Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 9

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172

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S. A. Diehl received his education in Illinois, attending the country schools in the vicinity of the home farm and in due time the Illinois Normal School at Dixon. Upon the completion of his education he engaged in farming and was active in that connection until he reached the age of twenty-four years. He then took up the profession of teacli- ing and was engaged in educational work for a period of seventeen years, eleven years of that time being spent as principal and superintendent of schools at various places. Subsequently, however, he discovered that he was more interested in the newspaper business than he was in teaching and accordingly he went to Manito, Illinois, where he purchased a newspaper, which he edited for six years. He then spent one year in Bloomington, Illinois, and in 1908 came to Eureka Springs, arriving here in September of that year. He purchased the Flashlight, a weekly paper here and since that time he has succeeded in absorbing all the newspaper interests of the city. His daily paper is called the Times-Echo. He has one of the best equipped offices in the state and gets out the cleanest and best edited democratic daily and weekly in North Arkansas. In addition to the publication of his own papers he prints five other publications and does a large job printing business.

A contemporary writer has said of Mr. Diehl: "Mr. Diehl comes from that grand old state of Illinois, and while comparatively new to Eureka Springs, ever since his coming, has labored hard for the advancement of the city, not only with his hands and his head but with his money as well. His past experience has given him a schooling tended to make him a public man. Sixteen years as a pedagogue, eleven of them as principal and high school teacher; seven years of newspaper work in Illinois; president of the Ilinois State Epworth League; president and platform manager of the Quiver Lake Chautauqua in Illinois; state secretary of the Illinois Anti-Saloon League when he removed to Eureka Springs-these honors bestowed by Illinoisans bespeak a versa- tile ability." Not long after Mr. Diehl came to Eureka Springs he was appointed by Mayor Fuller as a member of the board of health and he was also elected as secretary of the Commercial Club, of which body he has been a director since his residence in the state.

On the 30th of November, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Diehl and Miss

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

Hannah J. Behringer, a native of Illinois. To their union two children have been born: Webster Emerson, and Donald DeWitt. The eldest son is now attending the law department of the University of Virginia, where he is a brilliant student. He seems to have inherited a natural talent for oratory, he is a fine public speaker for one of his years, and is widely known as the boy orator of the Ozarks. The younger son is but thirteen years of age and is a student in the schools here. Mrs. Diehl is prominent in the club and social circles of Eureka Springs and is recognized as a model housewife and mother.

The family is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Diehl has been president of the official board for many years, Fraternally he is a Mason, being a Knight Templar, and also past master of the craft. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor of the latter organization. In 1896 he became a democrat and he served as a delegate to the state convention the same year and the two years following. For nine years he has been a member of the board of education in Eureka Springs, his past experience in educational work making him a valuable asset to that body. Mr. Diehl is a forceful and eloquent public speaker and a man who pays strict attention to the minutest details of any business with which he is connected. He has made many friends throughout the state and ranks among the leaders of the press in Arkansas.

ELMER H. ELLSWORTH, M. D.

Dr. Elmer H. Ellsworth, engaged in medical practice in Hot Springs, with office in the Citizens National Bank building, is a native son of this city, his birth having here occurred August 20, 1878. His father, Prosper Harvey Ellsworth, was born in Canada and he, too, was a physician, a graduate of the Rush Medical College of Chicago of the class of 1861. He had previously read medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. Leeds of Lincoln, Illinois. Following his graduation he joined the United States army as a surgeon, going to the front with the One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry with the rank of major, his regiment being with the command of General Grant. He was on active duty in the field hospitals throughout the war, being stationed at various points and at length he was mustered out at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1866. During his military service he passed through this section of Arkansas and became greatly impressed with the wonderful possibilities of the springs. It was this that induced him to return in September, 1866, and here he located for the practice of his profession, which he also followed at Pine Bluff. He assisted largely in developing the hot springs, recognizing their curative. properties. There was only one physician here at the time besides Dr. Ellsworth. The latter engaged in practice in connection with Dr. Lawrence, and afterward continued in active practice in the city almost to the time of his death. He passed away September 30, 1907, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the community mourned the loss of a valued physician and representative citizen. He was a member of all the Masonic bodies up to and including the Commandery and was a faithful fol- lower of the teachings of the craft. He married Sarah E. Van Patten, who is living at Hot Springs.

Dr. Elmer H. Ellsworth was born and reared in this city, attending the public schools until he had completed the high school course, after which he became a student in the Morgan Park Academy in Chicago and was there graduated. He later completed a scientific course in the University of Chicago and next entered the Rush Medical College of that city, in which he completed his studies as a member of the class of June, 1904. He then returned to Hot Springs and joined his father, with whom he was associated in practice until the latter's death. He is recognized as one of the able members of the medical profession in this city and while he continues in general prac- tice he specializes to some extent in surgery. His ability is pronounced and he is most conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties, He displays the utmost care in the diagnosis of his cases and his judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault.

Dr. Ellsworth was united in marriage to Miss Adean M. McClure and they became parents of two children: Kathryn E. and Adean M. The wife and mother passed away in 1918, and in 1919 Dr. Ellsworth was married to Miss Minnie A. McCollum. Frater- nally Dr. Ellsworth is a Mason and has taken all degrees of the York Rite up to and including the Knights Templar degree. He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as civil service examiner and also as president of the board of pensions, a position which his father had previously filled. Dr. Ellsworth belongs to the Garland County, the Arkansas State, the Southern and American Medical Associations. He enjoys the highest respect of his professional colleagues and con-

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

temporaries and has the full confidence of his patients. His ability is attested in the excellent results which follow his labors and which have gained him a most creditable place as a practicing physician in Hot Springs, a city noted for the large number of its prominent physicians and surgeons.

W. D. MAUCK.

W. D. Mauck, a well known attorney of Bentonville, where he has practiced his profession continuously for almost a third of a century, was horn in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1864. His parents, Jonathan W. and Hannah (Cunningham) Mauck, were also natives of that county and there spent their entire lives, the father devoting his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock raising. David Mauck, the paternal grandfather of W. D. Mauck, became one of the pioneer settlers of Harrison county, Indiana, while Samuel Cunningham, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland. Jonathan W. Mauck and his wife were consistent and loyal members of the Presbyterian church and in politics he was a democrat. In his family were nine children, seven of whom are yet living.

W. D. Mauck, the eldest of the children, obtained his early education in the district schools of his native county and subsequently became a student in the State University of Indiana. He hegan reading law under the direction of Major W. Funk at Corydon, Indiana, and was admitted to the har in 1883, after which he began practice at Corydon. thus continuing for three years. He then went to Kansas in order to look after some land which he had purchased in that state and also took a trip to Arkansas. So well pleased was he with the outlook here that he brought his family to Bentonville in 1889 and opened an office for the practice of his profession. Here he has remained continu- ously since and he has been admitted to practice in all the courts. His clientage is now extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. Mr. Mauck is likewise identified with agricultural interests on an extensive scale, own- ing four or five farms in Benton county, Arkansas, two farms in Missouri and also some Texas land. Success in notable measure has crowned his efforts, for he came to this state with hut a thousand dollars and by diligence, determination and capable manage- . ment has worked his way steadily upward until he is now recognized as one of the prosperous citizens and representative attorneys of Benton county.

In 1886, in Indiana, Mr. Mauck was united in marriage to Miss Emma Deutsch, a native of that state and a daughter of Jacob Deutsch, who was born in Germany and on crossing the Atlantic to the United States took up his abode in Harrison county, Indiana. He was a tailor hy trade but later engaged in the grocery business. Mr. and Mrs. Mauck had one son, Ralph, who was a graduate of the University of Arkansas and also completed a course in the law department of the University of Virginia but passed away in 1909.

In his political views Mr. Mauck is a democrat and while residing in Indiana he served as a member of the state legislature from 1883 until 1885. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and a Knight of Pythias, being a past chancellor in the latter order. His wife is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and both are highly esteemed in the community in which they make their home and in which the circle of their friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

HENDRICK A. ROSS, M. D.

It was in December, 1918, that Dr. Hendrick A. Ross opened an office and began practice in Arkadelphia. He had previously had several years experience in the active work of the profession and had received thorough preliminary training in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. He was born in Okolona, Arkansas, February 21, 1884, and is a son of Dr. James S. Ross, a practicing physician, who for forty years has followed his profession in Okolona. He married Miss Sallie Winfield, a daughter of the Rev. Sandy Winfield, one of the pioneer circuit riders of Arkansas and a brother of the Rev. Gus Winfield, in whose honor the Winfield Memorial Methodist Episcopal church of Little Rock was named. Dr. James S. Ross is a graduate of the medical department of Tulane University at New Orleans and throughout his professional career

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

he has made steady progress, keeping at all times in close touch with the trend of pro- fessional thought and investigation, so that his lahors have been of great benefit to his fellowmen.

Dr. Hendrick A. Ross completed his preliminary education as a high school student in Okolona and then took up the study of pharmacy, being graduated in 1908 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. In the same year he entered upon the study of medicine, matriculating in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, which con- ferred upon him his M. D. degree at his graduation with the class of 1912. He then accepted the position as junior assistant physician in the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane and continued there for seven months, on the expiration of which period he resigned in order to return home. In January, 1913. he entered upon the private practice of medicine in Okołona, where he continued until December, 1918, when he sought a broader field of lahor and removed to Arkadelphia. Here he has built up an extensive practice, which is steadily growing and he is recognized as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of his adopted city. He helongs to the Clark County Medical Society, also to the Arkansas State Medical Society and the Southern Medical Asso- ciation.

On the 23d of July, 1916, Dr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Pamelia Potts, a native of Pottsville, Arkansas, and they have become parents of two children: Wallace A. and Pamelia B. Dr. Ross and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with Arkadelphia Lodge, No. 1149, B. P. O. E. He is serving as city health officer and he is also a member of the state medical hoard of the Arkansas State Medical Society. Throughout his professional career he has done everything in his power to promote a knowledge of sanitary condi- tions and thus prevent the spread of disease.' in his practice he is most thorough, diagnosing his cases with the greatest care and is setdom, if ever, at fault in foretelling the outcome of disease.

JAMES POMEROY WHITTEN.

One of the leading druggists of Murfreesboro is James Pomeroy Whitten, who was born in Prescott, this state, on the 24th of February. 1882. His father, Orf Whitten, was born in Georgia, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and came to Arkansas, locating in Lewis- ville in 1870. Subsequently he removed to Prescott and was one of the pioneer settlers of that community. For some years he was active in the conduct of a blacksmith shop and achieving substantial success in that connection, is now living retired in Prescott, at the age of seventy-two years. He is a highly respected citizen, as is also his wife, who is now seventy years of age. In 1873 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Whitten to Miss Buena Vista Mckellar, a native of Ripley, Mississippi, who came to this state in 1870. The ceremony was performed in Lewisville. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitten seven children were born, four boys and three girls, James Pomeroy, whose name initiates this review, being the fourth in order of birth. Two sons and two daughters are deceased.

In the acquirement of an education James Pomeroy Whitten attended the common schools of Prescott and after graduating from the high school he made his initial step into the business world by accepting a position as clerk in the Hesterly Drug Store, remaining in that employ for three years. In 1908 went to Texarkana as clerk with the Johnston & Stewart Drug Company there. In 1911 he severed his connection with that firm and started into the business on his own account in Murfreesboro, buying out the interests of Dr. J. W. Baker. It was not long before he had paid off his entire indebtedness and each year has witnessed a substantial growth in the concern, the result of his ahle management and innate ability along that line. By constant study at home Mr. Whitten was, in 1903, ready to take the examination required to become a registered pharmacist and he passed the examination with a high grade. For some time he was city recorder of deeds of Murfreeshoro and is now a director in the Pike County Bank here. Mr. Whitten has always heen a stanch advocate of education and is now an active member of the school board, which body he served as secretary for six years.

In Clinton, South Carolina, on the 5th of October, 1910, Mr. Whitten was united in marriage to Miss Ola Bell, a daughter of Dr. J. L. Bell of Highland, Arkansas. She is a registered pharmacist, having passed the examination at Little Rock on the 14th of June, 1921, and is one of twenty-one women who are registered pharmacists in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitten two children have been born: James Henry, who died at the age of eleven months; and Lois Vernita, whose death occurred at the age of three years.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist and Christian churches, to the support of which they are generous contributors. Fraternally Mr. Whitten is a member of Pike Lodge, No. 97, F. & A. M., and he is likewise a Knight of Pythias, holding membership in Dixie Lodge, No. 87, of Prescott. During the World war Mr. Whitten was chairman of the War Savings Stamps committee and made many speeches throughout the county in behalf of this and the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives. He is conceded to be one of the towns most public-spirited citizens and as the result of his own intelligently directed efforts has won an enviable position among the busi- ness men of the county.

HON. GEORGE W. DONAGHEY.

Hon. George W. Donaghey, on whom was conferred the highest honor within the gifts of the people of Arkansas in his election to the governorship of the state in 1908 and who hy reelection was continued as the chief executive of the state for four years, has in many other ways been associated with events which have made history in this commonwealth. He is identified with many important financial and com- mercial enterprises and with many projects looking to the benefit and welfare of city and state. His birth occurred near Oakland post office, Union parish, Louisiana, on the 1st of July, 1856. His parents moved across the state line into Union county, Arkansas, when he was an infant and there he remained until after he had attained the age of about seventeen years, eventually establishing his home in Conway, Arkansas, in 1879, when a young man of twenty three years. Early in life he had learned the carpenter's trade, his first position being that of a hench head in a cabinet shop. There is nothing for which the American people have as great respect. as for the record of the self-made man-one who rises through sheer merit and ability from compara- tive ohscurity to prominence, and this Governor Donaghey has done. He early realized the eternal principle that industry wins and, moreover, he has exemplified in his entire life that honesty is the best policy. The qualities of diligence and in- dustry, therefore, were among his marked characteristics from the time he made his initial step in the business world. After working at the carpenter's trade for some time he took up contracting and building on his own account and his excellent work- manship, his fair dealing and his business sagacity soon led to the development of a large patronage. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in real estate, acquiring much valuable property, including a number of well located business houses. He was the builder of Hendrix College, which was his first large contract and later he was given the contract for the erection at Fayetteville of the Washington county courthouse. He was likewise the builder of the courthouse at Longview, Texas, and of the Arkansas Insane Asylum, which he rebuilt after its partial destruction in the tornado in 1894. He has had important contracts in many other sections of the state, as well as in Oklahoma and in Texas, and gradually he advanced to a foremost position in the ranks of contractors and huilders in the southwest. As the years have passed he has made large investments in business enterprises of importance and is now the active vice president of the Bankers Trust Company of Little Rock. He is also the vice president of the Faulkner County Bank at Conway, Arkansas, and the vice president of the Beal-Burrow Wholesale Dry Goods Company of Little Rock. He has just completed a building for this company and likewise has recently completed the new Exchange National Bank building of the capital city. He is the president of the Donaghey Real Estate & Construction Company and is the chairman of the board of the Broadway Main street improvement commissioners, which board is to erect two bridges over the Arkansas river. His work has at all times been of a character that has contributed in marked measure to the develop- ment and upbuilding of the state and he is justly accounted one of the most valued and progressive men of Arkansas.

On the 20th of September, 1883, Mr. Donaghey was married to Miss Louvenia Wallace, and they have a legion of friends throughout the commonwealth. They hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Donaghey is serving as chairman of its hoard of trustees, while at all times he is a generous contributor to its support and does everything to promote the growth of the church. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, is identified with the Knights of Pythias and is a mem- her of the Country Club. During the World war he served on all bond drives and on the finance hoard, helped to locate Camp Pike and huilt the aviation warehouse in Little Rock at a cost of one million dollars. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party and the first public office which he held was that of member of the first board of capital commissioners. In the democratic primaries

HON. GEORGE W. DONAGHEY

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS

of 1908 he sought the nomination for governor. It had come to be recognized that the man who could secure the democratic nomination had practically won the election. Mr. Donaghey was opposed by a strong faction in the party, but overcame all opposi- tion and was nominated by a large vote and won the election in the following Septem- ber by a splendid majority. In 1910 he was again the nominee of the party, carrying every county in the state primary election, except two, and once more he was elected to the office, first taking his seat as chief executive on the 14th of January, 1909, and remaining at the head of the state government for a period of four years. For several years prior to 1908 the new state capitol, then in course of construction, had been the cause of frequent political dissension. Donaghey's election is proof con- clusive that the people had at last grown tired of the agitation and that they wanted now to see the political end of the matter settled for good and all. Donaghey prom- ised, in the event of his election, to complete the capitol and to give the state full value for every dollar expended on it during his administration. On his record as a contractor and builder of public buildings he was able to show evidence of his capacity to make good that promise. Under his direction practically all of the interior construction that was placed in the building by the former contractors, Caldwell and Drake, was condemned as being unsafe, was torn out and later replaced by heavier and better building materials. In two years this work had advanced far enough for the legislature of 1911 to hold its session there. Governor Donaghey was reelected in 1910. He continued, however, a member of the capitol commission until the build- ing was completed, in which position he served the state for a number of years without compensation for his labor. To him must be given most of the credit for the creation and integrity of construction of the capitol as it stands today, pro- nounced by the hundreds who visit it each year a building of magnificent proportions and ideal appointments. To one who has visited all the principal capitals of Europe it is "one of the world's beautiful buildings" and a "triumph of architecture." As one might have anticipated his administration was businesslike and progressive. He avoided all useless expenditure of public money and the equally useless retrench- ments which block advancement and improvement. He studied every phase of public life coming under his direction and sought at all times to advance the welfare of the state, the indorsement of his splendid service coming in his reelection. Not- withstanding all this he considers the pursuits of private life as in themselves abnn- dantly worthy of his best efforts and is accomplishing much for the state's benefit as well as for the upbuilding of his fortunes in the conduct of important commercial and industrial interests with which he is identified. He is also a member of the board of control of the state charitable institutions of Arkansas.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 9

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