Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 92

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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JOSEPH DOW COVEY.

Joseph Dow Covey, vice president of the American Bank of Commerce & Trust Company, the largest bank in Arkansas, has for many years figured prominently in financial circles of the state. Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in connection with the business interests of the commonwealth than does J. D. Covey. This is due not alone to the success he has achieved but also to the straightforward, thoroughly reliable and progressive methods which he has always followed. 'He has ever regarded time as a valuable asset and has made each hour count as a factor in the attainment of his purposes. Thus day by day he has advanced until he stands now in a conspicuous and enviable position among the bankers of the state. Mr. Covey was born near Gravette, in Benton county, Arkansas, June 11, 1863, a son of John Nap Covey and a grandson of Joseph Covey, who spent his life in Tennessee. The family comes of Dutch ancestry, the progenitor in America settling in Mary. laud upon crossing the Atlantic from Holland. John Nap Covey was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, in 1815. While he had little opportunity to attend school he was always of studious nature, read broadly and delved to the root of all matters in which he became interested. He took up the occupation of farming in Tennessee and there remained until 1851, when he removed to Bentonville, Arkansas. He afterward pur- chased land near Gravette and engaged in the tilling of the soil throughout his remain- ing days. He married Martha Holmes Farrar, who was born in Tennessee and died in Benton county, Arkansas, in 1880. They became parents of nine children: Eliza- beth, deceased, who was the wife of J. J. Harmon; James R., who had been living in Raton, New Mexico, but who came back and died at Gentry, Arkansas; Welcome J., who died at Gravette, Arkansas; Mrs. Mary C. Patton of Gravette; Rosanna R., the deceased wife of James C. Wilson; Jacob G., who departed this life in California; Marietta T., the deceased wife of Taylor Pennicks of Texarkana; John Henry Dean, who died at Grove, Oklahoma; and Joseph Dow, of this review.

The last named remained under the parental roof to the age of twenty-three years and during that period received ample training in the work of the farm, early be- coming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On leaving home he went to Chalk Valley, where for five years he conducted a store. In 1892 he became a candidate for public office, being elected clerk and recorder of Benton county. That he discharged his duties with marked promptness and capability is shown in the fact that he was reelected for a second term.

Following his retirement from office Mr. Covey made his initial step in the field of banking, by becoming cashier of the Benton County Bank, then a state bank, with which he was actively connected for many years. He contributed largely to the suc- cess of the institution and when in 1906 the bank was converted into the Benton County National Bank, with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, its surplus amounted to about two-thirds of its capital. Mr. Covey continued as cashier and one of the directors of the bank until 1914 and he likewise was elected to the directorate and made the vice president of the First State Bank of Bentonville. He became a director of the Bank of Centerton, Arkansas. His colleagues and contemporaries in the field of banking came to a recognition of his ability and sound judgment in financial matters and he was made a member of the executive council of the Arkansas Bankers' Associa- tion, which named him a member of the committee of seven to meet with a committee of the state legislature to discuss banking matters and devise better banking laws for the commonwealth. In 1913 Mr. Covey was elected to the presidency of the

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Arkansas Bankers Association. On the Ist of January, 1914, he became assistant bank examiner of the state and so served until July, 1918, organizing this department. In July, 1918, he was elected active vice president of the Bank of Commerce of Little Rock, which in March, 1919, consolidated with the American National Bank and the American Trust Company, Mr. Covey continuing as vice president of the new organi- zation now known as the American Bank of Commerce & Trust Company, the largest bank in Arkansas.

On the 24th of June, 1886, in Benton county, this state, Mr. Covey wedded Miss Mary F. Addington, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Smith) Addington. Her father came to Arkansas with his family from Georgia prior to the Civil war and died while serving as a soldier in the Confederate army. Mr. and Mrs. Covey have a family of two sons and two daughters: John Nap, Martha Fay, Cora Dot and Daw Fin. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally Mr. Covey is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, also one of the Knights of Pythias. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite in Albert Pike Consistory and is also a member of Al-Amin Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has likewise become a Knights Templar, having membership in Bethany Commandery, No. 16, K. T., and was elected grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Arkansas in 1914, of the York Rite, serving in 1914-15. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party and he has labored untiringly for the adoption of its principles and for the advance- ment of the interests of the state through political enactment. He studies closely the questions and issues of the day and has ever displayed a deep interest in the science of government. In a word, he has always recognized and met his obligations and duties of citizenship and judged by the highest standards Mr. Covey stands as a man among men, honored and esteemed by all.

BEN SHAVER.

Ben Shaver, who has been an active practitioner at the bar of Ashdown since dis- charged from the army at the close of the World war, is now junior partner in the firm of Johnsen & Shaver. He was born at Center Point, Howard county, Arkansas, on the 17th of December, 1888, and was there reared to the age of ten years, when the family home was established at Mena, in Polk county. He attended the graded and high schools in the acquirement of an education and then, having determined upon a professional career, entered the law department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914. Admitted to the bar in the same year, he at once located for practice at Hope, where he engaged in the work of the courts until August, 1917, at which time he joined the army, serving with the rank of second lieutenant in different camps until discharged on the 22d of December, 1918. After returning to civil life he took up the practice of law at Ashdown and here followed his profession independently until he entered into his present partnership connection with C. E. Johnsen in January, 1921. A large clientage has been accorded him and he is ranked with the intelligent and progressive young lawyers whose advancement at the bar is assured by reason of their capability, their close application and their unremitting diligence.

Fraternally Mr. Shaver is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. His entire life has been spent in southwestern Arkansas and the number of his friends has constantly increased as the circle of his acquaintance has broadened. In a profession where advancement depends upon individual merit and ability he has made steady progress and his aid and influence have always been on the side of those interests which have to do with general improvement and advancement in community, commonwealth and country.

JOHN L. KELLY, M. D.

Dr. John L. Kelly, physician and surgeon at Hope, was born in Louisiana, Septem- ber 17, 1869, and there spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon a farm, having the usual experiences of the farm bred boy who is trained to the work of the fields. When about twenty years of age he began teaching school, which profession he followed for two years. In the meantime he took up the study of medicine and in 1892 he entered Tulane University as a medical student and was graduated therefrom on the completion of his course. He practiced medicine at intervals until graduated with the class of 1908 . and then settled down to the steady and thorough work of the profession. He opened

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an office in Welcome, Arkansas, where he remained for three years. In 1896 he re- moved to Stamps, Arkansas, where he engaged in practice as surgeon for the railroad and lumber company, continuing to fill the position for thirteen years. In 1906 he located at Hope, where he established the first hospital, known as the Kelly Sanitarium of Hope. This he opened in 1910 and conducted it successfully until 1919. He has always specialized in surgery and he did much important work of this character in the sani- tarium, which, however, he closed during the period of the World war. He has also engaged in general practice and has specialized to a considerable extent on diseases of women and children and nervous diseases.

Dr. Kelly has led a most active, busy and useful life and is splendidly preserved, his appearance being that of a young man. He belongs to the Hempstead County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Associ- ation and through his connection with these bodies has kept informed concerning all that is being accomplished by the medical profession in the present day. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Circle and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a well informed man, widely read on many subjects, possesses a strong personality and is a genial, cordial gentleman with whom it is a pleasure to meet.

HENRY T. TERRY.

Henry T. Terry is the president of the Terry Dairy Company of Little Rock and an alert and energetic business man. He is generally known and spoken of by his friends as "Will" Terry and few know his real name. "What's in a name?" asks the immortal Shakespeare, and no matter by what name Mr. Terry is addressed, he is the same thor- oughgoing, farsighted and energetic business man, accomplishing substantial results and winning well merited success. He was born in Lonoke couuty, Arkansas, February 17, 1881, and is a son of John W. Terry, whose birth occurred in Tennessee in 1842 and who became a gallant soldier of the Civil war. He was ever brave and faithful to the cause which he espoused and four times he was wounded on the field of battle. After the war was over he came to Arkansas and took up the occupation of farming, becoming one of the pioneers in this state, as his forbears had been in Tennessee. Here he con- tinued to make his home until called to his final rest in January, 1881. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth A. Honea and their marriage was celebrated in 1871. She belonged to one of the old pioneer families of Georgia and still survives her husband.

Henry T. Terry, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the common schools of Lonoke county and after a short period spent on the farm he started in the dairy business in Little Rock in a small way, in 1906. He has made wonderful progress through the intervening period. In 1912 he built a brick dairy, forty by one hundred and forty feet and two stories in height, equipping it with the best machinery then obtainable. Later, upon the organization of the Terry Dairy Company, of which he was elected president, the company built an additional two-story building of concrete, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, and thus in connection with the original building they have a frontage of ninety feet, with a depth of one hundred and forty feet, giving them a floor space of twelve thousand six hundred feet. The upper floors are devoted to offices, the accounting department, the ice cream mixing department and the butter making department, while the lower floor is utilized for the housing of the new and up-to-date machinery secured for the production of the certified product of the company and by the shipping department. The company owns the Terry Milk Farm, with its tested cows, electrical milkers and modern barns, where all the work is in great contrast to that which was done a generation or two ago in connection with the care of milk. The efficient management of Mr. Terry has resulted in the development of a business that turns out daily two thousand pounds of the famous Red Rose butter and also handles in large quantities Bulgarian buttermilk, the Terry cottage cheese and pasteurized milk and cream, together with the famous Terry ice cream. Seventy-five employes are constantly kept busy in the care of the trade, while sixteen wagons and six huge trucks look after the city delivery of milk, cream, ice cream and other products. Such is the reputation that Mr. Terry has built up for his products that signs bearing the words, "We serve Terry's ice cream" and "Terry dairy products sold here," always win a liberal patron- age, as such signs are recognized as a synonym of high standard and excellence in the lines handled.

On the 14th of December, 1904, Mr. Terry was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hem- meIrath, a daughter of Jacob Hemmelrath of Little Rock, and they have three children: William Frederick, a high school student; Mildred A., who is in the grades; and Seymour W., an infant. While giving all of his time to his business, Mr. Terry is never- theless an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained

HENRY T. TERRY

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the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. His political faith is that of the democratic party and his religious belief that of the Baptist church. He is a genial gentleman of social disposition and kindly spirit, who wins friends wherever he goes, until today the circle of his friends is almost coextensive ,with the circle of his acquaintances.

CAESAR TOMASZEWSKI.

Caesar Tomaszewski, one of the proprietors of the Modern Machine Shop of Pine Bluff, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1876, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. John Tomaszewski, who were of Polish nativity. At an early age he began learning the machinist's trade and after removing to Pine Bluff in the year 1893 he became assso- ciated with F. L. Dilley in this line of work. He has made steady advancement throughout his business career, his capabilities and powers expanding year by year as his experience has increased. In 1915 he joined Will Mara in establishing the Modern Machine Shop and has since been active in the conduct and management of this business.

Mr. Tomaszewski's sister, Blanche, served overseas with the United States army as a trained nurse for eighteen months during the World war and is now secretary of the Arkansas Nurses Association.

Will Mara, who is the partner of Mr. Tomaszewski, in the ownership and conduct of the Modern Machine Shop, was born in London, England, in 1869, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Maloney ) Mara. On leaving England the family crossed the Atlan- tic to the new world and established their home in Marysville, Ohio, where they remained for several years. They then sought the opportunities of the southwest, coming to Arkansas about thirty-five years ago, at which time they settled in Little Rock. It was in the capital city that Will Mara learned the machinist's trade and iu 1886 he came to Pine Bluff, where he entered the employ of F. L. Dilley, with whom he worked for an extended period, gaining broad experience and thorough training through that connection. In 1915 he entered into partnership with Caesar Tomaszewski in establishing the Modern Machine Shop, which is well appointed, being supplied with all necessary equipment for the conduct of their business, which has steadily growu through the intervening period of seven years until it is now one of substantial pro- portions. They make a specialty of high class machine shop work and cylinder grinding. They also manufacture the Glenn saw collars for cut-off saws and ship these through- out the country, having a liberal patronage for this product. In fact, they are gradually developing a nation-wide business in this article. The purpose of this device is to keep saws from breaking and its advantage is appreciated by all who know aught of machin- ery and especially of the use of saws,

Mr. Mara was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Stewart of Pine Bluff and they have one child.

Both Mr. Tomaszewski and Mr. Mara are members of the Chamber of Commerce and are interested in all that pertains to the work of that organization in its efforts to advance the material development of the city, to extend its trade relations and to uphold all those interests which make for higher standards of citizenship and of public service. As business men they are alert, energetic and progressive and as the result of their thoroughness and capability their patronage is steadily increasing.

JAMES EVERETT CHRISP.

James Everett Chrisp filled the office of circuit clerk and recorder in Little Rock for nearly three years, his duties being discharged with marked capability, promptness and fidelity, until death ended his labors on October 29, 1921. He was born on a farm in White county, Arkansas, May 8, 1873, and was a representative of an old family of English lineage. His great-grandfather, Jock Chrisp, was born in London, England, and was a cooper by trade. Coming to America, he served as a soldier in the Continental army dur- ing the Revolutionary war, thus aiding in winning independence for the nation. He lost a leg in the hattle of Bemis Heights. His son, William Chrisp, the grandfather of James Everett Chrisp, born in Virginia, was a member of the Tenth Virginia Cavalry in the War of 1812 and was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. He died at the age of seventy-six. He had a family of nine sons and eight daughters and seven of the sons were in the Con- federate army and six lived to return home. The same military spirit was evidenced by James E. Chrisp at the time of the Spanish-American war in his attempt to get into the

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army, although he was not successful in the attempt. His father, Robert Wesley Chrisp, was born March 7, 1835, in Gibson county, Tennessee, and at the age of eighteen years he became a resident of White county, Arkansas, where he still makes his home. He has devoted his life largely to the occupation of farming, carefully tilling the soil as the years have gone by and thus providing for the support of his family. His military service, covered four years in the Seventh Arkansas Infantry during the Civil war, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, then was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi de- partment to organize the same. He was with General Price on the Missouri raid, parti- cipating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Helena, Polk Farm, Pilot Knob and others. His brother, James Chrisp, served with the Texas Cavalry and died during the war; his brother John was quartermaster with General Pillow; and another hrother, Horace, was in the Twelfth Tennessee Regiment. Stark, Henry and Luther Chrisp were with General Forrest. Robert Wesley Chrisp has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and at all times he was loyal to the interests of the state, supporting all measures and plans for the general good. He married Sarah Frances Neavill, a native of Alabama, and they became the parents of fifteen children, eight of whom, seven sons and a daughter, reached adult age, while three sons and one daughter are living.

James E. Chrisp, who was the tenth in order of birth in the family, spent his youth- ful days on the home farm, with the usual experiences of the farm hred boy. He began his education in the country schools but afterward continued his studies in the Searcy public schools and also spent one session as a student in Searcy College. He early took up the occupation of farming and also gave considerable time to the profession of teaching, these two vocations dividing his interests and his activities until he was called to public office. It was on the 1st of January, 1919, that he entered upon the duties of his position as circuit clerk and recorder for a term of two years and on the expiration of that period he was reelected for the succeeding term of two years, so that his incumbency would have continued him in the position until he had completed four years' service in that connec- tion. He always gave his political support to the democratic party and at all times kept thoroughly informed concerning its issues and its attitude upon vital questions. The death of Mr. Chrisp on October 29, 1921, was a great loss to his family, his friends and the county which he so acceptably served. The governor of Arkansas has appointed Mr. Chrisp's widow to fill out his unexpired term as circuit clerk of Pulaski county.

On the 14th of February, 1912, in Little Rock, Mr. Chrisp was married to Miss Lillian Foulkes, who was horn in White county, Arkansas, in 1878. He was highly esteemed in Little Rock, as is his wife, and they gaiued many friends. Mr. Chrisp was a member of the Baptist church to which his wife also belongs, and Mr. Chrisp was a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, loyally following the teachings and purposes of the craft. His life was at all times actuated by high and honorable principles and those who knew him esteemed him greatly for his sterling worth and devotion to duty whether of a public or private nature.

ERNEST DOWELL.

To Ernest Dowell a public office is a public trust and he is carrying out to the best of his ability the duties devolving upon him as county judge, to which office he was elected in 1920. For some time he has been a resident of Washington county, where he has won prominence as an agriculturist but he is now living on his farm near Fayette- ville, having rented his farm three miles west of that place.

Like many other of Arkansas' representative citizens Mr. Dowell is a native of an- other state, his birth having occurred in Smith county, Tennessee, on the 21st of June, 1876, a son of W. M. and Nancy C. (Wright) Dowell, both natives of that state. The paternal grandfather, William F. Dowell, was born in Tennessee and came to Arkansas, locating in Washington county in 1867. He purchased land and thereon resided until his death, becoming an agriculturist of note. Grandfather Dowell was a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout that conflict as a captain in the Confederate army. The maternal grandfather was Henry Wright and he was likewise a native of Tennessee, in which state he lived throughout his life. He was a veteran of both the Mexican and Civil wars. W. M. Dowell was born in 1854 and died in 1917, while his wife was horn in 1859 and is still living, making her home on the farm in Washington county. The father came to Arkansas and settled in Washington county in 1880, purchasing a farm three miles west of Fayetteville, which is now in possession of the son, Ernest Dowell. He improved the farm, planted an orchard and resided upon that place until his death, engaging in farming and stock raising. He was a self-made man and when he first came to Arkansas he had nothing. He was, however, determined to succeed and as the result of intelligently di- rected effort he achieved a substantial success. At the time of his demise he owned con-

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siderable good land. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell: Ernest, whose name initiates this review; Frank, a farmer of Washington county; Robbie, who is mar- ried to Floyd Paul of Washington county; and Ruby, the wife of Sidney Burnipp, a farmer of Washington county. The family was reared in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Dowell was a stanch supporter of the democratic party.

Ernest Dowell is indebted to the schools of Fayetteville, Arkansas, for his early education and in due time he enrolled in the State University. Upon the completion of his education he engaged in farming and has two hundred and forty acres of valley, or bottom, farm land. His farm is located three miles west of Fayetteville and he has erected a beautiful modern home on the land. Mr. Dowell remained successfully engaged in farming until 1920, when he was elected to the office of county judge and now in order to devote his entire attention to the duties devolving upon him as incumbent in that of- fice he has rented his farm.

In 1900 Mr. Dowell was united in marriage to Miss Norma F. Mullins, a native of Washington county, and a daughter of William M. Mullins, a native of Carolina. Soon after the Civil war her father removed to Missouri and thence to Arkansas, where he en- gaged in farming. Two children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dowell: Ruth and Allen, both attending the schools of Fayetteville.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 92

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