dames of America in Arkansas, is now the honorary president of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Arkansas, is presi- dent of the Descendants of Colonial Governors and belongs to the Aesthetic Club, the Current Events Club and Country Club. Her interests are indeed broad and varied, showing her to be a woman of wide culture, keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. Her influence has been a potent element for good along many lines and wherever possible she extends a helping hand, her labors at all times being an effective force for good,

W. M. BROWN.

W. M. Brown of Fort Smith is at the head of the firm of W. M. Brown & Company, electrical engineers, in which connection a business of extensive proportions has been developed. Mr. Brown is a native son of Sebastian county, Arkansas, born in the year 1883, his parents being James and Caroline (Mclaughlin) Brown. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools and thus laid the foundation for his later professional training. He afterward took up the study of electrical construction and became associated with the Fort Smith Light & Traction Company, adding practical experience to the knowledge which he gained from books. He has pursued his reading extensively and has acquainted himself with every phase of technical and applied elec- tricity. He knows the theory and the practical side of the work and he organized the firm of W. M. Brown & Company, now engaged in rebuilding and installing motors, in the building of power plants, mine power plants and electrical machinery. The business was organized under its present form in 1919, with Mr. Brown as the controlling spirit, and his interests have developed to very substantial and gratifying proportions.

W. O. CREASON.

High on the roll of capable and prosperous business men of Hot Springs appears the name of W. O. Creason, who is the president of the Missouri Lumber Company and the vice president of the Southern Hardware Company of this city. Missouri claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Audrain county on the 11th day of July, 1874, his parents being George H. and Mary A. (McClenny Creason, both of whom were natives of Missouri, the former born in Ray county and the latter in St. Charles. The father followed farming for many years in Audrain and in Livingston counties of Mis- souri, continuing to cultivate the soil until his life's labors were ended in death. His widow survives and now makes her home in Hot Springs.

W. O. Creason, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools near his boyhood home, afterward attended Avalon College at Avalon, Missouri, where he pursued a classical course. Later he went to Kansas City and for a time worked in connection with the street car system there. He was thus employed during the day- time in order that he might earn money enough with which to meet the expenses of a stenographic course, which he pursued at night. When he had completed his studies he obtained a position as stenographer in the office of the E. P. Cowen Lumber Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and remained with that house until the failure of the firm three years later. He afterward worked as office man for the Saunders-Turner Lumber Company of Kansas City for a period of three years and then removed to Myrtis, Lou- isiana, where he was placed in charge of the office of the Black Bayou Lumber Com-

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pany. After a brief period of six months, however, he returned to Kansas City and was made assistant sales manager of the yellow pine department of the Long-Bell Lum- ber Company, continuing in that position for a period of two years. In 1904 he went to Kirksville, Missouri, and organized the Adair Lumber Company, which was incorpo- rated, the business starting with three lumberyards. Mr. Creason was made secretary- treasurer and general manager of the new concern and remained with the company in Kirksville for eight years, at the end of which time he severed his connection with that business. This was in 1912. The trade of the corporation had been greatly built up under his management and the business extended until it included a chain of nine lumberyards. At length, however, Mr. Creason sold his stock in the enterprise and re- moved to Hot Springs, where he purchased the plant of the Missouri Lumber Company and has since continued business operations in this city. In 1913 he became one of the organizers of the Southern Hardware Company and is one of three partners who share equally in the business, his official position being that of vice president. There are few men more thoroughly acquainted with the lumber trade than Mr. Creason and his capability and enterprise have made him one of the successful dealers in that field, while at the present time he is manifesting equal ability in the conduct of the hardware store.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 71

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