Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 72

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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In 1897 Mr. Creason was united in marriage to Miss Berdine Lacock of Paola, Kansas, and they have become parents of one son, Willard George, who is employed in the office of the Missouri Lumber Company. Mr. Creason is well known through his fraternal relations, being a life member of Kirksville Lodge, No. 464, B. P. O. E. He now belongs to the Business Men's League of Hot Springs and for several years was a member of the board of governors of the league. He also has membership in the Hot Springs Country & Golf Club and is an associate member of the Rotary Club. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church and its teachings constitute a guiding spirit in their lives. They are today well known in this city, having gained many friends since taking up their abode here, while in commercial circles Mr. Creason is regarded as a man of weight, others deferring to his sound judgment and recognizing the fact that he possesses those substantial qualities which in every laud and clime awaken confidence and regard.

F. E. LARIMORE.

F. E. Larimore, a successful real estate operator of Rogers, conducts his interests under the name of the Rogers Land Company and has built up an extensive and profitable enterprise of this character. He was born in Plattsburg, Missouri, on the 9th of August, 1887, his parents being Sam and Maggie (Blocker) Larimore, both of whom passed away in Bentonville, Arkansas, when their son, F. E., was still young. The father devoted his attention to the drug business with gratifying success and was widely recognized as a substantial and esteemed citizen of his community. He was a democrat in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom but two survive, the sister of Mr. Larimore of this review being Mrs. R. A. Spieker of Pratt, Kansas, whose husband is connected with the Rock Island Railroad as train dispatcher.

F. E. Larimore obtained his education in the public schools of Rogers and early began providing for his own support by securing a position as helper in a blacksmith shop, in which he worked for eighteen months. He then took a business course at Fort Smith and entered the employ of the Reynolds-Davis Company, a wholesale grocery concern, remaining in the office for one year, after which he spent four years as a trav- eling salesman. He next became district manager for a life insurance company in Oklahoma, continuing in that connection for four years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Arkansas and embarked in the real estate business at Rogers. This has claimed his attention to the present time and his interests have been developed to extensive and gratifying proportions. He does considerable commission business, but also buys and sells property on his own account. His holdings in Benton county are quite extensive and have been accumulated through his own efforts and perseverance. His time is now divided between his real estate and farming interests and he devotes considerable attention to the raising of pure blood Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.

In October, 1911, Mr. Larimore was united in marriage to Miss Goldie Gipple, a native of Iowa, and they have become parents of two children: F. G., who is four years of age; and Doris Joan, who is in her first year.

In his political views Mr. Larimore is a stalwart democrat, while fraternally he is identified with the Elks and the Masons, belonging to the Knights Templar commandery

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and the Mystic Shrine of the latter order. He is also a valued member of the Rotary Club and is now serving as its president. Both he and his wife attend the services of the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known throughout the community in which they make their home. Mr. Larimore is a most progressive and public- spirited young man, whose cooperation can at all times he counted upon to further any measure or movement instituted for the benefit of city and county or for the promotion of the general welfare.

C. C. O'NEAL.

C. C. O'Neal, who since 1913 has been cashier of the First National Bank at Green Forest, was born upon a farm in the vicinity of this city in September, 1872, and comes of Irish ancestry. His great-grandfather was a native of Ireland and became the founder of the family in the new world. He was the father of Charles G. O'Neal, who was born in Tennessee and became a pioneer resident of Arkansas. He also lived for a time in Missouri and it was in the latter state that his son, W. J. O'Neal, was born. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Tinsey Garrison, likewise a native of Missouri and a daughter of Calvin Garrison, who was one of the pioneer residents of Carroll county, Arkansas. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. O'Neal was celebrated in Carroll county, to which place Mr. O'Neal removed with his parents when quite young, and his wife also arrived in this county in her early girlhood. He devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming and both he and his wife died on the old homestead. They were consistent members of the Baptist church and both took an active and helpful part in the church work. In his political views Mr. O'Neal was a republican and at the time of the Civil war served with the Union army as a member of Company G, First Arkansas Federal Regiment. He was on active duty for four years and participated in some of the hotly contested battles of the war, including the engagements at Pea Ridge, rt Prairie Grove and Wilson Creek. To him and his wife were born seven children, as follows: Mrs. T. C. Rhodes, who is living on a farm near Green Forest; J. J. and C. L., who also follow farming in Arkansas; Mrs. J. W. Scott, living at. Blue Eye, Missouri; C. C., of this review; George W., who is engaged in the hotel business in Harrison, Arkansas; and Mrs. Mae Stanley, living at Green Forest.

C. C. O'Neal was educated in Green Forest and at Carrollton and after he had com- pleted his course of study engaged in teaching school for four years. He lived upon the home farm until 1892, when he came to Green Forest and here turned his attention to the hardware business, in which he engaged for ten or twelve years, winning sub- stantial success in the conduct of his commercial interests. He afterward assisted in organizing the First National Bank in 1913 and became its first cashier, since which time he has occupied the position. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, has a surplus of more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars and deposits amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The business of the bank has been most carefully directed and its policy is one which commends it to the patronage of all. Mr. O'Neal is one of the directors as well as the cashier of the bank and is a most popular official by reason of his uniform courtesy to the patrons of the institution.

In 1891 Mr. O'Neal was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Shibley, who was born in Green Forest and is a daughter of L. S. Shihley, who is engaged in the insurance business. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal are now parents of one daughter, Halleen, who is in school. In religious faith Mrs. O'Neal is a member of the Christian church and politically Mr. O'Neal is a republican. Both are highly esteemed and occupy an enviable social position, having the warm regard of many friends throughout this section of the state.

JOHN R. MATHEWS.

One of the substantial citizens of Sheridan is John R. Mathews, clerk of the chancery, probate, county and circuit courts and county recorder of Grant county. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on the 24th of February, 1880, a son of Gilliam D. and Sarah (Graves) Mathews, the former a native of Georgia, where he was born in 1847, and the latter a native of Pulaski county, this state. Her parents came to this state from Tennessee at an early day. As a lad thirteen years of age Gilliam Mathews came to Arkansas. He accompanied his mother and a number of the other children of the family, of whom there were fourteen. His father died in Georgia, when he was but five years of age. Upon their arrival in this state they located on a farm in Grant county, where Mr. and Mrs. Gilliam D. Mathews are now living. For the greater part

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of his life Gilliam D. Mathews has engaged in agricultural pursuits and has achieved substantial success. He is numbered among the pioneer citizens of the community, in the development and improvement of which he has been a dominant factor.

In the acquirement of his education John R. Mathews attended the district schools of his native county and was subsequently gradnated from the county high school. He was enrolled in the State Normal School at Conway for two terms, and in 1903 began teaching. For the following nine years he devoted his time to educational work hut in 1912 was elected sheriff of Grant connty, serving four years in that office. On the 10th of December, 1916, he took np farming. For the next two years he was active as a farmer and was very successful in that connection, but in 1919, he disposed of his interests and located in Sheridan, where he entered the real estate business. At the primary election on the 8th of August, 1920, he was elected to fill the positions in which he is now serving. Mr. Mathews is one of the most prominent men in Grant county and has won the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

In 1912 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mathews to Miss Lucille Trotter of Sardis, Mississippi, and to their union two children have been horn, Bernice Trotter and James Reed. Since age conferred upon Mr. Mathews the right of franchise he has given his stanch support to 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 Taylor Lodge, No. 206, F. & A. M. of Grapevine; and he is likewise affiliated with Lodge No. 233, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Sheridan, and the Woodmen of the World. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, while his wife is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Mathews has always been interested in the development and improvement of the community and has won for himself a place among the most representative and public-spirited citizens of his town, connty and state. He has.maintained his interest in educational affairs and for a number of years was a member of the local school board. He is the possessor of a genial personality and his friends are legion. In every relation of life he has been successful and Grant county is indeed proud to number him among her native sons.

THOMAS JEFFERSON NEWMAN, D. D. S.

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Newman, whose high standing in his profession may be gathered from the fact that he is the president of the Arkansas Dental Society, was born in Raymond, Mississippi, March 1, 1874. His father, Dr. Alexander Newman, who practiced his profession in Mississippi after his graduation from the Atlanta Medical College, was a native of Athens, Georgia, and a member of a pioneer family of that state. Dr. Newman removed with his family to Arkansas, when his son, Thomas J., was ten years of age and later practiced his profession in Lonoke county to the time of his death, which occurred in 1905. He was a surgeon of the Confederate army during the Civil war from 1861 until 1865. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Duanah Standifer, was born in Rankin, Mississippi, where her people had settled at an early day. She now makes her home in Little Rock.

Dr. T. J. Newman was educated in the schools of Lonoke and in the University of Arkansas until he had completed his more specifically literary course. His dental work was taken at Vanderbilt University, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the D. D. S. degree. For a short period thereafter he practiced in Mississippi but about twenty years ago entered upon active practice in Little Rock, where he has continued. His practice is extensive and of very high class and at all times through his professional career he has kept in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries. While he cannot be called exactly a specialist he has nevertheless developed a high degree of skill in the treatment of pyorrhea and. in exodontia. He is a member of the local and state dental societies and has been honored with the presidency of the last named. He also belongs to the American Dental Association and the profession recognizes his skill and ability which has brought to him merited prominence.

In 1898 Dr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Laura Florence McArthur, a daughter of William McArthur, a planter of Raymond, Mississippi. They have two children: Ethel Rosalie, who is now a freshman in the National Park Seminary, dis- playing much talent in music but being particularly gifted in costume designing, which promises to be her vocation in life; and William Vernon, who is a senior in the Little Rock high school.

Dr. Newman is a thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He helongs also to the Xi Psi Phi dental fraternity, the Country Club and the Spring Lake Club and he is a Baptist in religious faith, having membership in the Second

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DR. THOMAS J. NEWMAN

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Baptist church, in which he is serving on the finance committee. He was appointed by President Wilson to serve on the medical advisory board during the World war. In all civic affairs he takes a foremost place. His time and money are freely given to every project that has for its object the betterment of the city, state and nation and his labors in this direction, as well as along professional lines, have been far-reaching, resultant and beneficial.

LAWRENCE M. GARY.

Lawrence M. Gary, who for the past nine years has been connected with educational interests in Arkansas, is now serving as county superintendent of schools of Desha county and his thorough training for the profession, combined with his long experience in school work, have made him not only a successful educator but have given him an insight into school affairs which well fits him for the important position he now occupies. He is one of Kentucky's native sons, his birth having occurred in Ohio county on the 8th of May, 1885, and his parents were Richard and Sarah F. (Likins) Gary, both natives of Grayson county, Kentucky.

After completing his public school course Lawrence M. Gary attended Hartford College at Hartford, Kentucky, and then entered the Kentucky State University at Lexington, which conferred upon him the B. S. degree in 1908. After his graduation he took up educational work, in which he has since been engaged, and in 1908 and 1909 was superintendent of schools in Morgantown, Kentucky, while during 1909 and 1910 he was a teacher in the Hartford schools. Going to Louisiana, he served for three years as superintendent of schools at Redland, and in 1913 he came to Dumas, Arkansas, to fill a similar position, being thus occupied for five years. His excellent work in that connec- tion led to his election to the office of superintendent of schools of Desha county in 1918 and he has since served in that capacity. Under his able direction the schools have made splendid progress. He has instituted many improvements, has advanced the stand- ards of education in this district and has also successfully exerted his efforts to bring about a harmonious collaboration between the teachers of the county, thus insuring the pupils of the schools a higher degree of efficiency in their lessons.

In 1912 Professor Gary was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hudson of Plain Dealing, Louisiana, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Wanda Madeen and Maxine. Mr. and Mrs. Gary are faithful members of the Missionary Baptist church, of which Professor Gary is serving as clerk, and fraternally he is identified with Morgan- town Lodge, No. 203, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also connected with the Masons, belonging to Omega Lodge, No. 547, F. & A. M., and Victory Chapter, No. 131, R. A. M. Believing that the destiny of the world depends upon the lessons which the pupils in the public schools are learning, he deems it of vital importance that they should be given a correct conception of the duties of citizenship and a thorough knowledge of the standard of morals which the American people hold sacred and his efforts in his chosen profession are most intelligently directed and have been important and far- reaching in their results.

H. L. BENNING.

For seventeen years H. L. Benning has been numbered among the prominent and progressive citizens of Fort Smith and has been the promoter of one of its leading business enterprises. The growth and development of a city depends upon its industrial and commercial activities and thus Mr. Benning has contributed in no small degree to the benefit and upbuilding of Fort Smith. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellow- men. He is now the president of the Carnahan Drug Company, which owns and controls three large drug stores and a central warehouse in this city, from which the three retail establishments are supplied.

A native of Missouri, H. L. Benning was born in Wheeling, in 1875, and in his youth enjoyed liberal educational opportunities. He attended the William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, and then in preparation for a business career he entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He then followed his profession in Missouri for about seven years and in 1904 came to

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Fort Smith, where he purchased the drug business of J. P. Davis and conducted the store under the firm style of Benning & Underwood. At a later date the junior partner sold out and the firm became Benning & Hattaway. In 1909 this firm joined with the Carnahan Drug Company, the business then being reorganized and incorporated with the following officers: H. L. Benning, president; Earl Carnahan, first vice president; R. Condrey, treasurer; and J. H. Carnahan, secretary. They now conduct three fine large drug stores, which are a credit to the city. One of these is situated at 801 Garrison avenue and is called the Crescent Drug Store, managed by Earl Carnahan. A second, called The Palace, is situated at 603 Garrison avenue and is managed by Mr. Benning. The third, known as the Sterling Drug Store, is at 1101 Garrison avenue and is under the management of Mr. Condrey, while Mr. Benning has charge of the general warehouse located at 419 Garri- son avenue, from which all three stores obtain their supplies. The business is now one of very substantial and gratifying proportions. Back of it are men of wide experience in this line of business and of marked enterprise. Mr. Benning never stops short of the success- ful accomplishment of his purpose and attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm which produces results.

In 1898 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Benning and Miss Rose Stade, a daughter of William Stade of Elmwood, Canada, and they have become the parents of two daugh- ters: Frances and Olive. The former was graduated from the University of Missouri. April 27, 1921, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, having specialized in modern languages. The other daughter, Olive, is now a sophomore in the University of Missouri.

Mr. Benning is well known through fraternal relations, belonging to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His interest in business con- ditions of the city is manifest through his connection with the Retail Merchants Associa- tion, of which he is now a director. He likewise belongs to the Kappa Alpha, a fraternity of William Jewell College of Missouri, and he is a member of the Lions Club. He is a man of honesty of purpose, whose courtesy is unfailing and whose integrity is ahove question. Moreover, he is actuated by a most progressive spirit which has kept him in touch with the trend of business developments and he is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative merchants of Fort Smith.

CAPTAIN JUDSON T. WEST.

Captain Judson T. West, long one of the honored citizens and prominent business men of Hope, Arkansas, died August 8, 1907, thus terminating a life of great activity and usefulness. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, April 21, 1836, and was a son of Truman W. and Emily (Lazell) West, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, where the father followed the occupation of farming.

Captain West was reared in the Buckeye state to his fourteenth year, when, his parents having died, he started out to make his own way in the world. For two years he was employed by an uncle, Col. George R. West. a wholesale grocer of Dubuque, Iowa. and at sixteen years of age he went on the river as a cabin boy. When a youth of eighteen he was made pilot of his vessel and in 1860 he became captain and part owner of the vessel, continuing to follow the river until 1876. During a part of this time he made the run between St. Louis and New Orleans and he owned and operated a number of steamers including some of the best on the river. During his river experience Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) was a hoy under him on one of his vessels and for many years James J. Hill, railroad magnate, was one of his intimate friends. In 1876 Captain West retired from the steamboat business and came to Hope. He had a little capital to invest and he here engaged in the lumber business, buying a small sawmill in the country. From the beginning the new enterprise prospered and subsequently he organized the Hope Lumber Company, in which connection he built up one of the large lumber concerns of the southwest, owning and operating one of the extensive planing mills in southwestern Arkansas. The Hope Lumber Company is doing an immense business, shipping Inmber throughout the northern states. Mr. West, however, did not confine his activities entirely to the lumber industry, for he became identified with banking and was regarded as one of the most prominent financiers of Hope. He was president of the Bank of Hope and continued as president after the reorganization and nationalizing of the institution under the name of the Hope National Bank. He remained in the presidency until his demise and this bank and the lumber business which he established stand as monuments to his enterprise and ability. His activities, too, were ever of a character that contributed to public progress and prosperity, as well as to individual success and he deserved much credit for what he accomplished in the way of upbuilding the city in which his last years were passed. Captain West was married twice. His first wife was Miss Nellie Sweet of St. Paul, Minnesota, and to them were born three

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daughters and a son, but the daughters died in infancy. The son is William H. West, now living in Edwardsville, Illinois. Following the death of his first wife Captain West wedded Miss Hattie A. West, the daughter of William Greenfield West, of North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio. They had one daughter, Wanda, who is now the wife of Talbot Feild, president of the Hope Lumber Company. Captain West was well known in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he also belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He was a broad-gauged man, liberal in his views, kindly in his nature and cordial and genial in manner. He judged men not by wealth but by worth and all who knew him were proud to claim him as a friend. Mrs. West was a most active worker during the World war and was appointed chairman of the women's committee of Hempstead county for the third Liberty Loan, at which time the county went over the top, through the efforts of her committee which sold more Liberty bonds than the men's committee. Mrs. West is also treasurer of the Hempstead County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She is the vice president of the Women's League of Hope, is vice president of St. Mark's branch of the women's auxiliary and St. Mark's Guild. She has membership in the Episcopal church, of which Mr. West was also a communicant, dying in that faith August 8, 1907. He had attained the age of seventy-one years and during an active, busy and useful life had made valuable contribution to the world's work, contributing in substantial measure to the progress and improvement of the district in which he lived. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of fourteen he so directed his efforts as not only to win success but also an honored name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 72

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