Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 86

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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CHARLES EDWARD CASTLEBERRY.

Charles Edward Castleberry, an optometrist of highly developed skill and efficiency in his profession, now serving as a member of the state board of optometry, with resi- dence in Little Rock, was born in Castleberry, Conecuh county, Alabama, December 18, 1866, and is a representative of one of the old families of that state. His parents were Solomon and Mary (Branch) Castleberry, both of whom were also natives of the town of Castleberry, where they were reared and married. The father became a planter and merchant. His political belief was that of the democratic party and at the time of the Civil war he served for three years in the Confederate army. He passed away in the year 1919, and his wife died in 1894. They were the parents of the following named: Charles E .; Ada, the widow of R. T. Halland; Job; Nettie, the wife of C. S. Canady; Frank L .; Julia, the widow of Ed Parks; and Preston.

In his boyhood days Charles Edward Castleberry pursued his education in the public schools of his native town, and when he had determined to devote his life to the profession of optometry he became a student in the Kellam & Moore College of Optics at Atlanta, Georgia, where his thorough training well qualified him for the work which he has since taken up. He began the practice of his profession in Atlanta, Georgia, and has made his home in Little Rock since 1906. On the 14th of February, 1915, he was appointed a member of the board of examiners in optometry and was reappointed to that position on the 14th of April, 1920, for a term of five years. He is now serving on that board and is doing most effective work to uphold and advance the standards of the profession.

Mr. Castleberry was married April 6, 1901, to Miss Cora Mae Bugbee, who was born in Gonzales, Texas, September 5, 1875, a daughter of George Gooding and Mary Eliza- beth Bugbee, who were residents of Gonzales for a number of years both dying there. Mrs. Castleberry obtained her education in public and private schools and by her marriage she became the mother of two children: Vivian Estelle, who died at the age of eleven months; and Arnold Richmond.

Mr. Castleberry has always voted the democratic ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, nor has he ever sought or desired office outside the strict path of his profession. He has been active as a worker in behalf of prohibition, the cause of temperance long finding in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, South. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and worthy motives and he is continually extending a helping hand in order to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate.

JOHN THOMAS HUNN, M. D.

A representative member of the medical profession in the state is Dr. John Thomas Hunn, physician and surgeon of Harrisburg. He was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, on the 11th of October, 1876, a son of George and Willie ( Bell) Hunn, of German descent on the paternal side and of Scotch descent on the maternal side. Members of the Hunn family came to this country at an early day from Germany and located in Kentucky. George Hunn was born and reared in that state and was for many years one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Boyle City. His demise occurred in 1902, at the age of seventy-four years. At Shelby City, Kentucky, in 1847 occurred the marriage of Dr.

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Hunn to Miss Willie Bell, a native of Lincoln City, Kentucky. Her demise occurred in 1916, in her seventy-third year. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Hunn seven children were born, five hoys and two girls, four boys and one girl are living. John Thomas, whose name initiates this review, was the fifth in order of birth.

John Thomas Hunn received his education in the public schools of Danville, Ken- tucky, and was graduated from Center College in 1893 with the A. B. degree. Sub- sequently he determined to take up the study of medicine and as a result enrolled in the Louisville Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1904 with the M. D. degree. From 1903 to 1905 he was an interne in the Louisville City Hospital. Dr. Hunn worked his way through both Center College and the Louisville Medical College. Although well grounded in the rudiments of his profession upon gradnation, he has since taken postgraduate work in many of the leading universities of the United States as well as abroad, where he studied in Berlin and Vienna. In 1904 he entered practice in Shelby City, Kentucky, and resided there until 1907, when he came to Harrisburg, where he has since been engaged in active practice. He is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Harrisburg and enjoys an extensive and important practice. Since 1920 Dr. Hunn has been active as county health officer. Although the greater part of the Doctor's time is devoted to his professional interests, he has some valuable farm holdings in Poinsett county and he is a stockholder in the Harrisburg Gin & Milling Company.

On the 16th of June, 1908, in Harrisburg, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Hunn to Miss Nellie Gant, a daughter of John B. and Jennie ( Mitchell) Gant, well known resi- dents of this place. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Hunn three children have been born: John Leland, Thomas Gant, and Katherine Rose.

Since attaining his majority Dr. Hunn has given his political endorsement to the democratic party and the principles for which it stands. Fraternally, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in the local lodge, and he has taken his apprentice degree in Harrisburg Lodge, No. 184, F. & A. M. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian church, to the support of which the Doctor is a generous contributor.

ROBERT PETER HARRIS, M. D.

Dr. Robert Peter Harris, a most successful physician and holding the rank of major as a World war veteran, has made his home in Little Rock since 1913. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1886, his parents being William Robert and Maggie (Mc- Teague) Harris. His father was a native of Tennessee, where he practiced medicine for many years, and from 1861 until 1865 he served as a Confederate soldier. In every phase of life he proved himself a citizen of worth and value and a professional man of high rank.

After completing his high school course Dr. Harris of this review entered the University of Arkansas and was graduated from the medical department with the class of 1911. He then located at El Dorado, Arkansas, where he became surgeon for a large lumher company, and in 1912 and 1913 he engaged in the private practice of his profession in Watson, Arkansas, where he also owned and conducted a drug store. In 1913 he sold his interest there and removed to Little Rock, where he became assistant physician and surgeon of the Confederate Home. He was later made hospital surgeon at the St. Vincent Infirmary and, going to Chicago, he pursued a postgraduate course in the G. H. Schratt College of Surgery.

Following his return to Little Rock Dr. Harris became associated with Dr. Robert Caldwell, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. The declaration of war against Germany found him a ready volunteer and he became a captain of the administrative staff of the old Third Arkansas Regiment, from which he was transferred as assistant surgeon to the United States public health service and was promoted to post assistant surgeon in six months. Later he was transferred to the veterans' hurean with promotion to surgeon with the rank of major and made medical director of the Little Rock medical unit. As a surgeon in the United States public health service he has proven most efficient by reason of the years of thorough study in scientific fundamentals and clinical preparation. His present work is much more ardnous than that of general practice and he is fully qualified to meet the demands made upon him.

In 1917 Dr. Harris was married to Miss Lnla Green, a native of Saline county, Arkansas, and a daughter of John J. Green, a well known resident of that county. They have become parents of one child, Claudia P. Mrs. Harris is an active mem.

DR. ROBERT P. HARRIS

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ber of the Asbury Methodist church and is a lady of liberal education, having graduated from Russellville College. Dr. Harris is a thirty-second degree Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and loyally follows the teachings and high purposes of the craft. Through professional relations he is well known as a member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation, and through the proceedings of these bodies he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and scientific research and investigation.

J. P. HARRIS.

J. P. Harris, living at Prairie Grove, where he conducts a canning factory, has here made his home since 1908 and through the intervening years has developed a busi- ness of large and substantial proportions. He was born in Beardstown, Illinois, April 3, 1862, and is a son of John H. and Phoebe (Padon) Harris. The father was born in Wales, England, while the mother's birth occurred in Illinois, and they were married at Lebanon in the latter state. John H. Harris was a son of Joseph Harris, who was born in England and, crossing the Atlantic, made his way first to New Orleans, whence lie afterward removed to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and later became a resident of Beards- town, Illinois. The grandfather in the maternal line was James Padon, who was born and reared at Lebanon, Illinois, and there followed the occupation of farming for many years. John H. Harris engaged in the banking business and was president of the First National Bank at Beardstown. He was brought to the United States hy his parents when but four years of age and pursued his education in the McKendree College of Lebanon, Illinois, and in a business college at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was subsequent to this time that he went to Beardstown as agent for a large landowner and there he later engaged in the lumber business on his own account. Subsequently he disposed of his lumberyard and turned his attention to banking. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party until President Grant's second term, when he espoused the cause of the democ- racy. He served as a member of the school board for a number of years and also filled the office of collector of internal revenue. He and his wife were parents of five chil- dren, of whom four are living: J. P .; M. H., a retired merchant and hanker living at Beardstown, Illinois; Maude, the wife of L. W. Goodell, who is engaged in the ice business at Beardstown and is also proprietor of two moving picture houses there; and Ada M., living at Washington, D. C. After losing his first wife John H. Harris wedded Ann Emmerson and they had two children: Florence, the wife of Frank J. Kuhl, a merchant having the largest dry goods store in Beardstown; and Winifred, the wife of R. B. Glenn, an ice manufacturer and cold storage man at Beardstown, where he is also conducting a coal business.

J. P. Harris obtained his education in the schools of Beardstown and of Jackson- ville, Illinois, and started out in the business world as employe in a bank at Beards- town. Later he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the milling business at Salina, Kansas, where he remained for four years, and in 1908 he came to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, where he turned his attention to the canning business. Here he built a factory and also one at Lincoln and another at Westville, Oklahoma. He cans all kinds of fruit and vegetables and makes shipments throughout the entire west and south and as far east as Pennsylvania. His factories have a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five thousand cans per day in the three plants, which have been built with a view to the most sanitary conditions as well as to speed in handling the perishable products. The business has been incorporated under the name of the Prairie Grove Preserving Company and the enterprise under the direction of Mr. Harris has reached most extensive and gratifying proportions. He is the principal stockholder in the busi- ness and his sound judgment, executive ability and unfailing enterprise have been the dominant factors in the conduct of the plants.

On the 10th of September, 1913, Mr. Harris was married to Miss Dorothea Campbell, a native of Virginia and a daughter of B. C. Campbell, who came to Washington county, Arkansas, in 1901 and owns a farm here. He also retains interests in the Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have two children, Phoebe Todd and Anne Lockhart.

Mrs. Harris belongs to the Christian church and Mr. Harris is a York and Scottish Rite Mason. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Trav- elers. He has taken quite an active part in the Scottish Rite bodies of Masonry and is a past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias, past exalted ruler of the Elks and chief rabhan in the Mystic Shrine. Politically he is a democrat and has served for several terms as a member of the city council, while at the present writing he is

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serving for the second term as mayor of Prairie Grove. His administration of public affairs is characterized by a progressiveness that produces substantial results along the lines of reform, progress and improvement. In connection with the general welfare he has ever manifested a public spirit and his labors for the general good have been far- reaching and effective. The major part of his time and attention, however, is given to his business affairs and in addition to his canning interests he has become the owner of considerable land in Washington county and raises tomatoes in large quantities for his canneries. He still retains an interest in the mill at Salina, Kansas, and in recent years has prospered in his undertakings to a notable degree. His wife is prominent in the state and for one year served as the head of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Both have a wide acquaintance in Arkansas and the high esteem accorded them is proof of their many sterling qualities.

EDGAR E. FOLLENSBEE.

Edgar E. Follensbee, president of the Sunshine Plumbing & Electric Company, in which connection he executes large and important contracts, has today the largest open shop in the state. Straightforward dealing and fair treatment of employes has enabled him to secure a liberal patronage, permitting him to pay a good living wage to those who work for him. This spirit of fairness and justice is characteristic of Mr. Follensbee and commands for him the respect and confidence of all who know him.

Mr. Follensbee is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in the capital city of Madison in 1852, his parents being Joseph and Adelaide Follensbee. The father died when the son was but four years of age. On leaving Wisconsin, Edgar E. Follensbee became a resident of Clinton county, Missouri, and since that time has made his home west of the Mississippi. He learned the plumber's trade in Burlington, Kansas, and developing his natural skill and talent along mechanical lines, he has made steady progress in his chosen calling. He installed, owned and operated an electric light plant at Burlington, Kansas, in the year 1885, a plant that served three thousand consumers. Removing to Fort Smith, he began business with an open shop and never has he found it necessary to deviate from this policy. He is today operating one of the largest open shops in the state, doing plumbing and electrical contracting. He pays high wages and employs none but skilled workmen. He buys his material by the carload and he does perhaps more than one-half of the plumbing and electrical business in the city. His personal superintendence of all jobs and the capability of the workmen whom he employs insures excellent results in the execution of the contracts which are accorded him. He has been a close student of the labor conditions and problems before the country and he believes that fairness of treatment and fairness in the matter of wage will solve all the perplexing questions before the country today. His own course is a verification of his theory and his principles and there is no man who more thoroughly enjoys the respect and confidence of employes than does Edgar E. Follensbee.

On the 31st of December. 1878, Mr. Follensbee was united in marriage to Miss Lelia Jackson, a daughter of Joseph and Clara (Siverly) Jackson, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio respectively. The father died when his daughter, Lelia, was but four months old and the mother was married again, becoming the wife of George W. Brott in 1862. Mr. Brott departed this life in 1915, leaving two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Follensbee became the parents of a son, Donald, who died at the age of five months. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the First Christian church, while fraternally Mr. Follenshee is identified with the Masons. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.

MARSHALL O. EVANS, D. C.

Dr. Marshall O. Evans, a chiropractor of Hot Springs, whose ability has won him the success that comes from an extensive practice, was born in Sebastian county, Arkansas, June 23, 1881. His birth occurred upon the old home farm and there he was reared, working in the fields from early boyhood, so that he soon became familiar with the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting. In the winter seasons he attended the district schools and continued his education in high school. He took up the profession of teaching when nineteen years of age and continued to follow that calling for a period of ten years.

In 1911 Dr. Evans became a student in the Carver Chiropractic College at Oklahoma City and was there graduated in 1912. He first located for practice in the vicinity in which his birth occurred and there remained for thirty-one months, after which he

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returned to the Carver Chiropractic College for postgraduate study. He pursued his course there for a time and in October, 1915, he located in Hot Springs, opening an office in the Citizens National Bank building, where he has four finely appointed rooms. He has built up an extensive practice in the intervening period, being regarded as one of the most capable chiropractors of the city. He is the vice president of the Arkansas State Chiropractic Association and is on the advisory committee and legislative board of that organization.

On the 19th of August, 1906, Dr. Evans was married to Miss Stella Harris and they have one child, Mildred Bernice. Dr. Evans belongs to the Baptist church and is highly esteemed as a man and citizen by reason of the possession of those qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.

B. L. MILLER.

B. L. Miller, who for the past decade has been successfully engaged in the lumber business at Siloam Springs, was born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 26th of October, 1870, his parents being M. A. and Mary Isabelle (Clapham) Miller. Both are natives of Ohio, horn near Columbus, the former on the 3d of July, 1845, and the latter April 26, 1851. 3. A. Miller was reared on a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, in which state he taught school and also devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. The year 1893 witnessed his arrival in Benton county, Arkansas, where he was actively identified with farming interests until 1911, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removet to Siloam Springs, in which city both he and his wife still make their home. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, hoth he and his wife belonging to the Eastern Star. Mrs. Miller is also a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and, like her husband, is well known and highly esteemed in Siloam Springs and vicinity. They are parents of three children: B. L., of this review; W. L., a contractor of Siloam Springs; and Ger- trude, the wife of F. L. Bennett, who resides on a farm in Benton county.

B. L. Miller obtained his education in the country schools of Missouri, to which state his parents had removed in 1876. After putting aside his textbooks he worked at farming for a time but subsequently turned his attention to railroading and was thus engaged for a period of seventeen years. In 1911 he embarked in business on his own account as a lumber dealer, in which connection he has since huilt up an enterprise of extensive and profitable proportions, his industry and capable management resulting in the successful achievement of his purposes.

In February, 1911, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Nellie M. Smith, a native of Abilene, Kansas, and a daughter of Louis Smith, who is still living in Mc- Donald county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of a son, Bruce L., who is now eight years of age.

In politics Mr. Miller is a stanch democrat and his public service covers four years as a member of the city council and three years as a school director, his record in both connections being a most commendahle one. Fraternally he is identified with the York and Scottish Rite Masons and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, with which his wife is also connected. They are well known socially in Siloam Springs, where Mr. Miller also enjoys an enviable reputation as a representative and enterprising bus- iness man and one whose prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts and perseverance.

C. M. BLEDSOE.

C. M. Bledsoe, filling the office of sheriff of Crawford county and discharging the duties of the position without fear or favor, makes his home in Van Buren, the county seat. He is a native of Mississippi, his hirth having occurred in Marshall county, that state, in 1872, his parents heing J. P. and M. J. (Conway) Bledsoe. In the paternal line he is a representative of one of the old families of North Carolina and his father, J. P. Bledsoe, served as a member of the Confederate cavalry during the Civil war. After the cessation of hostilities he removed to Mulberry, Arkansas, and subsequently engaged in the drug business there. To him and his wife were horn four children: Rosie, who is the wife of Dick Hamm, a resident of Mulberry, Arkansas; Mary, the wife of W. B. Dugan of Mulberry, Arkansas; Vie, the wife of D. C. Welty of Texarkana, Arkansas; and C. M., of this review.

The last named obtained a common school education and started out in the business Vol. 11-35

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world as an employe in a general merchandise store of Mulberry. He devoted twenty- three years to commercial activity and became widely known in that connection. At length he was called to public office, being appointed deputy circuit clerk, and in 1915 he was elected to the position of circuit clerk, making a most capable official. In 1919 he was again called to public office, being elected sheriff of Crawford county, and that his duties were discharged with promptness and fidelity during his first term was in- dicated in his reelection for a second term. He has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and has labored earnestly and effectively toward promoting party successes.

Mr. Bledsoe was united in marriage in 1904 to Miss Sammie Scott, a daughter of Joseph Scott of Mulberry, and their children are now four in number: Wanda G., Madeline, Robbie Lee, and Eleanor Gene. Mr. Bledsoe is a Mason who has taken the Scottish Rite degrees and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise con- nected with the Woodmen of the World. Those who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard. He gained a wide acquaintance through his connection with mercantile pursuits and in office his acquaintance has further broadened, while the sterling traits of his character have insured him the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come into contact.

J. K. SMITH, M. D.

The medical profession of Texarkana is one that enjoys high rank, its members being on the whole most competent men who adhere to the highest professional standards and whose work is most satisfactory to the general public. Deserving mention with this class is Dr. J. K. Smith, who was born in Baxter county, Arkansas, April S, 1878. He was reared upon a farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the country schools and also village schools and in young manhood he taught school through the summer months in order to acquire a sufficient sum to enable him to pursue a college course. When he had completed his more specifically literary education he began preparing for a profes- sional career and in due course of time was graduated from the medical department of the U. S. Grant University with the class of 1903. He began practicing before com- pleting his course and in 1903, following his graduation, he opened an office in Tex- arkana, where he has since remained, devoting his attention to the general practice of his profession. He is a member of the Miller County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society, the Southern Medical Associa- tion and the American Medical Association.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 86

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