Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 88

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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Mr. Pearson was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on the 13th of September, 1875, a son of J. M. and Mary (Bennett) Pearson, both natives of Tennessee, in which state their marriage was celebrated. In 1866 they came to Arkansas and the father purchased a farm in Randolph county. In 1881 they removed to Washington county and resided on a farm there until their death. J. M. Pearson was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in the Confederate army at the beginning of the conflict, when eighteen years of age, and served to the close. He was a member of Forrest's Cavalry. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, eight of whom are living: W. R., assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Prairie Grove; R. E, farming near Cincinnati, Arkansas; C. A., a salesman of Fayetteville, who was for four years county clerk; H. L., whose name initiates this review; J. B., in the real estate and banking business at Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Lucy, the widow of Harve McQuistion, residing in the west part of Wash- ington county; Herbert S., an insurance man of Fayetteville; and T. M., superintendent of schools at Marked Tree, this state. The family were reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Pearson was a stanch democrat throughout his life.

H. L. Pearson received his education in the public schools and at the Pea Ridge College. Upon putting his schoolbooks aside he taught school for three years, at the same time studying law under C. M. Rice of Bentonville, and in 1898 he was admitted to the bar. He entered into practice at Fayetteville and has practiced here ever since.

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In 1898 occurred the marriage of Mr. Pearson and Miss Lila Davis, a native of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, and a daughter of Leander Davis, a pioneer farmer of Benton county. To their union one child has been born: Winnie, who died at the age of eleven years. The loss of this daughter has been one of the great sorrows of their lives.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Pearson has been a stanch supporter of the demo- cratic party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good gov- ernment. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1917-1918. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both he and his wife are consistent members of the First Baptist church, of which he is a deacon. Mr. Pearson devotes his entire time to his professional duties and has built up an extensive and important practice. His dominant characteristics are pluck, energy and perseverance and the success he enjoys is well merited.

F. S. RICE.

F. S. Rice, residing at Huntsville, was born November 27, 1888, on what was the old Pea Ridge battle ground, his parents being W. C. and Ada Pendleton (Liner) Rice. The parents were both natives of Tennessee and became residents of Benton county, Arkansas, in 1859. W. C. Rice came to this state with his parents and the family settled on a farm at Pea Ridge. He now makes his home in Madison county, Nebraska, to which place he removed in November, 1909, owning a farm there. He has always voted with the democratic party and in religious belief he is connected with the Methodist church. To him and his wife were born nine children, eight of whom are living.

F. S. Rice, who was the fourth in order of birth, was educated in Benton county, attending the schools of Brightwater and afterward the Ada (Okla.) Normal School. When his school days were over he took up the occupation of farming and for five years he also engaged in teaching school. However, he determined to devote his atten- tion to other professional activity and prepared for the har, since which time he has concentrated his attention upon the practice of law, save for the period of his service in the World war. He became a member of the Medical Corps and was sent to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, while later he was transferred to Oswego, New York, and was on duty there for fourteen months, heing attached to the General Hospital, No. 5. He received his discharge July 16, 1919, and returned home, where he resumed the practice of law, in which he has since been engaged.

On the 23d of November, 1919, Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Katherine Garrett, who possesses marked musical talent and received special voice training in the State University. She is widely known as one of the leading singers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have become parents of a son, Bryan. Mr. Rice belongs to the Christian church, while his wife has membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow and politically he is a democrat. They are people of prominence in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles.

ELAM H. STEVENSON, M. D.

Dr. Elam H. Stevenson is the senior partner in the firm of Stevenson & Stevenson, physicians and surgeons of Fort Smith, deserving of special mention in this volume by reason of their high standards of professional service and the volume of business which they have secured, which stands as incontrovertible proof of their ability. The father, Dr. Elam H. Stevenson, was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in 1856, a son of Willis M. and Eliza (Abernathy) Stevenson, the former a farmer by occupation.

The youthful experiences of Elam H. Stevenson were those of the farm bred boy and he early became familiar with the hest methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, but agriculture had no attraction for him and in the choice of a life work he turned to the profession. Deciding upon the practice of medicine, he then en- tered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which in due course of time he was graduated. In 1879 he opened an office in Kerrville, Tennessee, but after a brief period spent there he removed to Fort Smith, where he has since resided, follow- ing his profession successfully here for a period of more than forty years. He has long occupied a prominent position in professional circles and is the past president of the State and National Eclectic Medical Associations, presiding over the annual convention of the National Association at Los Angeles, California, in 1908. That he enjoys the confidence and respect of his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession

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to an unusual degree is indicated in the fact that the State society at its annual meeting in 1921 voted him a life membership. Dr. Stevenson was one of the organizers of the State society in 1880 and is the only survivor among the six who met to form the association, his coworkers in this undertaking being: Dr. Wyatt Slaughter, Dr. J. W. Pruitt of Russellville, Dr. M. F. Dumas of Bald Knob, Dr. J. M. Parke of Little Rock and Dr. Eastland of Judsonia.

In 1879 Dr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Slaughter, a daughter of Dr. Wyatt Slaughter, mentioned as one of the founders of the State Eclectic Medical Society and recognized as one of the eminent physicians of Arkansas.

Associated with Dr. Elam H. Stevenson in the practice of his profession is his son, Dr. J. Eugene Stevenson, who was born in Beebe, Arkansas, August 17, 1880. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded him. After completing his public school course he attended the University of Fayette, Missouri, and later became a student in the Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tennessee. He afterward studied medicine in the Bennett Medical College of Chicago and also in the American School of Medicine. For a time he practiced in Chicago, associated with the Garfield Park Hospital in 1906 and 1907. He then went abroad, studying for a time in Vienna and Berlin, specializing in surgery. Upon his return to his native Iand he again came to Fort Smith, where he entered into practice with his father, Dr. Elam H. Stevenson, and through the intervening period the firm of Stevenson & Stevenson has existed. Dr. J. Eugene Stevenson brought back with him thorough knowledge of the most advanced methods of surgical practice followed by eminent members of the profession in the old world. Both he and his father have kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress and are familiar with the latest discoveries brought about by scientific research and investigation. J. Eugene Stevenson is now president of the Federal Board of Pension Examiners.

In 1909 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. J. Engene Stevenson and Miss Nettie McCormick and they have become parents of two children. The members of the Stevenson family have long occupied an enviable position in the social circles of Fort Smith, for sterling personal worth has established them high in the regard of many friends. Connected with the city through a period of more than forty years, Dr. Elam H. Stevenson is known to practically all of his fellow townsmen by reputation if not personally. A broad humanitarianism has characterized the discharge of his professional duties and he has constantly extended a helping hand where aid was needed. Following in the footsteps of his father and keeping abreast with the times in professional advance- ment Dr. J. Eugene Stevenson is adding new laurels to an untarnished family name.

A. N. WOOD, M. D.

Dr. A. N. Wood, formerly an active physician and later a prosperous merchant, is now devoting his attention to agricultural interests. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in what is now Pulaski county but was then Prairie county, August 21, 1865, his parents being James A. and Rachel (Hall) Wood. The father, a native of South Carolina, came to Arkansas in 1848, driving across the country from York county in his native state, it requiring six weeks to make the trip. He settled on a farm in Prairie county, his homestead being No. 5 in that district, indicating the fact that he was among the first of the pioneers there. When Arkansas left the Union he joined the Confederate forces and served through the war. He died in 1868, leaving a widow and five children. Mrs. Wood departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-five years, having spent the last years of her life in the home of her son, Dr. Wood.

It was in one of the pioneer log cabins situated north of Jacksonville that Dr. Wood spent his youthful days. He had to go a distance of four and a half miles to school and his educational privileges in the early days were limited to a three months' term in the winter season. He afterward attended the private school that was conducted by Joe Ashley, at one time county judge, and at length he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. With this end in view he matriculated in the medical depart- ment of the University of Arkansas, which he attended from 1888 until his graduation with the class of March, 1890. He then located at his old home, where he remained for four years, and on the 3d of January, 1893, he arrived in Ashdown, where he followed his profession successfully until the 1st of January, 1906. In 1897 he pursued post- graduate work in the medical department of Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1906 he gave up practice and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and farming, and agricultural and commercial interests have since claimed his attention. His business affairs have been wisely and successfully managed and in 1919 he turned his store over to his son and now concentrates his energies and attention upon his agricultural interests.

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He is today the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land in Little River county, Arkansas. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Ashdown and is in a measure living retired from business, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

On the 7th of October, 1888, Dr. Wood was married to Miss Maggie Alice Winkley and they have become parents of four children who are yet living and three who have departed this life; namely: J. R., who succeeded to his father's mercantile business; Etta May, the wife of Horace Routon of Ashdown; John A., who is in the medical department of Washington University at St. Louis; and Charles Brough. Those deceased are: Jewell, who died in 1892, at the age of two years; Irene, who departed this life at the age of sixteen; and Harry, when a lad of five years.

Dr. Wood is a faithful exemplar of Masonic teachings, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council and commandery. He is also a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he has taken a most active and helpful part, serving as one of the church elders for twenty years. For seventeen years he was a member of the school board, occupying that position until he resigned. He was also alderman for several years and ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of the public welfare, his labors being far-reaching, resultant and beneficial.

B. DU VAL RAPLEY.

B. Du Val Rapley, who was a well known figure in banking circles in Hot Springs to the time of his death, was born in Little Rock, September 25, 1855. He was reared in his native city, acquiring his education in its public schools as he passed through consecutive grades until he completed the high school course. In young manhood he engaged in newspaper work in connection with the Daily Telegraph in the employ of Dr. Rector. Later he came to Hot Springs and here entered the Valley Bank. Subse- quently he was with the Hot Springs National Bank, acting as cashier of both institu- tions. He made a close and thorough study of the banking business and thus rendered valuable service to the institutions which he represented. He was likewise an impor- tant factor in the public life of the community, serving for several years as justice of the peace prior to his demise. He also filled the office of city treasurer at one time and he withheld his aid and cooperation from no plan or project that he believed would prove beneficial to the community or aid in the advancement of public welfare.

Mr. Rapley was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Du Val Mayers, a daughter of Dr. Michael Mayers, who was a druggist of Fort Smith, Arkansas, for many years but after- ward purchased property in Texas and spent the latter part of his life in that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Rapley were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one, and there are also nineteen grandchildren living.

Mr. Rapley belonged to the Episcopal church, while his wife holds membership in the Catholic church. His interest centered in those organizations and activities which look to the betterment of the community and the sterling worth of his character was attested by many who knew him. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and was treasurer of his lodge, and his brethren of the order spoke of him in terms of highest regard. He died September 18, 1896, and though a quarter of a century has since passed, he is yet remembered by many of the older residents of Hot Springs, where his widow still makes her home.

CHARLES H. CARGILE, M. D.

Dr. Charles H. Cargile, who displays in his life the sterling qualities of his Scotch ancestors, is recognized as one of the leading physicians of Bentonville, where he estab- lished his office twenty-eight years ago, and that his ability has developed with the passing years is indicated in the large practice now accorded him. A member of one of the old families of Arkansas, he was born in Butts county, Georgia, April 21, 1853, his parents being Charles and Catherine Gray (Smith) Cargile, natives of Jasper county, Georgia. In 1854 they came to Arkansas, where the father followed the occupation of farming, also becoming a large slaveholder. During the Civil war he served as a member of the Home Guard, with which he was identified for a year. He was a member of the Baptist church and a democrat in his political views. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Cargile were five children, three of whom survive, the subject of this review being the oldest of those living. His paternal grandfather, John R. Cargile, was born in Georgia and his demise occurred in that state. The maternal grandfather, Wyatt Rosser

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Smith, was also a native of Georgia and died in Texas in 1866. The Cargile family came originally from Scotland.

In the schools of southern Arkansas Charles H. Cargile acquired his early educa- tion, later entering the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1877. Going to Okolona, Arkansas, he there opened an office and continued to follow his profession in that locality until 1893, when he came to Ben- tonville, where he has since resided, being now one of the oldest physicians in the county. He has never regarded his professional education as completed with the ter- mination of his college course, but has remained throughout his life a close and dis- criminating student of the science of medicine, taking postgraduate courses at New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Rochester, Minnesota and St. Louis, Missouri, and thereby greatly promoting his knowledge and skill. His labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and his practice has steadily grown in volume and im- portance as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life.

In March, 1878, Dr. Cargile was married to Miss Fannie Sloan of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, a daughter of Thomas B. Sloan, a native of this state and a member of one of its pioneer families. Her maternal grandfather, Thomas C. Hudson, was also one of the early residents of Arkansas and assisted in locating the county seat of Clark county. Dr. and Mrs. Cargile have become the parents of seven children, of whom four survive: Alice Kate is at home: Lonis Clare is acting as district manager for the Standard Oil Company and is a resident of Columbia, Missouri. He became a captain in the National Guard before his twenty-first year and was made a major before he reached the age of twenty-four, winning promotion through merit and ability. During the World war he assisted in training men for the service, being stationed successively at Deming. New Mexico, Camp Pike, Camp Beauregard, Fort Sill and Camp Mcclellan; Clifton is employed in Bella Vista, Arkansas, as bookkeeper and office man. He was a first lientenant in the World war and spent eight months in France; and Willard is a gradu- ate of the Randolph-Macon College at Lynchburg, Virginia.

Mrs. Cargile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South. In his political views the Doctor is a democrat. During the World war he served as a member of the appeal board, filling that position for a year. He is a member of the American Medical Association. a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is also connected with the Southern Medical Society, the Benton County and the Arkansas State Medical Societies and his high professional standing is indicated in the fact that at the last meeting of the state organization he was elected its president. His time and attention are concentrated upon his chosen life work and he is recognized as a man of high scientific attainments and lofty ideals, who has made valuable contribution to the world's work.

JOE JOINER.

One of the representative members of the legal profession in Arkansas is Joe Joiner. who has engaged in the practice of law in Magnolia since 1914. He is a native of Columbia county, born near Magnolia on the 1st cf August, 1888, a son of Jolin W. and Anna (Zachary) Joiner. The paternal ancestors came from England at an early date and located in South Carolina, while the maternal ancestors settled in Georgia. They came from Ireland and Scotland originally. John W. Joiner is still living in Magnolia, at the age of sixty-seven years. He has been engaged in the general mercantile business for the greater part of his life and has also taken an active part in political affairs, having served as county treasurer of Columbia. county from 1906 to 1910. Mrs. Joiner, who was born in Columbia county, this state. is now fifty-nine years of age. Her marriage to Mr. Joiner was celebrated at Mag- nolia in 1882, and to their union seven children were born, five girls and two bovs. all of whom are living. Joe Joiner, whose name initiates this review was the third in order of birth.

Upon attaining school age, Joe Joiner entered the public schools of Magnolia and subsequently became a student in the University of Arkansas, from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1912 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Determining upon a professional career, he then entered the law department of the university and received his LL. B. degree in 1913. While preparing himself for the profession he taught school in Argenta, now North Little Rock, studying at night. In January, 1914, he located in Magnolia and establishing offices here, has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has built up an extensive and lucrative clien- tage and handles much important litigation before the courts. Mr. Joiner is serv- ing his third term in the state legislature, representing Columbia county, and is

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serving his second term as speaker of the house. He was elected to the legislature just two months after he identified himself with the legal profession in Magnolia.

On the 19th of October, 1915, at Springdale, this state, occurred the marriage of Mr. Joiner to Miss Lillian Holcombe. a native of that place and a daughter of W. H. Holcombe, one of the representative citizens of Springdale. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Joiner two daughters have been born: Virginia, five years of age; and Elizabeth, two years old. The family is affiliated with the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Joiner is a generous contributor to its support. Mr. Joiner enlisted in September, 1918, in the World war, serving until the armistice was signed, receiving his discharge in December, 1918.

Fraternally Mr. Joiner belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Odd Fellows and he is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Chi Delta, national col- lege fraternities. He owns some valuable farm lands near Magnolia and maintains an active interest in the agricultural development of the county. Mr. Joiner has won for himself an enviable position among the lawyers of Arkansas, his analytical mind, studious habits and rare powers of concentration being instrumental factors in his success and by reason of his faithful discharge of all matters of trust and his high standards of citizenship, he has won the esteem of the community.

JAMES BYRON REED.

James Byron Reed, attorney at law, practicing at the bar of Lonoke, was born January 2, 1881, in Lonoke county, and is a son of W. A. and Georgia A. (Swaim) Reed. The father was a native of Mississippi and the mother of Weakley county, Tennessee, and she was a daughter of Moses Swaim, who was born in North Carolina. Removing westward her father first settled in Tennessee and came to Arkansas in 1860, making his way to Lonoke county in company with other members of the Swaim family. W. A. Reed, who wedded Georgia A. Swaim, became a farmer, devoting his life to agri- cultural pursuits in Lonoke county. To him and his wife were born seven children: Mary E., who became the wife of John C. Lancaster; James Byron of this review; Eugenia, who became the wife of A. J. Walls, who is the present United States marshal of this district; Emma, the wife of L. Berry of Lonoke; Anna, who married Harry Bradshaw: W. T., who is engaged in the furniture business at Lonoke; and Dollie, the wife of D. Bishop, a rice planter of this state.

James Byron Reed, the second child and eldest son of the family, acquired a con- mon school education and after attending the rural schools for some time took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Oak Grove, in Goodrum and in Ham- ilton townships of Lonoke county. He was ambitious to improve his own education, however, and embraced the opportunity of attending Hendrix College. There he laid the foundation of his literary training for the study of law and ultimately was gradu- ated from the law school of Arkansas University. He entered upon the practice of his profession in Lonoke in 1906 and while advancement at the bar is proverbially slow no dreary novitiate awaited him. He made steady progress in his chosen calling and not only engaged in law practice but in 1907 also became a lawmaker of the state through election to the general assembly. He was again called to public office in 1912. when he was made prosecuting attorney of the seventeenth district, which includes Faulkner, Lonoke, Arkansas, Monroe and Prairie counties. He continued to act in that capacity for four years and again his official record was one over which there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. He served as presidential elector from the sixth congressional district in 1920 and was elected presidential messenger to carry the returns from Arkansas to Washington, following the election of 1920. He is now a candidate for congress and his friends feel that if this high office is conferred upon him he will again reflect credit and honor upon his state through capable and efficient service. While undoubtedly not without that laudable ambition which is so great an incentive for fidelity in public office, he nevertheless regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and in his law practice his devotion to the interests of his clients has hecome proverbial. While he continues active and successful in the general practice of law he is also known as a cotton raiser.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 88

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