Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 90

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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Politically Dr. Strauss is a democrat and keeps well informed on the vital ques- tions and issues of the day, but does not seek nor desire office. He is of the Jewish faith,

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having membership with B'nai Israel Congregation. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and he also has membership in the Grotto. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, to the Young Men's Hebrew Association, to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and to the Concordia Club. He manifests helpful interests in all those forces which are looking for progress and improvement among his fellowmen and his cooperation at all times can be counted upon to further any organization of general public benefit.

A. W. LEAKE.

A. W. Leake, proprietor of a well appointed drug store at Altheimer, Jefferson county, has there engaged in business for a period of twelve years and his thorough methods, his close application and undaunted enterprise have constituted a broad foundation on which he is building his success. He is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Lonoke, in 1879, his parents heing Dr. D. J. and Lula (Staggs) Leake. The father engaged in the practice of medicine in Lonoke for many years and not only ministered to the physical but also to the spiritual needs of the people, for he was a minister of the gospel, preaching as a representative of the Methodist church. He is still living in Lonoke and his life has been of great henefit and usefulness to his fellowmen. To him and his wife have been born four children: B. K., who is a druggist located at England; Anna, the wife of Frank Kirkland; Mamie, the wife of Claude Caple; and A W.

The last named pursued his education iu the schools of Lonoke county and dur. ing the greater part of his life has been connected with the drug business. He early acquainted himself with the trade and on removing to Altheimer in 1912 he established his store, which he has since conducted with excellent success. He carries a large and carefully selected line of standard drugs and sundries and his thoroughly reliable commercial methods, his enterprising spirit and his earnest efforts to please his patrons have heen the dominant factors in the attainment of his present-day prosperity, his being one of the leading stores of the town.

Mr. Leake was united in marriage to Miss Viola Hutchinson of England. Arkansas, and they have become the parents of two children: Harold and A. W., Jr. The family is widely and prominently known in Altheimer, occupying an enviable social position here. During the World war Mr. Leake acted as local recruiting agent for the Merchant Marine. Fraternally he is a Mason, who has attained the Knights Templar degree of the York Rite and has taken the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and has ever heen a faithful follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He is likewise a most loyal and devoted member of the Methodist church, in which he is serving as steward.

THOMAS EWELL BURROW.

The strongest business men are those who under the urge of necessity start out in the business world, forced to test and develop their strength hy actual effort. Power grows through the exercise of effort and the faithful performance of each day's duties gives strength and inspiration for the lahors of the succeeding day. A recognition of these truths on the part of Thomas Ewell Burrow has enabled him to advance steadily step by step until he is now in a prominent position in commercial circles of Little Rock as the secretary of the Beal-Burrow Dry Goods Company, a wholesale concern.

Born on a farm in Perry county, Arkansas, on the 16th of December, 1863, he is a son of Hance Wesley and Fanny (Gill) Burrow. The father was born in Carroll county, Tennessee, May 15, 1830, while the mother's birth occurred in Madison county, Tennessee, in June, 1833, and their marriage was there celebrated in 1856. Removing to Arkansas, they settled at Morrillton and the father was from early manhood a planter and merchant of Morrillton, remaining an active factor in the business circles of that section of the state to the time of his demise, which there occurred on the 12th of December, 1898. He had long survived his wife, who died in June, 1865. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was always interested in matters pertaining to the general welfare and development of his community, in which he was recognized as a most valued and substantial citizen.

Thomas E. Barrow pursued his early education in the country schools of Conway county, Arkansas, and afterward attended a preparatory school at Altus, Arkansas, while later he entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1882, remain-

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ing a student there until 1883. Throughout his active business career Mr. Burrow has made steady advancement. He was upon the road as a traveling salesman for nearly twenty-four years with the Hamilton-Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis, of which he was at one time a director and in which he is still a stockholder. His iden- tification with the wholesale dry goods trade in Little Rock dates from 1914 and he is now the secretary of the Beal-Burrow Dry Goods Company, which has a large establishment and is enjoying a very substantial trade. The policy of the house is manifest in the thorough reliability of the firm and their earnest desire to please their patrons-qualities which are always factors in the attainment of success. Mr. Burrow is also a director of the Exchange National Bank of Little Rock and by reason of his commercial and financial activities occupies a very prominent position in the business circles of the city.

On the 16th of December, 1886, Mr. Burrow was united in marriage to Miss Emma Robinson, who was born in Clarksville, Arkansas, February 24, 1866, a daughter of Hon. Littleberry and Martha (McConnell) Robinson, the former a native of Ken- tucky, the latter born in Arkansas. Both have departed this life, the mother in 1875 and the father in 1895. To Thomas E. and Emma (Robinson) Burrow there were born three children: Claude McKinney, born October 7, 1887, was married to Octavia Hollis, of Chicago, and they have two sons, William Hollis and Thomas E .; Lawrence B., the second of the family, is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Emma Robinson, the only daughter, is the wife of Carey Harrison, of San Francisco, and they have one child, Patricia. Mr. Burrow was again married June 30, 1902, in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, when Mrs. Lou H. Garnett, nee Holton, became his wife. She was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, and by her former marriage had one child, a daughter, Dorothy, who is now the wife of John Smith Murta, of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Mr. Burrow is a stanch supporter of democratic principles, having voted with the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. During the World war he served on the construction committee at Little Rock with C. L. Thompson as state chairman. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, South, of which he is now serving as a trustee. He is classed with those men who have dis- tinguished themselves by the possession of qualities of character which contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability as well and who have at all times enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them. Mr. Burrow has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable between himself and his fellowmen and, never swerving from the path of duty, he has steadily advanced until he is not only one of the prosperous but also one of the most highly esteemed residents of the capital city.

JOHN MAYES.

A native of Washington county John Mayes has established himself in a creditable position as a representative of the legal profession here. He was born August 28, 1875, a son of William and Eliza J. (Joyce) Mayes, both natives of eastern Tennessee, where their marriage was celebrated. The maternal grandfather, Edward Mayes, was born and died in Tennessee. For many years he ran a flatboat and he was also engaged in the mercantile business for some time. The maternal grandfather, William Joyce, was like- wise a native of eastern Tennessee but came to Arkansas and located in Washington county in 1857. He engaged in farming, winning substantial success, and was active along that line until his demise. When William H. Mayes came to Arkansas and located in Washington county he had but eighteen dollars and fifty-nine cents and he home- steaded a farm, later purchasing it from the government. As the result of his determina- tion and intelligently directed effort he overcame all obstacles and at the time of his demise was enjoying well-merited success. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mayes, John, whose name initiates this review, being the youngest of the family. Ten of the children are living.

In the acquirement of an education John Mayes attended the Benton Academy in Rogers and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1898. He then taught school for five years, in his spare time studying law and in 1904 he was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his profession at Fayetteville and for four years was asso- ciated with O. P. McDonald, at the end of which time he withdrew from the firm, to practice alone. In 1910 Mr. Mayes was nominated for prosecuting attorney and although carrying three counties out of four he was defeated because of the large democratic majority. He did, however, carry Washington county.

In 1894 Mr. Mayes was united in marriage to Miss Willie McNeely, a native of

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Washington county, and a daughter of J. M. McNeely, a successful farmer of the com- munity. Seven children have been born to their union: Gladys P., who is the wife of Walter Sweatt, a merchant and planter of Lexington, Tennessee; Alexa G., the wife of William L. Richardson, conducting a drug business in McAlester, Oklahoma; Evelyn, who is stenographer for her father; and James Kent, Stanley J., Mazie and Winifred, all attending school, Mrs. Mayes is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Mayes has given his stanch support to the re- publican party and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1917 and 1918. Mr. Mayes is fraternally identified with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. He has held all the chairs in the Modern Woodmen of America and is past chancellor of that body. The practice of Mr. Mayes is extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for his wide research and the 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. Mayes has been admitted to practice in all courts and the manner in which he handles his cases lias elicited warm commendation from members of the legal profession throughout the state.

HON. JAMES GORDON FRIERSON.

The name of the Hon, James Gordon Frierson figures conspicuously in connection with the history of Arkansas as that of a jurist and lawmaker. In many ways he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the annals of the state and his course was at all times the expression of a progressive spirit deeply and zealously interested in the welfare of the community and commonwealth.

James Gordon Frierson was born in the state of Tennessee and his parents removed to Mississippi when he was an infant. There he was reared to young manhood, at College Hill, near Oxford, and in due course of time he became a student at the University of Mississippi. At the outbreak of the Civil war James G. Frierson joined the colors of the south which he loved so well and eventually became a captain of Company M in one of the Mississippi regiments attached to Walthall's brigade. He participated in many of the most sanguinary engagements of the war and his own bravery and fear- lessness inspired and encouraged those who served under him. He was captured at the battle of Lookout Mountain and imprisoned on Johnson's Island for nineteen months. He was also numbered among those who stood for white supremacy during the dangerous days of reconstruction.

At the end of the conflict, James G. Frierson entered the law department of the University of Mississippi and he was graduated from this institution with the LL. B. degree. Directly thereafter he came to Arkansas and located at Wittsburg, Cross county. Later he moved to Clebourne and was one of the first four democrats in the state elected to the house of representatives during reconstruction. Subsequently he was elected to the senate and was president of that body during the Brooks-Baxter war, and as such received the telegram from President Grant recognizing Elisha Baxter as the governor. Mr. Frierson was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1874 and most care- fully, thoughtfully and wisely considered the vital questions which came up for settlement before that body. In the year 1882 he was elected circuit judge of the second judicial district and removed to Jonesboro, where he resided until his demise in March, 1884.

Soon after the close of the war James G. Frierson was united in marriage to Miss Emma G. Davis and they became the parents of two sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. Gordon and Charles D. are residents of Jonesboro; and Camille is the wife of Allen Hughes of Memphis, Tennessee.

Judge Frierson's death came as a severe shock to his family and many friends and left his widow with three children and little means of support. She was a brave little woman, however, and engaged in teaching in a private school for some time. Later she became a teacher in the public schools and in this connection she was active con- tinnonsly until 1899. She was a woman of culture and refinement and had a won- derful influence for good, having been one of the leading educators of the period. Many of the prominent men and women of this section today received their early training under Mrs. Frierson. Her death in 1899 caused a feeling of deep bereavement to sweep the community in which she had so long resided and was so greatly respected and beloved.

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Judge Frierson's interest centered in his family and the welfare of the state. He counted no sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare and happiness of his family and he did not hesitate to put forth any effort when he believed that it would benefit the community at large. The important questions of public concern which came up for settlement during his connection with public offices in Arkansas always received his most serious consideration and he was at all times actuated by marked devotion to the general good. He stood fearlessly by any cause which he espoused and even those who opposed him recognized his loyalty to his honest convictions. He stood among the most prominent men who left their impress upon the history of the state during the quarter century which followed the Civil war.

NOBLE DUBOIS MCCORMACK, M. D.

Dr. Noble DuBois McCormack, a physician and surgeon of Fort Smith, with offices in the First National Bank building, and a veteran of the World war, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1892, his parents being Charles B. and Marie (DuBois) McCormack. the latter a descendant of Captain Peter DuBois and of Revolutionary forebears, now having membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. The father is a contractor, having devoted his life to business activity of that character.

Dr. McCormack pursued his early education in the public schools of St. Louis, pass- ing through consecutive grades until he became a student in the Central high school. He next attended the Washington University, in which he won the Bachelor of Science degree in 1915 and completed his medical course in 1916, at which time the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. Following his graduation he became an interne in the St. Louis Children's Hospital, with which he was connected for a year.

In July. 1917, Dr. McCormack entered the army, becoming a captain of the Medical Corps of the regular army, assigned to the Eighty-first Division. He was on active duty overseas for a year and a half, or until June, 1919, and was with the Third Army Corps. When the armistice was signed he was sent to Germany and was later stationed at the surgeon's headquarters in Paris until December, 1919. Returning to the United States, he was on duty at Fort Sheridan, near Chicago, Illinois, until March, 1920, when he resigned from the service.

When released from military duty Dr. McCormack entered upon the practice of medicine in St. Louis, where he remained from May until November, 1920. At the latter date he came to Fort Smith and entered into active connection with the Holt Clinic as a specialist on diseases of infants and children. He is also attached to the staff of St. John's Hospital. He belongs to the Beta Theta Pi and also to the Nu Sigma Nu, two Greek letter fraternities, and he has membership in the Sebastian County Medical Society, the St. Louis Pediatric Society, the Southern Medical Society, the Arkansas Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He embraces every opportunity that will advance his knowledge and promote his efficiency along profes- sional lines and in his specialty has developed his skill to a high degree

Dr. McCormack was united in marriage, in December, 1919, to Miss Janet Dickson. a daughter of George A. Dickson of Chicago. They occupy an enviable social position in Fort Smith, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely accorded them. The Doctor belongs to the Business Men's Club of the city and also to the Country Club, but he never allows outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties and his close application, his study and his careful analysis of each case have been the elements that have brought to him a most creditable measure of success since he became a representative of the medical profession of Fort Smith.

EDWIN HOGABOOM.

Hot Springs owes not a little of her development and greatness to the business enter- prise and progressiveness of Edwin Hogaboom, banker and promoter, whose labors were an effective force in bringing about improvement in the hotels of the city and in the establishment of various public utilities here. Mr. Hogaboom was born near Elmira, New York, on the 24th of November, 1842, while his parents were of Holland birth. Having come to America, they established their home upon a farm in the vicinity of Elmira and there Edwin Hogaboom was reared, with the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He acquired a common school education, but not wishing to devote his life to agricultural pursuits, he turned to the study of pharmacy when a young man and devoted a number of years to that business. He removed from the Empire state to Wis-

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consin and in the year 1874 he came to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the benefit of his health. Later he returned to Wisconsin, where he continued to reside until 1876 and then again came to Hot Springs, where he established a drug store, beginning business on a small scale. He remained an active factor in the drug trade of the city until 1896 and with the passing years developed a business of large, substantial and gratifying proportions.

In the meantime Mr. Hogaboom also entered the field of banking and became presi- dent of the Arkansas National Bank in 1889. For a time he was president of the Hot Springs Banking & Trust Company, which later was merged into the Arkansas National Bank, of which he became the president and chief executive officer. He bent his efforts to administrative direction and the wise policy which he formulated and the progressive spirit which he manifested in the conduct of the affairs of the bank made it one of the strong and profitable institutions of the city. In later years he contributed much to the growth of Hot Springs as a promoter of various enterprises. He was the builder of the Park Hotel, also of the Eastman Hotel, and it was he who made possible the project of erecting the latter hostelry, securing the cooperation of many men of substantial means. He was also the president of the Electric Light & Water Company and of the Street Railway Company. He recognized readily the possibilities for the city's develop- ment and its needs in every way. His labors were most resultant in bringing about desired improvements and in his operations he ever looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities, the needs and the possibilities of the future. Hot Springs is largely indebted to him for what he accomplished and public opinion long accorded him a place of leadership in this city. In addition to his other business activities Mr. Hogaboom was the builder of the Park Hotel, was the builder of the ice plant and was closely associated with the promotion of still other interests which have been dominant elements in the growth, commercial development and improvement of Hot Springs.

At Shawano, Wisconsin, on the 17th of March, 1877, Mr. Hogaboom was married to Miss Jeanette Closser and they became parents of two sons: George A., a druggist of Hot Springs; and Gilbert E., who is the manager of the Buckstaff Bath House.

Mr. Hogaboom was a captain in the Federal army, commanding a company of Ver- mont cavalry during the Civil war, and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, sustaining a gunshot wound which crippled him to a greater or less extent throughout his remaining days. At all times he was as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry flag on the battle fields of the south. He was ever alert to the opportunities to do good in the upbuilding of community and commonwealth and his influence was ever on the side of reform, progress and improvement. He was very active in Masonic circles, attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and was also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was likewise made an honorary member of the Hoo Hoos, the lumber organization. He died at Hailey, Idaho, October 7, 1898, hav- ing gone to that city on a trip for the benefit of his health. His widow survived him for several years and died in Hot Springs, April 15, 1904. They were both widely and favorably known and by reason of the importance and extent of the projects which he promoted Mr. Hogaboom was regarded as one of the leading business men of Arkansas and was also an influential factor in Washington.

ROBERT BUTLER OLIVER.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, in August, 1881, Robert Butler Oliver of Little Rock, represents the highest type of the successful American business man, one whose energies and activities have turned to splendid account for the government during the World war. He comes of Scotch ancestry, the first Oliver who came to America being George Oliver, a Scotchman, who crossed the Atlantic in 1805 and soon afterward settled in Indiana, becoming one of the earliest of the pioneers of that state. His father, William H. Oliver, was born in Indiana and was a farmer, who, at the time of the Civil war, put aside all business and personal considerations and served from 1863 until 1865 with the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Regiment. He married Clara Pickett, who is living and is also a native of Indiana. Mr. Oliver's parents were honest, God-fearing people and reared their son with such care that he has never sought to stray from the paths of rectitude, though often placed in positions that tested his integrity to the utmost.

His early education was obtained in the public schools of Thayer, Kansas. He took up railroad contracting and remained in that line of business for about five years, after which he entered the field of general contracting, mostly in connection with public work. His success has been phenomenal. He is now president of the Oliver Construction Com- pany, one of the largest contracting firms in the south, giving employment to three

ROBERT B. OLIVER

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thousand men. During the World war Mr. Oliver tendered all of his equipment and forces to the United States government without reservation or reward. In accepting his offer the government made him superintendent of construction of the famous Muscle Shoals nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As is well known this plant was built at a cost of eighty million dollars and ten thousand men were under his charge, the job being finished in one year. In 1919 the treasury department put him in charge of the coal production of Arkansas when the miners went on strike and furnished him with full authority to call out troops to produce coal to prevent great suffering among the people. Accepting this dangerous task Mr. Oliver went alone to the mines, took his own men and produced the necessary coal without the slightest friction between the workers and the strikers and without calling on the government for any help.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 90

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