Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 89

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. Reed was united in marriage in 1909 to Miss Dora Jones, a daughter of T. T. Jones of Lonoke county, and they have two sons: J. B., Jr., and Bernard J. During the World war Mr. Reed served on the advisory board and he had one brother, W. T., who was in overseas service with the rank of sergeant, being stationed at Marseilles, France. Since his return he has engaged in the furniture business in Lonoke. Mrs. Reed also had a brother, Clarence, who was overseas with the infantry forces. Frater- nally Mr. Reed is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs

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to the Methodist church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest, filling the office of church steward at the present time. His cooperation can be counted upon to further any plan and measure for the general good, leading to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community, while his influence in poli- tical affairs is of wide extent and his labors have been a potent element in upholding the legal status of the state.

O. R. SMITH.

Comprehensive familiarity with the basic principles of law and ability accurately to apply the principles to the point in litigation, have been the salient features in the growing success of O. R. Smith, now a prominent attorney of Scott county. He makes his home in Waldron, near which city he was born in 1875, his parents being George and Eliza (Newton) Smith, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The father's natal year was 1838 and he was a son of J. H. Smith, who was born in Virginia, whence he removed to Tennessee, while later he resided at dif- ferent periods in Alabama and Arkansas. He was both a farmer and physician and practiced medicine in Scott county, this state, for a number of years. His son, George Smith, came to Scott county in 1856 and was here married to Eliza Newton, who was born in 1844. He purchased a farm after his marriage and his wife departed this life on that place. Later he took up his abode in Waldrou, where he lived retired from active business, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His wife died in 1882, while Mr. Smith survived for thirty years, his death occurring in 1912. They were members of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Smith was a Mason, these associations indicating the nature of his interests and the rules which governed his conduct. In politics he was a democrat and at the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army, serving for four years and being held as a prisoner of war at Chicago when hostilities were brought to a close. To him and his wife were born four children, all of whom are living: James, a farmer, residing at Heavener, Oklahoma; W. O., who is tax assessor at Waldron; O. R .; and Arthur, who is conduct- ing a hardware store at Fort Smith.

In the public schools of Waldron, O. R. Smith pursued his education until he entered the State University of Arkansas, in which he remained a student for two years. He pursued his law reading under the direction of George Evans, an able attorney of Waldron, and in 1899 was admitted to the bar. He did not begin practice, however, until 1903, since which time he has followed his profession here, after hav- ing previously served, from 1900 until 1903, as a member of the United States army. He owns a farm and gives general supervision to its cultivation and development but the major part of his time and energy is given to his law practice, which is constantly developing in importance as well as in volume.

In 1903 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary Sullivan, who was born in Waldron, a daughter of J. O. A. Sullivan, who was a physician, practicing in Scott county for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Marjorie, who is now attending Galloway College at Searcy, Arkansas; and James and George, twins, now five years of age. Mr. Smith belongs to the Missionary Baptist church, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. He is now serving as deputy prosecutor of his district and devotes his entire time to law practice, although in early manhood he taught school from 1895 until 1900. It was in this way that he earned the money that enabled him to meet his expenses while he was preparing for his professional career. He has ever been actuated by a laudable ambition and his entire course has been characterized by straight- forward and commendable methods, bringing him prominently to the front as a lawyer of Scott county.

MURRAY B. MCLEOD.

Warren numbers among her native sons Murray B. McLeod, a veteran of the World war and now in the employ of the Southern Lumber Company here. His birth occurred on the 14th of April, 1896, his parents being Norman and Lula E. (Langston) McLeod, of Scotch descent on the paternal side and of Irish descent on the maternal side. Grand- father B. F. Langston served in the Civil war and was severely wounded at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, which necessitated the amputation of one limb. He was for

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sixteen years county clerk of Bradley county and was postmaster of Warren for many years. Norman McLeod was horn and reared in this state, his parents having come from South Carolina to a point near Warren at an early day, being among the pioneer settlers here. Mr. McLeod is now living at Warren and is accountant for the Turner-Jones Grocery Company and one of the alert and enterprising citizens of the community. At Warren in 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Norman McLeod to Miss Lula E. Langston, a native of Bradley county, her parents having come to this county from Georgia at an early day. To their union six children were horn, four boys and two girls, three boys dying in infancy. Murray B., whose name initiates this review, was the second in order of birth.

In the acquirement of an education Murray B. McLeod attended the common schools of Warren and after graduating from the high school here went to Wilmar and later took a two year literary course under private instruction. During that time he also acted as athletic director of the Tillar high school. From 1914 to 1916 he taught school at Tillar and the following year became associated with the Southern Lumber Company at Warren as bookkeeper in the commissary department. In May, 1917, upon the entrance of the United States into the World war, Mr. McLeod put all personal interests aside and enlisted in the army. Commissioned a sergeant he was sent to the training camp at Leon Springs, Texas, and some time later was promoted to a second lieutenancy and assigned to the Tank Corps. He went overseas as first lieutenant in the Three Hundred and Third Battalion, Tank Corps, and served in France for eight months. During the absence of the commander of the battalion he acted in that official capacity, and when returning to the United States he was adjutant of the Three Hundred and First Brigade, Tank Corps. Mr. McLeod received his honorable discharge at Camp Meade, Maryland, on the 11th of April, 1919, having been in continuous service for twenty-two and one-half months. Following his discharge he returned to Warren and resumed his connection with the Southern Lumher Company, this time in the capacity of timekeeper. In April, 1920, he was put in charge of the accounting department of the company and later went into the sales department. He is one of the alert and energetic young business men of Warren and success is attending his every effort.

Mr. McLeod organized the first American Legion post in Warren, in the activities of which he takes a prominent part, and he is likewise actively identified with the Warren Y. M. C. A., of which organization he is one of the board of directors. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and he is a generous contributor to its support. As yet Mr. McLeod has no fraternal affiliations but he is planning to take the Masonic degrees in the near future. A native of this community he has many friends here who appreciate his sterling traits of character and who are watching with interest his continued advancement in the business world.

W. L. JEFFERIES.

Among the men of marked business enterprise and progressiveness who are active in the control of commercial, agricultural and financial interests at Clarendon is W. L. Jefferies, a merchant, planter and banker, whose wise management and careful de- velopment of his business affairs have made him one of the men of affluence in Monroe county. A native of Mississippi, he was born at Holly Springs in the year 1852 and is a son of S. S. and Mary (Carruth) Jefferies. The father was a planter of Holly Springs, Mississippi, and was a Confederate veteran of the Civil war. After the war Marvel Carruth, an uncle of Mr. Jefferies in the maternal line, came to Phillips county, Arkansas, and settled at what is now the town of Marvel, which was named in his honor.

The public schools near his hoyhood home afforded W. L. Jefferies his educational opportunity and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable and worth- while lessons. He started out in business in Clarendon in 1892, opening a small store which has since developed to splendid proportions, the annual sales being very large. He now carries an extensive and attractive line of goods and by reason of this, com- bined with the high standards which he maintains in the personnel of the house and in the treatment accorded patrons, he has won a very gratifying business. Mr. Jefferies has also invested heavily in land and now owns more than four thousand acres largely devoted to cotton culture. Into other fields of business, however, he has extended his efforts with gratifying results and is today the vice president of the Bank of Clarendon. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, and obstacles and difficulties in his path seem to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.

In 1876 Mr. Jefferies was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Vaughan, a daugh- ter of General A. J. and Martha (Hardaway) Vaughan. Her father served with dis- tinction in the Confederate army and thereby won his military title. To Mr. and Mrs.

W. L. JEFFERIES

Yw. II 36

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Jefferies have been born seven children: William L .; S. S., who is a practicing attor- ney; A. J .; Virginia; Mary, the wife of J. B. Hobart; Eleanor and Lucille.

In his political views Mr. Jefferies is a republican and during the administration of President McKinley he served as postmaster of Clarendon. He has never been ambi- tious in the way of office holding, however, preferring at all times to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. During the World war period, however, he was very prominent in promoting the Liberty Loan drives and did effective service for his country in that connection. In his business career he has displayed splendid executive power and keen sagacity and he has the ability to unite seemingly diverse and unrelated elements into a harmonious whole, so that his business activities have been resultant factors in the attainment of most gratifying success, all of which has been won by the most honorable methods, so that his life record should serve as a source of encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do.

HENRY STROUPE.

Henry Stroupe of Paris, well known in both railway and military circles, was born in Pulaski county, Arkansas, August 15, 1859, and is a son of Dr. W. B. and Belle (Peeples) Stroupe, who were natives of Georgia and were married in that state. After the Civil war they removed to Arkansas, the father having previously served on the medical staff under General Joseph Wheeler of the Confederate forces for four years. Following the war he practiced his profession in Pulaski county for a number of years and then removed to Fort Smith, where he departed this life in 1911. His wife had died in Pulaski county in 1867. They had but two children: Henry and Mrs. Nora Morgan, now a widow, living in California. The parents held membership in the Presbyterian church and Dr. Stroupe was also a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, while his political allegiance was given to the democratic party.

Henry Stroupe was educated in the University of Arkansas until graduated with the class of 1883. He taught school for three or four years in early manhood and then having prepared for law practice was admitted to the bar in 1884. He entered upon the work of the profession in Paris, but after a short time turned his attention to railroad interests and became the builder of the Arkansas Western road. He also assisted in building the Arkansas Central and the Rock Island Railroad from Dardanelle to Paris. Through his operations as a railroad builder he contributed in large measure to the development and growth of the district tributary to the line. He owns land in Logan county and devotes his attention to farming, and the careful management of his agri- cultural interests is bringing to him a substantial measure of success.

In 1884 Mr. Stroupe was married to Miss Ella Tittsworth, who was born on a farm near Paris and is a daughter of Randolph Tittsworth, who came to what is now Logan county, Arkansas, in the year 1812, and here spent his remaining days, owning and de- veloping a plantation. He was killed by bushwhackers at his home while on a visit there during the war. Mr. and Mrs. Stroupe have become the parents of six children: Zenia is the wife of F. R. McPhee, a commission merchant of St. Joseph, Missouri; Alman, the second of the family, was a captain of the World war. He served on the Mexican border before the United States entered the world strife and later was on active duty in France, being with Lieutenant Roosevelt when he was killed. He went to France in April, 1917, after having trained at San Diego, California, becoming a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Aerial Squadron. He was a student in the State University when the war broke out and is a graduate of the Russellville Agricul- tural College. He is now at home and works as a mining machinist; Zinga, the third of the family, is the wife of J. E. Trahin, engaged in the wholesale grocery business at Fayetteville. Henry is a graduate of the medical department of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is now practicing medicine in Paris. He was captain of a machine company on the Mexican border, after which he returned to Little Rock and completed his medical course; Zeta, at home, was educated in the State University of Arkansas. Dwight served for a year on the border and from the 5th of August, 1917, until June, 1919, he was in France. He is now attending the State University.

Mr. Stroupe belongs to the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a member of the Catholic church. He is also a Mason, has taken the degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter and has served as master of his lodge. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in which order he has been a past chancellor and was also vice chancellor of the state. He, too, has a military record, having enlisted in April, 1898, serving as captain of Company K. First Arkansas Infantry, during the Spanish-American war. He was after- ward transferred to the Philippines, where he was on active duty, commanding Company

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H of the Thirty-third United States Infantry, with whom he served for about two years altogether, winning his promotion to the captaincy. He was afterward appointed a major of the Arkansas National Guards in 1903 and was promoted to the colouelcy of the Second Arkansas Infantry in July, 1905. He served in this capacity until 1916, when he, too, went to the border, as did his sons, and in 1917 he was discharged and returned home. He recruited a regiment to war time readiness and was mustered into the United States service as colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-second Field Artillery. The Arkansas troops were concentrated at Fort Logan H. Roots and Mr. Stroupe was there with the First Regiment of Artillery and with the Second Regiment of Infantry from the 5th of August until the 1st of December, being the only commanding officer of Arkansas troops. He was then sent to Camp Beauregard and afterward to Camp Travis and to Camp Sill, while later he was returned to Camp Beauregard, where he received his discharge in the latter part of 1918. He trained the soldiers, preparing them for overseas duty and in this capacity did important service in connection with the World war.

In politics Mr. Stroupe has always been a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party and he served as representative to the state legislature when but twenty- two years of age. He filled the office of clerk of the court of Logan county for four years and thus in many ways has been closely and prominently associated with the history of the community and the commonwealth. Mr. Stroupe is now one of the directors of the Rock Island Branch Railway Company, having in control the line from Paris to Olą and his activities have ever been of a character that have contributed to public progress and improvement. He is the president of the board of directors of the Agricultural College at Russellville and was one of the board of education at Paris for twenty-two years, also served as a director on the State University hoard for ten years. He has been a director of the Agricultural College since it was organized or for a period of eleven years and the cause of higher education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He has labored earnestly and successfully to introduce higher standards of intellectual advancement into the state and his efforts in behalf of the colleges and universities of Arkansas have been far-reaching and most beneficial. His name is closely interwoven with the material development, the intellectual advance- ment, the military history and the moral progress of Arkansas. His life has been actuated by a spirit of advancement and there is no field into which his labors have been directed that has not benefited by his cooperation and support.

HUGH C. BROOKE, M. D.

Dr. Hugh C. Brooke, a physician and surgeon, successfully practicing at Darda- nelle, was born in Plainview, Arkansas, June 23, 1888, his parents being R. J. and Alice (Albright) Brooke, who were natives of Georgia and were married in Arkansas. The father is a son of Francis M. Brooke, who removed from Georgia to Arkansas after the Civil war, while during the period of hostilities between the north and the south James B. Albright, the maternal grandfather of Hugh C. Brooke, left Georgia and came to this state. He served for four years in the Confederate army. Since attaining his majority R. J. Brooke has devoted his attention to farming, which he now follows near Plainview, Arkansas. His wife, however, died in 1906, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. She was a faithful mem- ber of the Methodist church and Mr. Brooke holds membership in the Baptist church. Fraternally he is a Mason and high principles have ever actuated him in all the relations of life, while politically he is a democrat. To him and his wife were born four children: John, a graduate of the Georgetown University at Washington, D. C .. who has received the degrees of LL. B. and LL. M., is now a resident of Washington, D. C .; Lillie is the wife of Horace Cole, a mechanic in a mill at Plainview; Hugh C. is the third of the family; Joe, the youngest, is engaged in teaching in Plainview.

Dr. Brooke supplemented a public school education hy study in the Ouachita Academy at Magazine and afterward taught school for six or seven years in order to gain money necessary to pursue his education. He also borrowed money with which to meet his expenses while a student in the Medical College of the University of Tennessee at Memphis. There he was graduated in June, 1915, after which he began practice at Bluffton, remaining there until he entered the army in January, 1918, for service in the World war. He was trained at Fort Riley, at Camp McArthur and at Camp Green and went overseas in July of that year. He was a surgeon in the aviation camp near Oxford, England, and received his discharge on the 28th of De- cember, 1918, about five or six weeks after the signing of the armistice.

With his return to his native land Dr. Brooke came to Dardanelle and entered

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upon practice with Dr. L. E. Love, with whom he was thus associated until May, 1920. The partnership was then dissolved and Dr. Brooke has since practiced independently. He is keenly interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life and his study, broad reading and experience have made him most efficient in his chosen calling. He is now county health officer for his district.

On the 20th of December, 1914. Dr. Brooke was married to Miss Dora Holland, who was born in Logan county, Arkansas, a daughter of W. E. Holland, a retired farmer of Plainview, who is now working for a produce concern. Mrs. Brooke is a capable teacher in the Dardanelle schools. She has displayed marked ability as a primary teacher, having been specially trained by a course in the Valparaiso Univer- sity at Valparaiso, Indiana.

Dr. Brooke has always voted with the democratic party and is interested in its suc- cess. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen of the World and hoth he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His connection along strictly professional lines is with the Yell County and Arkansas State Medical Societies and thus he keeps abreast with the trend of modern professional thought and investiga- tion. He is now engaged in general practice, devoting his entire time to his professional duties and the course that he has ever followed enables him to command the respect and confidence of colleagues and contemporaries.

ALVIN W. STRAUSS, M. D.

Dr. Alvin W. Strauss, an able surgeon of Little Rock, with large practice of an important character, was born at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, May 10, 1890. He is one of the younger representatives of the profession in the capital city but has already at- tained a position which many an older practitioner might well envy. His parents are Alexander and May (Weil) Strauss. The father was born in Germany, March 16, 1853, and after coming to the new world in 1878 he made his way across the country and took up his abode at Pine Bluff. There he engaged in business as a cotton broker and he still makes his home there. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party. His wife was born at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, January 24, 1870, and they were mar- ried September 22, 1889. They have become parents of two sons and a daughter: Sara Rita Strauss; Alvin W .; and Howard B., who is a cotton buyer of Pine Bluff.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. Strauss attended the public schools until graduated from the high school of Pine Bluff with the class of 1907. In preparation for his professional career he entered Tulane University of Louisiana as a medical student, although he had previously taken a premedical course. He was graduated as a physician and surgeon and at once entered upon active practice. Through the intervening period he has made steady professional progress. From 1912 until 1914 he was resident physician at the Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans. He devoted his attention to important professional work until after America's advent into the World war, when he joined the army and on the 13th of June, 1918, sailed for France, where he arrived thirteen days later. He was on active duty in the Argonne and in the Meuse sectors and in fact was in the front line in the Argonne-Meuse sectors for a part of the time. He returned to America March 3, 1919, and through the intervening period has practiced in Little Rock with good success. He is actuated by a laudable ambition in his profession and is making steady progress, promoting his efficiency by wide study and broad experience. He is now on the medical staff of St. Vincent's Infirmary, of the Baptist Hospital, the City Hospital of Little Rock, and also on the staff of the Leo N. Levi Hospital at Hot Springs. In 1920 he was made vice president of the Pulaski County Medical Society and he is chief examiner for Arkansas for the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives at Denver. Aside from his connection with the Pulaski County Medical Society he belongs to the Arkansas State Medical Society and to the American Medical Association. He is likewise iden- tified with two Greek letter fraternities, the Zeta Beta Tau and the Chi Zeta Chi.

On the 19th of May, 1918, before sailing for Europe, Dr. Strauss was married to Miss Tracye Altschul, who was born at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, March 31, 1893. They have become parents of one son, Alvin W., born January 6, 1920. Only a short time after his marriage Dr. Strauss sailed for France. He had enlisted previous to his marriage, joining the army August 4, 1917, when he was commissioned a first lieu- tenant of the Medical Corps. He served with the Medical Corps and with the Third Field Artillery from January 11, 1918, to March 7, 1919.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 89

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